001Liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. >> Work here today. >> Mr. Yutsy, >> present. >> Dr. Fike, >> here. >> Mr. Friend, >> here. >> Mrs. Guyer, >> here. >> Mr. Graia, >> present. >> Mrs. Oier, >> she was here. She may return. >> She had a family emergency. She had to leave. >> Mr. Olsen, >> here. >> Mr. Sibly >> here. >> Uh, executive sessions. The following executive sessions were held. Um, September 16th, 2025 at 6 p.m. for personnel. October 21st, 2025 at 6 p.m. for personnel. Citizens comments. Uh, agenda items only. Bud Smire. Hello. Um, I was going over the minutes of the last meeting that were on online and uh on my comments at the the special meeting on page three of the minutes uh it says
002that I felt that that uh there were violations of the Sunshine Act. I don't recall that. I think I mentioned FERPA furpa and I also suggested that the family of the student whose information was disclosed should seek state, federal, and civil resolutions to the complaint. Um that's all I just wanted to suggest my um amend amending the minutes. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Ready. We're ready. >> Okay. Next section is reports superintendent information. >> All right. Thank you very much. Uh my in in lie of my presentation for today, I'd like to call Mr. Clue, our middle school principal, up uh to share some good news. >> So, Mr. Clue, I'll go ahead and put up your presentation and then I'll let you draft. Okay. >> Okay. >> Just want me
003to give you the high sign when to flip it. Give me one of those. Yeah. >> All right. Let it load first. A little closer to the microphone, too. It's hard to do that and read. All right, I'm going to go ahead and get started. Good evening, everybody. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share uh our success story here at South Morland Middle School. This is a remarkable time for us, one that I believe signals not just recognition for what we have accomplished, but validation of the culture we are still building and continuously improving together. As you know, South Morland Middle School is one of only 13 schools in the Commonwealth to earn the 2025 Blue Ribbon Award. That alone is extraordinary. But what makes it meaningful is that it's not just about
004numbers or a single year of test results or about me as a building leader. This recognition belongs to all of us. Our central administration who have supported our vision. Our faculty and staff who have poured themselves into their work. Our students who have risen to every challenge. and our families who believe in what we're doing. The blue ribbon is one of the highest honors a school can receive, but what makes it unique is how it is awarded. We were nominated after the 2023 2024 school year based on our work closing achievement gaps and showing student growth. But the nomination is not enough to actually earn the award. We had to prove that that success was not an anomaly that year. That meant continuing to grow, continuing to improve, and continuing to demonstrate that our culture,
005not a one-time spike, was responsible for our progress. And that's exactly what we did. When you look at our data from the past two years, the story is clear. In 2324, we saw dramatic gains, particularly in math. Our sixth graders went from just over half meeting expectations the year before to nearly 68% scoring proficient or advanced growth more than 40 points above above projections for that year. 7th grade ELA improved by more than 5 percentage points while eighth grade ELA improved by 12 points. Fast forward to 2425, that growth not only held, it continued. Sixth grade math students exceeded expectations by nearly 25 points. Seventh grade math exceeded by almost 23 points. Eighth grade ELA students were 17 points above projections and our algebra 1 students outperformed expectation by 11 points. That's what sustained progress
006looks like here at SMS. At the same time, our culture has shifted in visible tangible ways. Discipline referrals dropped from nearly 500 in one year to under 200 the next, a 60% decrease. That's not about stricter rules. That's about relationships, trust, and students believing the classrooms they enter every day. Attendance improved as well with fewer students facing chronic absenteeism. And we saw zero student retentions last year, which is the result of countless interventions, check-ins, phone calls, and a persistent belief that every child can grow with the right support. Another key indicator of cultural change is teacher attendance. From the 2022 2023 school year to the following, we saw a nearly 30% decrease in the number of sick days taken by our teachers. Research, including studies from the National Bureau of Economic Research and reports from
007the US Department of Education, consistently show that when teachers are present more often, students achieve at higher levels and experience stronger classroom connections. Consistent teacher attendance is one of the clearest indicators of a healthy school culture because it reflects the staff who feel supported, engaged, and proud to come to work. While the impact of this cultural shift could be seen in many ways, it is perhaps most reflected in our state assigned building level scores. In 2324, our score was 64.5. The following year, it rose to 76.3. This improvement is not simply a reflection of academic success. It captures strength of a unified school community working with shared purpose, consistency, and belief in one another. We also embrace relevance as a theme. Every middle school student now takes a required class called in real life where
008sixth graders run businesses at Biztown. Seventh graders participate in a financial reality fair and eighth graders design and sell products through pop-up businesses. These are authentic experience that make learning matter. and they also teach collaboration, communication, and the kind of problem solving that prepares our students to be successful and thoughtful citizens. We see that same spirit in our new elective opportunities. Students are working together to produce podcasts, record music, create video segments, and share daily announcements. They are learning not just how to create, but how to cooperate. How to listen, compromise, and lead with civility and respect. Those are skills that last well beyond middle school and they reflect the kind of environment we want for every child and every adult who walks into this building. Recognition has come from the outside as well. US
009News and World Report recognized us as a best middle school. The Pennsylvania Administrator magazine featured our story. And in the months ahead, I'll be sharing our practices at both the AMLE National Conference in Indiana and the PDE SAS Institute conference in Hershey. At the heart of all this is something very simple in theory but requires dedicated and persistent hard work and that is culture. SMS is now a place where students want to be, teachers want to teach, and families are proud to belong. That is the culture we have built and are dedicated to continuing to grow together. And I believe this is the kind of news that should define South Morland. The story of our students thriving, teachers who are leading and a community that is growing stronger together. Too often our attention drifts towards
010distractions that do not reflect the heart of who we are. What's happening inside of our middle school, the collaboration, the creativity, the civility, and the growth, is the true story of South Morland, and it is a story worth celebrating. I stand here grateful, not because we've achieved something for ourselves, but because we have created something together that will last. I'm honored to represent the tireless work of our teachers, staff, and students. Many of our teachers are here today taking time out of their evenings to be part of our experience and this blue ribbon belongs to them and to all of us. Thank you guys very much. I would like to uh echo what Mr. Clue there said. Um SMS staff, thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. as a
011parent in this community that have kids uh currently in the building and have gone through it. I can't thank you enough for for the work you guys do and the effort you put in. Um I know that this is just one of the ways we are going to honor the work that you guys have done and celebrate. Uh we have other things we plan on doing as well. Thank you for coming tonight. Um but I just want to go on record saying we appreciate everything you guys do. Thank you for coming out tonight. Uh, I don't want to speak for the board, but I'm speaking for myself and for my family. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Solicitor's information. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. President. There is um and I just wanted to address
012briefly with the board. Uh we do have an item on the agenda tonight that I prepared at um after consultation with uh the board president and superintendent. A letter was sent by Dr. Fe uh to Dr. Boon and to the remainder of the board on October 10th, indicating that um she believed that the board's action in censuring and removing her from the WIU board taken at the September 23rd meeting was done without uh due process and a notice and opportunity opportunity for a hearing for her. And so um in order to agree to or exceed to Dr. Fe's request. We've placed on the agenda tonight a statement of charges which would initiate the process um to inform her of a hearing which has been scheduled for Thursday night, October 23rd at 6:00 p.m. And the
013board will be asked to approve that statement of charges. And assuming it's approved and Dr. Fe wants to have a hearing, then a hearing will be held on uh Thursday, October 23rd. with regard to that WIU appointment. We'll certainly be uh prepared to discuss it or ask answer any questions that any board members may have when we get to that motion. Um in order to essentially make a decision one way or the other as to whether or not the charges have been proven and whether the board wants to do anything with regard to that appointment, you uh I would advise you to vote publicly on that. And so what I'm going to ask you to do tonight if you wish to is when it comes time to make a motion to adjourn instead of adjourning
014that a motion would be made to recess the board's meeting to Thursday, October 23rd at 8:00 p.m. for the purpose of the board taking a public vote following the hearing on the statement of charges. That would allow you to uh to both have a hearing and deliberate with council. Uh there will be an independent lawyer to advise the board and deliberate with you on Thursday. Um it's not a lawyer from my firm. It would be an independent lawyer. I would present the case to the board and let the board make a decision and then after you deliberate, you can vote on your decision publicly. The hearing will either be public or private at Dr. Fe's election. Obviously, that 8:00 time is a little bit flexible, but the actual public vote would would occur no earlier
015than 8:00 p.m. So, that's all the information that I have tonight. And then when we get to this item on the agenda, I'll certainly be happy to take any other questions. >> Can I ask a question? >> You may. >> Can you show me where I requested a due process hearing? >> Dr. Fe, your letter of October 10th, 2025, I think properly reads to it read to me like a request for a hearing. If you don't want a hearing and you want to put on the record that you are not requesting a hearing, um, then then certainly the board can cancel Thursday night's hearing and they can take action tonight. >> Mr. Lucas, can you show me my request for a hearing? Because I specifically stated that all actions were taken prior to due process
016and you cannot implement any actions until after due process is taken. Therefore, the issue of due process is moot. >> So >> there is no you can't have a retroactive due process after you've already taken action. >> As as I explained before, the statement of charges is on for approval tonight. If that if the board adopts that statement of charges, they've scheduled your uh your hearing for Thursday night. And if you choose to have that hearing, then Thursday night will be your opportunity. If you decide after the statement of charges is adopted that you don't want a hearing, we would appreciate that you let us know tonight so we don't all show up on Thursday. >> I'm going to ask again, can you please provide me with my request for a due process hearing? So
017your letter of October 10th, which I I presume that you have a copy of that letter, indicated that you wanted due process. This >> I indicated I do not want due process. You cannot do retroactive due process. The actions were all taken on. I don't know if you think that somehow you're going like this is now a matter that is resolved, but the board is resolving it tonight and we'll be ready for we'll present it as as a motion on the agenda. >> I'm going to ask again. Can you please provide me >> and I'm going to provide you with the same answer because apparently you're not listening. >> Then you you are not going to show me a request for a due process hearing. I want the public to know there never was one.
018>> Business manager, transportation director information. >> Thank you, Mr. front. Um, as we all know, there is still a state budget impass in Pennsylvania. Um, this past week I did an analysis of our current um, balance of our cash, looked at our projected cash flow. I would say at this point we could probably go another 3 months without having to have a TAN loan. However, I have talked to um FNB regarding a TAN loan. What we can do is um I do have the information that I can fill out and they can approve it after I would bring that forth to you in November. If the budget still was not passed, what they would do is then approve our loan, but we wouldn't have to take we wouldn't have to actually actually activate it until
01990 days after that period, depending upon whether or not they would actually pass the budget. I have been in contact with uh Senator Stefano. Uh, from what he tells me, it doesn't look super promising for the end of October. Um, and I will say knowing how things go, my fear is that if we don't get a budget passed in October, being that there are holidays both in November and December, I don't truly look for a budget then until January. So, I want to be proactive and get things set up to to have a tan loan should we need it. Um, also, Dr. Boon and I have talked um he has supported me in cutting off any non-essential purchases within the district. Um, we have been, you know, basically it's anything that um we basically need
020to keep the lights on, keep the kids educated and those type items. What I will say is, you know, it is my hope and prayer that we do get a budget passed prior to, but I do believe we need to um be prepared if we do not. I also um every day I monitor our current cash flow to see where we are just to make sure that we are covered. And I will also tell you in my um information that I typically provide, I did not provide cyber charter this month because we haven't we decided not to make cyber charter payments. We've held them for a bit depending upon your uh vote this evening and I felt that the um that the information would be too skewed for me to present it this evening and
021that's it. >> Thank you. Am I I heard you say one word loan because I didn't hear very much what you said. What kind of a loan were you talking about? >> Well, they're called tax anticipation. No anticipation can Yes. >> And how much are you going to ask for? >> Well, there is a What happens with that, Dr. Fe, is there is a um calculation which the bank makes with the information that I will be providing them and they tell us basically how much we can borrow. I don't have that information yet, but I definitely will have that information next month if if I believe that we have to apply for one. >> When were you going to do this? >> November's meeting. >> Tax anticipation loan. When will we go to apply for
022one? >> Well, like I said, if they don't pass it at the end of this month, I'm going to look at things. I will have the information ready for the bank to apply. But like I said, we actually don't have to take we don't have to go forward for 90 days after I give them the information. And my hope is in within those 90 days that the state does pass the budget. >> And are we not getting local taxes deposited in our account right now? >> We are, Dr. Fe. And that's what I'm looking at >> because I thought it was 131 million. >> Well, Dr. Fe, we, you know, like I said, I have been looking at that. um you know the majority of the funds we have been spending that all along because
023we haven't been receiving anything from the state and if you keep in mind um this district is more heavily funded by the state than we are local taxes. >> So that's basically like I said we're fine right now. I believe we will be fine for 3 months. However, I I need to be proactive here because I don't have that allimp important crystal ball that tells me when the state's going to pass the budget. I had asked a um a question at together meeting at the meeting that was held a couple weeks ago and the answer was that we really are fine that we really don't have a problem. >> Well, and that was then I mean this continues on like I said I believe we are fine for 3 months but you know we had
024something happen over at the high school um with the heating the other day. You know, there are things that happen that we cannot project and therefore I'm I'm just trying to be on the error side of caution to be proactive, not reactive. >> Thank you, Pam. >> But we're okay for three months. >> I believe that is the case unless something catastrophic happens. >> That should take us to January. >> That is that is my hope. Yes. >> They had a vote today and they voted the budget down again. >> I'm sorry, Mr. today and it was they voted the Republican budget down again. >> Did they? >> Oh, >> just this afternoon. >> I'm sorry I can't hear you. >> What did you say? I'm sorry I can't. >> It was just this afternoon.
025>> Okay. >> Because Republicans want a 47.5 billion budget and the Democrats want a 51 billion. >> So that's the hold up. >> Yep. It's not pretty. >> All right, Pam. Thank you. >> Thank you. CWCTC report. >> Yeah, a few things for tonight. Um I believe we've got the pumpkin drop, the annual coming up October 31st. Um trunk or treat is the 29th, uh 5:30, 7 p.m. And that's for anyone grades six and under. Um right now the CTC is sitting at about 1500 students, so continue to be filled to the brim. Um, of that we've got 41 students that are currently active on co-op opportunities throughout the community uh with a goal to hit uh anywhere from 125 to 150 before the end of the year. Um, so a lot of good community
026outreach uh and getting these students real life opportunities here before they graduate. Um, one other thing to note, uh, so they do have a pilot program going on of 10 students and what they're doing out of the protective services and the welding is they're actually becoming trained to be underwater diving. So that allows them either to uh do underwater uh or sorry, open water rescue or be able to do underwater welding. Um, so it's an exciting opportunity to bring that uh to the CTC. I believe we're the only one in the state, if not the tri-state area, uh that's um starting to evaluate that and get that pilot program going. So, um yeah, another exciting win and opportunity for our kids uh going forward out into the career field. So, that that's all I've got.
027>> All right. Thank you, >> John. And I got a call. Uh did I miss last month? Did you talk about the new contract given to the uh executive director there? >> Did not. Did you tell us about it? >> It was a fair contract based on how his performance has been and we continue to value his leadership there and all the changes he's made. >> Okay. But you don't have any of the details of it? >> Not currently. No. Happy to discuss with you after I can get the details and talk. >> I was told it's a 10-year contract. Is that right? >> I believe so. >> And that his initial raise was $25,000 for the first year with guaranteed raises for the next 10 years. I can't comment on that. I do know
028that contract was leaked to several at the WIU um per other issues we've seen over there. So, I suspect that's probably where you're coming from on >> Yeah, the these are the questions that uh I had. People said, "Is this what happened?" >> Yep. >> I But you you don't know about the details. >> I don't have the details prepared. Happy to discuss with you um outside of >> Well, if you don't have the details, it's okay. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Thank you. Wu report. Yes, there were two emergency meetings held at the intermediate unit since the last meeting. The first one was on October the 8th and it was presented by two attorneys and it had to do strictly with legal issues related to the parking situation which we have discussed before. The
029second meeting was held on October 16th and this was a very lengthy and detailed discussion regarding the financial situation at the IU. To my surprise, yesterday afternoon I was in my car and it was the lead news on KDKA. They announced on KDKA that in December, early December, the IU will be laying off 200 employees. This will necessitate closing schools and programs. And if that happens, it's the situation that they talked about was that the students who go to the IU will then have to go back to the districts and they will have to provide the services if the IU does not have any employees. They have more than 200 employees, but some of them are contracted and that's that's kind of a diff there and there are a lot of them. That's very different.
030Then the man on the radio said that this afternoon he said this afternoon there would be a meeting of all the staff members of the IU and I didn't pick up whether he was from PSCA or PSBA. I'm not sure but the purpose of that meeting was um to tell all the employees what their options are. For example, what is a temporary layoff? what is a permanent layoff, what benefits can be had, you know, where you can go to get help and so forth. And I, from what I understand, that meeting was held this afternoon. I don't know where. Um, but uh the um the IU has in a school district, if you don't have enough money, you do what's called a TAN, a a uh a tax anticipation known. But the IU does not
031raise taxes. The IU is not a tax raising or organization. So they apply for something called Iran RA an which is a revenue anticipation note and they have already process the first one and because the serious seriousness of the financial situation apparently they're going to try to do a second one and I don't have any information on that yet but um they are rapidly running out of money. they will not be able to uh pay their um the priority of course has always been salaries and then they they talked about benefits and things like that, but um apparently the situation is dire enough that they're going to have to do this. And as the man pointed out on the radio, the students that are helped by the intermediate unit are the neediest of of our
032population. They are the ones that require uh a tremendous amount of special help. And so I I don't know how that's going to going to work if it has to come back to the districts again. It's like Pam said, we're just all sitting there with this unknown. We don't know. We don't really know what's going to happen or what to do. So they decided to have this meeting and they talked about what they would their plan. They have a plan. See, the IU does not get any tax money coming in like we do now because taxes are collected September, October, November, and December locally. Well, they don't get that. And there's also a government shutdown in Washington, which would affect federal funding. And a portion of the IU is funded by the IND IDA, the
033indivi individuals disabilities act. So those those are um serious issues that they are dealing with and they will be um just doing the best they can and you plan as best as you can but nobody has a magic ball do they no crystal balls Pam right thank you that's all the next meeting is next Tuesday committee reports uh buildings and grounds Mrs. Oer is not here. Did anybody else attend that? >> I'll I'll speak to how we met on April or October 14th. Um Calvin went over several items that have have been taken are in progress and being taken care of as far as the um upgrades of the building. The glycol injectors are supposed to be installed pretty soon, which are for the cooling system. The RTUs are being built and the controls um
034will be all installed once when school is out. The Title 9 building um will begin soon. work on that. Yeah, all the interior doors are being repaired in second shift. Um there are some shipping delays because of tariffs. Um there's also a storage concern at the fieldhouse which they're reviewing right now. Um at the SPC, there's an issue with the sliding board and there's they're looking at perhaps an L-shaped sliding board to put in there based on different things. Also, um Dr. Boon is going to start looking for vendors to do a feasibility study for SPC. That'll determine how we're going to go forward in the next five or six years with either upgrades to that building, replacement, what what's going to happen. So, we're going to have an outside firm start reviewing that the
035feasibility of it. That's all I have. Thank you. Uh there was no finance district operations and transportation meeting held. Uh personnel policy and academics. >> I could speak to that. >> Thank you. >> So um we did discuss we try to devote equal time to all three of those agenda items there. So in personnel we discussed that we do have two employee groups. I don't want to say contract or agreements. I know there's different words used for each group, but um they're sort of on hold again because of the the budget constraints, but it is something that we're looking um looking ahead to that that those have to be taken care of in the near future. So, and then for policy, there were six policies for first read and three for second read. We reviewed
036those um and nobody really had any any comments, concerns or questions about those. Um, we talked about academics, about how we are in need of a new ELA K through5 curriculum and the way that we're going to go about looking for that, involving the teachers and, you know, getting all of our stakeholders involved in in getting a new ELA curriculum that's going to work a little better. It seems now like they're pulling from a couple different resources and it's not necessarily teacher friendly or parentfriendly. So, we are hopeful that the next time and that's a pretty big investment as well. But thankfully, we've been able to put money into the budget each year. Pam, thank you for that for our kids to not have to be using, you know, C-spot Run or whatever it is
037anymore. So, um although I did enjoy those little readers when they would bring them home, the little paper readers, I miss those days. >> Hm. >> Uh my kids still bring those home. >> Oh, do they? I can come over and read with your kids. >> I can see. >> Yeah, I can see. I loved this. So anyway, um we also talked the other thing we talked about that I think at the special meeting was um maybe not the special meeting, but whatever meeting we had. I think it was the special meeting where we had talked about the way we were going to broadcast board meetings. And so that's probably the um the one thing from this meeting that most people would would care the most about. Um we reviewed all of the Dr. Dr.
038Boon was able to gather all of the information from the schools in our county and how they I guess broadcast store um live stream their schoolboard meetings. Um and it and it ranged. Some some live stream, some don't. Some post the video, some don't. Some keep the video posted until the the agenda the meeting minutes are approved and then it's taken off of the internet as a way to since the meeting minutes are what's going to preserve the the meeting then you don't necessarily need the live stream. And so we compared what all of the different schools do and talked a little bit about um how we you know had decided to proceed at that meeting which was that we are going to not live stream but that we would post the video of the
039meetings within 24 hours. Um so that in the event that there are any incidents that occur that would jeopardize any of our students or our staff then those could be edited out. And I know we had talked about um who was going to be making that decision on what would be edited um because we obviously don't just want to infringe upon anybody's first amendment rights that that they are not allowed to talk because they said you know somebody was silly or stupid or you know whatever whatever silly thing that you know someone could be offended by. But but the major things that that are violations of you know federal rights. So the furpa, you know, for instance, violating a student's rights or our teachers. Um, I know there's often a a line that is towed
040very closely when talking about personnel and things like that. So, we want to ensure that our staff is protected in that regard. And then um just any safety and security issues as well. I know that there's things that shouldn't be discussed in public that would put the safety and security of our district at risk. So um I believe that unfortunately for Mr. Lucas I think that as the solicitor it would come mostly from you. If you feel that there is a violation of a federal or state law or some type of safety thing that should not be discussed then that is when that meeting would be you know edited for that content. So and we did talk about whether or not school districts have policies in regard to this and actually only one of the
041districts had a policy. surprisingly about what what they do to to broadcast their meetings or live stream their meetings. So, we talked about whether or not we thought it was necessary for us to have a policy and what we thought that policy should entail. So, we did feel that a policy would be important just because we did have an incident occur and so we obviously would need something to be able to address that. So um we didn't feel that there was sufficient time to bring a policy for a first read to this meeting itself but we did talk about drafting one and um and it basically echoes what we had voted on at the last meeting that that the meetings are not going to be live streamed that they're going to be posted within 24
042hours um and that it is at The board The board shall edit any video that would protect employee or student confidentiality from unauthorized disclosure. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Student reports. We want to start off uh congratulating our October spirit award, Miley Street, and our October Scholar Award, Lily Guest. Student Council will be hosting the Powderpuff football game on November 10th at the high school stadium beginning at 7:00 p.m. Seniors and sophomores will compete against juniors and freshmen and have a boy cheerleading squad cheering them on. We will have a full concession stand once again this year with everything from Chick-fil-A sandwiches to hot chocolate. The community is invited to attend and all money raised will be donated to the Susan G. Cone Breast Cancer Foundation. Admission will be $5 at the gate. From the
043STEM department, this is the first year in over a decade that the wood shop has returned to South Morland as an elective. Currently, we have roughly 105 total students who are taking wood shop as a 3-day or 6-day elective. Thus far, students have been instructed on basic wood material properties, hand tool, and general safety, inch measurement, and have been safely using the band saw and sawing equipment to proceed to produce Scotty Spirit and fall winter theme projects. Students have been able to provide a personalized touch to their projects by adding engraved text with a CNN router with a CNC router. Previews of the first round of projects will be posted on the high school's Facebook page as the year progresses. Students will be exposed to additional machines and projects. The Interact Club is branching out.
044Kira Bryson and Miss Hickon are working with Mr. Croft to start an early act at SCES. The program will start this school year with fifth grade. The first meeting will be held in November. On October 9th, 17 members of Interact accompanied by sponsor Miss Hixon and Paula Johnson attended the Interact District conference conference at Greensburg Country Club. Miss Hixon was a keynote speaker. Her presentation turning pain into purpose was presented to over 300 students and sponsors in attendance. Interact Club recently collected over a hundred rolls of yarn to help Harmon House begin a knitting club. This project is an example of how simple donations can make a meaningful impact by bringing joy, creativity, and community to residents. The Interact Club hosted an art auction to benefit Samaritan's Purse Disaster Relief, supporting recovery efforts after many
045parts of the country were devastated by natural disasters last year. 20 students in last year's fourth and fifth grade classes were selected to have their artwork featured. Pieces were displayed at the Scottdale Library from September 18th to the 25th and shared on the SHS official Facebook page where family, friends, and community members bid online. Overall, Interact was able to make a $600 donation to Samaritan's Purse. More than 50 members of the South Morland National Honor Society volunteered in the children's and family section of the fall festival. Their service was a wonderful example of leadership in action. >> Thank you, girls. >> I will say that I did see that uh Rotary conference on October 9th and Mrs. Hicks did a wonderful job. Oh, good. Um >> presenting there and representing our kids did a great
046job there, too. Excellent. All right. >> Okay. Next section is school board >> meeting minutes. The board is asked to approve the following meeting minutes. September 16th, 2025 uh discussion voting meeting. September 23rd, 2025 special meeting. >> So do second >> discussion. >> I need a correction. >> On appointment to the WIU, I voted no and it's voted I'm on here as yes. >> That is definitely a mistake. All right. I'd also like to suggest an amendment to the special meeting based on Mr. Smeer's uh um response earlier. I believe he was corrective, my memory, sir. >> Is that another mistake? >> Yes. On his citizens comments, >> we just missed some of the more important ones. >> Yeah. table them. >> So, do I need to formally propose a >> amend the minutes or
047>> um we can adopt them? >> I mean, yeah, it depends on >> right on if the board is in agreement to accept those friendly amendments, you can do that or if I mean did you want to check the recording or I I think she acknowledges Mr. She >> should have recorded you as a no. I think she wanted to check the recording with regard to Mr. Sammy's comments. Is that right? Or >> sorry. >> Uh so the board has to decide if they want to accept those um friend those amendments as uh to the minutes as friendly amendments or whether they want to um allow Ms. McTavish to go back and double check the recordings. But I there's seems to be no dispute that um that your vote was improperly recorded, Mr. Cipper. >>
048Okay. You don't get to participate, Mr. Kefir. You know this >> doesn't talk. >> So the options are we can friendly amendment which is my favorite. Or we can table these to be voted on after >> they're amended. >> It's reviewed and amended. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, >> and we know you like friendly amendments. >> I do love a friendly amendment. >> There's not enough friendly amendments in the world. >> There are not enough friendly amendments. >> Um, I mean, I'm okay with adopting them tonight pending the changes, >> right? We don't have to table is what I'm saying. >> That's what I would rather do. >> You going to adopt it tonight with the changes? >> Yes. So, I'd like to make a friendly amendment to them. Is that what we need to do?
049>> Is there anyone in opposition to Mrs. Guyer's friendly amendment? >> Okay. So, now >> ready to vote. >> Um, all those in favor I >> opposed. Good. Statement of charges. The board has asked to approve the issuance of the statement of charges and notice of hearing with regard to Katherine Fe and her appointment to the WIU board. >> So do >> second. >> Discussion. >> Yes. I would like to make it clear to the public. Number one, the action was taken on September 23rd and it is documented in the meetings. According to the law, you cannot take such action until after a due process hearing is held. At this point, I have repeatedly asked for evidence of any kind that I asked for a due process meeting, and I cannot get it. I do
050want to tell the public I never asked for a due process hearing. I only stated the fact >> your letter which you had posted on Facebook specifically says that you were denied due process. This board is giving you due process and now you're arguing because the board has given you exactly what you said you didn't get before. So >> you are correct, Mr. Lucas. I state in my letter I was denied due process >> and tonight you are getting it. I have never asked for due process. There is no such thing as a retroactive due process meeting which is designed to cover your your you know what because you took action before the due process was held. We've had due process actions in the school district before. We handled them appropriately according to law. So,
051I want the public to know that all of the actions were taken in violation of due process. All actions were taken before any due process was ever done. Therefore, you cannot have a retroactive due process just to cover your actions. That is not legal. And I will inform the board that my legal opinion is that this is a proper, lawful, and orderly way to proceed in accordance with the objection that you raised, which apparently now you're not raising. And I'm having trouble keeping track of where you are. But in at this point, the board is going to give you the due process that that you said you were denied. >> Mr. Lucas, I'm going to ask again. You made the statement that I requested a due process hearing. I want to see my request. >>
052I call for the orders of the day >> and we're not revisiting this. We already asked this question 17 times >> and I call for discussion. >> Okay. Um >> secondly, >> we are for very serious reasons. We're moving on to >> I am not necessarily going to be available on Thursday. >> I just got the notice yesterday. >> Yesterday. And the law requires prior notification and meeting all the requirements. I got it yesterday. for a due process hearing on Thursday. For serious reasons, I probably will not be available on Thursday. Probably. I think you better think long and hard about delaying this and until we can resolve these issues. >> Well, Dr. Mr. F, I don't know what resolution you're thinking about, but >> I have I am claiming this is an illegal due
053process meeting because all the actions taken against me were done before >> I think you made that clear and you'll have an opportunity to make those same objections at the hearing should you decide to show up for it. >> Would you please read the minutes of the September 23rd meeting? >> Nope. We're not doing that. >> You will not read the minutes of the September >> We're not doing We're moving on to the vote. All actions were taken on September 23rd. >> Question. >> This due process is for October 24th, a month after everything was done. >> Call the question on the floor. Do we have to vote on that? >> If I am not there on Thursday, all those in favor of calling have warned you in advance. >> I very seriously. >> All
054those opposed. >> No. >> Okay. On to the vote. Uh, the board has asked to approve the issuance of the statement of charges and notice of hearing with regard to Katherine Fe and her appointment to the WIU board. Roll call, please. >> Mr. >> No. >> Mr. Yudsy, >> yes. >> Dr. Flake, >> no. Mr. Friend, >> yes. >> Mrs. Guyer, >> yes. >> Mr. Graiac, >> yes. >> Mrs. Aar's absent. Mr. Olsen, >> no. >> Mr. Shipley, >> yes. Next section is policies. >> Policy updates. Second and final read. The board has asked to approve the following policies that have been posted for over 30 days. >> Moved or second or whichever you need >> discussion. >> I am concerned that of those five policies or six policies, >> five of them are just
055a recommended opinion. Only one You're on the ones that have three that are all mandated. >> We're on number one. >> One is mandated in law. Five are recommended opinion. >> Are you're on the first read. We're we're on number one under policies. M Dr. Fike, you're in the wrong spot. All the ones that we have here for this motion are mandated. >> Mandated. Yeah. Okay. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Policy updates. First read. The board is asked to post the following policies for 30 days. >> So do >> second. >> Discussion. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> No. >> New policy first read broadcasting board meetings. The board is asked to post the broadcasting board meetings policy for 30 days as attached. >> So do >> second
056>> discussion. Can I just get clarity based on our last vote? How do we I guess end up coming out of this meeting recordings and all that >> if we don't have a policy approved? >> Sure. So I mean what I'd say is obviously you know you guys can direct what you want administration to do while the policy is pending or if you want to follow the policy while it's in first read you know the board has the ability to do that. You've had a practice in place. Um, I mean you I I my hope is that this meeting will end without anything being said that anyone's going to going to wish it could be redacted. Um, and that that was what drove my proposed edits to the policy is I think that should be
057extremely narrow. I you know I'm I'm trying to look forward to when you have different dynamics on the board and just trying to make sure that that statement those paragraphs wouldn't be used to sort of you know to end up um whitewashing your your transcripts but still protecting your students and um and your personnel. >> So is your question what are we doing tonight when we don't have a policy? >> Right. Yeah. So we at our committee meeting had discussed that only one school district in the county actually has a policy but everybody is doing something. So it's not necessary for there to be a policy by which this practice is followed >> so we can continue to execate execute as we've done and then once we >> Yes. Because we were live streaming without
058a policy. We were leaving it on YouTube for eternity or however long our records retention is. is I think two years. Is that what we said? One year >> without a policy. >> so are we voting on this policy or not? >> It's just a first read. So, after a first read then any amendments, that's what the first reads are. Correct. Is that >> correct? >> If there are anybody that wants, you know, in discussion to make changes to this or any, you know, >> my question is who in the district is going to review the meetings? >> It says the district will review. Who is the district? who is appointed chief in charge and if the solicitor is involved and he needs paid for that too. How much is that going to cost us?
059>> Well, hopefully it won't come up. >> Yeah, >> but it might mean I I those are great questions, Mr. Sipper. They are truly and I I would anticipate that um again hopefully it doesn't come up much but that you would want to have some representative of the board some representative of administration and that they would consult with me. I don't I don't have to drive that vote. I just think somebody you know should consult. >> Shouldn't that be in the policy? >> I think that's probably a fair question, Dr. Fe, a fair comment. And also then who's who's going to approve the minutes? Are they going to be altered to >> Well, the minutes are always going to just be approved by the board. That that process won't change at all. >> Um I
060think I actually struck some language >> be altered. Are they going to be altered? >> Minutes will not be altered. Correct. The minutes will not >> Yeah. So let me just say this. the I struck the last sentence of that paragraph that says the superintendent/designate will consult with the solicitor andor the board to determine if any editing or other corrective action is necessary and appropriate. That I'm guessing probably came directly from the other district's policy. Correct. >> And I I think you know if if the board is fine with that I probably went a little bit too far with my scalpel and that sentence probably would I think address your question Mr. Sepier and yours Dr. F. >> Well, I think that the minutes have to be amended to not have any type of violations
061in them. Correct. We can't say, "Oh, we're not going to publish a federal violation on YouTube, but we're going to just go ahead and put it in our minutes because it's still a violation. It's just a difference whether it's spoken or written." >> And there's ways that you could deal with that in your minutes. You could certainly have, you know, like a a version that's publicly approved that's part of your minutes book that doesn't contain whatever the, you know, offending or violating statement is. >> Yeah. If I'm not mistaken, minutes have to discuss the the topic of what it doesn't >> I have a question regarding your changes, Mr. Lucas. Can I ask a question about that? >> Yes, you may. >> It says here um or to protect employee or student confidentiality from unauthorized
062disclosure. Correct. >> Does that apply to parents not being able to say things like that about their own children? >> That's not included. >> That included. >> First of all, that was not on a live stream video. We all are aware of that. Second of all, >> it doesn't matter. It was a public meeting. It was a public meeting. >> All right. So, Dr. F, I don't know why this became an opportunity for you to replplow those same grounds. >> I mean, you're free to do that on Thursday. Does this apply to parent? >> My my point in trying to draw it so narrowly is to make sure that and I will tell you if a parent came here tonight and wanted to talk about their students situation from the podium, I would advise them
063not to do so because their student is protected and has confidentiality protections that should permit that discussion to have to occur in a different forum. So, you know, the intent here if parents want to wave that, there's nothing we can do to stop them from waving that. But we can also make sure that if there is an unauthorized disclosure that that is not made part of the board's public record permanently. >> Unauthorized seems to be the key word. A parent can disclose things. This is ridiculous. And we're talking about broadcasting here, not >> committee meetings. >> Yeah. All right. Um, did we get a motion and a second there? >> Yes. >> Okay. On to the vote. >> So, is anybody proposing changes to this or are we just we're just going with it as
064is? Sounds good. >> Okay. >> All right. All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> No. >> Okay. Next section is personnel. >> Personnel log. The board has asked to approve the personnel log for October 21st, 2025 is attached. All salaries are included and all clearances are current and on file with the administration. >> So do >> second. >> Discussion. All those in favor? >> I am going to vote no on item number three. I feel that due to the fact that there are such contentious issues related to financing that we are not in a position to keep hiring more and more staff when we will not possibly be able to pay the ones we have. I think this is inappropriate to increase staff sizes under the circumstances. >> We'll be able to pay our
065staff. Thank you. >> Uh on to the vote. All those in favor? I opposed. >> No. On number three. >> Okay. Next section is education. >> Student service agreements. The board is asked to approve the following annual student service agreements. Laughter and language LLC. >> So do second. >> Discussion. All those in favor. What is the what is the company shall be compensated $95 an hour in monthly payments for Laughter and Language LLC? >> Is that just for Is that just for one person? That was just part of the agreement and I put it there in the agenda just because the um actual agreement isn't posted just in case it had student private information on it. That way the public knows what the cost. >> Well, that's okay. But is this just for one student
066or is this for >> I don't think that's >> an annual student. Is this just for one person? >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, we will just pay the $95 an hour for the amount that that one person uses that laughter and language. Okay, that's good. >> All right, on to the vote. All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Next section is finance >> monthly financial reports. The board is asked to approve the following monthly financial reports. All attached. >> Some moved. Second. discussion. >> I have a question for the business manager. We were given a series of budget presentations and in budget number three there was um a statement said that the total proposed state funding was 13,798,000 total. And then it was accompanied by uh an email to uh regarding a question that
067Samipper asked. How much money did we get last year? And it says 19 million. She budgeted $18 million. And on here it says 13 million. And I can't figure out if that's the because it says revenues. What we know for the 2526 school year. The total proposed state funding is 13 million. And this is we get 18 or 19. >> Uh Dr. Fe, I'll have to look at that information and give you the answer later. Um I'm not prepared. I didn't realize that this was a question you were going to ask this evening. >> Can I bring it over? Pam, >> how about you just prepare it and submit it to her and she can get back to you. >> If you prepare these questions before the meeting, she can have them for the meeting,
068which you're very well aware of. >> I didn't have the opportunity. Well, I'm sorry you're busy. Um, any other discussion? On to the vote. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> I just wanted to ask a quick question. I'm sorry. I just remembered it. Um, in regard to the state and federal budget situations, there's no jeopardy to our free breakfast and lunch programs. Correct. >> Mr. Malivite? at that at this point in time. Not to my knowledge. >> Okay, good. Just want to make sure our kids still get to eat. >> They do. >> Okay, good. That's that question came from my child. She must be concerned. She's 15. She needs a lot of snacks. >> Okay. Um cyber charter payment resolution. The board has asked to approve the cyber charter payment resolution
069to withhold charter school payments until the state funding is restored. >> So do >> second. Discussion. All those in favor? If the cyber school payment is not made, does the cyber school does the charter cyber school have the right to discontinue its program? >> I don't understand your question. >> Okay. If you are in cyber school and the bill isn't paid and they say we're not going to send, you know, we're just not going to produce this anymore. What happens to the educational program of the kids who are depending on that cyber school for their education? >> They would need to enroll here. >> What? >> But but they are legally >> continue it. Yeah. >> They they would legally be a student of that cyber charter until that cyber charter would unenroll them. >>
070But if they stop showing the lessons, what happens to the student? >> Once again, that it is their stu that is their educational responsibility. It's their student. But if you don't pay their bill, they're a contract. We contract with them. So if we don't pay their bill, do they have the right to stop service? >> I I actually don't think they do. I think that their recourse has always been if their bill doesn't get paid, then they can make a charge against the district's subsidy, which >> plot twist, there is no subsidy. So >> So we have a payment. >> So that's where we are now. >> We have a payment though. >> You have a payment, but they have an obligation. They have a contract to that student. I I mean I don't think
071realistically that they are going to turn away those students because they know that eventually they'll get paid when you get paid. >> Are you sure of that? >> Well, we still have to students without getting our >> because I'm concerned about what happens to a kid on cyber school. They go to log on and there's nothing there because the bill wasn't paid >> I'll tell you that there are schools whose practice is to not pay it until the end of the year and they just take it out of the the state subsidy. >> That happens. >> Yeah. I I just don't think realistically that they're going to turn away any kids that they know eventually they will get paid for when the state when the state does pass a budget. >> What is it that
072we're we're withholding >> your payments to the cyers? >> If these bills that you get, Pam, these are invoices. >> Yes. >> So you're getting invoices and you're not going to pay them. Is that what you're saying? >> Right now we are not. And this will have no effect on the educational program. Not to my knowledge. >> Don't you think we should find out first before we hold the money back? >> I will tell you that this is a practice that is happening across the state. >> I'm also not sure that you'd be able to get an honest answer from the cyber charters. I >> mean, they're going to want paid. So, I'm sure they would say, "Yeah, you better pay us." >> Pay us or this kid gets >> Yeah. Yeah. This kid >>
073they can reenroll here. I saw that only one school district in Pennsylvania has refused to pay the bill. >> That is incorrect. >> That's true. >> There might be more now, but the last I saw there was only one. >> That's incorrect. >> The Google box. >> Okay. >> I just want to make sure the kids get the program they'll be counting on. >> Uh on to the vote. All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> No. >> Copy your RFP. The board has asked to approve the RFP for copers. >> So do >> second. Discussion. All those in favor? I >> I opposed. >> I have some discussion. I went through all of the papers and I can't find a price. >> Can you tell me the price of this? >> There isn't a
074price. This that's why we're putting out an RFP to get to get to get prices from different measures. >> So this is for bids. >> This is the request. Correct. This is the request for proposal. >> Okay. And last you said in there that the um present contract is running out. >> That is correct. >> Are they leased? Is that the >> It's a lease. Yes. >> So, do we know whether Well, we'll have to look at what we're paying now and what the bid is. >> Correct. >> Well, and I'm just going to note it's it's an RFP, not a bid. So you're not com you're not compelled the same way that you are with a public bid to take the lowest responsible. You can look at various factors which is I think how
075>> Mrs. Bondoc set this up so that you've got the ability to kind of look at because these companies will will price them different ways based on output based on the equipment that they provide and and so it's a little bit more nuanced than saying what's the cheapest >> about how many copers is is this >> I'm sorry >> about how many copers we talking >> 27 I think >> um that off the I don't know that off the top of my head >> I think Who currently is our >> currently we're utilizing Toshiba? >> I mean who is our the company? Do they come directly from Toshiba then? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> About 27. So >> okay. >> All right. On to the vote. All those in favor? >> I opposed.
076>> Oh, we already voted on that. >> Correct. >> Just in case. Next section is building grounds and security. >> Uh no items for this month. >> The next section is athletics activities. >> No items for this month. >> Uh our last section is closing exercise. >> Citizens comments. >> Katherine Fe. >> I will go last. Any other citizens like to comment? >> Um JN Ke for Eastington Township. Um and I appreciate you listening to the presentation about the uh blue ribbon award. Um I think when we're talking about um sequencing here tonight, which was an issue in and the public comment, a good example tonight was I'd like to have commented on the uh policy of uh the YouTube and I understand it's a first reading of how you're going to handle that issue,
077but nonetheless, I'm still behind the eightball now because this discussion has gone. we move to the next step that could be easily remedied by inserting a comment period after you disclose the information as example tonight of the policy. Then we have something to work with. We can come up and comment on that and then you vote on it. That's the idea of the process, the sequencing from a purely from the perspective of the public and and you guys lose that. the teachers, everyone loses that to a degree unless you're like myself who's purely coming from a public um position. Um and so the minutes are not a reflection of the meeting as Bud showed tonight as I could show every meeting. In fact, they're in the same category of the group think that you have
078and the public says that's not the meeting that the minutes are reflecting that I attended. Um, for that reason, I want these uh meetings kept in perpu. There's no reason to disclose them. I know in Norw they just disappeared. Don't let that happen here. There's got to be two fingers on that red button to make this stuff disappear. That's a disgrace and an insult to the public um history because people will go back to these meetings 10 years from now to establish what happens. And that leads me to my next point. So, what if you make an edit and you screwed it up or you miss an edit that you should have? If the solicitor has someone blurt something out and he didn't jump in, um, how do we handle that? It works both ways,
079doesn't it? So, what if you make an edit then? Next point, then what if you make an edit and we find out two weeks later, like we're sort of doing here tonight, that the edit was wrong. You can't put the genie back in the bottle or put the genie uh that's that's the example I want to use. If you're following me, in other words, if you make an edit like I contend may have happened here, then how are you going to unedit the edit when you when information comes forward that you screwed up? And not beyond screwing up. These are fast decisions. When someone blurts something out, you got to catch them and say, "No, you shouldn't have said that." Right? Then if you miss that then again the uh the video has to be
080maintained. Um all right Mr. Kefir. Thank you. Your time is up. Katherine Fe. I need a clock so I can see the timing. >> Bring one. >> Pardon me. >> Bring one with you. You can time yourself. Oh, >> Katherine, I'm going to remind you about what's appropriate at the microphone. We've had these conversations. You know, >> I'm speaking as a citizen, >> right? There's still certain things you're not allowed to say. On the darkest day of my life, I stood on a hillside watching the body of my 18-year-old daughter lowered into her grave. >> I'm sorry, we can't hear you. Could you speak up a little bit? [Music] >> Did you restart the time? >> No, >> you did not. He interrupted me. Okay, >> keep going. What do we do, dear? What do
081we do? >> You still have >> I'm entitled to three minutes to speak. I did without being interrupted by Mr. Graiac. I'll start over and you should too. On the darkest day of my life, I stood on a hillside watching the body of my 18-year-old daughter lowered into her grave. I would have willingly given my life for her to be alive. But my life changed when that happened. A deep red line came into my soul. It was a red line that no one dare cross. Never would I stand by and watch any child be abused, exploited or humiliated. And anyone who does that should be held accountable. Our children in many ways live in dangerous times. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among them. We must protect them. We depend on our
082educational system to be at the forefront of awareness of service and treatments for their welfare and take action to get them help. I was shocked to learn that there are a number of people who approve of exploiting children. But I was comforted to learn that there are many, many more who oppose any form of it and hold abusers accountable. Our public education system is a great gift to our children and it is up to all the members of our community to make certain that it that it is led and managed by honest and moral individuals who are committed to the overall welfare of our children. We have the choice. We can stand strong and not let anyone cross that red line. And we owe our right to our children to protect free speech to for
083their future success and freedom. You're right. I will take the last word tonight. Jan Michelle Williams, Scottdale. It is ironic that after we are ripped apart in a meeting for exploiting a child for political purpose, we come up here and we state how we are so against that. We we state how public education is so important. >> I am being attacked. >> Excuse me. I have >> being attacked. >> You're not being attacked. I didn't say your name. Not one time. >> I am being attacked. Wayne, take action. >> Sorry, Michelle. She's >> I'm sorry. You >> come to meetings and we sit up there and all we do is rip. All we do All we do. We >> being attacked again. >> We I didn't say your name. >> Are you taking offense? If
084the shoe fits, you might as well wear it. >> Dwayne, you are in control of this. >> Yep. Thank you. >> You do nothing but rip apart public education. I have sat at this meeting and watched you rip apart my own child who happens to be in special education in this district. So don't say how you're so concerned about children. >> Mr. >> Nobody here should say how they're so concerned about please come to the front. >> I make a motion to journ. >> No, she gets >> I have three minutes as everybody else does. >> Just like everybody else. >> Continue, Michelle. Thank you. You made a political statement last meeting and you're making one again this meeting. That's all it's about for you. And I'm I'm ashamed that you used your own child
085to exploit yourself. Okay. So, uh the motion tonight is not to adjurnn. are going to recess the board's meeting to Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. uh for the purpose of the board uh taking a public vote following the hearing on the statement of charges that we adopted tonight. Um so here's the motion to recess. I need a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Okay, we're recessed. Thank you. >> How do we know if that's a public meeting or not? So, uh, Dr.