School Board Meeting - 2/19/26

001call to order this uh February 19th, 2026 regular meeting of the board of education. Please rise for the pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> May we have roll call? >> Yes. Jason Decker >> here. >> Mary Lee Hall >> here. >> Samantha Hall >> here. >> William Hall >> here. >> Jeremy Hash >> here. >> Jennifer Henle here. >> Nathan Henle here. >> Lisa Stal here. >> Joseph Wilson >> here. >> Thank you. Thank you. All right. I'll uh make a motion to approve the February 19th, 2026 agenda as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. Have a motion and a second. Uh

002any discussion? Any ns or abstensions? Hearing none. That motion carries. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes for the January 15, 2026 board meeting as well as the February 17th, 2026 uh personnel and policy committee meeting and the February 17th, 2026 buildings and grounds committee meeting minutes. Uh anyone want to move that? >> So move second. >> And uh any discussion? Any nays or abstensions? Hearing none, that carries. And which brings us to four 4.01, our student representative report. Caleb, >> thank you. Got a few notes for you guys and then a few dates. Um, in most recent memory, last night was the um, where'd it go? Battle of the buildings, I was fortunate enough to be the student team captain. It was an amazing experience. Um, we tied the high school teachers, which

003was kind of sad. Um but >> wow, >> next year I I have faith in the team next year. Um Friendship ended up taking the win overall. Um the first time in recent memory um so congratulations to them. And then I believe it was Shrewberry who took the spirit award which is always fun. Much deserved. I saw an inflatable shark costume that was new. Um, then I also, if some of you might remember, I won the essay contest for Senator Kristen Phillips Hill. And part of that was I got to shadow a day with her. And that was very, very fun. It was a great experience. I want to give a thank you to all of her staff, to Mr. Pausner for making that opportunity available. Um and obviously to Senator Kristen Phillips Hill. Um

004then some other events and notes. The winter carnival went very well. Another special thank you to all the clubs, advisers, attendees for making our second annual winter carnival a big success. We also, I think it was last month, hosted the first um girls wrestling match, which is very exciting. Um, I believe that was was that added last year, two years ago? >> Officially the team was this year. >> Yeah. >> So, very, very exciting. And also in women's sports, we have Elena Snyder, who's the most recent addition to our thousand point club. Very, very impressive. Um, if you guys haven't seen them play, the team is amazing. I believe they're still going um in postseason now. >> Tomorrow night. >> Yep. >> Tomorrow night. >> Be there. Then some more dates for you guys. The

005band swing dance has been moved to the spring. Um date TBD. March 2nd, spring sports begin. Very excited for track. Just needs to warm up a little bit more. Fingers crossed. Then March 4th, the college and career fair at 5:30 p.m. March 10th, the principal's parent advisory committee at 6:00 pm. Then March 10th, the SHs chamber orchestra concert at 7. That one's always very fun to watch. You get to see smaller groups perform. Then on March 19th, the end of marking period 3. Then the musical theater weekend or sorry theater musical weekend is the 20th to the 22nd. And another shout out to Mr. Amberman for providing such amazing opportunities such as the first responder and military career night at 5:30 p.m. on March 21st or 24th, sorry. It'll be a great experience in addition

006to the college and career night. um cuz college is not for everyone. So, it's great that he's providing such amazing opportunities. And that's all I've got for you guys. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Quick question. What night was the chamber concert? >> Chamber concert was >> 10th. >> March 10th. >> Yeah, March 10th, 7 p.m. >> I do have to make note. >> Okay. the uh high school student team last night may have been the most organized, best played >> group of students we've ever had. Similarly friendship winning. >> Yeah. >> Um at the top even though you did tie which is >> Yeah. >> Congratulations captain. >> Thank you. >> You were good sports last night. Sometimes the student team were not such good sports. You were very good sports. >> They get

007rowdy with scream. Thank you. Uh moving on to item 5.01. Uh we'll have a presentation on a potential enhanced district-wide communication tool uh called Parent Square. Good evening. So we are here tonight to recommend the consolidation of many of the communications tools that are used throughout the district uh into a system that primarily uses a single communications platform. Uh so what does that mean? As a district uh our staff, teachers, and coaches all currently use a variety of systems to communicate with parents, students, and the community. So, as you can see, we have a number of different apps um that are being used throughout the district. Some are paid apps and some are free apps. Um so, to give you an example of how they're being used, um school messenger is used to send out

008the roocalls and the text messages and many of the emails. So, this is where um this is what's used when the um there's a two-hour delay or a virtual day or a power outage or maybe a bus delay. Um, school messenger is what's being used for that. Mailchimp is used by the elementary schools to send out district newsletters and we also use it to send out the dis I'm sorry, elementary schools use it to send out their elementary building newsletters and we also use it to send out the district newsletter. And my conference time is used by parents and teachers to schedule conferences. And then among the free apps, um, the class dojo is used by many of the elementary classrooms. um classroom teachers. Sports U is used by athletics, band is band. And so,

009as you can see, we have a lot of different apps for a lot of different purposes. Uh and the um the thought is that consolidating them all into one system makes it easier really for everybody to use so that we don't have staff and um parents in the community really trying to maintain and learn and use different systems. So when we look at the different communications platforms that are out there, um the primary goals are ensuring safety and accessibility. Um making sure that we are meeting all of the legal requirements um related to age, ADA compliance and security. And uh having said that, there's still a lot of platforms out there. Um and so we um look to narrow that down. And Dr. to tell you how we did that. >> So, we started by

010pulling out every type of communication tool that we could find out there and we really wanted to do our due diligence and really see what's out there, what is able to provide kind of like a one-stop shop. So, we were able to kind of narrow it down to final site, school messenger, which is what we currently use, Parent Square, and Blooms. And we really we decided we need to pull in from this initial group. We wanted to kind of narrow it down and then pull in a group of different stakeholders to come and kind of look at each one of them presentations by the companies and find out more about them. So as we narrowed it down, we wanted to get it down to three. School messenger has a brand new platform. So we wanted

011to evaluate that since we are currently using that. Final site, which is what we are using for our website. And then parent square was the other one that we took to the committee. Our first committee, it really did have um a lot of different stakeholder groups on it. We had coaches and what we were finding is that a lot of our coaches were using a lot of different apps. So we were trying to figure out, okay, what's the best ones? We started looking at privacy and we really said we need to find a way to make sure that our students information is always safe. So that's where we started evaluating these three platforms and finding out how do you gather that the information and the data. We had our athletics people coming on board. We

012had counselors, teachers, um our teachers union had representatives, administrative assistants. We had parents and transportation. We looked at business, human resources. We tried to think of every group that we possibly could to bring in to have a little bit of a um demo to see what are the different platforms and then really looking at the idea that we wanted something for mass communication that goes out for those emergency things. But then also to be able to have for our newsletters two-way communication which would be where teacher sends something to a parent and a parent would send something back. We use Class Dojo. Once again, that's a company out of Canada. So, we were talking with them, looking at privacy policies and all of those things. But ultimately, we wanted something that was going to be

013easy to use for our parents and community. So, we narrowed it down. We had these went through these three systems and we really looked at what is the one-stop shop. How do we make sure that that two-way messaging is really working? Well, we wanted to also look to see is there something we keep talking about AEA and the compliance issues that we have to be um in have in place for 2027. We were looking for something that will help us all with this with our communication templates automatically um prompt you to do some of these ADA components. So we looked at that when we were looking at these three different platforms. We wanted to make sure that we had good translation for different languages and looking at a robust system that would be able to

014do that. Having an opportunity to include forms and RSVP type of information and then once again ease of use for our stakeholders which would include our teachers and most importantly our parents. So at the end of the demo uh where we had all the stakeholders in the room, we asked them to go through a rubric, kind of evaluate it and then we did a vote anonymously among the room. The votes came back with 14 votes for parent square, three votes for uh final site. And it was it was really interesting going around the room after everybody voted and just hearing their viewpoints on why they voted. and anybody from athletics to the counselors to teachers to parents that were in the room, they all had their own unique aspects, but they all gravitated towards parent

015square for the most part uh with the 14 votes. And it was just it was very eye opening to see how everybody could use the new platform to uh to enhance their communications with their responsible department. Um, one of the main recurring themes was that one-stop shop user interface. Being able to just have everything under one app, one platform, not have to bounce between five, six, seven, eight different applications was was really the selling feature. Um, both platforms were great, but Parent Square really stood out in a couple areas. Uh, such as administrative overhead. It's a really going to be a reduction uh to the administrative burden and better oversight uh on the communications that are going out from the district. Um that unified interface, all mass notifications, two-way messaging, newsletters, everything's going to be

016in one-stop or that one one-stop shop. It almost has more of like a social media feel. So, if you've used Facebook or Twitter, Instagram, you're you're going to be able to dive right in and have that very familiar feel in the palm of your hand when you're using the app. Um, equitable access with the real-time translation to 100 different languages. And the mobile experience, like I mentioned, they they really try to push people towards that app. Um, however, you do not need it. If there's people in the community that, you know, they they don't want the smartphone app, you can always roll back and work off of u texting or email, you can use the website or just a simple phone call. So, after we decided that we were going to move forward with parent

017square, as we do with any app that comes into the district, we want to make sure that they have a very robust cyber security posture. Um, we always go on we we check out everything. We ask the company in Parent Square. They they were very transparent about everything. They have an entire page dedicated to their cyber security compliance. Um, I'm going to get into a little tech jargon so I apologize for that. But SOCK 2 type 2 basically showing that they have their internal controls under under lock and key. It's a a third-party auditor that comes in and they witness it not just from a snapshot, but from a six to 12 month rolling period just to make sure that everything is the way that they say it is. They're actually walking the walk instead

018of just talking the talk. Um it's things like multiffactor authentication for all of their users, backups, correct onboarding, offboarding, stuff like that. They're also uh ISO 20 27,0001 rated. That is the international standard uh for cyber security. It basically just proves that they have a rigorous framework for proactive uh systems. Uh going back to the edte side of things, they have an I keep safe certification which is basically the gold standard for any edte tool. Uh basically anything student privacy, copa, furpa, they the I keep safe make sure that they keep all student data private and they are up to any uh state and federal regulations. Um, again, I apologize that's a lot of tech jargon. Um, but in a nutshell, they basically have the gold standard on everything for uh all of their cyber

019security platforms. So, as we were going through this and we narrowed it down to parents where we weren't done yet. We wanted to continue the work with our stakeholder groups. So, we wanted to make sure we had our teacher group looking at this, but we also wanted to make sure that all of our administrators were comfortable with this because this is how they would send out all their newsletters. So, we had um a place for them to be able to see a demo and get into the sandbox. One of the things that they really liked about it is that it's very userfriendly, but also um the ease of use of it. It really did take and lead you through. it's very much um intuitive to the different apps that we have on our phones today.

020Um we then identified and thought we need to come and bring this to another parent group because really that's who we want to make sure is going to be able to um you know use this in a way that's going to be a benefit and help them to get our communication without overwhelming them. So, we brought it to um a group that had both parents and community members because the other thing with this is that it also helps us to put out information to community members. They can actually sign up for an account and get information. So, as we went through um we asked our group at the end to give us some feedback as to what they thought of it loads and grows. They love the fact that it's a one platform for all

021communication. They also love the fact that as a parent, you can decide how you want to get the information. You can actually log in with your to the app and it'll come up information for you on there. It'll also you can decide if you want to have a text message sent to you or an email. So, there's a lot of different ways you can get the information and you get to decide. You can also decide what information you don't want sent to you where you can go in later and see what was posted, but it's not coming right to your phone. The um caveat to that though is anything that goes out as an emergency supersedes everything. It actually goes out in multiple formats to make sure those emergency communications go out to our um

022our groups. The other thing that they liked is that it actually has a transcription feature that will record information whether it's message sent out from a coach to a team saying hey cancel has to be um practice has to be cancelled tonight because we have bad weather and then they forget oh wait a minute who sent that I have three kids I want to find which one of these were you know canceled for this evening or all three. So they really liked the idea that it also keeps trans um scription for our our groups. So once we had this information, we decided that we wanted to call other um districts that actually use this. And you'll be able to see some of those districts are like do and Redline in our area. And then we

023also contacted other people um from outside of our footprint. This is the thing that was very surprising for me. I talked to many of their communications directors or their director of curriculum. The one thing I kept hearing over and over, best decision we ever made. Communication has now become a thing that is actually beneficial for our parents. There's a way that they're able to see who actually got the communication, who opened the communication, how many different ways it was sent to them, or if it bounces back. So, they said they're able to take and take care of a lot of issues that they were having with people not getting the communication because they're getting reports that tell them this. In addition, they also said that one of the other features is that it really does

024have that one-stop shop. Whenever you want to do a field trip, it goes through this. Parents can actually sign the field trip forms, attendance letters. It'll come out and say, "Your student is out here today and you can send the attendance information right in through this." So, they really said that this has helped to streamline a lot of different processes that they were using in the past. So, I will I will piggyback on Dr. Hughes's comments on the uh reaching out to the the other districts. I did the same thing I know Christina did with communications and just to go along with what she was saying. Some of the comments that I got from the other tech departments was I wish we had switched sooner. Uh we recommend without hesitation, nothing but positive feedback, no

025buyer remorse. Um, and it really goes hand inhand with one of the first things that the parent square representative told us and we verified online is that 50% of districts across America are using parent square or roughly close to 50%. And they have between a 98 and 99% retention rate. So once districts switch over, they love it. They do not leave. They stay with it. So going into the cost analysis, um, we're kind of breaking it down a little bit. the onboarding fee, the the first lineup there, school messenger and final site were right around $2,000 for the onboarding cost. Parent Square is sitting at $750. What that gets us is if we do move forward with Parent Square, as soon as we sign the contract, we are able to start our integrations, get everything

026up and running, do all of our trainings, and basically have everything that we need to have. So when that July 1 deadline comes around and we roll into the first year, we can hit the ground running. we're ready to go. We don't have to then take our time and spin up over the summer. Uh for the annual cost, school messenger and final site, we did have to add in other features. School Messenger, we would have to keep Mailchimp just to add the the newsletter functionality that we were trying to accomplish. Kind of defeats the purpose of having to kind of stop it up if we have to break it into a multiples. Same with Final Slate. They didn't really have the uh the parents teacher conferencing signups that we wanted. So, we would need to

027keep another application on top of final site. They both came in around 9,000 a year. We do recognize that parent square is 3,000 more than the other two. However, that's a cost that as we talked about it as a group, we really thought that it was justified and well worth the extra the extra 3,000. um from the terms of uh parents and the the really the feedback that we got from the other districts of it's a single platform uh a really reduced app fatigue of switching between all the different apps and a higher engagement level from the community. Uh for teachers it's an all-in-one comspot um has the real-time translation for the the parents of uh non-English-speaking families. Uh built-in conference scheduling signups forms and like Dr. Hugh said, uh, the read receipts to be

028able to keep that engagement going, find out which parents aren't actually logging in and reading it, and then being able to reach out in different ways to get a full community, full class engagement for what's going on. And then we do have a line in there for the virtual phone. That was a really neat feature um that Parent Square was the only company that we talked to that had it where all of our teachers would basically get a phone number that's not theirs, but it would work through the app and they could use it to reach out to parents on a normal day if they just need to have a conference if we have a a snow day or anything. And I lost my spot there. Yeah, we are not recommending that we're going with

029it right now. We are going to just get the main platform up and running. A lot of other districts have done it this way where it's a heavy lift to auto automatically switch over from what we have now, condense all the apps, get all the training in place, and then we will be coming back in year two and recommending it. The $3,375 is based off of a per student uh rate. So depending on where our enrollment is, that may fluctuate a little bit, but based on the feedback that other districts had, this was a great model to get the main platform up and running and then come back later and add it in. So, we started our evaluations in November um and kind of went through our last um session was with a one of

030our board members to kind of go through um the demo with us. We're now looking at coming in um March where we did our presentation today. We're looking coming back in March for permission to um approval for the parent square platform and then um as soon as if that goes through, we would start literally the following day with getting things up and running because what our plan would be is that we would start training in the spring for our teachers, our admin and our um staff inhouse. We would then provide feed um training for our parent groups. One of the things that's really nice with this is that they have video um training sessions and they're quick and easy. So, it talks about when you want to take and change the way that you want

031to receive your information. If you don't want text, you can actually click a button when it comes up and it'll stop the text. But behind the scenes, you can also go in and say, "I want all of my my information going to my email or I want all of my information that and you put your preference first." Um, in addition, we also have trainings then for our teaching staff to make sure we want to have them be able to get in and start setting this up now so that whenever we come back to school in the fall, it's ready to go. We've worked out any kinks. We want to kind of have some rollouts where we try it with groups of people and then optionally we would be using it for even our community events

032and being able to get those pieces in. This actually talks with our Sapphire system. So it will allow us to keep our Sapphire system and keep everything update in there so that we have then the parent square updated as well. And so, >> so just a quick recap. So, we um are recommending moving to a single system to um facilitate the communications between home and school and um just a single secure bridge in that regard. Uh and we're recommending that the parent square contract be approved at the March 2026 meeting. >> May I ask a couple of questions, please? So, great presentation. Thank you very much. Um, I wondered if between now and March, before anything is approved, if there could be any research in response to what other school districts are when they're using

033it, if they've had problems that are posted with Parent Square, um like data issues with incorrect student account crossing with parents and then difficulty with um connectivity crashing a lot and then at the same time when it's in high usage, that chance becoming a lot more. That could be super difficult, you know, in an emergency situation. And then um limited functionality with smaller groups like a coach trying to use it for his team that it would be cumbersome to get all the signups for that in a timely manner and there's lost communications with some going out and when the last parents are signing up, information is lost. It doesn't come back and populate. Um, so I wondered if maybe those questions if there were any answers from the school school districts that use them. Um,

034so that we would have that because the I was looking at any opportunity for communication grants too. I didn't see anything and of course you know everything every dollar counts. So concerned about that too. >> So yes, we can do more. I can tell you that we have some of those answers already. Um some of this one of the things that was really nice about um with working with the groups that we did, we asked parents to send in as well as community members and they had we got lists of of questions that they had everything from how do you offload if we decide to move away from them. >> So we had lots of information that the company has provided >> um about a lot of those pieces. So we can definitely answer them

035for you. >> Maybe a testing period. Is that even possible? I mean, I imagine you have to, you know, be all in when you're all in. >> Yeah. One of the things we did ask was to have we have a sandbox currently, but you could only get into it if you have a um Southern New York County School District um email because we had a couple parents that we were trying to get in, but anyone that has Southern New York County School District, we can put you in for the sandbox. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um I had a few quick questions, too. Would it be accessible from the homepage like a quick link from the district homepage if it goes live? Yeah. >> Okay. And you said in the first slide, let me go

036back here real quick. >> You said the paid apps for school messenger, Mailchimp, and my conference time. And then when you broke it down later, my u my conference time was under the second one. So how much are we paying currently for all three of them? So I have that somewhere. I believe currently. So So the the where we're at currently, we have to upgrade anyway. Um we do currently have my or school messenger. However, we don't have the the platform that has the two-way messaging and has the more robust features that um the newer school messenger has. So, that's why we have all these extra platforms like Mailchimp, my conference time. Um so, your question was like on the the final site, why no, how much are we paying now? >> How much are

037we currently paying now for all three of them? So currently it is right around seven or 8,000 >> 7,592. >> Yeah, it was somewhere around there. >> Somewhere exactly around there. Um we would have to upgrade anyway. So that's why the the option with uh school messenger was more than that exact amount. Um, >> and that's something that we should also put in with this first slide is that we're currently having we have a fractured system. >> So, we have the old version. And one of the things that we looked at with the school messenger to get the the nice version, it was 25,000. >> Yeah. >> It difference. it it wasn't you know when we heard that we're like and the other piece that we also found when we were doing a lot of

038the demos they kept saying to us like final site love final site they are our website we do a great job with them but it's for our website we wanted to also look and say if something goes down with our website we leave back the question if something goes down with our website we still have parents square the contact or vice versa so we have two systems so we're not putting all of our eggs in one basket. But we also identified that okay so some of the three apps that we're using. Sports U is one app that our coaches were using but when we identified we ended up having like eight different apps people were using. Unfortunately we found out that some of them can't be used by middle school students. So we have to

039go like we actually contacted the company and had our information removed to make sure that we are always being diligent with what we're doing. So that's why we went through um in some of them they were telling us oh you can use Google to do this feature that you want. So when we looked at the difference in costs, we're like, okay, Paris is giving us all of these things and then they're telling us over with these other two, either you can go up to the 25,000 or with this one, use Google and we're like that doesn't give us the safety and the security that we're really looking for, >> right? >> So that's where we were really looking and saying we have to, you know, Mr. Wilson has said free is never free. So, we

040have to start looking at those free apps that we were using and saying, "No, we can't we have to go to something that's more secure for our students." >> Okay. Um, with that 12,000 168. Um, is that like a certain amount of users or is that however many we got? There's no cap to that. >> There is now. >> All right. And then you said there's trainings for admin, teachers. is they're also sharing for parents. >> Yes. >> All right, that's it. >> I'm good. >> I had a follow-up question. >> Sure. >> And then I had some other questions. So my follow-up question to what Jeremy asked was um what So we 7,592. So does that mean that all goes away? So all of that will go away. So we don't need school messenger.

041We don't need any of that. Okay. And then um I wanted to ask with parents square um how long that product has been out >> that I'll have to look into. I know it's been a number of years. >> Okay. I know that a lot of the districts that we talked to um they were going into either their third or their fourth year >> and a lot of those districts were also telling us it was very interesting the number of districts that were moving from one vendor to another. Um they were finding the same things that we were talking about is that we really wanted a system that would really do that one stop. And um the other feature to this that I forgot to mention earlier is that it does a roll out at

0426:00 every night. >> So the information goes out so you're not getting pinged all day with except for if it's an emergency. >> So a lot of those features are things that were very beneficial to us. >> And then in terms of So one of the questions was is this replacing email? >> Yeah. So what will happen is that your the do you want to explain this one the Google how it can clone so it like your email your Gmail account is attached to the parent square so you will still get um in wait you okay >> so get great >> so yeah it's not going to replace email but we are going to try to use it as the primary ma mode of trans or communication between the district and our community. >> Um,

043email is still going to be necessary for contact, you know, within the district with vendors. Um, and Parent Square does send an email from their system into Gmail. So, teachers aren't going to have to jump between email and parent square email square to miscommunications and find stuff. If they're living in Parent Square, they're going to live in Parent Square. they're living in their email, they're going to get a notice from parent square and then they can actually respond to parents directly from their email, but it goes through parent square. >> So the parent, they're going to just see everything going through parent square. They're not going to know that they're actually emailing the teacher. Um it's we we did talk to parent square and asked them have have any other districts replaced this with email

044and they said no. It's really just kind of an added bonus. It allows for simplification and just bringing everything together for the parent and the community. >> But email is still going to live on. Yes. >> So the one term that I saw was mirroring. So that it would send a copy of every message in parent square to the email. Is that what you're talking about? Like Okay. So, in other words, um they would I guess like the other backup question I have is with the account piece of it. So, do we know at other schools what type of adoption rate they have with parents setting up? I'm assuming you need an account for it to work. >> Yes and no. >> Okay. So, by default when we when we upload everybody on the initial

045um upload for all of our parents, uh students, everybody, everybody naturally has an account, but you don't need to log in to be able to use the platform. Starting on day one of us using it, >> us sending out mass notifications, whether it be an emergency or a snow day or, you know, there's an event coming up next week, they're still going to get those emails. So, if they never actually go in and create an account or log into their account, they're still going to get those notifications. >> Okay? >> It's just Parent Square really recommends going in and at least setting up your account because then you can really control the level of notifications, the methods that you get it through. Um, but yeah, if you don't sign up, you're you're not forced to

046do it. >> Okay. >> Um, and then Greg, do you want to talk about the sync with Sapphire on how it's creating the accounts through with the sync with Sapphire? >> Yeah. So any anything that we have in Sapphire right now um that's going to be an automated sync that goes in the parent square. So you know if if a student is tied to four parents uh within the system they're automatically going to go in. If there's any changes to um addresses uh phone numbers, email addresses, anything like that, that'll be a nightly sync. So if you do have anything and you call in, you make that change, you add a parent, you change a parent, you change a contact type, it's going to be going nightly and parent square will stay up to date

047and in sync with what we have in Sapphire. >> So Sapphire is your source of truth. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um and then another question was the concern over with the apps that we have for sports. How will students utilize that if they what was written to me was that the app requires users to be 14 years old. So in middle school you have some students that are younger than that. So talk to me a little bit about how students will be using this or will they? >> You don't. >> Sure. Okay. >> So one of the things that we can do with this is that um high school students are of age that they can go in. We can get parent permission for students that are in sports clubs, those types of things. But

048the the we had asked the vendor, are we able to marry a student account with a parent account? >> So if a a if a message goes to a student, it also goes to the parent. So there is no individual communication that's going on per se with a student then. So is that a default setting or do we have to set that up to be that way? >> It's part of our like onboarding like we would have to tell them that we want that >> and they said like we can put the parameters we can say how long you know it does keep all of the transcriptions right now for seven years. They said you can make that determination of how many years you would like that to be but their normal is seven. So

049those are all key things that we would do during the initial setup. >> Okay. Um and then I think that's everything. One thing I did want to suggest is um I looked through our policies and we don't necessarily have like a particular policy on communication, but we do have policies that are related to communication. And so I was thinking maybe we needed to take a look at those just to see like I know we just have one up that we did for title one parent family engagement. We didn't make any changes to it but you know maybe we just need to look at it in light of any of this. And I don't know if the company has any recommendations for maybe how school districts have built anything into their policy on communication. Maybe it's

050not needed but I think it's a good question to ask. Okay. >> I think that's it. So you had indicated that about half of school districts use this. >> Yes. >> One thing that worries me a little bit when a company approaches that type of market share is they have a tendency to raise the price over time significantly. So I was curious about the the contract structure. Is this a single-year deal, multi-year deal? So, the the contract, I hate to say the word contract because it's not really a contract. Um, if we do a single year, they said that they would probably the price would go up about 5 to 7% annually. However, if we sign on to a contract, we have the option to get out every year as long as we give them

051ample notice. I believe it was May 1st of every year, and that the price would only go up about 3% per year. Okay. Yeah, that's great. If we can get some cost certainty into it for multiple years, that would be excellent. >> And I would think giving notice wouldn't be a problem for us. We would we would know that we wanted off of it long before then. >> Right. Right. >> Just one follow-up question on one of the ones I had. So I understand what you're saying is that everything will be carbon copied if you will from parent to student but is there any need that we have to set up something so that there could be no private messaging like between a teacher coach and a student. That would be from my understanding part

052of our on boarding like that it would not allow private messages that go like it would be that a student would be tied to a parent >> and and in the event that something could happen. Is there a way for the district to be able to have auditing of all like in other words that somebody couldn't delete it and then it goes away? Yes. >> No. Every single thing that happens on the system is maintained for seven years. And even if we go towards the virtual phone, even that is tied in and it has a seven-year piece of being able to see what would what happened with the virtual phone. Yes, >> I would imagine that's actually one of the big benefits because with with the many systems that we currently have and with my

053knowledge that even though this is not what's supposed to happen, there have been cases of a staff member texting uh a a team or a group. Um by by putting everything in one place, then we we can audit it. Whereas some that that capability might be highly variable with with all these different applications. >> Yeah. From what we saw, the administrative oversight in this was fantastic. Whether it be a principal, they could, you know, see the communications that are happening within their building all the way up to Dr. Bryson being able to see everything that happens, you know, in the entire district. But yeah, from what we saw, the the auditing and reporting is fantastic. >> Okay, I have three questions. One, would this be the main form of communication from teachers to parents? So

054emails, all of those things are all going to flow through this. No, no longer will will the internal emails still flow through it. So everything flows through it, right? Question two. Um you said that you can link a parent account to someone under the age of 14. Would we have that same link happen with children over the age of 14? >> We could. Right. Then that leads to my last question, which is if we're going to >> weigh down into this, we probably should have a policy that >> governs how that's done. >> Mhm. so that you know we can make the decision of and I mean having you know kids in sports I I think it's a good idea to maybe require that communication to be attached to a parent >> at a minimum

055that parents can can choose to have that turned on >> opt in or out >> at a minimum yeah at a minimum opt opt in um but >> I think that's a different discussion but I think it's it's definitely something we need to address I agree >> then it means that this is sort of outside of our our policies. That's probably something we should look into. >> Well, I think it gives us the opportunity because I mean with all the current systems, it might be in intractable to to try to have a policy like that, but this gives us the opportunity, I think, to do that. >> Um, >> yeah. Well, I mean, we could also then, you know, >> we've used so many different apps with the sports teams over the years >> that

056this not only would this potentially clear that off, but then also we would probably need to require >> it, >> you know, so that all of these other apps would not >> would not be able. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think it would be use this, do not use bandapp anymore, do not use this thing anymore. Yeah. That was actually something that also came up from our um the teachers in the union as we were looking at this as having like a here's the minimal requirement that we would put together something that would say like this is the minimal that you and you must use this you just to make it very clear for people. >> Um real question quick question on okay so we're this was going to be on next month's agenda for approval.

057Now, the signup process you guys referred to is a lot of choices and rules. Can we sort of see what we're going to start out with? Like what is our answer to the question of how to tie are we tying a parent to a child and what age and all that? >> Is there any way that we can sort of see that going into the next meeting? >> I'm sure that we can. The the representative has been >> very very helpful. >> Yeah. I I mean I think it would help clarify I think answer some of the questions that I'm hearing from the board here. >> So kind of show us the menu of options that are available and which one we're selecting in all these different >> Yeah. Because I mean if it's got

058all these rules in it well that's >> you know I mean obviously we may not be able to get a policy set up in time to do it if we're going to approve it next month. But you know >> we could have a policy in place before before >> before it would be implemented before used. Yeah. >> Yes. So, but this would give us a head start on what sort of things are options even to consider as far as the policy goes. >> So, I think as far as policy, I was looking at 908 relations with parents and guardians. I thought that might be a place where it could look. And then specifically for um title one, there's I forget which policy it is. 918 I think it is. Um and that is another one

059where it might be. And just also the relations with parents and guardians probably needs to be looked at anyway because it was last reviewed in 1992. >> That's like pre- internet. >> That was six. >> One last question. Um have we looked at or considered extending some of this, you know, the functionality of this to the PTO's? >> Yes. So that was something that when we were um meeting with the vendors in all of our different stakeholder groups, there is a way um you actually in your little scrolling bar that says what groups you want to see. Um PTO was in there band boosters like it can be for any group that you have in the district. >> Okay. >> Or even in um we can do like our community leaders um group. we can

060do other groups that are in and she showed us how people can sign up from the community into different groups as well. >> Okay. >> That just want to get information about things that are happening. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Oh, also just by the way, I did look up all the reputation and it's like between 4.7 and 4.8. It's very very highly ranked. So my questions were really just directed on safety and protection and not so much the platform itself. >> Thank you. >> Also, it looks like it was launched in 2014. Uh, and it really grew in the early 2020s. >> That's ancient for a tech company. >> And one last thing, York Tech also uses Parent Square. I've never logged into the app. >> I get all the email notifications, but

061I'm okay. >> Well, I mean, that's good because there there's some people that that's what they're going to want. And if it's working well >> for the person who just wants email, then that's that's a good thing. And the only thing that I heard from any negative is that they people were like, "We wish we had done it sooner." >> Yeah. One thing that um York Tech implementation was is it sends notifications to parents as far as if there's an issue with any students grade over time or so >> that may be something to look into as well. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Uh, moving on to 5.02 educational updates by Dr. Refer. >> Thank you, President Hel School Board. Uh, good evening. Welcome back. Uh, what an amazing battle of buildings

062last night, Caleb. I still think we have to go back to the instant replay. I think you I think you beat the teachers. >> Uh, but it was just great hearing that uh, you know, seeing all the students and uh, the parents cheering on. my ears were ringing through uh through the through the entire night. It was so loud and more more impressive was the shark uh that that you mentioned, Caleb. Uh but you know, spring sports are right around the corner. You know, as Caleb mentioned, you know, starting up on March 2nd. So, just looking forward to uh you know, getting rid of this uh wintry weather out there. I'm hearing that there might be something coming up, but uh let's uh hope it just sticks to the weekend. Uh so continuing with my

063my theme of safe, supportive and collaborative culture uh regarding safety uh Mr. Litzel just facilitated our uh by twice a year uh parent safety committee meeting. He provided uh updates regarding the addition of the armed security guard as well as additional safety measures that the district has put into place including uh providing uh safety and security at our sporting events. Uh, one suggestion I would just mention that if there are any concerns that community members may have or staff, etc., please reach out to Mr. Litel uh because I know he is uh open to uh feedback and doing whatever we can to make uh Sure County School District uh safe as it can be. As a reminder just to all the parents, you know, with spring sports starting in two weeks, please be cautious as

064you're driving in and around campus. Uh we will have a lot of students that will be, you know, on the fields. uh out running with uh the tracks. Want to make sure you're being a little cautious obeying those uh speed signs, you know, as as you're coming through the uh campus, keeping uh keeping our students safe. Honor supportive. Got a bunch of congratulations here. Congratulations goes out to following high school choir students. Audition earned spots in the 2025 2026 PMEA District 7 vocal jazz ensemble to be held at Dover High School March 13th to 14th. Students earned a spot where Lee Shanberger, Madison Frer, and Sam Eie. We're also excited to share some wonderful news from the York Adams Academy. Congratulations goes out to two students, uh, Lillian Shepard as well as Gabriel Woods, which

065we just heard about recently. uh they have officially graduated from York Addis Academy. Uh we're thankful to our school board uh for providing our students the opportunity to continue their career and earn their diploma. So, congrats to Lillian and Gabriel. Also, congratulations goes out to two of our middle school students who were received the fall Rotary students of the semester on January 23rd. They were Nicholas Ben Shuof who's a seventh grader as well as uh Susan Grier. Uh they had an opportunity to meet and present and eat with the Rotary uh that morning. So congratulations Susan Nicholas. Uh the following students participated in the district's PMEA uh seven orchestra concert in January. They were Joyce Kramer, Madison Prayer again, Jacob Awanowitz, Allison N, and Logan Trimble. under collaborative culture. On February 4th, we had two

066students or two student teams that collaboratively worked on uh projects for the PA invention convention state finals. Uh the two teams were there's two out of nine teams that were selected across the state and Cesco Hanok had two of those. Uh the teams were team Badaboom uh which was Steve Lannigan and Max Border. Uh they created a designed a bat cover for active use during bat batting practice. It was designed to use a combination of rubber and carb carbon fiber to mimic the same jump off of a bat with a protective sleeve and T- modular port device by Evan Dunle, David Foster, and Clayton Chromemer. uh they created the module port device system uh to be built into future computers to allow ports to be swapped in and out individually instead of using exterior dongles

067and cords. Uh so congratulations to Steve and Max Evan uh David and Clayton for representing our district very well. Uh just a few events uh that were not covered. On Wednesday, February 25th 5th will be the districtwide orchestra concert, grades 3 through 12 at the high school starting at 7:00 p.m. And we'll see everybody back here. Oh, got an early dismissal on Friday the March 6th. And then we'll see everybody back here on March 17th for the education committee budget and finance followed by board meeting on the 19th. So, uh, let's have a great rest of February or not. Choice is yours. >> Thank you. Moving on to item 6.01, public comment. Um, we have a few tonight. Uh, first one is Brad Doberman. >> Good evening. Brad Doberman. I'm the fire chief with Shrewsbury

068Volunteer Fire Company. I just wanted to stop by tonight and give give a quick thanks and an update on the volunteer tax credit program. Um, in 2022, the school district implemented this to help incentivize volunteer firefighters to be more active and to recruit more people to the volunteer fire service. That first year in 2022, my fire department, Shrewsbury, we had 17 people qualify for the program. the next year 19, the next year 30, and this past year 37. The criteria for those four years has not changed. It's remained the same. The way we record things have stayed the same. So that represents people being more active, and we're definitely seeing an influx of new people. It's not just because of this program, but this program contributes to a larger program that is helping us get

069new people in the in the door and be active. um this area, southern York County, Glenn Rock, New Freedom, Shrewsbury, Jefferson, Stewart, includes Stewartstown. Uh they're still all volunteer and I challenge people to find other another geographical area in the county that large that isn't paying firefighters. Um so I just want to thank you for sticking with us. And it's clearly uh not a short-term program, a one or two year thing that but over the four years, you can see that it really has made a difference. And I will hang around if there's any questions. >> Thank you. >> Uh Val Dennis Good evening. My name is Val Brown Dennis and I live in Shrewsbury Township. Last month, we heard during public comment that enrollment is dropping in our school district. Enrollment and resulting funding

070changes affect our community. Who do we welcome to our community? Who would we like to see move out of our community? As I look at the list of first readings of updated policies, the topics look like a smorgus board of how we hope that our children and teenagers will live a healthy adult lives. I have heard us agree on our hopes for the adult lives of our children. One of the things we see differently is how we view people and the history of people. We have shared humanity. We have different experiences. Many schools support Black History Month. Next week, I will attend the 11th annual African-American Readin in a community near ours. The event celebrates Black History Month with readings, performances, and student led jazz. It's an important step toward acknowledging the expansive contributions of

071people. A search of the Southern York County School District website with Black History Month or African-American History Month yielded zero results. I also noticed that on the web p website page with a list of 2025 2026 dates, all of the holidays have a description except one. January 19 just says holiday. What we don't say is as plain as what we do say. Some of us acknowledge that people are treated differently based on race and or gender and others of us do not. The comments and experience I share have happened in our community or in areas nearby. I've heard it said by an educator that racism has been around for centuries. What are we supposed to do? Apathy has no place in public education. What are we supposed to do? We can choose to listen upfront

072instead of just attempting to mitigate a crisis or burying incidents until they reach public knowledge. We can choose to learn, to listen, to build trust, ask how we can be useful, drop the defensive responses, and work together. I was told by an educational leader, Val, I asked some black students how to fix racism, and they didn't know. So, how should we? I said, we as white people have created economic and cultural racism, and now it's up to us to change our beliefs, behavior, and systems. As I led a school improvement team retreat, a teacher said, "What if we concentrate on being great rather than looking great?" I watch an educator try for a selfie with a freedom writer and be pushed away. Pushed away because a selfie is performance and not reality. An image of

073looking great while not necessarily representing what is genuine. I remember a long ago superintendent where I work saying, "Hey, take a photo of me over there with that minority kid for next year's calendar." This is another example of performance and not reality. I recently walked into a small local restaurant with a group of people, black and white. I remember the whole all-white room froze. Stopped talking, heads turned, some eyes narrowed. I stopped breathing for a second. I felt like I'd traveled back in time. But this was now. We have work to do in our community. We can battle each other or we can listen and talk in person and work together. The choice is ours each day. And how do we respond to Black History Month? I've lost count of how many times I've been

074asked by students or adults, why don't we have a white history month? My response is the same. Because every month is white history month. I have seen graduates go to university or job training or the military and be unable to cope with the level of change and the spectrum of people. Often they drop out and return to something more familiar. It is to the benefit of the next generations to understand the spectrum of humanity in order to work through the social and environmental changes that like it or not we are facing together. I hear the question why do we have to have these months? I teach some black authors. We will continue to have the months until we reach a time when education and society have a balance. I think about the current division in

075the US. We will eventually move beyond this division, hopefully with as little violence as possible as we unite. What do I want our community, the US, and the world to look like? There are many answers with regard to education. I want strong, continually reforming public schools. I want society to return to the belief that we need experts in quality research and people who choose to learn throughout their lives. Education is how we form healthier communities and countries. I am sharing these today as part of learning for understanding and steps toward a United States that is genuinely united. I learn new things every day. May we each make that choice to learn each day for ourselves and for our children. Thank you for listening. Very nice. Hello, my name is Mary Nace and I'm from uh

076Shersbury Burough. At the last board meeting, um one of the discussions was around Chromebooks and the data collected on how much we were being used and and the significant impact on teachers and students. What I heard, teachers were not very happy were with how these Chromebooks are being used in the classroom and how they are now being shared between students. According to teachers in lower elementary, less usage impacted typing skills because they were not using the keyboard as often. Um it was and as this was stated um in the last meeting. Um, so if students were not writing as as often, um, why were teachers never con concerned about writing skills and fine motor skills that were being impacted when Chromebooks became the norm? These skills have should have been developed in the lower elementary

077grades. The loss of fine motor skills over the years is more of a concern to me than the typing. Um, next was the issue is that um, all the state tests are on computers and third and fourth graders will have a hard time navigating tests on these computers because they have lower Chromebook usage. These kids use uh, electronics of all sorts. Um, I don't think that um, not using a Chromebook is going to hinder the test scores. Do I think we'll have lower test scores? Probably, but I don't think it has anything to do with the Chromebooks. again, take them into a computer lab and have them work on a practice test a couple times. They'll be fine. Kids are adaptable, especially in this area. I can see what these Chromebooks have done to my

078kids in the lower levels and also in the um higher um levels as in high school. Um I believe Chromebooks and computers are great tools, but that's just what they are. I'm going to use my high schooler as an example. And I'm not saying this is every kid, but I'm thinking this is more kids than not. So, my kid needs to spell a word. So, what does he do? He says the word in the computer and Google spells it for him. It's easy, quick, and there's no real skill needed. Maybe instead he can use a dictionary. How many students in our school district even know how to use a dictionary? What does using a dictionary do? It expands vocabulary. It enhances reading comprehension. Improves spelling. Teaches proper pronunciation. And the list goes on and on.

079So, um, now what I'm seeing is happening is the teacher gives a book to my kids and I've seen this Chromebook reads it for them because they can just put it right in the computer. Um, so now why do the students need to read? The Chromebooks reads it for them. And this has even happened in for elementary school. I saw it last year with my son. Um, so, so do I really need to go go over what happens when we start taking out reading and reading comprehension skills away from from our students? Our students can't even look up information physically. They can't read because why do they need to? The Chromebook does it for them. And um, if if they do have to write something, they can just say a few words and AI writes

080the essay for them. Now, if they don't use AI, they can write their essays. And I will tell you from looking at my own kids uh things, the spelling is atrocious, the grammar is terrible, and they can't put thought together to save their life. And none of this really matters because when they turn this into the teacher, the teacher gives them an A, and now we have inflated grades. I have seen this rabbit hole with my own um kids, especially with my son who is in an honors English and an AP history, but can't write a complete thought. Grammar is terrible and spelling is unbelievable and not in a good way. And he's getting A's in all these classes. And honestly, he's home right now upset because he tried to write coaches and his writing

081was terrible. Um, and now I have to work with him. um daily to get his grades and to him be able to work for colleges and coaches and things like that. Um my challenge and what I'd like to see is the administrators to walk in an English class, especially your honors or your AP classes because we have collaboration, right? Write an essay question on the board and tell students that they can use the book they're reading for the class, pen and paper, and any other physical book, dictionaries, etc. Then I want you to all read these essays and answer the question, grammar, punctuation, everything you were graded on in school. I would love to hear about this data in the next school board meeting. I wonder if you could be honest with parents, teachers, students,

082and yourself on what you find. The great inflation is not helping these students and it needs to be looked at seriously. Thank you very much. Uh item uh we have no other public comment. So item 6.02 board discussion of public comment. Just one of the speakers referenced enrollment um figures. And I wasn't quite sure what point was being made there. But um just for clarification, the way I see it, there's a there's a couple reason why reasons why we've been in a decade and a half decline uh in enrollment. Uh number one, the demographics of our community. Uh we're an aging community. We're in uh one of the oldest states in the union and um as we know, senior citizens don't tend to have children. Uh secondly, we have very high housing prices here. Can

083thank the Federal Reserve and 10 years of zero interest rate policy for that, but it's a very unaffordable place for young families to come and live at present. Third, we have uh somewhat of a housing shortage for people that would like to move into this community. There aren't homes for them to move into. So, I think those are the reasons why we have some uh issues with enrollment. And I'm not quite sure what was being suggested there, but those are the reasons. >> I'd like to add on to something that uh Mrs. Marion said. She was uh talking about Chromebooks and specifically the third and fourth grade and whether or not their test scores would be lower because of not having familiarity with typing. And um I'm not disputing that. I just wanted to reiterate

084that since nationally we've adopted digital methods for standardized testing. Nationally the test scores have lowered because of that we think. >> Do you happen to have the breakout for not English and math? I I do not, but it I could guess math gets hit the hardest. >> Yeah. >> I mean, that's and in fact, I know it is, but I couldn't give you the the actual stats, but yeah, since we've nationally adopted uh digital standardized testing, everything is dropped. >> The the fine motor skills issue is is a is definitely a concern. I've seen it um I've seen it with kids who have been in school with increasing use of Chromebooks that they're the way they hold pencils is increasingly inefficient and uh fatiguing when they write. They don't actually learn how to hold the

085pencils correctly. Um or I've seen an increasing amount of that with students. Um I I also there is a difference between writing a word and typing it uh in terms of how your brain processes the word and learns how you know how how you learn how you learn to spell from reading and writing. You see the word repeatedly but then you also it activates a different part of the brain when you write the word uh and when you speak the word. Uh that's why some of the best learning involves um reading, taking notes on your reading and also often speaking about it. That's why that's one of the reasons that group learning uh group uh study is effective is the is that it's you when you're speaking uh it engages a different part of the

086brain. Um, so if we're if we're neglecting uh writing um in in if if that's if that's the case and maybe it's maybe it's not the case across the board, maybe it's in certain classes, but if it if that's speed neglected, I could see where that could um where that could result in a deficiency. And good news on the handwriting front with our governor signing into law the pressive instruction this month. >> Um that is a 60-day window for us to get implemented. And I know we are we do some of it, but I think there's definitely an opportunity to enhance and potentially even catch up some of our high schoolers who haven't really used this since they were in second grade. Um, and obviously that's probably a topic for um, education committee that they'll

087be meeting next month. Well, then I'm not asserting as to whether or not Miss Nice is correct or incorrect, but it is um a little disconcerting if the students can basically have their assignments read to them instead of reading them themselves because there's obviously a significant difference between reading it and listening to it. Um, yeah, I I so I'm going to step in a little bit and say that is not been my experience and my observations in the classroom. And I'm going to speak to the English teachers across the district and say that what I observe does not match maybe the experience of every child. And I'm not in every classroom every day. Um but I'm in many classes over the course of the year. Um I do and have been a part of discussions

088where the onset of chat GPT has actually increase the amount of writing students are doing because of the ability for a child to put it in. And I'm not saying during the day even. It can be after school. And if I'm doing a book or reading a book, I can certainly get the online version in a podcast at home and listen to it. >> Sure. >> Um >> that would be different than us having it enabled on our school computers that they can do that >> and in certain cases we do have it enabled because it's an accommodation for students IEP. Yeah. >> Or or accommodation. So, I I I feel important to speak up to that and just say on behalf of our staff that um I see what you're doing. I see the

089classes and that is not every child's experience. And my apologies, Mrs. Nace, if that is your child's experience, we will certainly do what we can to support um in a better manner. But it is not my experience across the district. >> Dr. Price, you mind if I speak? Speak up. >> Yes, I can. >> Uh, I had an opportunity this past week to sit down with the English department at the high school during a meeting. We call them the PLC's, professional learning community. And I sat with the ninth grade honors teachers. They had them broke up by certain discipline. And I won't name the names of the three teachers, but they actually had written essays of their students that they were reviewing ba based on what they uh how the students had performed. Written essays.

090Let me let me put that there. The the second part and I think this goes back to Mrs. base but I think all of us is during that conversation they had showed a couple articles that through the nation there's less actual physical reading that's going on. So then I asked a question of that specific group how many books have your students read in in their courses? They said they're going on their fifth into their sixth book this year. One thing they noted in some of the articles that they referenced is some schools, they're just reading excerpts. They're only reading portions of the book and students are responding in an essay response. And our teachers in and we're saying we will not lower to that level. If we're going to read a novel, we're going to

091read a novel from start to finish. So it was just I just want to kind of reiterate that I had the ability this past week actually to see written responses of students the teachers discussing in dialogue but more importantly say we need to make sure that our students are actually physically reading novels as opposed to reading them on here. Now does that happen 100% in all classes? I can't speak to that. I could just speak to when I go in to visit and Dr. Bryson goes in to visit. Uh but I was very impressed. Uh so kudos to the high school for their teachers recognizing that there are some challenges with devices but it doesn't take away the fact of actually physically having that book reading it and then responding to whatever prompts that they

092may have to >> this past week I was at the middle school Dr. Repper with the English teachers. It's a similar experience with their professional learning community. There's a stack of papers that they were comparing contrasting responses from students. Um, as a result of the novel that they were reading, uh, they shared what they did once a marking period, they do some type of longer read, whether it's a novel, whether it's a book they select from the library and then it's discussed within the class and theme and etc. are discussed. So again, it's not to say that everything's 100% in writing either because you have the tool um and they're utilizing that tool at times as well. >> So the function of the student being able to listen to the book on their on their

093Chromebook, is that something that's standard or something that's turned on and off? The books we're talking about are literally in hand. >> No, but I don't >> if if there's a reading assignment that is that is delivered via Chromebook, is every student able to say read this to me? >> I I don't know the answer that whether the that function's turned on or off or >> I think we need more information >> per student. >> We need more information on that. >> Yeah. Not to say that there isn't instances where it's necessary, >> but you know, hopefully in the grander scheme of things, it would be necessary than necessary. >> We could look into it. >> All right. Um, I'm going to go ahead and Is that everyone good with Okay. Uh, I'm going to

094go ahead and move item 10.01 up to now in the agenda. So, I'll turn it over to our personal policy chair uh for that one. Um, item 10.01 is the appointment of our chief financial and operations officer. I would like to make a motion to approve the appointment of Trevor Carrington as chief financial and operations officer for a term of 5 years beginning July 1st, 2026 at a salary of $162,000 for year 1. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Well, I make a motion. Do I have a second? Okay. Any discussion? Any names or abstensions? That motion carries. Congratulations. >> CONGRATULATIONS. SOON. UM, just thank you. I've enjoyed the past 9 and a half years here at the district. I'm happy to continue serving my community. So, for those that don't know, I

095graduated from Susuanic with Jeremy, my wife Megan. Um, my son Nate is uh in second grade at Friendship. So, I'm just excited to continue being here, living here, and working here. It's a great place to be. So, thank you again. Thank you everybody. Thank you, Sue, for being a great mentor for the last nine and a half years. and just everything. So, very appreciative and I'll be sticking around for the rest of the board meeting for a presentation later. >> Thank you. Thank you for being so patient. Good >> job. Hour and 19 minutes you sat there, bud. >> He is everyone. >> Think he needs some ice cream now. >> That's right. >> So do I. >> Right here. He's been still in the freezer. >> All right. Uh, moving on to item seven.

096I'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda items as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> A motion in a second. Any discussion? >> Yeah, I got something on that. Um, >> nothing I want to change in this, but if we can look at 707, 708, and 709, but especially 07 and 09. Um, in the future, can we look at a company that can do both of these things together, the interior and exterior, instead of having two different companies come in here two different times for two for the kind of same thing? And is there one that also can do playground equipment? Is that a possibility that we can look at doing? >> Is it possible to bundle those with the same company? >> I think I think it's it's probably possible. Um, I

097can check with Mr. Buffington. I know we get quotes periodically for these to make sure that we are um getting the you know most efficient price. Um the one concern I would have about it is I I don't know if they have the expertise to to do the inspections for these different pieces. I don't know if there's different expertise. I wouldn't know that level. So can definitely check with Mr. Buffington. I'm sure that if that's a possibility, he'll we'll definitely look into it and I'm sure we probably have in the past, but he would he would know more on like the specific certifications and and things necessary for that. >> If there's a company that could like, you know, we'd have a lot of inspections for a lot of different things. If we could bring

098a lot of them under one house, it' be very cost efficient. Seems maybe at least worth looking at whether the bleachers can be combined because I I don't know how much difference there is in inspecting exterior. I don't but I can't imagine that we wouldn't have looked in but I we can double check that out. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> If there's an entrepreneur watching on YouTube >> up there somewhere >> certified. >> I do see we are getting repeat customer discount with Stadium Solutions. So that there's that to consider. >> You get a punch card where you get the 10th one free or something. >> Looks like we're getting about >> around around 10% off there. >> Cyclical graduations happen every year. >> I don't like getting the 10th one free. >> It kind of

099is. All right. Uh, any other discussion on the consent agenda? >> Um, no. Any nays or abstensions? Hearing none, that motion carries. Which brings us to education and I will turn it over to Mrs. Henle. >> Excellent. 8.01 is u more time to discuss parent square. Dr. Repper, did you want to add anything to this or do we just want to open the floor for more? Uh I have nothing else to add. I know we had a lot of uh question and uh dialogue and discussion with Dr. Hughes and Mr. Hunt prior to so I don't know if there's anything additional that the board may have for them at this time. I know I wrote down a lot of the questions that were brought up. Um >> I I have a question. Um when we

100were on the Zoom call, Dr. Hughes with uh Amy, was that the representative? Yes. Still got it. Um, we were discussing how for liability purposes, this just seems like really good software for our district. Um, and then I was thinking about special education. I was thinking about any kind of disciplinary issues. Do we know if obviously emails already qualify for this, but like for instance, when I had a student that was in the district years ago that uh was in the marching band and they used the band app, I know lots of the athletes do as well. Do those interactions count as a as a an official district record? They don't. Would this? It would. So that brings everything that would be on the band app. All correspondents that are back and forth providing protection

101to coaches, to teachers, to parents, to athletes. That was just something I figured it would. That's pretty huge actually. And for liability purposes, that is that is good. Mhm. >> And then it also gives whenever constituents reach out to me and they have something that a concern um be it a behavioral problem or just misunderstandings amongst uh you know staff members and themselves. Um I always recommend that after they have a phone call go ahead and follow it up with an email and say you know per our phone call this morning we discussed the following things. Thank you so much. And that way it's but this would be all of it now. And then if we did decide to, and I know you're not recommending it right now, but if we decided to add on

102the phone, what do we call that? The the phone portion of this >> virtual phone. >> Yeah. Where the teacher assigned a number >> that would through this also document a phone call as well. Not so much. It wouldn't summarize the phone call, would it? >> Transcribed. >> There you have it. Yeah. So for a district standpoint, that's >> would that mean that a >> a coach or teacher would never need to give their personal phone number out to assist? >> It would it would shield all of that, >> but then it would also, you know, it phone calls are a little bit harder to prove what was said and and I assume that would also be a district official record as well, right? The other piece to this that we wanted to make sure

103people understood is also for our snow days. It would allow parents to be able to interact with our teachers when we have a for a a day where students are still interacting because the a teacher wouldn't they could still use their phone but it goes through a parent square phone number. It's not their own personal >> cell phone. Interesting. You said that was for seven years of backlogs. That's no additional cost. That's already built into the system. >> Right. Now, the get the voice, it would be the additional fee because that >> that transcribes every conversation that's having. >> Yeah. So, we're um essentially at this time we're looking at about a $3,000 difference. But I I wonder and I know Jeremy had already or Mr. Ash had already um alluded to this, but maybe

104we could have a better understanding between now and then of the what we are uh paying for with with Mailchimp and with my conference time because obviously those things are going away. >> Um so their detraction would essentially take some of that expense >> and mitigate it that's in the in the grid 7,592. They basically said school messenger and then they added the co so they had the cost of of updating the latest school messenger plus Mailchimp because that would be the comparable not as good but comparable solution right and then similar with um >> so at that 9,000 you've already added those in. >> Yes. >> Yeah. And and then similar with final site they're saying okay with final site we would need to add we need to keep my conference time so that

105would also bring it to 9,000. And >> what's the pullback for not going for the virtual phone number with the original contract? >> Part of it is just the implementation of all of that at one time. So, we kind of want to get the platform up and running before we're also rolling out with staff. Oh, by the way, you also now have a new phone number. And what if we really like the option and we want it to be available even if it's not implemented yet. Like you got nine months to kick this thing in, you know, and roll it out. But we don't want to wait another year to have to vote on a yes on this virtual phone number if we like it. I'm just spitballing ideas. Well, what if we um I

106mean would they do like okay we implement this six months later >> a prrated >> because I like the idea of having the safety there of no phone numbers are getting exchanged. >> I think that would eliminate a lot of issues. >> I think it's a good idea. I think that >> yeah we should look at we should look at when do we because I don't want to pay for it before we can really use it >> right at a broad scale but we don't necessarily have to wait a year. if you guys would start doing the roll out and you think, you know what, we could actually probably do the phone thing uh you know over over winter break or something, we could probably get that done. Um I think it sounds like people

107would be open to that. So um maybe that's maybe that works. Maybe it has to be over the summer. So a >> as far as uh we where I work at, we use something very similar in our job. Um, so every I I can email our tenants. They can email me right through our our platform. It comes right to my work email account, lets me know I have it. I can actually see the message there, click on that. I can live in my email all day long and I can still do my job. But it also, we have the voice, the virtual number as well. So therefore, because I'm dealing with not only tenants and owners, um I love having that feature that I can go back and pull those phone calls. I there there's

108no you can't they they cannot say, "Oh, no, that's not what you said." Um I I have it right there. >> So I actually like that feature, especially for for school system. >> So >> yeah. So, as we get down the road with that, we'll have to figure out how do we standardize it to make sure that we have 100% adoption. >> Would that be in the policy that we're trying to look at then? >> That might be a policy thing or or >> Yeah, we'll have to think about exactly how to spell it out to make sure it's not so specific that it can't evolve with the program, but specific enough to ensure that people are using in the futures. >> Any other discussion? All right. 8.0 02. This is costs associated with speakers

109approved through the vetting process. Dr. Reppert, do you have anything about office? >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Hankle. Uh Jacquel Davies, uh she is one uh previously we approved the lemonade war. Uh so she will be uh providing a virtual uh discussion with the students at Friendship Elementary. And then Rohan Murphy uh very inspirational uh athlete uh from uh Penn State wrestler uh just going to be speaking to the middle school and the high school about how he has went through and persevered through his life being an amputee um but also being a wrestler. So, uh, I would say to any of the board directors, if you have any opportunity, you know, when that comes around, and I believe it's April 17th, I'll make sure I share that, uh, if you can make yourself available

110to come out and see any of these presentations that are occurring. >> The Jacqueline Davies presentation is that that's at the literacy night. Is that >> Yes. >> What What I don't It's not in the agenda. What's the date on that again? >> Literacy night is Give me a second here. While you're checking that, uh, Dr. Hughes, how in the world did you secure this author? Like, how who who who got her? How was that even able to happen? So, I can say that our um friendship and staff, they are very diligent >> and they worked really hard to be able to every year all of our schools are really working at trying to have um in person >> and you know, opportunities for students to be able to interact, especially to see role models

111of like this is the book we're reading. This is the person who wrote it. >> It's fantastic. I love that that she did the one book, one school, and then on top of it being able to do this. Fantastic. All right. I move to approve the cost associated with the following speakers that have been approved through the vetting process. One, Jacqueline Davies to virtually present her life as a writer and her book, The Lemonade War, to all Friendship Elementary students at a cost of $1,200 to be paid using title one funds. and to Rohan Murphy to conduct a schoolwide motivational presentation to Suscoan High School and Southern Middle School students on Friday, April 17th, 2026 at a cost of $3,000 to be paid by building level funds. May I have a second? >> Second. >>

112Any discussion? >> Just that it's amazing. So excited both of them. I was looking at the promotional video for Raen Murphy and I was thinking, "Oh my goodness, >> I know >> this man has no legs and he does not make any excuses. >> He's out there. He's living his life, his best life." And what a motivation that will be. >> Um, any nays or abstensions? >> That motion carries. >> Yes, sir. >> The literacy night is March 5th. >> Thank you so much. >> 8.03. speakers approved through the vetting process. Um, you can see those below. They include Judge Sweeney and Sean Quintilian. Uh, Dr. Eert, do you have anything to add to these? >> Just looking forward to uh Magisterial Judge Sweeney to come back speaking with the fifth grade. Uh, just focusing

113on the criminal justice system as well as citizenship. And then the interesting one with Sean Quitilian coming into the high school, you know, speaking about the greater yellow Yellowstone ecosystem, talking about uh fish, non-native fish that were, you know, added into the water area and how that has impacted the ecosystem. So pretty exciting to have those two come on board. >> I was also very interested in the Sean Quintilian one. Um uh he is also covering the introduc the reintroduction of the wolf population and all of the uh unfortunate events that not necessarily how you might think of it like just in the ecosystem and um >> being the owner of two Siberian huskys was of great interest to me but no he the detailed explanation of all of it was really fascinating and so

114our students are in for quite a treat. Uh okay that moves us to 8.04 04 stage 1 curriculum maps as districtwide master maps. Uh Dr. Reppert, do you have anything to add to this? >> I just want to point out, thank you, Mrs. Hankle. We do have eight maps that are on here. You know, two with math, we got the yoga, computer science, and then we have three that are with with the music and one with the library and media for third grade. Uh once again, a big thank you to our teachers. uh they're putting a lot of work into these curriculum maps uh that you are approving and I would hope you know there would be like a light to the end of the tunnel Mrs. Hankle that we wouldn't have as many but

115we always know that curriculum is going to continue to evolve and our teachers are always making sure uh we're putting the best you know instruction and materials and resources in front of our students. >> All righty. Move to approve the following stage one curriculum maps as districtwide master maps. I'm not going to read them all. They're just as in the agenda. May I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Any uh discussion? >> Yeah. Quick comment. Dr. E, you are very busy. >> Seriously. Yeah. We always hope that there are going to be fewer, but we know that there's not. >> Well, Mr. Hash, there is a team. There is a team. >> Don't take away from her. >> No, I'm saying because if I didn't say there's a team, they're going to say something

116tomorrow morning. But there is a team that also sits down and reviews these, edits them, uh provides feedback after they come from the teachers before they come over here. I'm >> I'm used to the district and curriculum maps and then she comes up with this whole parent space square thing. I wasn't expecting that. That's a whole process keeping you on your toes. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions or discussion? >> Any nays or abstensions? That motion carries. 8.05 update from the AI committee. Dr. Repper, >> uh, just a quick update. I know Dr. Hughes talked briefly about the apps. We did not have a meeting in uh, February, but we did have several apps that we are moving over to the district web page. Dr. Hughes, you want to speak to that? >> Sure. Okay.

117So, a couple of these, one of the things that we've been doing is we want to make sure that all apps, even if they aren't instructional, that they go through our review process. So, Premiier Edge and Mosaic are cafeteria apps. They're actually things that are run through um the federal government, I believe. and um but we vetted them to make sure that it met our standards. Then we have um Project Lead the Way, which is a app that we're using with our middle and high school engineering program. And it's very exciting that the kids are able to go in and use um a lot of Steam activities that are part of this curriculum that is then put through the app. And then finally, our school messenger. Once again, um, we wanted to make sure everything

118goes through. So, we, that was one that we missed in our initial go wrong. >> Any questions? Any discussion? All righty. That brings us to 8.06. Other items of business. Um, I do have one thing. uh in talking to Dr. Reppert, Dr. Hughes, and my co-chair um Mr. Wilson for the March meeting that we're going to have just for education next month, we're thinking that we would like to I don't know whether it's going to be a presentation or just an item point that we discuss, but the whole Chromebook where we're headed as a district and trying to just be transparent with the community, what our thoughts are, what um current uh studies are showing, and just involvement with students and screens. So, that's something that's forthcoming. And that completes education. >> Uh, moving on

119to item nine, finance and budget. I will turn it over to our treasurer, Mr. Decker. >> Thank you, President Hickle. So, item 9.01 is our financial reports. So attached we have the cafeteria report, the budget status report, the tax collection report and the treasury treasurer's report which I will summarize. So in our general fund balance we started the month with $8,794,000859.15. We had deposits of approximately $881,000, dispersements of approximately $4.1 million, and we ended our general fund balance in January with 5,559,000 94369. Moving down the sheet to our tax collector accounts, we um ended the month of January with total cash in our tax collector accounts of $33,872.38. Moving down the sheet to our investments, our balance at the beginning of the month was $36,182,41.92. When we look at our deposits, our maturities, redemptions, uh

120the net was an outflow of $44,154.32, which left us with a balance at the end of the month of 36,138,24760. And the details of all the general fund investments are below. As we did mention mass uh last month, we we are seeing interest rates move downwards. So, as we see our initiations way back towards this time last year, we're getting a much higher interest rate on our CDs than those that we've initiated recently. Something we'll continual continually watch as it will uh impact district income. Any questions? Okay, we'll move on to item 9.02, which are our bills for payment. So, the bills for payment are attached for your information. So, I will make a motion to approve the bills for payment. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Any nays or abstensions?

121Hearing none, the motion carries. Item 9.03 are our exonerations and refunds. There are none. Moving to 9.04. These are our budget transfers which are attached. I'll make a motion to approve the budget transfers. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? Any nays or abstensions? The budget transfers are approved. Next item 9.05. We have um a budget update and state budget information. Turn it over to Miss Green. Like I said, I was going to stick around for a little bit for a budget update. So, at this point, Mrs. Green and I were going to just go through uh where kind of we are in the budget process. So, if you want to go to the next slide, Cat here. >> All right. So, just to talk through some activities we have

122tonight or just to give an update of where the state budget is. Um, and we were talking about the 2627 state budget, even though the 2526 just was approved a few months ago. Um, we're going to update everybody where we are in our current budget. Um, we're going to touch about on funding for capital projects. So, really a transition from to the financial side of our uh meeting on Tuesday and then just talk about the next steps of the budget. So, as I mentioned, the governor uh he presented his budget on February 3rd, and it's really important to note that is not the budget. That is his proposal of a budget for the 2627 school year. It's very important to know it is not something that passes right away. So, uh for example, the 2526

123budget was approved in November. So, we have a long ways to go, but this is at least the first kind of first blush of what the governor might be thinking. So, just some highlights. Um, he proposed increases to basic ed and special ed funding. What that means for us is probably less than $100,000 should it be approved exactly as proposed. Um, he did include the continuence of the public school facility improvement grant. So, that was something Site Logic mentioned on Tuesday. and then a continuence of the school safety and security grant. So, we've received that funding for the last several years and that's from PCCD. And then also included was a year three contribution to the adequacy funding for the ready tolearn block grant. So, that is a newer funding strategy the state has. Um

124we've had two years of that funding. So, this would be for a third year. And really just to highlight um our methodology. So in the budget we increase our basic ed and special ed funding by 2% of what we are receiving this year but we do not include any additional funding for ready to learn block grant because that is a newer kind of funding area. Um so what we have in the budget for 2627 or proposed budget uh at this time is our 2526 ready tolearn block grant funding. So we're it it kind of hedges um it's not a one for one but it's to come in somewhat conservative with our budgeting strategy at least in this point of that program. So then just to talk through where we are this year. So 2526 um

125and just to give a projection update. So you can see we have three columns. It's showing the 2526 budget, the 2526 February projection, and then just the projection that we put together in November. So to to look at some highlights, um our revenues are down. So revenues are down and expenditures are down. One of those is a good thing. So uh when it revenues are down, that's not something we like to see. We would really like to see revenues higher. Expenditures being down is a good thing. and I'll kind of talk through some of the reasons why we're seeing those numbers. And then just important to show we are using less fund balance than was included in the budget. Um but again, we're using less fund balance, but that's not due to overbudgeting. It's just

126due to the way the numbers have kind of come through. So with revenues, one of the biggest drivers of the reasons why we are down with revenue is our um our earned income tax. So we talked a lot about that in November. We did not hit our earned income tax number last year for 2425. So really what happens it just rolls. So if we didn't hit it last year and our numbers for this budget were based off hitting it last year, it's not something we want to do. So that is pretty much the biggest revenue decrease um for 2526. So that is also something we've presented about with our budget for next year. It's a very revenue kind of focused budget. Um, and then for expenditures, so expenditures are a good bit lower and there

127are a lot of reasons they are lower and some of them are really concerted efforts we made to be mindful to our expenditures. So, for example, there was one bus that was not filled this year. It was more enrollment driven, but one bus that was not filled. Um last year when we put together the 2526 budget we removed three positions and then there were three teaching positions and then this year we have two and a half professional positions that were not filled. So that would be a counselor Spanish teacher and half of a reading specialist. So from last year to this year we are down that about five and a half positions. So we also have several support positions that were vacant and not filled this year. So there are a lot of that's a

128lot of the salary savings we're seeing and as a result of that we have those salary savings and then the benefit aspect too. So pasers would be that FICA taxes and then medical insurance for any full-time employee. So those are some of the biggest reasons why we're seeing an expenditure decrease. In addition to that we have other things. So there were law changes with charter school funding. So that came out in November. We didn't really know that it is a savings to us, but it's not as large as you might think because there was a revenue component before. And so we no longer have that revenue component to highlight. Um some other things, our York County School of Technology tuition costs there are down and that's just enrollment based. Um, so really once you look

129at it and kind of factor everything in, we're within about two and a half% of our expenditure budget at this point. And again, it's just a projection. We will keep updating that as things change throughout the rest of the year. Turn it over to Sue. >> Okay. So, as Mr. Carrington said the one thing on that slide I want to point out while we are better than projected in on the expenditure side we are still using $1.2 million of fund balance. So that means we still have expenditures that are higher than what our revenues are. And so as we look at our fund balance and I know we looked at this last month um and I'm going to continue to talk we're going to go very briefly through it but we started the fiscal year

130with $27 million in fund balance. um we are going to estimate our ending fund balance at June 30th to be about $16 million and then when you take out the unassigned fund balance per board policy that we have to keep of 5% we will be at $12.8 million. So, as we move forward, one the one thing we really want to look at is how we're using our fund balance and and how we're making the decisions on where we go with fund balance use um as we're spending it down quickly doing some of these capital projects. So, this slide should look familiar. This is one of the um slides that we talked about um Tuesday evening in the buildings and grounds committee meeting. Um the $8 million um is the projects that are slated for uh

131this summer. Um so those are the boiler projects and roof projects um sanding seam and um skylights at Shrewsbury. So those are those projects and we that money has been taken out of fund balance in the previous slide. So that is something we've already accounted for. The next two columns are the proposals. Um very, you know, very preliminary as we talked Tuesday night, but the the concept for um budgeting for 26, building in 27, budgeting in 27, building in 28. So really looking at a three-year plan. Um those two columns total about $19.2 million. So as we go back to the the previous slide, we don't have $19.2 million. So, as we move into this budget, one of the things we want to start to look at is how are we going to continue to

132fund these projects and what are the some of the ways that that we want to be able to do that. So, there's a couple ways you can fund capital projects. Um, just like at home, you can save the cash, which is what we've kind of been doing the last couple years. We had this fund balance that we put aside for capital projects. It was a deliberate thing that we did. Um, so you can save cash. um or you can issue bonds similar to getting a mortgage at home or home equity loan or line of credit. So, um we have those options or you can do a combination of both. Um so, one of the things that um we'd like to continue talking about is putting a plan in place. Um so, if you start to

133put millage in place for debt service, um until you issue the bonds, that cash will flow into fund balance. you can use it for um capital projects, but you're starting to build that capacity to be able to move forward with the projects. So, this is something again as we look at the budget next month and the details um that we'll we'll be recommending starting to put in reput that plan back in place. I know we put it on a halt. had one um and then we stopped it um because we had turnover board, we did a new feasibility study, we did all those things, but I think it's important that we start to look at what's our plan moving forward to try to put this back into place. So, our next steps, um we'll continue

134to revise the budget. We'll have a detailed presentation with budget options at the March finance and budget meeting on March 17th. Um some of the things we're going to look at there, we will have um cuts into the budget. We will have cuts in professional staff, support staff, uh more cuts in the area of busing. Um we will have cuts in the area of um building budgets. We also um need to look at our different options for how much fund balance we use. Um what additional staffing cuts we may make. Um the areas of do we put any money in for debt service? And then obviously the one we have to look at every year, is there a tax increase? and if there would be any at what level. So those will be the different

135um areas we will look at when we um go through uh the budget pro process um on March 17th. Um so th those are all the factors that will go into those options. So as we talk about each year then approval of the proposed final budget needs to happen in April. So we'll be looking for direction after the March 17th meeting and again the March 19th meeting so that we can bring that um budget back for proposed approval uh that proposal for approval. um at April 16th so that we can um approve the final budget on May 21st. And I know a lot of times um I hear from the community, why do we do it in April and May? We do it in April, May so we can get the tax bills out on

136July 1st. We never want to change that timeline for our taxpayers because it's hard enough to pay your tax bill. We want to make sure that we keep the timeline the same. The other reason is we have to pay it. So it's good for us to be able to get the interest and we can use the interest to offset some of these costs. So, um, highly recommend we stay on the April May time frame for that. So, any questions at this time? >> I know we talked about EIT back at the November finance and budget meeting. Um, that one worries me a little bit. Um, what where are we at right now? What are we seeing uh this year verse last? The big challenge with EIT is that we get the bulk of it after

137April for the year. So that's really that's really the challenge we face. I don't know if we might be up a little down but it's the bulk of what we get is so late in the year. Actually a lot of it we get after July 1 and we have to acrew it back. >> So we are a little bit up compared to last year. I forget I can't quote the percent. Um but like Sue mentioned it the biggest chunk that we get is really shown in April, May, June, July, August, that's the biggest amount we get. Uh and it really just relates to the the payments that are made by employers. So the big quarterly payments, big annual payments, um they come in that latter half of the year for us. So we'll keep looking

138and update when we know more >> because the one we get in the summer we acrew back because they collect it for our to June 30th. So we acrew it back and so we really haven't gotten a whole lot yet so far this year. So that's that's the big challenge we face kind of like the state budget. We really don't know anything till after we we approve the budget. I wish there was some tool we could use out there to project that, but this help us with this, >> but I just think that's going to be a multi-year challenge, you know. >> Yeah. And my recommendation on that one would be that we we stay conservative. If we get more than we predict, it's okay. If we get less, we're going to have a hole

139to fill. So, um I think we want to stay conservative and then kind of see where it goes because um I This is a challenge we really haven't experienced before. >> Anything else? >> Questions? >> Thank you very much. >> I'm going to move to 9.06, which is the York County School of Technology 2026 27 budget. Um, Mr. Wilson, I'm going to ask you to make some comments on this one. A few moving parts here. Do you want to do that before the motion is on the table or >> um Well, I think what I what I'd like to discuss before we put the motion on the table is exactly how uh the budget process works for York County Tech and how the votes are tallied because I want everybody to understand that before we

140go through the vote. So, would you mind >> just giving an overview of that and then >> Sure. Obviously, the first thing I can touch on is the vote, how the votes are tallied. Um, the number of board directors that vote for this budget versus against this budget counts as far as all of the participating districts. >> Um, so it's not like, well, this district voted no, this district voted yes, you know, so it's it's a by board member. And interesting enough, there's going to be something else on the agenda that's addressed the same a similar way. Um, Sue, do you want to talk about the York Tech budget since >> in what in what way? >> Oh, well, I I mean just how it's created. Obviously, the budget is set up so that each

141dis each of the member districts can um you know, it's based our costs are based on the enrollment of students that we have there and that fluctuates over time. Um, but the percent of change every year goes up, goes down, sometimes it's 3%. This year is a lot higher than that at 7.11% which is obviously significantly above the the uh index this year. Um, >> yeah. So, I mean the key the key thing I wanted to come out there is we have to count every vote. Uh yes, if if nobody has an objection, how I'll probably proceed with this is that we take a roll call vote so that we're actually able to call the >> the actual number of yays and nays on this because those numbers in total determine whether or not the

142the budget's approved. So, >> anybody have any objection? >> I was going to make the same recommendation. So, that's perfect. >> Okay. But we do need to get it to the floor so that we can take the vote. So, um, I'll make a motion to approve the York County School of Technology 2026 2027 budget. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. So, now it's on the floor for discussion. So, got a a couple questions. One, um, Sue, am I reading this correct in that essentially this is about a $60,000 increase to the district? >> Y. >> Okay. Um secondly, I know um Dr. Bryson in the past you had referenced some opportunities of collaboration between the districts and the uh school of technology is that would that have an impact upon this? >>

143No. But that type of collaboration where we explore some of the programming going back regionally is a long term um like 2 years before you can get your lowhanging fruit programs back. So it really isn't. Um I don't know if it'll be helpful. I think what York Tech has shared with us is the the majority increase is to lower their their time students have on the bus. >> Um they bus students from around the counties um county excuse me all to tech. uh that is to save time but it creates the need for additional busing. Um and so we have as a superintendent group also pushed back on the budget to talk about alternative models which may or may not be viable. Um but again they have to move forward with their budget and reorganizing

144their entire way they do transportation is not going to happen overnight either. um their budget hasn't increased memory served me correct anywhere near this for the >> this is the highest I remember >> seeing >> um and and I think that was the main driving cost was trying to lower the time on on buses for kids. >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean my comment would be with the with the number of districts that have just call it budget challenges this year and a lot of lot of work going into budgets, I would like to see them within the index. >> That would be my uh feedback. Um I am aware a number of boards have already voted this down. Um I don't have all of the names of all the districts, but it's been several. So

145that that would be my comment is I just I don't think it's the type of year or the particular environment where a seven plus percent increase in budgets appropriate. That's just my opinion. >> I'll say it simply. We've got our own problems, man. And >> you sure do. >> And I understand an increase. I do believe this is unreasonable. And I will say that as as a schoolboard director, I'm already having a little bit of um disyspsia about having to vote for other like we're spending other people's money to go towards a budget that we don't have any say of outside of approving the budget. Whereas with our district, we have a say. And that's it's like it's our our constituents are kind of double blind in this situation. And so and then also when

146you compare and I know that it's prrated for for how how we participate with them, but you know we're at 60ome students this year >> and 62 we're and we're the lowest, >> right? >> Uh we're second to >> Okay. Second to the bottom, but it's the next one after us is uh like 120. >> No. 8075 and then we get to 120 and then it get and it grows and grows and grows. But I haven't had any constituents reach out to me. I mean I know I know there are constituents that have students in York Tech and I know that the bus ride is long. I know that that's a reality. They still have signed up for it knowing that. Well, and I'd also like to see how they got to these numbers, including

147uh ways that they can shrink excessive costs too on their own. That might move me to a yes. If I can see that they have been able to look at their budget and decide, okay, what stays and what goes so that we can have some skin in the game, too, like they're asking the rest of us to. And I also want to keep in mind, I know Shapiro's budget is very generous and including money that Pennsylvania doesn't have. However, for career and technical school, it's a $14 million increase from last year. >> So, that would make me believe that they are going to be experiencing some padding. So if that's the case, of course they need to stamp their budget right before the governor gets his approval from the Senate and the House, but would

148they give overflow back to the districts if they're asking for too much? >> Interesting. >> I'm curious. >> I don't believe so. >> No. Well, I Yeah, I can actually explain that. York County School of Technology does um they do a reconciliation and we do get a refund if there there is an overage. So >> um I think they have a small piece they keep for capital projects but not it's not a large piece and it's pretty much a reconciliation. Um and that comes Mr. Carrington in Jan >> January we recently got it. I cannot quote the exact number off the top of my head. Um but it was a refund. It was a some >> so they they reconcile each year. So it it isn't like they keep it all if they don't need

149it type type situation. >> And what are your thoughts about the increase that they're asking from our school? >> I I think it's a little high. Um it does it and I think Bob and I have spoken about this. It is difficult for us to be cutting buses and other people are increasing buses. So, I I that's that's the challenge I think we face is we're we're making a lot of very difficult decisions. Not saying they didn't they're they're great people. I'm sure that they're they're doing the best they can, but um that is concerning when we're we're kind of in the opposite. I mean, I can speak to that, too, because just from the conversations I've had with the other JC representatives. >> There's a lot of concern about, you know, the amount of

150the increase here. >> I guess uh to sort of synthesize something Mrs. Engle and Mrs. Paul uh brought up looking through the the presentation there is a fair amount of detail but what's in some ways too much detail. It would be helpful if you're going to have a large increase it would be helpful to have a concise presentation of the areas where you really worked on on reducing expenses. >> So I understand you've got these challenges that are that are causing you to increase. What did you do? What did you look at to decrease expenses? May maybe they maybe they did maybe they did that aggressively but it would be helpful to have them present that information. >> Um >> honestly that would be a requirement for me for any increase >> for any increase.

151Yeah. For them to show here here's where we made strong efforts to >> we do that for our constituents and and that is them in this case you know. Well, and and especially when you're exceeding the uh the maximum by significant amount and >> they're Yeah. >> Well, yeah. And >> they're not bound by that, Sue. I take it. They >> No. >> Because they they're bound by an insulated layer between us and them. >> And not only that, there's another way for them to save money. included into the state budget is the facility facility capital reserve accounts have been extended from 5 years to 10 years. So that's helpful I think for technical school. So I'm just not seeing any inclusion of those kinds of helps that are already coming down the line from

152the state. >> So Dr. And I would love you to be able to address the I know that they have a large gap between the number of students that apply and the number of students that they can accept. Mhm. >> Um and in the event that that that they grow their facilities or whatever they whatever they do, um obviously that's going to have a a negative impact on all of the other districts that will essentially be funding that. um what how do you see that playing out in the future as far as you know and let's just say they they they get a lot more capacity and our number of students goes from 62 to 162 >> you know that could have a a really negative impact on our district >> or anyone's district >>

153I mean the one benefit to our district you're paying per student right so lower students it's lower cost >> right >> um it's not a straight Everybody's getting >> right. >> Um they do have far more interest than they have room for enrollment. You're right. They explored a building project and that was quickly um head shook quickly. Um because we know what the costs were. You're looking at tens of millions if not 50 60 million to expand it. Um, which is why because then that is going to significantly impact. It's going to go from 7% to, you know, whatever you >> you guess 20%. Um, so that's kind of what garnered the discussion of how can each district bring back some of the programming to relieve that because um there's a benefit. I mean, the

154more kids that are getting in, that's a good thing. Um, it's a bad thing that there's a wait list, but the cost to be able to to to increase the the size of the school um is significant. And on top of that, is there alternatives? and they looked at alternatives in programming doing half-day programs um where students would be there halfime and home in their home district halfime and would that really double their ability to bring in kids? Not exactly. Um and it creates a whole another set of challenges. I think the one thing that has allowed Tech to become a pre premier school in that career tech world in the state of Pennsylvania is that it is a comprehensive high school. Um, and there's there's only a handful of those most are or a

155lot of are partday, half day, specialized in certain areas, that type of thing. So hopefully I answered your question. Simply put, yeah, there's been probably a year and a half, two years of studies and analysis and really they're ending up back to where they are and now looking at how do we as tech provide services to you as a district >> um to support your CTE need where you're at or regionalize within a couple districts, which I think is the model of the future. Um, and I think that relieves that, you know, 600 kids that are looking to get in. >> So, on that same venue, um, Mrs. Green, do we have an understanding of what their cost per student is versus our own? Now, I know that it can't be that has to exclude

156a lot of different types of education, but just high school student to high school student. Do we have a understanding of the their cost versus our cost? >> Yeah, off the top of my head, I I wouldn't want to quote that because I think there's so many because again, they're they're only high school students. We're we're we're dividing everything by K to K to 12. >> Sure. >> Plus, they're doing specialized programming. So, I I >> I would hesitate there. >> If I had to say, I'd probably say it was slightly higher, but for their type of program, I think it is. We look statewide. I would think it would be reasonable. >> The way I would say it does not jump off the page like what? >> It's It's not. Yeah, that that's a

157good way to say it. Dr. Price, >> if I could for a minute, um, in the material district cost sheet, they're asking for 7.11% from every district. Correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. Then if we go and look at uh under their budget page seven, there is only three districts that over time have consistently gone down in their attendance. US, Northeastern and Eastern York, every other district has gone up or stayed the same. And the total is >> of everybody is rising. >> Yes. >> And we're projected at 62 right now. Next year is projection at 61.96, telling us we're not going to go crazy higher. So why are we paying the same percentage points as some districts who are jumping from, you know, 90 to whatever the case is, but they're going up or staying

158the same. We're going down consistently. >> That that's per student. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's per student. So think about it. It's 7% per student. So if I don't send we don't send seven more students, there's no fees whatsoever. Like my our 62 are taxed 7% more. Dallas Town's 120 are also taxed at the same rate. >> So then what's the membership fee? Is that going up 7% as well? >> The there's not a membership fee. >> So the only cost is per student, not with uh I um what's the other one? >> Not like Lu Lu where it is a membership then per student. Correct. >> Right. >> So the the 7% is just per student. That's it. You're paying 7% more for each student. So if we drop if if interest dropped off and

159we dropped down to 31 students, >> we'd be paying half as much plus 7% of half as much. >> Okay. >> So when Mr. Paul asked if what he said it was about a 60% 56 to 60%,000 increase. That's based on us having that number of students. If we had less students >> still staying at 62. >> Yeah. Still staying at 62 students. If we went down then it would be less. If we had more students go next year then it would be more than that. But that number was based on us staying with the same amount. >> Do we currently have more students that would want to go if they could? it. They have a whole application process. >> So, it depends on what they're interested in. It >> I like I have the

160data from that because that was something that we covered as part of the Joocc. Um, we had more we had more students that were accepted but then decided against going this year than we had in previous years >> just for whatever reason. Um, I know my son was one of them. So, >> does the state give um restrictions on how how long a student can be on a bus for? Like, is there is there a law or a policy for how long a bus ride can be? >> I don't think so. >> There's not. Okay. >> I think it's more based on distance. >> I mean, yeah, >> I wouldn't be I wouldn't have been surprised if there was. There's some very rural districts that you'd think for safety purposes though like I mean I

161was wondering are we still well within the state mandated whatever but since there's >> yes the answer is yes >> we're within the state mandated time before they turn 18. >> Yeah 16 and drive themselves. But I guess to reiterate since now I know that the reason is for having to cut down on the bus time until I hear clamoring for constit from constituents that it is just unfeasible for them to be able to have the the length of bus ride. It's just not I'm unmoved and and I've heard that it's long but they still go. >> And I also wonder you know how many students drive home? I mean once you hit that you know some students are going to are going to hit that ability in 11th grade some >> it's true that

162it's not all 62 students might be actually taking a bus that's a fair >> they or parents >> how how much are uh parking passes clamored over into schools quite a bit >> they would all drive if they could >> but I mean with amazing opportunities there is you know tension of of compromise Any other discussion? Dia, would you conduct a roll call vote, please? >> Yes. >> Jason Decker, >> nay. >> Um, Samantha Hall. Mary Lee is not there. Samantha Hall, >> nay. >> William Hall, >> nay. >> Jeremy Hash, >> nay. >> Jennifer Hankle, >> nay. >> Nathan Henle, >> nay. >> Lisa Staler, >> nay. Joseph Wilson. >> Nay, >> that was eight nos and then Mary Lee is not present. >> What do we do? >> I think we roll >>

163because of how this is structured in the county. I think we have to >> get Mary Lee's vote. >> I don't think we can >> unless she's abstaining. >> Well, we don't. >> Well, yeah, we don't know either way. >> Well, we mean we have >> it. It's by person though, >> but we have our ballot. >> That's the difference. That's that's a different thing. >> Sorry. >> No, it's okay. >> But yeah, we need to >> um in this case, do we can we hold on the roll call vote till she returns? >> I don't see why we could. >> Okay. >> Play some intermission music. >> Some great music. >> Spectacular. I mean, we I suppose we could we could say we'll just take the vote again when she returns. >> Yeah. I

164mean, >> that's fine. You want to move to anformational item or something or >> Oh, you want you want to cover anformational item? >> Probably can't move past the >> Well, we have an >> We need your vote on the York Tech. >> Sorry, I'm in a >> Thank you. >> Yep. Thank you. >> All right. So, just for the record, the final vote count was >> nine nos. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Next, we have the Lincoln Intermediate Unit 2026 2027 budget. Uh, this one's a little different. Uh, Sue, would you want to make a few comments on this one? >> So, this one, >> how it works? >> Yeah, this one is a little different. So, um, this is just the general operating portion of the Lincoln intermediate unit.

165And so there's always been a district contribution um that come that is part of this budget. This year um it is zero. Um so really you're voting on a district contribution of zero. Um the one thing underlying though that I want to point out is there are costs behind that. Um they are now um using an indirect cost rate um and attributing those costs to the programs that they have. So for instance um if there's special ed classrooms or special ed programs where students go there will be an indirect cost rate that would apply be applied to that program and that's how we'd be paying um for those fees. So I know the superintendence group and the business officials group have both um been working with uh Lincoln intermediate unit. My recommendation would be as

166a 0% contribution that the board would approve the budget. Um, but I think we continue to work at looking at what that indirect cost rate is and how that functions um because eventually we are paying that as part of other programs. Does that make sense? >> The thing I would add to that too, it's the first year they're doing this, so we'll see end result. Come this time next year, we'll have a better idea um or whether we want to continue to support. really it's a cafeteria style versus what they were doing which was more like tech which was reconciliation. Um but in this world of providing services to our special ed students it became difficult for a lot of the districts to keep up on the reconciliation with all the different service providers that

167are involved for any number of kids they may have serviced with the LIU. So, I think this one's a wait and see, but for now, yes, we're willing to support it. Um, >> in tech really, I think the difference between the two programs, um, York School of Technology, you really have two different rates, one for um, a regular education student and one for a special education student with services. at um Lincoln Intermediate Unit, you have a ton of different programs all being costed out at a different way. So, they are trying to go to and they would reconcile every program. So, um depending on how many students would were in a program, your costs could go really up or really down through the reconciliation process. So, they're going more to this cafeteria style. Um as

168Dr. Bryson indicated, this is the first year. So, it is a different um look that we kind of need to get a handle on. I I have a thought about this which is I I understand that it's a zero contribution and so you know voting yes on a zero contribution for a service that we use sounds good. That said, the reason for that, if I understand, is there, you know, you said they're changing the the way they do the costing, the the the way they charge us. And so, it does seem like this, it does matter because even though they're going to ask for a zero kind of base contribution toward their general budget. Well, that means it's going to get passed through to those program. >> Absolutely. It does. Yes, it still matters. >>

169So, I I I do think it's worth looking at. Now, when I So, so I do have this question. I I'm looking at this and I'm seeing uh total expenditures, the dollar change $311,523 up and that's a represents a 3.4% increase in expenditures. Am I looking at the right uh thing to understand? For their entire budget, they have a 3.4% increase. that already that seems more reasonable than than the York Tech increase or what you know whatever the reasons that that one that one seems that one's easier to swallow and I do see a total revenue increase of 3.41 or 1% and the exact same dollar amount. I assume that's because they do a similar thing that we that we do where there's a fund balance in order to cause those to exactly match. Is

170that is there a transfer that results in revenues exactly matching? >> Yeah, I think they're using this indirect cost rate as their their mechanism. Okay. >> Fund balance they're using that that to generate the revenue through. >> Okay. So that would be lines 90 320 through and 9,000 and 9810. Is that >> or I guess the the indirect cross rate would be line would be items 9,09810. I'm looking at page four. Sorry. >> It's okay. Just trying to get where you're at. >> Does that seem >> What did you say it was? uh page four of the uh general operate operating budget um at least it's page four along the along the side 9810 >> 9810 so not would it be 9810 and 9,000 >> 9,000 is from programs 9810 is from grants grants >>

171and I do see some other transfers uh that >> I don't know if those are part of that or not but that's basic that's in some ways that's where that's happening >> but they're they're drawing it from already collected fund balances from those from prior years I assume or >> no I think I think they're drawing it from those budgets from those budgets. Yes. As as I pull from >> say a program budget I'm going to pull the revenue that's coming in from that program budget over into your this operating budget. >> Okay. So that's kind of where where we're actually seeing when they when they up our our programming costs that's going to flow through to there and result in this final 3 point be be part of this final 3.14 41 number. Um

172so I I think that I I just wanted to talk about that because it seemed to me like it it can't be the case that we'll just pass this because zero is a contribution. I think it's still I think we still need to make sure they're acting responsibly, but with the 3.4% increase in expenses, that doesn't seem outrageous. Does that seem >> reasonable analysis? >> Well, and is it reasonable then to assume that probably their their program rates are going to go up essentially to cover that? >> Yes. And I think where it's the analysis as as Dr. Bryson was was talking about that's more difficult is because they're changing their methodology from one of reconciliation. So we would get estimates but you didn't had no idea what you're going to pay until they actually

173reconciled. Now this is your cost you're going to pay for programs. So we're going to have to kind of see how that >> Yeah. So it might not flow through as cost to us because we might use programs that they're charging less for or it might be a lower cost to us or higher potentially. It's going to depend on the programs we're using. Um, you know, and and some of the increases could be because they have more more students they're working with. Well, if we're the same, then maybe we don't see an increase, you know. So, >> is there a certain certain number of students that we're locked into? >> No. No. No. No. And in fact, we're bringing some back. So, uh, moving into next month, we'll be showing you a recommendation to have

174one of their classrooms be ours. for the purpose of fixing that. You get to a certain number of students, it's physically responsible to take the class back. >> Y. >> Okay. Um, let me make a motion to approve the Lincoln Intermediate Unit 2026 2027 budget. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Um, any further discussion? Any nays or abstensions? Having heard none, this one passes. That uh brings us to 9.08 one-time purchases and transfer. So, this involves an AED. So, I will make a motion to approve onetime purchases totaling $7,622 and the associated transfer from regular education salary surplus. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Any nays or abstensions? Motion carries. Item 9.09. Um, this is discussion of the potential property acquisition by York County School of Technology. So,

175procedurally this works a little bit different. Um, Sue, did you want to talk about that? >> So, um, in or Joe, I know. >> No, go ahead. >> Okay. You had to look like you might want to. >> I can talk too. No, >> I was ready as well. So, um, in your materials that were attached to the board agenda, um, you have a letter from, um, Rhonda Lord, um, from Saxon Stump, um, kind of walking through the property acquisition and how this works. Um, and it is not a vote by the board. It is a vote by each individual board members um, per ballot. So, they are at your seats um, to walk through um, how that works. You would fill out the ballot and then return it to um, Mrs. Walker and I

176will um send those in for you. Um and basically you're voting on whether or not to approve this um acquisition um as you walk through um the details on that. Um it is a property adjacent. Um I think believe it's $1.5 million. Correct me Joe if I get anything wrong. Um and you know the one piece that um kind of need to work through is that there is a lease of this property um with extensions up to possibly the next eight years. So that's probably if anything the negative of it, but um also with York School of Technology um and adjacent properties um they like to control that because other things could go in there and there is an educational facility now. So there wouldn't there would be minimal um changes to the property. So

177I don't know what else you wanted to >> Yeah. Um well it is it there's three individual parcels of land but it's being sold as a unit. Um, the intention is to move the existing nursing adult education program out of the main building where they currently occupy four classrooms and a lab and a conference room, I believe, um, out of the building, which would free up more classroom space to bring more students into York Tech. But again, um, what is it? Rock Hills is the the current tenant there. Um, so likelihood we may or may not get access to do any of that for at least eight or nine years. Um, it's there was a previous parcel of land that was attached to York Tech that went up for sale. I think it was like

1782013 or something like that, long before I was around. Um, but they did not know about it and it went it went um it was purchased by somebody else and now they have a vape shop where they used to be it would have been a great because there's a garage and everything there. It would been great for York Tech to have it, but uh they didn't they didn't know about it, didn't get it, so now they got a vape shop next door. >> Just got to lean on him a little bit. >> True. Yeah. Um, I will say that both the JOC and the York Tech Authority, this was these were difficult conversations just because of the lease, the length of the lease, not being able to, you know, dropping a million and a half

179on this and we won't be able to use it for for, you know, two whole cycles of um, students. Um but at the end of the day, you know, it is a long-term it is a long-term good thing for York Tech. Um the you know, the votes were very affirmative of this action. Um >> yeah, I mean, the rental income really does take care of a good chunk of >> I was about to say, correct me if I'm wrong, you're spending 1.5 now, but you're getting over a million. I have a question over time though cuz >> it it and that was one of the things that I looked at and I I >> I think this seems like a good move and and I would highlight as well >> this is it it's for

180adult education and the entire purchase is coming out of the adult education fund balance correct >> which has been accumulated through adult education tuition. So even though we're in authority over them, um this is kind of a sort of a a sub uh like it's a a department it's a kind of a business they run within York Tech to to do adult education and it's it's paying for itself in this sense. >> It is. Um, one of the things though, the rent, I I mean it says 310, 366, 388,000 total 1 one uh, million64,000 due to adult ed fund balance, but I'm looking at that and thinking but they're going to have costs associated with maintaining the building. >> Okay. >> While So, did they ever talk about that in meetings? >> We Yes, we

181did. I mean, that's where we got the 350,000 of the current adult ed fund balance that is being reserved for any immediate remediation. They've already done an assessment on it. There's already known issues that will need to be addressed. Um, the 350 should more than cover that. But again, ongoing maintenance of a building, >> that's not Yeah. When I hear remediation, I'm thinking, okay, these are things we identified that we need to change >> uh or that we need to fixation. >> Well, no, no, not the building's too much newer than >> would be needed for that, but it's like um applying sealant to the wall, you know, to the outer foundation, the the outer walls of the foundation. >> So, that remediation is is not as much in order to make the facility suitable

182for York Tech's use. It's actually things they've identified that are immediate needs in order for them to >> be, you know, a land a landlord basically to this to this tenant with and and fulfill their responsibilities to the tenant. >> That's 350,000 of known stuff, but it's presumably there's going to be some additional unknowns over that period. So that probably probably that 1 million is not clear. >> And that's what I was going to ask because it, you know, it says they went through like a due diligence process, but it is an ASIS purchase, right? And that That can scare you a little bit because >> yes, >> you know, you want to make sure that all of the inspections and everything that they've done have been incredibly thorough when you're making an ASIS purchase.

183>> They were also very proud that the people who did the assessments were al were previous graduates. >> So, how about >> they were on the up and up. >> Okay. So, um, yeah, I the way this is structured, the way this is, you know, we're still figuring out some of these things between the authority, the JOC, continuing ed, um, the rent money is going to come to the authority. The authority is the owner of the building, and then the authority will have to pass money, you know, if there are repairs, the authority will have to be the one making the repairs. Then whatever money is left from the rent will go back to the adult ed um fund. >> So >> this doesn't acrue any extra debt. Correct. >> It does not acrue any

184extra debt. There's there's zero tax dollars in this expenditure, which is kind of I think the only reason that it got support that it did because if we were talking about raising taxes or raising, you know, you know, going to 10% to of an increase this year so we could buy this building and not use it for 10 years. It would have >> it wouldn't have happened. Um there there is some concern about the the adult education fund. It was there was a lot of co money that ended up in there just because of you know a lot of government money went into adult education. So it grew substantially over a short period of time. So there's a little bit of concern over ongoing interest in programs for CTE or adult education. So but >>

185we don't know the future. >> If by chance they were to exceed their fund balance, then how would they pay for things? Uh it would the if they were to >> I'm not sure if we've discussed that entirely. >> Raise their tuition. >> That's one thing here that it says increased utility costs could result in increased tuition for adult education. But but of course if people stop >> you know >> taking these programs and they don't get >> right >> more tuition money. the you know the the point was brought up that the worst case scenario we have drop off in the continuum education we don't need this space which is highly unlikely for York Tech in general you could sell this property down the road if worse came to worse it's not going to

186depreciate in value >> so other than it I presume I presume One benefit of this is that years down the road they have additional capacity. So some of our students who are currently getting weight listed maybe get a chance to go. Um is there any other uh perceived benefit? I mean does this is is the is the notion here that by increasing this program they can improve their overall financial health? Is that was that anything that was discussed? I mean, adult education up there is is kind of run as its own business unit inside York Tech. So, >> they're very incentivized to run as a business, do good programs that people are interested to get the revenue from that. um >> does adult I mean adult education would be part of defraying any uh any

187sort of costs that can't be um allocated to the individual components. So right now if they're in the same building it's it's helping to defay some of the utility costs. >> Yes. >> Yeah. there I mean there there is some discussion as far as how operations between adult education and the normal York Tech how that's differentiated if it is or not. So there's a lot of discussions just starting to happen. Did they make the um site deficiencies? Like was that something that was made public in terms of what they were? >> Uh as far as the things that was that was from the assessment that the school did as part of their due diligence for this. >> It just be great to have Mr. Hall look at it. >> It's Yeah, I mean I have

188you know I have the paper. Well, >> I have the assessment and stuff. >> They can borrow him but not too long. So, um, is there the potential? First off, I I'm not sure that I'm wild about the idea of them becoming basically orbiters of real estate, but it is not necessarily, you know, it's not a school for children. So, I guess in some ways that can be their own uh determination. But if this were to go south on them, is it going to have a negative effect on the high school? >> It's a great question. >> Question. >> Um, not sure. I'm just I'm wondering what you know what scenario are you thinking about that would >> well I mean you know we as we know you know sometimes things crop up in buildings

189and you know next thing you know there's a a million dollar expenditure for asbestous removal which I think we can all >> somewhat relate to >> then does it end up having a negative effect on >> the high school >> responsibility >> which I think is really our our greatest I mean it's not that I'm not concerned about adult education, you know, but I'm concerned about because are there Yeah. Are there any guard rails in place where if if the adult education program were to go bankrupt, uh could that then impact us? >> A firewall between the two business units almost. >> They just get to sap off the highest >> indefinitely. >> Yeah. >> I think ideally it looks to go the other way. How can we utilize adult ed to support >> your

190cost per student? >> Right. I think we're looking at worst case scenarios we have to >> but there's there's a greater chance that >> if we looked at the crystal ball today, this program is growing. >> The product they put out is good to great and that makes them very competitive in the do they've got something going here. um because they can keep their cost down for adult dead whereas hack seems to be higher for the programming they offer or any other programs >> for adult ed is it sometimes the same staff teaching the classes for the adults >> potentially it can be >> for the high schoolers so that would that would help them to reduce their personnel cost for someone who maybe couldn't teach a full day of high school students if they

191if they weren't able to pull together a full day of classes of high school students, they could have a few more students in morning classes and then they go over the adult ed building. >> I think the other the other positive uh not only staffing purposes because I think they utilize that adult ed to recruit some day teachers because these are extremely the day teachers are extremely hard to fill because they can go into the private practice or commercial and make far more than a teaching salary. >> So I think that's a bonus. I think they're also getting parking lot space as well potentially. >> That was a discussion. >> But again, it may be longer term. >> Um, which I think again is a commodity in that >> it could help you with your

192transportation issues. >> You voted that down. So, I >> mean, it could this way that was raised. It's like, oh, okay, we're buying this. Well, wait. Then, you know, 6 months from now, they're going to be asking us for money for a parking lot. The other thing we didn't talk about I I know that this pro the adult ed program for nursing there has been there at least 35 years. I don't know Joe if they talked exactly. It might be much longer than that but I know a minimum of 35 years. So it's not a we just started this program type thing. That's important too, >> right? Enrollment has been steady is what they implied to us but again they don't know 5 10 years from now. You know, I I know that, you know,

193York College is looking at some nursing programs, too. How does that work out over the long term? >> Probably a substantial cost difference. Probably >> for sure. >> So, I don't know. I I I will say that as you know, our representative on the JOC, I voted for this acquisition as well as as my role in the authority. It's it would be I don't know. I I can't see saying no to this considering it's literally contiguous productity to York Tech >> and being paid for out of the old ad fund. It seems like >> paid for without >> and and they're not completely emptying out their fund balance. And there's >> there it seems like there will be replenishment, not complete replenishment, but a decent replenishment of the fund balance out of the rent. >>

194Yes. Um, >> their LPN program there has been in place for over 40 years because I graduated over 40 years ago and it was going strong then. So, it is a solid program. Um, I have a good friend who actually was one of the teachers there. >> So, so we just pass these down. Uh if you've already I was gonna I'll wait until the end of the meeting just so anyone who want who needs more time I mean >> I was going to wait until >> any more discussion on that item or we good to move on >> I have a procedure question actually. >> Sure. Um >> Miss Green, >> is there a reason why our our vote can't be made public? >> Oh no, you absolutely can say what your vote is. It's

195It just wasn't like in the >> I guess >> as did I vote yes. >> We have an option for Oregon or again. >> Oh yeah. Do we need a date at the top? >> Yeah. I don't I don't want to do a roll just cuz if you want I I don't think you have to make your vote public, but anybody would like to. >> Yeah. And I'd be concerned if we did one now because we don't have it on his action. Not you can't say what you're going to use. >> I guess everybody's pulling turning in. >> Don't want to forget because it's getting late. We're going to shoot out of here. >> All right. Item 9.10. This is the list of qualifying applications for the volunteer firefighter and emergency services tax credit program.

196So, I would like to make a motion to approve the list of qualifying applications for the volunteer firefighter and emergency services tax credit program totaling $47,500. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? The the one thing I'd like to say is um and and it's it's not just pertinent to this one tax credit, but I like to see tax credits on a reauthorization schedule. And I believe this one is kind of open-ended, and I'm I'm sure this board will continue to support this tax credit, but I'd like to address that at some point where we get that on a reauthorization schedule. Any nays or abstensions? >> Brad, thank you for coming in to discuss this. Appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Motion carries. >> The time you give. >> Yeah, appreciate it.

197Next, we have the York Adams Academy budget for 2026 2027. So, I'll make a motion to approve the York Adams Academy budget for 2026 2027. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> I mean um Sue, do you have any um specific analysis of this one? >> No, it's it's similar to to the prior year and as um Dr. effort noted we had two graduates this year and one graduate last year and >> that's great >> and we just started um with this program so it's been successful >> n or abstensions having heard none the motion carries item 9.12 this is A um this is the athletic trainer services agreement with OSS Orthopedic Hospital LLC. So I will ask for a motion to approve an athletic trainer services agreement with

198OSS Orthopedic Hospital LLC for a 5-year period beginning July 1st, 2026 at a cost of $60,000 for the first year. Do I have a motion? So move. >> Do I have a second? Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Um I just have one question. Um we see the breakdown for uh how it's going to potentially increase, but what how does this compare to what we're currently paying? >> So currently I think we're paying about $45,000. >> A little less than 45, but somewhere around >> Yes. Um we did know that we were going to get an increase um in this area. we were paying um very low costs. Um when we looked at 13 other school districts um the average for one trainer is about $32,000. So we're still under that average, but um

199this is an area where services are going up. Um we did approach um two other companies. One didn't respond. The other one um did not put in a bid um when they asked if we were happy with the services and we were. So they they really didn't even put in a bid. So um I will say that years ago, I can't even I lose track of the the years, but um it's probably been 10 years ago since we had inhouse trainer. Um and to have someone on staff to pay benefits and all those pieces is a lot more expensive than and that would be one person versus having two >> triple >> a lot more. Let me say it that way. >> Thank you. significant discount to a full-time employee for sure. Other discussion, any

200nays or abstensions? Having heard none, that motion carries. Next, we have 9.13. Um, this is an authorization for the administration to conduct a request for quote for student Chromebooks. So, I will ask for a motion to authorize the administration to conduct a request for quote for 550 student Chromebooks for the Chromebook replacement plan for the 2026 2027 school year. Do I have a motion? >> So, moved. >> Is there a second? Second discussion. >> I'm struggling with this one. I don't mind being vulnerable about that. Um I know that part of this move is to ensure that we have enough Chromebooks to be able to do our mandated state testing. However, I don't know as a district where what direction we're going to be moving in specific to the elementary school with Chromebooks. And it

201seems like folly to me to pre purchase things for testing that we only use x amount of times a year to then have sit unoccupied not used. I I'm spitballing here, but we've got a lot of ideas that we need to pursue. And I I would recommend and I can even move it if if if there's interest to tableabling this and getting more information. >> You said earlier that we're going to you're you asked for a presentation on this in in the March education meeting. >> Yeah. And things that things that I would like to pursue. Is there an entity that we can rent, whether it be Chromebooks or some other digital, you know, device to do testing? I I can understand certainly that renting might actually cost more having to have it be a

202recurring expense. It's still something I'd like to pursue. Um, and then if we were just trying to accommodate for testing purposes, are Chromebooks the thing that we want to do? I I just I have a lot of questions. I guess another another question I would have is if if we further reduce the the usage to where they're really focused toward testing are is it possible to alter the testing schedule? I know that there are certain requirements for uh like all of a grade level and may maybe all of a grade level for a particular subject have to test at the same time. But is is there a possibility to stagger the testing? Um, and would the wear on the Chromebooks be less and if they if they were less frequently used, especially by the younger

203uh the younger students and I think those are things that we could get in that March meeting. I would hope. Well, and if there was a significant amount of time between we acquiring them and going into general circulation, you would think there's also going to be a significant change in technology in that same window. >> That the Chromebook may not have the abilities of a Chromebook 3 years from now or put into general circulation three years from now. you know what are it it its abilities compared to one three years from now. >> Although the the change in computing power of uh consumer computers has leveled out compared to what it used to be. Um we just keep making them smaller and lighter instead of more powerful in a lot of cases. Um so Miss

204Hankle to clarify have you made a motion to >> I have not. Um, but I I can now I I I move to table the item. May I have a second? >> I'll second. Um, we'll vote on the motion to table. So, are there any >> Can I just have a question? So, really what we're voting on is just to get a quote for it. We're not buying. Right. >> Right. Right. >> Can you um Sue just tell me a little bit about when you have to quote something out? Like I'm just trying to understand if we don't get it quoted out and then we make a different decision like how will that impact purchase? >> I we did that last year because we put out the quote and then we changed the amount. So

205it was there was a lot of back and forth I think for Trevor and Sue last year. >> Yeah. I I I kind of want to back up a little bit. But I think so there's I believe we bid last year and so there's a big difference between quoting and bidding and and we talked about it at the time. Um we are recommending quoting this year which means basically we would buy off cooperative purchasing because we found after we bid and and this kind of es and flows whether it's better better to bid or to buy off cooperative purchasing. We found last year and we're still seeing that buying off cooperative purchasing is a little um better right now because we can basically call up a vendor in one or two days. We can get

206quotes from various vendors that are on cooperative purchasing and we know what the number is. So it's different than bidding. If we if we are recommending bidding that is a prescribed process it takes like five weeks and and I think it would be a different answer. quoting, I would say that if you're unsure on the numbers that we would like I think it would be better to wait. I don't want to and I don't want to say this incorrectly, but I don't want to waste the vendor's time if that's not what we're we're doing. Um because then next time we need something, they might not sharpen their pencil as much. So, um, my recommendation is that the board feel comfortable with the number we're going out with before we ask vendors to give us pricing.

207>> And to piggy back on something that you just said from in my own mind because I I don't know the direction that the district wants to go. It could even be that we want more Chromebooks and a and a quote for more because of various ideas that we might have with computer labs and things like that. So, I don't know. >> Or it might not be Chromebooks. It might be a different direction. >> Exactly. I don't know in any direction. >> Isn't the number though already carefully configured with a 2:1 model as we go from grades 5 to 9 and then up to 12? I mean, aren't we are isn't that already in the board briefing? What are we going to ask to go back for if that's already configured here? >> It's configured

208for those grades, but not any move that we would make in a different direction with other grades. >> Right. So if we don't use Chromebooks anymore >> and what is the thought on that? That would be the direction that we would want to talk about in March. >> Yeah. I mean that stick go to what what would we go to? I'm just asking like what >> there I mean there could be okay prior to you know 2019 we had computer labs in all of our elementary schools. >> So you're talking about stationary computers in a classroom >> potentially. >> It could. Again, this is I mean this is a conversation >> can you weigh in here? >> I absolutely can. >> Um we did have computer labs uh prior to 2019 and we found them

209to be an extreme hassle and trying to scheduling them with 25 classrooms of kids and you might have two computer labs. Um, and you get to the point where you just don't use them at all at all because it's a challenge just if I need to take my kids in at this time or that time. I know I heard testing come up a lot. While that is now regulation that we're going to take them online, I get that. But we use this as kind of our storage of content curriculum as well. I know that can be like perceived as the kid gets on the computer all day long, but as you saw the data, our numbers at the elementary school might have been less than an hour a day for most grades that there was

210actual screen time on the Chromebook. So, I think there's an argument to be made both ways. Well, then you don't need as many Chromebooks. But there's an issue of at some point it becomes an extreme hassle and efficient for the teacher, for our people who use it as a tool, not as the teacher itself, but as a tool. Um, and I'm not promoting more use of Chromebooks. I'm think simply stating what it's used for now. Um, and I think what I heard was, "Let's get an educational workshop in March." That's a short period of time because I I really want to do due diligence with it, too. Like, we want impact from we want we want teacher feedback. We want principal feedback on how they're being utilized and what it would do. I mean, my

211guess my my question is, what's the goal? Is it less Chromebooks? I don't think so. I know that's how this discussion came up as a result of the item or is the goal less screen time because if it's both >> it could but there's there's there's a drive towards what's the goal for not purchasing them. Is it because kids are going to use it? they won't be able to use it as much because we have a say in that as well. >> Even though we have the tool, it doesn't mean we necessarily need to be on them as much. >> Um that that's my question. But I I can tell you when we unpackage it, I think we're going to find that it's ease of use as much as it is that the it it's

212better to have a Chromebook or versus a textbook or whatnot. I could tell you moving into the secondary level as far as like textbooks and that type of stuff, if I went back to 2010, we were still spending probably hundreds of thousands on textbooks. Um, and now we're not necessarily buying online textbooks. In some cases, maybe, but we're utilizing resources that are available, primary resources that are free and utilized. So it becomes more of a a library of information that you can access when when needed. Um so I guess I'm we need a little bit of that guidance to design a workshop around that I think and to have the information that you're seeking to be able to make that >> the workshop wasn't so much deciding whether or not Chromebooks or not or what

213what ages or what grades. It was more trying to catch the general public on what other other countries and the data that's coming out right now with the harmfulness that edte specifically is doing for education and it's it is undeniable now. So it's not necessarily advertising this is what we're going to do because of it. It's do we know what it is? That was more the the intention of the presentation. >> Yeah. I mean, I I think, you know, Sweden Sweden did all digital 10 years ago. They're going back. They're they're you know, they're not saying no tech, but they're actually saying we need to focus on the actual tactile learning textbooks, hands-on, >> you know, handwriting, reading a book, all of that. >> You know, reading stuff on the screen does not stick like

214reading a front book does. That's that's basic cognitive science. Um I I guess you know what I my direction or what I would love to see you know we teach we should be teaching about technology not teaching everything through technology >> because I don't think it works. >> I I have a quick question if you don't mind. Mhm. >> Can Trevor or Susan tell me what is the average cost of one of these Chromebooks? Give or take ball? >> I remember last year's >> I would argue somewhere around $400. >> Yeah. And and >> it depends >> because we have other components on it than what you would buy off like an air, >> you know, you think of two. That's what I would say. But let us look it up cuz >> we're we're

215looking a line item and I I understand this is not purchasing it right now. I get that. This is just going out. We're in a period right now. I'm looking from a financial standpoint. That's a4 million line item. We're trying to actually crunch our budget, not expand it. And now now we're talking about other ideas that we don't know which direction we're really going. You know, are we going to stick to this 2 to1? Are we going to increase, decrease? And now we're throwing a number at it of 550 while understanding that is what we are currently looking at. But considering we don't know if that is going to be the number in the future and now we want to throw a line item of a quart million on it. I can't I can't justify

216that currently. >> Yeah. And I mean the motion on the floor pushes this to March. doesn't make any determination on what the what the ultimate decision is. It's just a motion to tail. >> But you Dr. Braayson, you're you're saying that >> that may not be a realistic time frame for you to really put that together. >> Agreed. >> So if it gets if it gets put, let's play out some scenarios. If it gets pushed to April, let's let's say so that we can have due diligence in the thorough presentation. um what is the timeline for purchasing Chromebooks? Um you know, is that hampering that timeline of I mean whether it be 550, whether it be 250, whether it be 750, what what does that timeline look like for actually purchasing? >> So if the

217board, let me make sure I understand. Is the board giving approval for the quote at April or are they giving us the approval to ask for a quote in April? Because that that's going to make it that's that's different. >> Ask for in April >> and ask for a quote which means we're not awarding till May, >> right? >> So we're not awarding till the end of May because it's a late board meeting. Um I I we're going to struggle to get them in early July, which is is ideal so that our folks can take the Chromebooks, get them unpackage them, get them ready, get all the the we have to log all in. We have to code all of them to do all the it's it's going to be tight. Plus, I can say

218this for vendors, you want to get in early on technology. If you want it in early summer, um we used to do this. We used to wait till May or June to to make those determinations. Um we would get the stuff in October after school started, which is not ideal for anyone, the students or our staff, because now they're trying to get school up and running and get these Chromebooks ready. So, um there's a reason why we bring these things at the time of year we do because we kind of have learned over the years what works and what doesn't. Um, the longer you wait, I think the more you pressure you put on everyone, including the teachers that now are accepting the Chromebooks in October and having to get the permission for and all

219those things from parents. So, I do think it creates challenges. I would say if it all possible, any month moving this direction, if it's not this month, okay, but um, if we could get approval in March and bring it back in April, that helps. Anything helps that direction. Is there precedent for board members to present >> within a workshop? >> Okay. >> In a board meeting. >> Thank you. >> I mean, we could do that just as other business anyway, right? >> Yeah, you can. >> Joe, you up for it? >> Sure. >> I don't think there's any thing for a betting. >> So, the cost of the Chromebooks last year, we were able to pull it up to you. Grab that for us. It's >> up to you. is 434 um per unit with

220all of the the painted components and everything on it. >> So your number was real close to your >> Was that close? >> Close. >> That's redneck math. >> 238,000. >> Man, that was darn darn close. >> That's good using a math, not a grumble. It was a It was a decent rounding good >> because I don't use technology like that. >> You calculated that on a Mac, not a Chromebook. >> Can I um I just want to add to this. I think that whatever information would be presented, I'm sure we would all be interested in. I don't have any problems with that. from my lens just working in a corporation rolling out change through systems I really worry about I I think we need to have these conversations and I think this is a

221philosophical conversation just like AI was a philosophical conversation and I think to expect that changing the devices it's an instructional shift and everything is a digital curriculum right now and to expect that we would be at a place in May to make that decision and have to roll that out in August feels very aggressive to me. Now again, I'm not an educator, so I don't really know what goes beyond. So I don't think the question really is so much about having a conversation about all of this. I think the question is, is it even realistic to think that we could do such a shift in such a short amount of time? >> I I can answer that. I'm completely uncomfortable thinking that that's going to go well in an organization this size. Knowing some of

222the feedback we've already gotten from the decision last year to go 2:1 grades K through three. If we're talking about going all elementary, I would s I would suggest then that's multiple discussions over time and involving staff and the stakeholders that are most impacted. Um because even this discussion tonight could be creating a whole lot of anxiety for a whole lot of people. Um that's just my two cents with it. I don't but >> I would like to marry the two things that both um director Samantha Hall said and Dr. Bryson you said as to as well. I I understand the ask and I'm not I'm not even holding back the cards and saying you can't know. I I truly do not know where where my headsp space is with this and what direct and

223so it truly is just a conversation. I what I what my fears are how about we we'll say it this way. What my fear is the momentum of a of going forward with us. I understand that we might not be able to on board currently right now for next year a whole new direction. That absolutely makes sense for me. But I also know that there are dangers that the general public has not appropriately been updated on. If we're moving towards a direction, fine, that's great. And sometimes it has to be incremental changes, but I would like to pause now to maybe even do this exact thing next month just to be able to hear the presentations so that the momentum isn't driving. Just a month is all I'm asking to buy. Not not talking about

224changing everything next school year. Not that's not that's not on the table right now. That's that's too much. that I do want us to be thinking about it. >> I think the other piece to it, um, we have a comp plan process that'll go into motion next year. >> That's a whole big >> we we will be requesting that two board members as we've had previously um, sit on that which could be our two education committee folks. Um and as a part of those meetings, a part of that comprehensive plan could be a discussion on >> fair >> devices and use and that would go through next the period of next year because it has to be approved >> around this time February. >> Yeah, we would bring we'd bring it to the board in

225February 2027 for approval in March. And my intent is to have once I mean may maybe we're unmoved. Maybe the presentation next next month is it's like okay well that's no big deal right? My intent is to have onboarding with teachers with staff with admin with board with parents with students because we don't know what we don't know. And having it can be gentle. doesn't have to be aggressive, but have a a redirect based on the intent that that an understanding that we all can have. That's kind of the ask that I'm having. Not not not a huge move right now, just just a month to buy time. >> And and it's possible that what it comes down to is we we learn enough in that time that we say, "Okay, we we definitely know

226we're changing the direction." And so maybe with the change in direction that we know we're going to do, at least a part of the change in direction we know we're going to do, maybe we only need 450 rather than 500. Maybe it's maybe it's not >> maybe it maybe it does make a difference, but maybe it's not the difference between 550 or zero. Um >> I I wouldn't expect that it would be zero. I I can't imagine that it would be, >> but to start to get clarity around that direction um I think would be helpful. So what is the 550 number? What what is that too? >> So that relates back to um the uh Chromebook rollout plan that u Mr. Hunt and Mr. Carrington put together. Um really that so that you hold

227the Chromebook for four years. So that's based upon that. So um it's that grades 5 through 12. So as new as they move into those new grades, then the new students get them in those grades. >> Does that make sense? >> How many did we order last time? >> 460, >> huh? >> 460 >> less. >> Well, different classes, different cohorts, different class sizes. >> They can they can look ahead and see, well, who's in fourth grade now? who's going to be in fifth grade next year. >> So, is this number um taking into consideration or was it revised um for the 2:1 model in the younger classes? >> So, it already was because there has to be a certain percentage of of books that are retired year-over-year, you know. So, whatever that number is,

228say 250, that's not going to pay, you know. So that that retirement process is going to happen, you know, one way or the other. However, there there is a lot of wisdom I feel like in saying we don't want a hundred Chromebooks sitting around that we're not using, you know. Um, of course, we want to have we want to have some backups. >> Yeah. And and we have some fifth year machines now. So as we as the gentlemen were putting the plan in place, we have some fifth year machines. So, some of the 460, the 550 is as we're as we are getting older machines and and like you said, um they're obsolete. Um that some of that it is that too. >> So, I mean, so if this is already taking into consideration the

229the change of of the 2 one and then one one depending upon the grades. um then we're not necessarily going to be you know we may be looking at forward vision >> but we're not necessarily looking at immediate change >> right >> um then there may not be the need to table it but I I I do think that we could at least have that component answered inside of 30 days we don't have to answer the the future direction but we can at least inside of 30 days answer whether 550 is the right number or is 450 the right number or 420 or whatever that is. Certainly I would think in 30 days we could hammer that out and maybe 550 is the right number, >> you know, but we we certainly could say I'm

230trying to to find the pathway of of being able to do the due diligence, giving Dr. pricing the appropriate amount of time to be able to to put that together so that it's a comprehensive approach and still be able to meet the deadlines of being able to get the the books here in a timely fashion for the coming school year. >> So not asking in April but asking in March. >> Yeah. Like basically just one month to really make sure that yes this is the right number because it is a large expense you know it is a quarter of a million dollars. So, it just and maybe it is the right number, you know, but it it I I don't think 30 days to answer that question is going to prevent us from getting in

231here by next school year. At least it didn't sound like it did. >> And again, some of it's, you know, things change in the world all the time with especially with technology. So, I think we will be better if we know that in April than if we know that in May. But the closer we get to that July 1st date, the the less chance of us pulling it off. >> So, would we know by next time how many laptops are scheduled or Chromebooks are scheduled to be retired? I mean, is that what we're thinking? 550 like we know 550 need to be retired and that's why we're getting the 550. >> So, it's based upon upon the grade levels. So that so um so those exiting from 12th grade, 8th grade and first grade th

232those books then are they're fifth year machines. So you're holding them for four years. So it's really based on the class sizes >> and of course in first grade it's only half because it's 2 to one and so it's based upon that plan. So we can kind of bring back more of the details of I I think what you're looking for details of how we came up with the 550. >> I want to know if we don't do 550 and we do 250. What does that mean? >> Do you know what I mean? Like what does that mean? That mean like pay through like I don't know what that means. >> Yes. Exactly. We don't know. >> Fair point to call the question, Mr. President. >> All right. So we have a motion and a

233second to table. Uh, do we do we need a roll roll call vote on this? Maybe, do you think? Or >> what we could do is we could have those in favor signify by saying I. And so >> all all in favor of the motion to table say I. >> I. >> All opposed say nay. >> Nay. >> Am I the lone nay? >> I've been it before. Don't worry. The eyes have it. My nay was because I think the due diligence has already been done with that total. I don't know that I feel necessarily in either way that it's going to change too much. So that's why just giving you my ration. >> Mhm. >> The tableing was for one month though. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Correct. Yeah. >> Item 9.14 is other items

234of business. Having none, I turn it back to you, Mr. President. All right, moving on to item 10, personnel and policy. I will turn it over to our personnel and policy chair, Mrs. Samantha Hall. >> Okay, moving on to item 10.02. Um, this would constitute a first reading of the board policies for the current policy cycle. Um, as per our board policy process at the January board meeting, the board distributed or the board received policies that were presented and discussed at the February 17th personnel personnel and policy committee meeting. Tonight constitutes the first reading of these policies. I will say that of the 24 that we reviewed on Tuesday, 18 of them are moving forward. six will end up going back to a first read next month because they had significant changes. Um so I

235would just say that the policies will be published for public review um by next week and then we'll move to a second read of those 18 policies in March with a board vote. Upon passage of the vote, the policies are final approved and effective. And I just encourage anybody to watch the personnel and policy committee meeting from um Tuesday, February 17th for the discussion on these policies. Um and that's all I have on that one. And then on item 10.03, um this is um an action for a motion for Dr. Bryson's attendance at the LIU 12 Superintendent Symposium. So I make a motion to approve Dr. Bryson attending the 2026 LU12 fall Superintendent Symposium in Spartanberg, South Carolina on September 23rd to 25th, 2026. This event will focus on transformational leadership, brand transformation, continuous improvement,

236and innovation, and will include a visit to Spartanberg High School. Flights and lodging to be paid by the LIU12 cost to the district is not to exceed $500. I make a motion to Did I say that? I make a motion to approve that. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Any or abstensions? All right. Hearing none, that motion carries. And then um item 10.04, other items of business. I have one. Um because I actually had this thought before this conversation, but because we are having so many conversations that center on instructional changes um just with the the generative AI policy that we have the educational technology project products, Chromebook usage, digital curriculum and resources. I would like to review our policy 101 which is our philosophy of education in the next policy

237cycle as it was adopted in August 1992 and last reviewed in October 1995. >> Okay. >> Which policy was that? 101. >> 101. >> And >> Yep. Go ahead. >> And that's all that I have. >> All right. That was a teaser. >> All right. Uh, item 11, buildings grounds. I'll turn it over to Mr. Hall. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, moving on to 11.01, we have the water test report for January of 2026, which is there for our information. On to 11.02, we have the buildings and grounds report for January of 2026. And uh, before you start, Mr. Buffington. I would also like to comment on um all of the hard work done by our our maintenance crews with the storm. Um it was imperative to stay ahead of that one because it

238got really messy afterwards. Um and uh it's it's great to see how that everyone responded and and the response of the crew. So kudos to our guys. >> We may uh have another opportunity come Sunday. I hope not. We hope not either, but >> we'll stay tuned. >> I think it's gone from 8 in to 1 to two and now they're not sure again, >> right? Flip the coins, you know. But yeah, thank thanks for those words and um yeah, we we truly have a great crew, you know, that um responds. So, we we appreciate that effort. >> Okay. Moving on to 11.03, we have the addendum to the guaranteed energy savings act that is there for our information and for the community um during Tuesday night's buildings and grounds meeting. This and many other

239things uh were discuss discussed in in great detail. Also um if if you saw earlier in Miss Green's presentation about uh our future projects, they were also discussed at great detail in that meeting. So if you have interest, uh you can go back to that uh meeting on our YouTube channel and and see the things that were discussed. Okay, moving on to 11.0. >> I have 11.03 as an action item. >> You have a vote. >> Oh, I'm sorry. clicked on the was clicked on the wrong thing. My my mistake. Um I have a motion to approve an addendum to the guaranteed energy savings act agreement with Reynolds Energy Services Incorporating doing business as site logic energy services incorporated at a lump sum not to exceed $712,275. Do I have a second? >> Second. >>

240Okay. So, this is for the coatings on the standing seam roofs and the skylights at Shrewsbury Elementary for the uh community's uh information. Do we have any more discussion on that? >> Just can't wait to find out if we get that grant money. >> Great. So, then uh any Naz or abstensions hearing? None. Motion passes. Moving on to 11.04. 04. I would like to make a motion to approve the builder's risk insurance policy with a sele selective insurance group for an increased amount not to exceed $886 for the addendum to the 2026 greatest needs project. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> So, this is to cover for the uh amendment we just made. >> Any knees or abstension? Any any discussion? Any or extensions? Okay. Moving to 11.05. I'd like to make a

241motion to approve a transfer in the amount of $720,000, which is $712,000 for the Giza addendum, $120,000 for the installment 7 of the artificial turf less the undesated funds in the capital reserve fund of $112,000. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? Any nays or abstensions? Hearing none, the motion passes. I have a motion to approve the resolution to request a public school facility improvement grant not to exceed $5 million from the Commonwealth Finance Authority to be used for eligible mechanical improvements at Southern Elementary School, Southern Middle School, and Shrewsbury Elementary School. There is a fee of $100 to apply, 25% match requirement, and the application is due March 13, 2026. Do I have a second? >> Second. Um so this is something that site logic is working with us on. Um also if

242we are able to obtain any of this grant money it would be applied not to the project that is currently in the works for this coming summer but potentially the other projects moving forward uh in 2728. So any discussion any or abstensions hearing? None. Motion passes. Moving on to 11.07. Motion to approve advertising for bids for HVAC air filters for the district for the 2026 to 2027 school year. Do I have a second? >> Second. This is something that we do yearly and just so that people know this is just for the filters. We take care of their maintenance in house. Any other discussion or extensions? None. Motion passes. Moving on to 11.08. I would like to make a motion to approve to approve a contract with Triangle Fire Protection Incorporated of Carlile, PA to

243perform the required 5-year hydroristic test on the fire department connection at a cost of $9,780. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Hearing none. The motion passes. Moving on to 11.09, 09. We have a discussion here uh in regards to First Energy uh having a desire to amend the easement agreement on the property that we own outside of New Freedom. Um we discussed this uh earlier on um in in our in our meeting and essentially came to the understanding that we probably should wait to see what we determine to do with the land because we wouldn't want to give them the ability to um do something that might detract from us being able to sell the land. So, we felt it best to just hold off and uh and wait and see

244till those other things get flushed out and then then make the decision. >> Makes sense. >> Okay. Moving on to 11. >> So, can I just ask a question? I just since you're having that discussion um I just want to make sure um the board feels comfortable that we reach out to um First Energy and let them know that you're holding on that decision for now. >> Yep. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Thank you. I just wanted to make sure I we had clarification Mr. Buffington and I I'll reach out to them. >> Yeah. Not to be one more person you're struggling with, right? But that's how these things go. >> Okay. Moving on to 11.10, refues and recycling collection contract to pen waste. I'd like to make a motion to award the refu and recycling

245collection contract to pen waste of York, PA for a three-year period beginning July 1st, 2026. Have a second. >> Second. >> So, um, Mr. Buffington, if you could speak a little bit about the work that you did on this and the results that you came up with, I think it'd be great. >> Sure. Uh as you can see we um obtained three bids. Uh two others did did not submit bids. Um but we had you know very good discussion um with with the haulers. Penwaist um is our current hauler. Um so we're recommending to extend um with them. But one of the things we looked at um you know as we do with uh refues and recycling or anything else how can we um reduce cost and things. So one of the things we did

246look at um is reducing uh the amount of recycling pickups um as well as some uh reduction in the summertime. Um, and it it did yield uh very good results for us. Um, you know, so uh typically we were in the neighborhood of $60,000 uh a year. Um, you know, and now we're now we're in the 30s, you know. So, um, certainly u some things with uh collection of recycling and things, you know, we we will have some efforts on our staff's part and food services staff. Um but um certainly worth um worth the cost savings >> certainly and uh I I commend you on um 50% decrease. So that's a in that neighborhood but that that's a a commendable thing. Thank you very much. >> That's great. >> Um do we have any uh

247other discussion? >> Uh yes. What will the food services team have to do differently? >> WhatsApp. >> What will the effect be on the staff? C certainly is um you know with the recycling and trash going out you know just making sure um that the dumpsters aren't getting over overfilled. Um you know particularly on the recycling side um you definitely you know breaking those boxes down is important. Making sure that there's not those um voids in in the recycling that uh you know will allow time for that pickup to to come. and specifically in cafeteria. Um it of course if they would use recyclable trays um that's the cost of Witson's as part of their contract. But um what we find is if you just throw those trays in the trash can like if the

248kids just throw them in the volume is enormous. Um so we we have the children stack them and we put them in so that the volume is reduced. And believe it or not, that's a huge difference in our dumpsters on >> We saw that one time over at uh we were having lunch over at Southern Elementary. >> Yeah, we have them that they were stacking them. Yeah. And that's really to reduce the volume because if they just throw them in there, it fills a trash can like almost instantly and and then when it gets in the dumpster, it it fills them up. And we have we have >> we had where we used to have to have extra dumps. um because of the recyclable trays and so now we we stack them. >> How frequently

249do we use the recycled trays versus the reusable washing? >> We try not to I mean really that's if like if we had staff call in and they don't have enough staff to run the dish machine and those kinds of things. So we try not to um they're not going they're doing well with staffing so we haven't lately had as much but it'd really now be a sickness or something like that. >> Okay. Thank you. Well, then if that dumpster is overfilled, we we pay for it. >> Yeah, there are charges for that. And not to speak about AI again or or more about AI, but I learned through this process that the top of the um trash uh hauling truck actually has some AI functions that looks at the um dumpsters to to tell

250them if it's over full >> and then they charge you accordingly. >> They bill you. >> It's everywhere. You know, it sounds kind of silly, but I thought you could tell it's overfilled just because the lid is up or something. >> You would think so. We now have robots looking at the lid. >> We can't see it anymore with the robot. >> I'm sure it depends on how much it's overfilled by how much you're getting charged. So, >> I think the big piece is we can see it. They're going to bill us. >> The robot can tell you how much they're >> Okay. Any other discussion? Any nays or abstensions? Moving on. 11.11. A motion to approve accounting for bids for landscaping services for the district beginning July 1st, 2026. Do I have a second?

251>> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Is this landscaping we are not doing ourselves? >> What's that? >> Is this landscaping that we are not doing ourselves? >> Yes. And it's a blend of things that we do in-house and this would be the contracted service >> such as can you give me an example what this would be that we >> Yeah I mean such as um treating turf uh grass um you know so uh as well as weed control uh and we do some of that inhouse but the the larger treatments of uh weed control um it also include um some of the larger um mulch um applications uh and we do some of that in-house, but um the the larger applications of that it would include. And one of the things for a financial standpoint

252that we're going to do um you know, because we're trying to drive this cost down as well, um we're going to set up a base uh base bid part, but also alternates, you know, so then we can um select from a budgetary standpoint. Um, this would also include um back when we put the um uh seating and top dressing. Uh that's that's in here as well. Um I'm looking to probably reduce some of that. So basically instead of um treating those fields, we were on um an every other year uh we may extend it. we've gotten some really good results. So, we may be able to extend instead of doing fields every other year, extend it out a little bit. Um, you know, so uh looking to save, you know, 10, 15,000, 20 maybe um

253over the cost of these uh contracts, you know, and we're bidding it out, so we will get uh competition uh with it. Any other discussion? Any or abstensions? None. Motion passes. Moving on to 11.12. Uh this is use of facilities. Is there more information? Moving on to 11.13. Other items of business which I do not have any back to you, Mr. President. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Moving on to item 12, transportation, health, and safety. I will turn it over to Mr. Hash. Thank you, President Hingle. 12.01. We have the student transportation report for January. It's attached there. Just want to highlight two things. Uh we did recruit one driver and they are still recruiting a first student. Still looking for five more vacancies to be filled. So if you know anybody apply

254there. Um out of all the stop arm violations just want to draw attention to there was five uh passing headon. So when the car and the bus are, you know, crossing each other. Uh that was the most that we had. Uh the other incidents were at zero or down to one. Just want to bring a little attention to that. Uh 12.02 O2 the second quarter discipline data and turn over to you Dr. Ruffford. >> Thank you Mr. Hash. Uh so good evening board. I just want to speak a little bit about our second quarter discipline as well as what I shared at the November 18th board meeting reviewing the first quarter discipline uh specifically about state reportable data. Uh due to policy changes at the federal level, detentions were no longer included when we're doing

255our state uh our state reportable through the safe schools report. Detentions were no longer state reportable unless it was relevant to a state reportable offense. So the question would be what would be a state reportable offense that detentions could be uh uh related to and in the executive content I did break down state reportable offenses such as criminal trespass vandalism disorderly conduct uh weapons possession sale vaping material controlled substances so they're your major infractions that are state reportable offenses. So, prior to this school year, any detention would have been counted in our discipline data, whether it was a state reportable offense or not a state reportable offense. And some of the non-reate reportable would be misuse of technology, bus misbehavior, uh inappropriate use of cell phone, late to class, etc. So when I reported the

256discipline data back in in November, I indicated that detentions were no longer state reportable unless it was related to a state reportable infraction. Okay. Does that am I to the board? Are we clear with that? Understand with that? So, the numbers that I reported back in November were state reportable offenses specific to detentions, which the numbers were low. And President Hankle, we had a discussion and you said, "Well, our detentions are lower. Does that mean we're having less discipline or I think that was how >> Yeah, if you were. >> So, when it was specifically related to state reportable offenses, that would be correct. But we do have a number of detentions that we have not that would have been reported previously that I have included now in the the chart that we have up

257here. So just to walk through it, there's now uh an area that I have indicated that is now grayed with asterisks. So when we're looking at code of conduct that detentions were related to that were not state reportable, we're now going to include that data if that makes sense to everybody. So I want to look specifically at the uh detentions for the first marking period. uh what was reported was 18 under sanction S10, but when we did uh a little further digging, we actually had 79 additional detentions that were assigned during the first marking period that were not an infraction that was state reportable. So why I'm including that is in the past that in the previous three years when I presented this data those numbers would have been combined but after having our discussion

258and speaking with Mr. Wilson we believe that you know we wanted to be able to go back find that you know identify those total number of detentions that would have been reported in the past but we're going to note them on here as not state reportable offenses. And here's why I mentioned that when we do our state our safe schools report at the end of the year that includes the data that I have been presenting over the last three years by marking period. So when you go from marking period 1 2 3 4 we get to the end of the school year that data already transfers into that into that safe schools report. What would not be included in the safe schools report this year is that area that's in gray because those detentions as

259well as those student code of conduct that were related to those detentions are not state reportable would not be on that form. But for the public and for the board, we wanted to make sure that we're reporting that specific data back to each and every one of you. So that was a change from our November >> meeting uh to this meeting, but we will continue to or I'll continue to indicate in that grade section there of those uh student code of conduct infractions that are not state reportable as well as the detentions that were not listed as state reportable at this point. So for getting comparable data uh the the 256 in student code of conduct in 2425 uh would then be comparable to what in marking period 2. So it would be the the

260sum of the 96 and the 53. Is that >> Yes. Yes. So it is still decrease >> there. Yes. There there's still a decrease but going back to our November 18th meeting now we're we're closer to our apples to apples >> by November meeting was not apples to apples much of that decrease was accounted could be accounted to the reporting difference whereas this decrease is apples to apples >> that is correct >> which that's encouraging I mean it's almost 100 >> um you may not know the answer to this question but >> if you look at the safe schools data year-over-year year. I guess there's going to be a drop off this year across the board for everybody >> for for everybody. That that'll be correct. >> Okay. >> So that that data will never

261be apples to apples at least over this period. >> Yeah. If you're going get given from the state, it won't be >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Uh quick question. And so I'm noticing on the side that shows marking period one, marking period 2, if I look at the total infractions and I look at the total uh kind of actions taken, they're kind of comparable. 160 for marking period 1, 167 disciplinary actions taken, 185, 182. Um, if I look at the this side though, uh, looking at last year, 278 versus 229, that actually seems like a lot more infractions than actions taken. Do you know what's going on there? >> This is something we talked about before, I think. >> Yes. >> Let me see if I can say what he's going to say. some of

262the um the actions taken were for more than one infraction like one event fell under three of the categories of so there's only one infraction for those three things. So you were yelling at someone if there was a minor altercation and there was a fight related to and there was one there's one one >> okay so that's just a kind of a fluke of the way that those incidents occurred and it wasn't that way this marking period too that one for one >> and the other point Joe great job you got it the other part in the executive you know when I when I broke down state reportable non-state reportable To Joe's point, there were other infractions that if a detention was assigned, an after school detention, Saturday school detention, they might have been all

263more of them might have been grouped into maybe a suspension or multiple detentions. So, >> Joe, you were correct with your uh understanding and remembering that. >> I try. >> And as a past assistant principal, sometimes they stack up on you. Mhm. >> So one child has three referrals before you ever saw him for the first. >> so there's one there's one consequence one bigger than >> if you can stay ahead of that these numbers all of a sudden change even though they're disciplined. >> So when you catch it quickly it gets to look more like this to this. >> Yes. >> Especially in the spring. >> Again that that sounds good. >> Okay. >> Thank you Dr. Reard. Any more questions? All right. 12.03. Other business. I have none. Back to you, President Hel.

264>> Thank you. Moving on to item 13, athletics and extracurricular. I will turn it over to Mrs. Mary Lee Hall. >> Perfect. Thank you. So, the Warrior winter sports season has flown by with many teams wrapping up their regular season and now student athletes are looking towards spring sports beginning March 2nd. And here's a summary of the current highlights over the past few weeks. So, boys basketball, the Warrior boys basketball journey has been one of continuous improvements with many close games and wins to close the season. The varsity team finished six and 16. Girls basketball. The Warrior girls basketball team finished the season strong, second place in the York Adams Division 2 with a league record of 10 and2 and overall standing of 17-5. They qualified for the York Adams tournament tournament, excuse me, lost

265to Delone Catholic 2931 in a hard-fought game on February 2nd, but earned the fourth seed in the PIAA district 35A tournament, which they hosted Eastern Lebanon County this past Tuesday at SHS and won big. Elena Snyder led all scorers with 18 points while Johanna Betett added 12 points advancing to the second round hosting another district 3 tournament against Lamp Peter Straussburg tomorrow night where do you remember Caleb told you at the high school tomorrow at 7 cheerleading the Warrior cheerleaders continued to support our high school and middle school athletes this winter and created exciting participation in the winter pep rally. Girls wrestling. The high school girls wrestling team was able to host their first ever team duel in the beginning of February against Eastern York. The teams matched up well in weight classes for a

266competitive opportunity between teams. While the final score did not reflect a win, the match was one that came down to the last few bouts. Either way, the team made SYCSD history in starting the program and many firsts. The team participated in the PIAA district 2 sectional in individual tournament last Friday where Taylor Sturdivant finished fifth in her weight class and she will be the alternate for the district regional tournament on Saturday the 28th at Mannheim Township. And for boys wrestling, the Warrior boys wrestling team finished their regular season in fourth place in the York Adams Division 2 with a two and3 league record and overall record of 6 and seven. Several wrestlers participated in the PIAAA District 3 sectional in individual tournament this past weekend. Trevor Cal was the sectional champion in the 107 weight

267class and advanced to district regional tournament taking place tomorrow. and Saturday at Spring Grove. In addition, Henry Hileman finished sixth place in his 145 weight class and will be an alternate swimming. The girls boys and girls swimming teams finished their regular season meets in the last few weeks. The girls team finished in second place and the boys team finished in fourth place for the York Adams Division 2 standings in the YAA championships on February 7th. The following swimmers were medalist. Gracie Burton for fourth place for the 550 free. Lauren Kalanovich. Seventh place for 100 backstroke. Girls 200 free relay. Gracie Burton. Cali Shu. Carly Ables and Lauren Kalanovich. Eighth place. Girls 400 free relay. Grace Gracie Burton. Ilia Swenson. Carly Abless and Lauren Kalanovich. eighth place. All of them. Congratulations. We have 22 swimmers competing

268next weekend, February 27th and 28th, in the PIAA District 3 Championships at Cumberland Valley to advance to the state showdown. Unified Botchi. The Warrior Unified Botchi teams have had a great regular season with team one finishing in second place with a record of six and three and team two finishing in 13th place with a record of four and five. Team one qualified for the New York League playoffs which took place last Tuesday at Springrove and finished fourth place. Also, there are some postseason recognitions, one for football and one for soccer. The PA football new coaches select class 4A all state first team defense Susky senior Donovan Jordan Brown named first at defensive end. He is ranked in the top 14 in the state and top one in division 4A for a stat. Very good. Also,

269PA Soccer Coaches Association have announced all state teams for the 2025 season accomplishments, including our very own midfielder season Fanning. She'll be honored and recognized by PSCA. Congratulations to our outstanding athletes. And also, just a quick update about Chartwells and concessions and student athletic event admissions. Mr. Blandon is engaging in continued discussions with Booster and Chartwells with the goal of updating progress by the end of the month on report of ticket sales for all winter and and fall seasons as well as how free event emissions would impact revenues. Uh he is also collaborating with local athletic directors to share ticket prices across York County in comparison. And also, you have a flyer on your desk. It's not as colorful as mine, but I just wanted to share so you can put it all on your

270refrigerators and you can attend and spend as much money as possible. The Susco Sports Booster Club is hosting the trivia night on March 14th at 5:00 in the new Freedom Community Center. So, you can sign up to be a part of competing teams. I know some of you are really amazing with trivia. you just know a lot about everything or a little bit about everything. So, it'll be fun and you can get you get to enjoy amazing food choices at tasteful occasions. They come to the school often and treat us to tasty treats, uh, raffle baskets, 50/50 drawing, bake sale, and cash prizes. All for the benefit of our wonderful athletes. So, folks in the community, board members and families, all welcome to attend. So mark your calendars. I'm going to want to see you

271all or I'm going to come to your house and ask you for money. >> Maybe there should be team schoolboard. >> That's right. >> I already have a team. Thank you very much. >> I think report. Thank you. >> Trivia. >> The trivia. I'll be bringing my own team. >> Well, there's a max. >> Up to 10 participants in one team. >> We're only nine. We need an extra. Mrs. Green is pretty smart. >> No trivia. >> And my report is finished. >> Any volunteers in the room? >> All right. >> I have no other items of business. >> All right. Uh 14, committee report. Other business? Anyone? >> All right. Moving on to 15. Uh 15.01, Legislative Council. Okay, thank you, President Hankle. Um, obviously Sue and Trevor have already talked about the uh

272newly announced uh 2026, you know, the the next budget for Pennsylvania State. Um there's a obviously a lot of wrangling that's going to have to happen before that gets approved. Hopefully they don't wait till November to get it approved again. Uh the um the only thing that kind of stuck out to me was that Governor Shapiro was advocating for bell-to-bell cell phone bans, guaranteed recess as part of his presentation on the budget as far as education goes. Um over in the House there's a variety of bills moving through committees on school safety grants, school start times, social media literacy, literacy education, and teacher certification. Um obviously the only thing that's truly actionable right now is the act two of mandating cursive instruction in schools and the deadline for that is 60 days. So, I'm looking

273forward to hearing uh and discussing how we're going to be embracing this in next month's education committee meeting. That is all I have. >> So, Senate Bill 1014 for the statewide cell phone ban in schools that passed the h the Senate, right? It's in the House now. >> It is. Yes. >> So, it did have exceptions that are not much unlike what policy we have in place now. So when you say bellto bell, what does that mean actually without the exceptions that we already have with the teachers allowing them to use them for certain programs and then in between like lunches and hallways and things? I didn't see anything show that was different. >> Yeah, I don't I think our I think our policy as it currently is written would probably fall in alignment with

274that. >> Okay. Um, but I think philosophically they're looking for students shouldn't be on their phone from when they get in the building till they leave the building. >> That's kind of the philos philosophy behind it. But I again I think there is still some local wiggle room. >> Sure. >> Written into it. >> Thank you. uh York School of Technology. >> Um we haven't had our meeting this month. We discussed all of the things that we discussed in our last meetings earlier in the agenda. Uh but one thing there is a open house for open to any school board directors um superintendent that is on February 26th at 5:30 p.m. If you would like to go all they need you to do is RSVP because they are going to serve food and then do

275an open house for the >> right. There you go. Write that down. >> The new property go to in to go inspect. >> No, not not the new property. that does we don't close the closing on that's not till March. >> So two things with that we have the multicultural night going on and we also have the Southern Elementary School uh art show right and there's something else isn't there Dr. Bryson, >> what's the date again? I have it on my list. >> February 26th, >> next Thursday, >> multicultural night. That's all. That's all I have. What time, Joe? >> 5:30. >> I can make >> um Yeah, that's basically the open house and then the JOC will do their meeting after that. So, anybody who wants to go >> if you need a contact,

276I'm not sure if um Alice reached out to everybody. >> I think I shared it. >> Did I share that? >> You did. >> I think I shared that email. >> Yeah. >> So, just let them know or let me know. I'll help you. >> Lu. >> Thank you, President Hinkle. I will pass this to Dr. Bryson. >> Thank you. Uh, real quick, probably next month, we'll give you an update on Lincoln uh, actually York Learning Center, which the the Lincoln IU utilizes for centerbased programming. Um, and the general gist of it is just so you have where it where it's headed is building in um pretty disarray. Hasn't been touched in a long time. We currently pay 62,000 let's say membership fee per year. We've done that for over 25 years. Um, and that

277was basically the bond to purchase the building from Central School District. And the purpose of the 13 districts getting together was to create a center-based program for the LIU to be able to utilize. Centerbased programming is for the most um probably those students that have the most needs that can't be educated here. um while we don't have a large number of students, we also don't have a whole lot of options on um educational placements for them as well. And with that being said, I'd also say they still deserve maybe even more so a nice school building to attend. Um, so the goal is to get to a place where the JOA decides on next moves, which would be um they could sell the building and lease. We've determined that to be actually more expensive because

278whatever building leased would have to be build out anyway. Um, and there are only one or two that are even in drivingable distance that would be available. Um so the the goal being right now the discussion is max having a notion of the maximum amount that 13 districts are be willing uh to go into a renovation project cuz like anything it could be uh baseline bare minimum uh 2530 million or 90 million if you would if you so wanted to get that extravagant. Um they're landing in the 50 million range right now as a ceiling, but we the process of going through uh mapping out exactly what they're getting, eliminating wants versus needs, that's still to be taken place, but eventually um we're going to have to come back to you with the request similar

279to the York Tech process of uh it's not quite land purchasing, but uh we would need to board to vote to move forward. Um roughly speaking for the high-end ceiling, we're in the 100,000 range and we're at 60 now or 68 now. Um so it is not a huge increase considering that has not raised in 25 years. Um, so the add-on to that is a per cost per student cost. Um, so that not every member district's going to be end up paying the same. You have a baseline 100,000 and then it's so much per kid that you have placed there. So that Southern has six kids versus 20 kids from York City or whatnot. They're going to pay much more per year >> Overall. So, that's the general layout of it. Um, we'll have more

280to come, but I didn't want you to be blindsided. But these JOA JC, you start getting confused with what you're talking about. So, that's coming. Coming. >> Thank you. Uh, York Academy Tax Bureau. >> No report. Southern York County School District Foundation. >> Very exciting. I had a nice little note on my desk when I got back. $7,900 made last night. Do you believe that? At Battle of the Buildings. Oh my goodness. So exciting. Um so, okay, I'll start with my report now. So, Dollars for Scholars contenders have submitted their applications by the deadline of last February or last Monday, February 9th, and the foundation is excitedly planning to review their submissions and award scholarships. So, as you know, the Suscuanic Alumni Association and Southern York County School District Foundation hosted Battle of the Buildings

281last night, and the turnout couldn't have been better. There was so much joy in the air and exciting anticipation for all competitors last night. Huge thank you to the families of the community for coming out to support and the district and the student body for promoting so well, including the Courier. I don't know if anybody's downloaded that on their cell phones, but it's just fun to see what the kids are up to every day on their reports. Congratulations to the high school team and the high school student team led by none other of course than our very own student rep who tied the champions, excuse me, for the secondary schools division. While friendships teachers were the winners of the elementary schools division and the Shrewsbury Elementary and their fans won the award for the most

282spirited. So, the foundation members could certainly feel the spirit as cheers filled spilled over into the gym out of the gymnasium for all of us to hear. Uh, the students were all decked out with hair glitter and face paint and adorements to match their team colored t-shirts. It was super fun and it was great for all of us to share. And $7,900. I mean, Mr. Carrington, I don't know that he had anything left to sell. Did you? Oh, we have some chips and some soap. >> Um, so be on the lookout for the foundation's next fundraising opportunity. That will be Give Local York. Unless I'm wrong and we've got something else in there, Mrs. Green. Um, but we'll be seeking donations for the silent auctions. So, if you have anything good that you'd like to

283donate, just bring it. Next month. >> Yeah. >> So, that's happening April 30th to May 1st. The foundation will meet again on March 10th and we look forward to coming together to discuss future plans to positively impact the Southern York County School District student body. And oh, a couple more things. I'm so sorry I forgot and Caleb's not here. Um, so financial literacy scholarship contest. This is really amazing. Maybe I'll give it to Mrs. Green or Dr. Bryson to give to um Dr. Sterner. Um, so Pennsylvania students in grades 9 to 12 have been invited to enter the 13th annual student financial literacy scholarship competition. So the participants are encouraged to submit a short essay, poem or video. I could see them doing videos that fits the year's time, the year's theme, which is what

284does financial literacy mean to me? It's a great question. So, student winners will be announced and publicly honored during financial literacy month, which occurs every year in April. Competition prizes offer one first place $1,500 award for each grade 9 through 12, one honorable mention $500 award for each grade 9 through 12 and one grand prize of $2,500 overall. So, additionally, Harrisburg Harrisburg University will award a one-time $1,000 scholarship to each student who submits a competition entry and then applies and is accepted as a full-time student to their university. Um, so I've got the information to apply here. It's just going to ww.harrisburg.edu. And then, uh, also for the trades, uh, construction related scholarship program accepting applications too. So, this is Keystone Contractors Association or KCA encouraging Pennsylvania students with an interest in construction uh to

285apply for the scholarship. So, applicants must be Pennsylvania residents, attend Pennsylvania college, university, or trade school with a focus on construction oriented degrees, and pursue education and careers with the goal of building and strengthening Pennsylvania's communities, economy, and infrastructure. Uh, so the scholarship program is open to graduating high school seniors as well as current college students who plan to work in the construction industry. This is the kicker. The scholarship is up to $10,000 every year in renewable funds. That's amazing. Um, so that's at www.keystonecontractors.com. And I'm not sure who I can leave that with that maybe Dr. Sterner could benefit some students with that information, but couldn't help but bring it up while we're talking about money in the foundation. And that concludes my report before anyone else falls asleep. >> It's late. >> One

286wants your paper. >> Oh, you do? Okay. >> Yes. Front and back. Yeah, >> I'll take care of that. >> Yes. Thank you, Dr. Rert. >> All right. Uh 15.06. Other items of business? I have none. Uh secretar's report. The student activities report uh is there for your information for January 2026. Uh resignations and retirements, there are some there for your information. Um 16.03. Other items of business, I have none. Which brings us to 17.01. Uh the uh totals for home education outside cyber charter and LIIU12 Lincoln edge cyber program are also there for your information. Uh 17.02 uh we have a spring student intern placement. Owen Kogan from Messiah University athletic training program is going to be placed with Khali Foner and Madison Mulfetto uh cooperating athletic trainers at uh Susanic High School during

287the spring 2026 semester. Uh 17.03 announcements by the board president and superintendent. Uh, I need to announce that we had an executive session on legal matters on February 6th and another on legal matters on February 17th. Um, and then the board of education will hold an education meeting followed by a finance and budget committee meeting on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 in the district office's multi-purpose room beginning at 5:30 p.m. And the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board of education will be held on Thursday, March 19th, 2026 in the district office's multi-purpose room beginning at 7 p.m. Dr. Bison. >> Thank you, President Hinkle. Real quick, I just want to thank a couple staff members uh and volunteers. First off, Junior Achievement sponsored STEM Summit at the high school um this past month. Thank you

288to all the volunteers that came out and assisted our high school staff with uh awesome activities. Also want to thank two of my colleagues that are here tonight, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Walker for ensuring our students remain informed and prepared regarding all procedural aspects of scholarship and scholarship information night at the high school. Um, also want to thank Jen Collins and Chris Nulan, both staff here for us at Southern for their presentation to my superintendent's advisory on the role of the association and their role as officers with that association and our relationship between them and our administrative team. Uh, I also want to thank all of our counselors. We had counselor appreciation week several weeks back. Uh so big thank you to our school counselor, social workers, and district social services coordinator for all the extra

289time and support they provide our students and families across the district. Uh, want to also thank the high school staff for their latest um, rendition of the curriculum fair and coming out and sharing all the great things that are going on at the high school to support our students and also inform our parents. Also, big thank you to Matthew Null from Roxberry Treatment Center in Shippensburg who shared um shared potentially significant vulnerabilities towards vaping, tobacco use, uh and the support that district's attempting to do to to minimize the impact of vaping across southern York County. Believe Matthew's a graduate. Yes, maybe now different. Okay, my bad. Sorry, Matthew. Um, you're lost, not being the graphic. >> Um, and then a couple of dates that I think might have been missed. I'll do real quick. 226,

290which was just brought up, Southern Elementary School's multicultural and art show, as well as March 5th, uh, Friendship Elementary School literacy night. Also that night, Shrewsbury Elementary School's multicultural fair teacher in service on March 6th. And that is all I have. Keep living your dream. Item 18, new business. Anyone? Well, then item 19, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Third. >> Past bedtime. >> Yep. Uh any extensions? >> Hearing none. We are adjourned. >> There are these calendars here that