001Good evening and welcome to the October 27th, 2025 regular meeting of the Traiffan Easttown School Board. We'll begin as always with a salute to the flag. Regular school board meetings are business meetings that are open to the public during which we provide several opportunities for comment on items before the board. The first comment period is reserved for announced additional agenda items and items on the consent agenda only. Additional public comment will be heard for the actions listed under other actions under consideration. The final comment period near the end of the meeting is reserved for all other matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the TESD board of directors and which are not covered by other comment periods. Each public comment period is reserved for residents and taxpayers. Additionally, the
002board will accept comments from sitting public officials for non- campaigning purposes and by agreement with the TEA and Tenig, the board will accept comments from the union presidents. All comments should be directed to the board as a whole or to the presiding officer. No comments or questions should be directed to individual board members. All public comments and responses should be in the spirit of civil public discourse. Also, please be aware that intentionally disrupting a lawful meeting or the administration of a government function as a criminal offense in Pennsylvania. The school board values the opportunity from to hear from the community in person and appreciates your cooperation in advance. Before we move on with the rest of the agenda, I would just like to note that we have uh uh board member Dr. Yolanda Allen participating
003by phone this evening. So, next on the agenda are student reports. We'll hear from our student representatives, Maggie Neri and Lucy Salada. >> Good evening, everyone. I'm so happy to be back with another student report for you all. I don't have much of a lengthy one this month, so I'll just get right into it. First, SOA has their National Honor Society induction coming up the evening of November 5th, and this year, 233 new juniors and seniors are being inducted. That very large number really reflects Knos Stoga's emphasis on scholarship and moral character. Also coming up in a month is our fall drama, which is Clue, showing on November 20th to the 22nd. I've heard great things from the cast about Clue and the theater production always puts on phenomenal productions every fall and spring. So,
004I highly recommend everyone to go out to it and I personally cannot wait to see it. And speaking of successful events, it is worth noting that this past Wednesday and Thursday were the Black Student Union Fall Fest and the Latino Hispanic Heritage Fall Fest. Both events celebrated their cultures as it brought students kindergarten through 12th grade to have food and participate in fun activities. Overall, it was a great hit and everyone that attended loved it. And finally, from student council, the upcoming Red Cross blood drive is on Friday, November 7th. We really encourage students who are able to and are 60 and older to donate their blood. One donation can save up to three lives, and donating on automatically puts you in the running for a $20 e gift card. That is all that I
005have. And between this month's meeting and next month's meeting, I hope everyone has a great Halloween and I'm excited to see everyone's creative costumes. I'll pass it over to Lucy. Hi everyone. I have your student reports or your sports reports for this month. So, the fall sports are now in playoffs and the girls field hockey team and girls soccer team are in the playbacks after being knocked out of the district tournament and they're hoping to qualify for the state tournament and they both have games tomorrow. Uh the girls cross country team is headed to states after placing third in districts. And the girls tennis team is state champion runnerups and the girls golf team is state champions. Winter sports will start up on November 14th. So everyone make sure to get in their PIAA forms.
006And that's all we have for the student reports this month. >> Thank you Maggie and Lucy for those reports. Before we begin the highlights, I'd like to draw attention to the student artwork which was supplied by Valley Forge Middle School for this evening's meeting. Sixth grade students created dragon eye drawings using blended and layer oil pastels during their unit on Asian art. Dragon eyes represent vision, insight, and strength. The radial designs were created by seventh grade students using the letters of their names. The artwork was inspired by Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs which were commonly found on barns throughout the 19th century. Eighth grade students created colored pencil drawings inspired by pop artist Peter Max. They capture a blend of psychedelic color, cosmic imagery, and bold graphic lines mirroring the art of the 1970s and 80s.
007Now, please join board members Dr. Roberta Hatinsky and Dr. Robert Singh and Valley Forge Middle School principal Matt Gibson in greeting students and staff during the highlights session of tonight's board meeting. Special Education Supervisor Carolyn McCrina will be our reader for the evening. >> Each month, the board of school directors invites TE students and staff members who have demonstrated outstanding achievement to attend the regular school board meeting to be recognized for their efforts. The board invites parents and teachers to accompany their students this evening as the board recognizes them. Those who are unable to be here tonight will receive their certificates at their schools. So when I call your name, please come up and meet Mr. Kati. Then you're going to come up and shake the board members hands and Mr. Gibson's hand. And then
008you can go over to Miss Roy and pick up your certificates. Okay. So Valley Forge Middle School students. selected for PMEA District 12 middle school chorus. Six eighth grade C choir students were selected to represent Valley Forge Middle School at the PMEA District 12 Middle School Chorus Fest in November. Participating in the honors level fest will be an opportunity for them to work with other talented singers from Chester and Delaware counties. They will learn from a guest conductor and experience the joy of making music at a high level. Students representing Valley Forge Middle School include Aaron Admasu, James Finlen, Aditia Ganason, Emma Allario Russell, Grace Louu, Deei Meris, Amma Rajan, and Leavana Venitation. Becky Reid. Sorry. And Becky Reid is the chorus director. [Applause] Valley Forge Middle School students supports school music ensembles. Lucas Lee
009has been an invaluable member of the music community at Valley Forge Middle School for the past four years. In the middle of his fifth grade year, Lucas asked to join the fifth sixth jazz band on the bass guitar, an instrument that he had just begun playing. Since that time, Lucas has not only thrived as a bass player in the jazz bands, but he has also helped with numerous other ensembles along the way, sitting in whenever a bass player is needed. Teachers Ben Green and Craig Gonyy have called upon Lucas countless times, and he has willingly shared his talents to improve the quality of multiple performing ensembles at Valley Forge Middle and throughout the district. Valley Forge Middle School community supports new outdoor learning space. Last year, Valley Forge Middle School utilized grant funds to build
010an outdoor learning space. The school's faculty joined planning workshops and creative problem-solving students supported by teacher Irene Cleur designed a pollinator garden and teaching area. As eighth graders at Valley Forge Middle School last year, Adam Nixon, Alex Nixon, and Jamie Bennett helped build a kiosk with whiteboards to enhance the learning space. Valley Forge Middle School is grateful to all of the members of the school community who contributed to this project. Valley Forge Middle School Eagle Ambassadors create welcoming environment. The Valley Forge Middle School would like to recognize the outstanding contributions of its Eagle ambassadors. Gabriel Borhanu, Hank Durtis, Claire Spiker, Robin Kramer, Olivia Macowski, Dylan Hav, Da Ford, Nicole Manerys, Molly Vasun, David, Olivia Kim, Esmeralda Diaz, Cassidy McKelie, JJ Mirez, and Matthew Ha. These students have gone above and beyond by volunteering at curriculum
011nights and welcoming fifth graders and new students through guided tours and ongoing support. Their efforts have made a meaningful impact on the school community. Courtney Jaggers is the faculty sponsor of the Eagle Ambassadors. [Applause] Valley Forge Middle School student artwork featured in the school assignment book. Congratulations to the talented student artist whose work is featured in this year's Valley Forge Middle School assignment book. The front cover showcases original artwork created by Yasmia Mavan Nova and additional artwork featured throughout the book was contributed by Madison Solars, Jonathan De Jang, and Mia Yu. [Applause] This collaborative effort reflects the strength of the Valley Forge Middle's visual arts program guided by art teachers Courtney Jaggers, Zach Arts, and Jenny Weaver. Congratulations to all of you for your outstanding efforts and achievement achievements. We commend you for your accomplishments.
012So, now comes the part of the meeting where we take a brief pause to allow those folks who, let's just say, may be slightly less interested in the business part of our meeting to leave if they would like to do more fun things like homework and prepare for the next day of school. So, we'll take a we'll take a quick break and we'll be back in a few moments. Okay, we'll go ahead and resume our meeting. Next item on the agenda is announcements of additional agenda items. We have none for tonight. The next item on the agenda is public participation from district residents and district taxpayers concerning any items on the consent agenda only. If you would like to make a comment on the consent consent agenda, please line up at the microphone here. When
013you come to the microphone, state your name and township of residents. We will end comment with the last person in line. All public comments this evening will be limited to three minutes. Again, this comment period is limited to the consent agenda only. To help with the timing, please make your entire comment and then the board will determine an appropriate response. Okay, seeing no comments on the consent agenda, next item is board action regarding amendment of agenda to include additional agenda items. As indicated before, we have none. So now we move on to the consent agenda. Although board action is required, it is generally unnecessary to hold discussion on these items. With the consent of all members, they are therefore grouped and approval is given in one motion. In the event a board member wants to
014discuss any item, the board president will move it to an appropriate place on the agenda. The board member may vote nay or abstain with respect to a consent agenda item without the need for removing the item from the consent agenda. The action under consideration is that the board of school directors approves the following recommendations on the consent agenda as printed on page seven of the agenda. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, I think I have a proper first and a second. So I will turn to the board. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed by say signify by saying nay. Eyes have it. 90. Motion passes. Uh next we have uh priority discussion on the agenda but we
015have no priority discussion items for this evening. So then the next item will be the committee and ambassador reports. And I'll first and our first report will be from the policy committee and Miss Susan Audrain. >> Thank you, President Kentosk. Uh the policy committee met on October the 7th, 2025. The following policies and regulations were discussed. Policy and regulation 3100, the budget development process. The policy had no revisions and will be marked as reviewed. The regulation was revised as budget manuals are no longer printed. The following policies and regulations were discussed and will be brought back to the committee. Policy and regulation 3160, transfer of funds within the budget. Policy and regulation 3180, capital projects fund, nonbond funds. Policy 3181, capital projects fund bond funds. Policy and regulation 3185, fund balances management. The policy and
016regulation had no revisions and will be marked as reviewed. Policy and regulation 5311, eligibility for participation in school related activities. The policy had no revisions and will be marked as reviewed. The regulation was revised to reflect the recent change by the PIAA to allow students from faith-based schools to participate in intercolastic sports governed by the PIAA. The following policy is on tonight's agenda on a second reading basis. Policy and regulation 5411 tobacco products possession and use parentheses students close parenthesis. A new title is proposed to include nicotine. Other revisions, including moving the definition section from the policy to the regulation. In addition, the application of the code of conduct specifically for distribution was added to the regulation. The regulation will go into effect upon adoption of the policy. Further details will be provided later in
017the meeting regarding policy 4340, electronic communication devices used by employees, which is listed on tonight's agenda for approval on a first reading basis. The next policy committee meeting is scheduled for November the 5th at 700 p.m. in the district office. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Odrain. Next, we'll have a report on the diversity committee from Mr. Kenneth Hong. >> Uh, thank you, President Ktoschek. The district diversity committee held its first meeting of the 202526 school year on Wednesday, October 15th at the TE administrative office. This meeting was especially meaningful as it marked the final session under the leadership of Dr. Oscar Torres. Dr. Torres opened the meeting by reaffirming the committee's mission and sharing its history, highlighting the profound impact it has had on the district over the years. A round table followed where
018each attendee introduced themselves and their role within the district, schools or broader community, including two newly appointed teachers. Committee members also shared personal reflections on what the diversity committee has meant to them and the influence it has had on their lives and the district as a whole. Dr. Torres then introduced Dr. Kim D. Morris as the new director of equity and public programs. Dr. Dr. Morris shared her background, her journey within TESD, and her vision for the future of equity and public engagement in the district. Superintendent Dr. Richard Gusk also joined the conversation as he addressed uh questions from the community members regarding the committee's future direction. A heartfelt video presentation featured three TESD graduates who were actively involved in the committee. They spoke about the lasting impact of Dr. Torres and the committee on
019their personal growth, educational experiences, and the district community. Current student members also expressed their appreciation and shared testimonies about how the committee has shaped their perspectives and experiences. Community members and parents contributed their thoughts on the committee's significance and emphasized the importance of its continued presence. The meeting contin uh concluded with a special celebration honoring Dr. Torres uh for his unwavering dedication and leadership to the diversity committee during his 27year tenure at TEESD. His legacy and contributions have left an indelible mark on the district and its commitment to equity and inclusion. The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. November 11th, 2025 at the TEAO. >> Thank you, Mr. Hong. Next we will have a report from the finance committee from its chair Dr. Robera Hatinski. >> Thank you very much President Ktosk. Uh
020our we met on Monday October 6th uh and had a relatively short meeting. We uh received our monthly uh financial reports. Uh Mr. Livergood reviewed our assistant business manager reviewed the financials. Overall local revenues are higher this year than last year by about $4.1 million. The primary difference um from this year to last is real estate tax collected. Total revenue so far is over $130.3 million. Our expenditures and incumbrances show instructional expenses are slightly lower uh percentage- wise. Uh as a percentage of budget this year for 80.2% this year versus 82.2% uh last year, but we are still early on in the year. Uh the percentage of uh to of our total expenditures is about 74.6% of budget overall which is similar to uh our percentage of spending last year. General fund expenses and incumbrances
021at the end of September are 146,489,229 and we recommended that those reports be placed on the consent agenda which you can find uh within the agenda in page 41 and following. And there's about 40 pages of uh of numbers there if you're interested in in delving in. We then received an audit update from Mr. McDonald, our business manager. Uh he let us know that the auditors are getting closer to finalizing the audit for the 2425 school year. That budget included a $6 million transfer to the capital fund. Uh however, based on our um based on the um latest revenue and expenditure figures, moving the $6 million would draw down our fund balance by almost $500,000, potentially impacting our bond rating. Therefore, the administration rem recommended uh moving of five $5.5 million um doing that transfer
022to the capital budget. Uh and after discussion, the committee agreed. And so that transfer amount of $5.5 million is what will be included um in in our audit. And just as a reminder, we are making these transfers to the capital fund proactively to fund our current and future capital projects like the athletic fields and the new Bear Hill Elementary School. Uh for next year's budget, uh we discussed uh the act one index. It will be 3.5% for the coming uh for next year's budget, the 2627 school year, which in our district would generate about $6.7 million in additional real estate tax revenue. Mr. McDonald also stated that we are working on projected uh calculations for referendum exceptions. A preliminary estimate is that uh we may be eligible for uh an exception of 1.4% in real
023estate tax that could generate up to $2 million in additional revenue. Then moving on to the 2627 budget development and calendar. Mr. McDonald's stated that we will that uh he'll come to the committee in December with a preliminary 2627 budget summary. That's our beginning our first look at the budget uh and begins our annual budget process which during which we have seven finance committee meetings, two budget workshops in March and April and several regular board meetings at which the budget is discussed. So there's plenty of opportunity for public comment. Uh and a final budget is adopted in June. So we will start the process in December, but it stretches for quite a while. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings to learn about the district finances and challenges and to
024comment on district plans. Our next meetings uh will be on Monday, November 7th, uh 17th, rather November 17th and Monday, December 15th, both at the TE administrative offices. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Tinsky. Next, we'll have a report from the facilities committee and its chair, Dr. Robert Singh. >> Thank you, President Kentosk. The facilities committee met on October 14th. There were a number of items in the agenda to discuss. First, an update was given for the relocation of a TE Middle School outdoor learning space, which was previously approved. Um, the area was moved to be a better part of the learning environment at TE Middle School. Next, we talked about construction in infrastructure projects for summer 2026 for HVAC renovations and upgrades as well as the interior and exterior renovations and upgrades for area
025buildings. It's currently uh completed the bidding process uh by reports the contractors were well represented well represented across the trade classes and the committee will review the bids at our upcoming November committee meeting. Next, uh an athletic fields project update. This included an aerial drone overview as long as well as still photography. These pictures are available at the TEESD website. Uh the quick link section athletic field project uh is uh located on the left side of the page. These updates and video um uh tend to be updated weekly. So even though our meeting was in October 14th, we're 13 days away. So, some of the things I'm about to review have probably either been completed or well underway from what I'm about to tell you the current status. So, currently the athletic fields project turf
026field 2 has been completed. Turf field one has been ready uh for turf installation. The tennis courts completed and track resurfacing is also complete. Internal roadways and internal sidewalks have been installed in most locations. Road work along Old State Road, Irish Road, and Cassat Road has already been started. The fieldhouse trusses have been installed. Scoreboards have been installed. Grounds and field buildings are well and the fields building is well underway. The practice field and softball field has an anticipated completion at the end of this week. The fieldhouse has been delayed. However, it it has since picked up over the last two weeks. There was a change order needed for highway occupancy permitting work that's being completed on Casat Road. This is required by the state and that change order was in the amount of $164,18257.
027Next, uh an update was given on the Bear Hill Elementary School. Once again, the teesd.net NET website elementary school on the left provides videos and timeline as well as still photography um for the public to uh see. The current status of the elementary school, Bear Hill Elementary School, is the construction fencing uh has been uh uh erected around the perimeter. Site demolition, existing asphalt curbs and other site elements continue. Trenching of utilities, demolition of slabs has occurred. The existing generator in the building was relocated until the next phase of construction. There's been a draining of ex of the existing retention basin um which is near completion. Duct work in the uh building has been demolished and removed. The review of construction submitts is an ongoing process. The existing fire sprinkler branch piping has been cut
028and removed and there is a conrict construction trailer on site for district use. There were two hidden conditions discovered in a building uh in the building. There was a void discovered below the existing concrete slab in which a change order was needed for the slab removal and that initial change order is $14,12124. The fill elements and remediation efforts will be discussed at our next meeting. There is also an existing underground piping serving the rainwater conductors were uncovered during slab demo. These do not properly slope away from the building and the design team is developing a plan and I will report at our next meeting. Next item on the agenda was uh the TESD network project. This is a wireless network equipment uh replacement. The network equipment is at the end of its 5-year life cycle
029and this uh bid um uh for was for the preparation of anate uh value of the wireless equipment. This can provide up to a 40% basically rebate for the cost if and when the project is approved. Our consultant Sultan Solutions which has done the network upgrades in the district was approved for a fee for these services. These services include the -ray preparation evaluation recommendation and also the radio frequency predictive site surveys and the project technical and management oversight. The fee letter was 57,200. Next item was an overview of the environmental sustainability as it uh relates to the operational enhancements in our district. It was felt that some updates and clarifications was needed and I hope to have a uh final report at the next meeting. We also reviewed our capital sources and uses um briefly.
030Is it important to note that uh the fiscal year approved and the actual infrastructure project budgets have been trending lower the last three budget cycles as a dis as the school district continues to prioritize and strategize the most important projects that demand our attentions in our infrastructure. We then uh looked at our committee goals and update and they were updated and approved for this committee for 202526 school year. The meeting was adjourned and our next meeting will be on at 7 p.m. November 18th at the TEAO. All are welcome to attend. That concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Singh. Next, we'll have a report on from the education committee from Vice President Sue Titi. >> Thank you. The education committee met on October 9th and the first order of business was a
031final look at the draft calendar for the 2627 school year with one modification from the September draft which moves spring parent conferences at the elementary school. The committee recommended that the calendar be moved to the full board for approval. This evening later in the meeting, Dr. Tol will present that calendar and uh if it is approved, it will appear on the district website. uh very soon as the approved calendar for the coming school year. The committee then received a summary of state assessment data from the spring of 2025 testing periods. Mr. Mark Cataldi, director of assessment and accountability, provided an overview of the PSSA testing. As the state moves to all online testing, our third, fifth, and eighth graders took the test online this year. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is late in releasing the
032statewide data and therefore TESD cannot really compare its results to other school districts in Pennsylvania at this time. That data is expected sometime in November. Parents though have received reports on their individual students and teachers and administrators have reviewed both individual and gradewide results. The district results remain strong, but there were still some areas of concern. As a result, Mr. Katadi shared the areas of focus that have have been identified by administrators and teachers to be implemented this year in order to shore up some of those weaker areas. The Keystone results in algebra, biology, and literature were sum summarized. Mr. Cateli noted that 80% or more of TE students taking these tests scored at the proficient or advanced levels. He also shared some of the strategies for assessment success which are employed by our teachers.
033And finally, the results of the advanced placement exams were presented. On average, with five being the highest attainable score, Kanesoga students averaged 4.09 across all the subject areas. 95% of KNOSOGA students taking AP exams scored three or better, which is the highest level for that scoring range. In total, 1,60 students at Konesoga participated in these voluntary assessments and they took 2,695 exams in 31 different subjects. All of this information is available in detail on the district website in the schoolboard section under the education committee. Our next meeting will take place on November 6th and we will be hearing at that time from our demographer about our population trends in the schools. Uh all are invited to te to attend. Thank you. >> Thank you Miss Titi. Next, we'll have a report on our ad hoc
034legislative committee from Miss Maryanne Pition. >> Thank you, President Cantorsk. For your information, the Chester County School Board Legislative Council met virtually on October the 22nd. We discussed these items in detail. the state budget, the federal budget, and legislative actions passed by the House, including amendments to Senate Bill 246, weapons in schools. I turn to Mr. Kenneth Hong for concluding remarks. >> Uh, thank you, Miss Picone. On October 18th, 2025, Miss Picion and I represented our school district at the Pennsylvania Schoolboard Association Delegate Assembly held at the uh convention center near Mount Pocono where we joined schoolboard directors from across the state. We traveled to the assembly at no cost to the district taxpayers. Uh the Pennsylvania School Board Association is the statewide organization representing school board uh public school boards. The legislative platform uh
035adopted by the assembly guides the PSBA's advocacy with state lawmakers on issues directly affecting PA public schools. Here's a few highlights from the assembly. Several platform items were removed after being successfully enacted over the last year. for example, Act 55 of 2024, which included important charter school uh reforms. The assembly also adopted uh to its platform restrictions on the use of AI tools to assess or screen any individual written response by a student on a statewide standardized test. Our school board's participation allows us to help set priorities that will benefit students locally and across the Commonwealth. More details can be found on the PSBA's platform at pbsa.org. That concludes our report. Thank you, Miss Pitchion, and thank you, Mr. Hong. Uh, next on the list is the ad hoc public information uh committee. Um, unfortunately,
036uh, Dr. Yolanda Allen, who was on the phone, had to leave us because the plane that was delayed and caused her to have to be missing from today's meeting, was boarding. So, she is now back in route and we hope safe travels for her. Um, so now we will move down to a report from the intermediate unit technical school and back to Miss Marian Picion. >> Thank you. The Chester County Intermediate Unit board of directors met on Wednesday, October the 15th at the CCIU Learning Center in Coatsville. Uh Victor Brown, the interim principal at the CCIU Learning Center, gave a presentation on the new senior blitz program at the CCIU Learning Center. It is a proactive initiative designed to ensure that every graduating senior is fully prepared for life after high school. Through one-on-one meetings
037with administrators, students will receive personalized guidance to confirm their post-secary plans. These structured conversations will help assess each student's readiness, identify any gaps in support, and connect them with resources such as the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, which now provides monthly on-site assistance. The initiative also aims to strengthen collaboration with families, ensuring they are informed and supported throughout the transition process. Dr. Eugene McCarthy, director of Brandy Wine Virtual Academy, highlighted the progress and expansion of BVA's wellness, world language, art, and physical education programs. The next CCIU board of directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, November the 19th at 7:30 at the Technical College High School, Panox Bridge in West Grove. That concludes my report. >> Thank you, Miss Pichion. And finally, we'll have a report from our newest ad hoc committee, the ad hoc redistricting
038committee, and its chair, Dr. Robera Hatinsky. >> Thank you. Uh, our last meeting was in May and I had reported on that at a previous meeting. Um, and our next meeting will be tomorrow actually um at 7 p.m. in the TE administrative offices. Uh we will be reviewing uh the main thrust will be legal considerations for redistricting as well as best practices and we will begin to discuss parameters that will guide the the redistricting for Bear Hill Elementary School um and possible approaches to that and next steps. So all are welcome and encouraged to attend tomorrow at 7 p.m. Thank you. >> Thank you Dr. Hatinski. Now we will move to other actions under consideration. The action under consideration is that the board of school directors adopts the resolution on page 104 of the agenda
039which sets the instructional calendar for the 202627 school year and designate designates section 15-1502A and act 80 days as part of the approved calendar. Do I have a motion? Extended. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Right. We have a proper first and a second. I will turn to Dr. Wendy Tol who will present background information before discussion. >> Good evening. Thank you. As Mrs. TD mentioned the uh 2026 2027 calendar has been um brought to the education committee both in September and in October for consideration by the committee and is now ready to be presented to you all for full board approval. As you look at this calendar uh you will notice that it follows a very similar framework to the calendar that we have in place today. beginning with our new
040teacher summer academy on August 17th and the first day for teachers on the 26th of August with with the first day for students on the 31st. Uh as we move into September, of course, there's Labor Day that we uh will have no school and then uh the 21st of September is another day uh off for staff and for students. October has no days off and then we move on to November where we have an inservice day as we've traditionally had on our election day followed later in the month by both conferences and the Thanksgiving holiday. Uh moving forward then into December, uh winter break uh ends on January 1st and then uh the 18th is another day off from school uh for Martin Luther King Day. Uh in February there is an inservice day on
041the 5th uh February and then on the 15th we have President's Day off. Uh as Mrs. TD mentioned, we uh moved our parent conferences to the second round of parent conferences to March to provide a little bit more time uh between the November and the March conferences for teachers to really gather some excellent information to share with families about the students. Uh March 10th is another day off followed by the week of the 22nd which is our spring break. April has no days off and then we move into May where we have the primary election day which again is an inservice day uh followed by Memorial Day on the 31st. School ends tenatively for students on the 15th of June uh and for teachers on the 17th. You'll note as you look down at the
042calendar in the right hand corner if we need to have emergency closing days next year. Once again, the first five days will be flexible instruction days, which is a time where students are able to continue their learning virtually through um the use of their uh devices at home. Uh should we need to use more than five flexible instruction days, that's when we need to start using some of those makeup days that you see outlined on the calendar. um any of the days that can be used for uh makeup of of emergency days have an underline. So the 16th, the 17th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Hopefully we will not need to use any of those. So there you have it. >> Thank you, Dr. Tol. Uh, I know that we've talked about this at a couple
043education committee meetings, but I will it's now time for me to turn to the board and see if we have any further comments from the board. Okay, seeing none, the board uh now invites members of the audience to comment on this item. If you have comments or questions, please step to the microphone and identify yourself. Right. Seeing none, I'll go back to the board. Any final comments? All right. Looks like we're ready for a vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed signify by saying nay. Eyes have it. 8-0. The next action under consideration is that the board of school directors approves the following policy on a first reading basis as ready for adoption at the next regular meeting. Policy 4340, electronic communication devices use by employees. Do I have
044a motion? >> Moved. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> We have a proper first and a second. I'll turn to Mrs. drain for additional context. >> Thank you, President Kentosk. Um the U committee discussed the practical implications of this policy. While the law was changed that states that you cannot use a handheld device, we really looked at what this would mean in the implementation. And so this the practical implication is use of a speaker phone where you don't have to hold the phone in your hand would be an acceptable practice that would make this much more practical uh um in effect. So that's uh uh really how we decided to proceed with this. >> Thank you Miss Audrain. And yes, I would agree with you that we had a lengthy discussion about
045the practicalities of cell phone use, electronic uh device use uh by by employees. So, it's a good conversation and I think we got to where we need to be. So, but with that, I will still turn back to the board and see if we have any comments from board members. Okay, the board now invites members of the audience to comment on this item. If you have comments or questions, please step to the microphone and identify yourself. Seeing none, I'll go back to the board and see if there are any last comments from the board. All right, looks like we're ready for another vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Nope. Eyes have it. 8 Z. Now we come to the point of the agenda for public participation from
046district residents and district taxpayers concerning non-aggenda matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the board. Residents and taxpayers may now address the board on matters that are not included on the agenda. If you have a comment, please step up to the microphone. And as a reminder, please state your name and uh residence and you have three minutes. >> Uh my name is Mike Bradley. Um with I'm in Trudan uh Township. Can you hear me? All right. Okay. Um I have a 13-year-old daughter at Valley Forge Middle School, so I'm really here on her behalf. Uh there are several things that I'd like to talk about. It probably too detailed to bring them all up here. Uh I think it's best to categorize them in two groups. One is that
047probably both fall under the education committee umbrella. Uh one uh is the inclusion or addressing of uh different curricular topics uh at Valley Forge. And then the second is uh testing which you addressed this evening but getting a little more specific around that testing. So in other words, what are the gap areas? What are the strategies that are related to improving those gap areas? What are the strategic objectives that are related to those improvements uh as it pertains to the district's perspective, you know, that I can table for right now and and probably educate myself on a little bit more. I think both of these things I'm really here to kind of like learn how I can better educate myself and be involved. I have a lot of presumptions about things but I want to
048ensure that I don't put my presumptions out there before educating myself right um so I guess to encapsulate would be kind of I guess a question would be if I have specific ideas around things that I think can help my daughter uh at Valley Forge but I want to be smart and I want to be respectful about submitting my ideas about those things and engaging in detailed conversation around those things in particular in areas that I have a background in. Uh how do I do that? Uh I'll wait for a response I guess. Okay. So just in terms of what we try to do is we try to do the whole comment first so that from a from a time perspective but >> so I'll I'll just continue with a with a bit more detail.
049>> So how do I engage? What is the district doing currently in terms of AI literacy? Not just from the perspective of educating the teachers, but from specifically how are students being exposed to AI literacy topics given the proliferation of the technology and the rate of speed at which it's advancing. Uh and I guess third more specifically around the testing. I covered the specifics as they relate to um the areas for improvement. The last thing I'll say is in terms of testing, I would also be interested in understanding the discrimination between how high the grades are in the school and how relatively speaking low uh low the average national normed values are in math as compared to what grades might be. And this is for an individual. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So I will
050I'll try to respond to to a number of those. First your first question is to to how to engage. Uh well, you're doing it now. Yeah. >> So that's great. Um this is one this is one way to do it. As you can see from our board meetings, these are >> business meetings and so they're very of general applicability. Um, and it's it's more difficult for us to get into details about about certain things. Um, as a predecessor of mine once said, um, the cake is baked a lot of times and our at our committee meetings. Yeah. And so I would encourage you to, uh, attend those meetings. Um, >> if you are talking about questions that you have about general applicability, I'm sort of working backwards a little bit here. If you have specific
051questions about your daughter and hopefully the administration will agree with me, probably the first place to to go is with your instructors, right? And and her and her instructors and those sorts of things and to talk to them first and to keep talking and keep talking because we we do try to talk about things of general applicability um at at the committee meetings as well. But I would say in terms of if you want to, you know, dive down into the details and to hear what our the administrators have to say on various topics and how the board responds and talks about those things in a less prescribed manner than than is here at the at the board meetings, the education committee um is the way to go. Um in terms of your and you
052had a um another question about I'll I'll take that last one. um testing in areas of improvement um in that in that sort of uh vein. Um again, that's probably it's an education committee topic and we did go over that in pretty good detail at our last at our last meeting. Um and so um I would encourage you to I mean if you haven't already, those meetings are recorded and they're they're on YouTube and you can watch them you can watch them at double speed so you don't have to sit through the entire the entire meeting. But um but there is a lot of information there and then once you maybe have talked about that and you can feel free to come to the education committee meetings and there is a section in there like
053here where if there are things that aren't on the agenda there's still public participation associated with it. So okay you should be able to feel free to to talk about it um from from that perspective. Um and then the last item is you talked about AI. Um, Mike, I don't know if you want to come up for for a second. Um, I mean, I'll give some some general comments here. Um, but like like like many districts across the country. I think that that we recognize the the potential and challenges of incorporating AI into really K to2 education um in in our district. Uh, in tsd, I think we're proactively working through those items. so as to be able to continue to provide the high level of education product that our community has come to expect
054from here from our high performing district. Um most of that effort has been that some of I should say some of that effort has been uh outlines many of those efforts in education committee meetings like I talked about. Uh we had one last spring that talked about um AI. Again you can look at that. We have all of these archived on on YouTube. Um, and we do have another one coming up in January where that's going to be talking about AI uh use in our district and instruction in our district. Uh we also have AI workg groupoups uh that are comprised of the uh our educators, our teachers and administrators um from all levels from elementary school to middle school to high school where they try to work through these issues and uh see how
055best and talk about best practices in terms of incorporating AI into our educational program. So as a general aspect, I think that's what uh that's what I can talk about. Mike, I don't know if I stole all your thunder or if you have any details that you want to provide. This is um Dr. Mike Simandera. >> Sure. I can provide uh a bit more information and Mr. Bradley, it's nice to meet you in person. I know we've spoken on the phone several times, so I always appreciate your feedback when you share it. Um, in terms of AI literacy, that's the the term you brought up a question about at the middle school level. Um, pleased to say that we uh do offer lessons specifically about AI literacy now in grades 5 through 8 and we
056just started that last year and it's expanding this year and then a fourth lesson next year. So currently all of our middle school students uh have participated in lessons last year about um specifically images generated by artificial intelligence. Some of the literacy skills that go along with interpreting those images and deciphering what's real and what's been generated by artificial intelligence. Uh we're adding a lesson this year in seventh and eighth grade about how AI training works and how models are worked so that our students um if they find themselves engaging with AI models, they have an understanding of sort of foundationally what's happening behind the scenes and how is that generative AI working. And that's also an opportunity for us to talk a little bit about how bias can be introduced into AI training. So
057that new lesson is going to be coming out within the next few weeks for all of our seventh and eighth graders. And then next year we'll be adding a fourth lesson at the middle school level about academic honesty and what constitutes original work and some of the interesting topics uh that surround that. I can also share I know um you mentioned your daughters at the middle school level but at the high school um an exciting change this year. This is the first time that the district has been able to engage students in direct instruction about artificial intelligence which is starting when our students reach 9th grade in certain courses. Uh generally at the high school it is still at teacher discretion if students are going to use AI but we do have the ability now
058because of some changes with licensing with Microsoft Copilot that they lowered the minimum age for students down to u the high school age. So this is the first time we've been able to direct students at the high school level to actually use artificial intelligence tools in in the course of instruction. >> Wow. >> That's great that you're making progress. So I appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> I would hope that it would go faster given the rate of the meeting that's happening. But I and I don't know am I allowed to talk now or should I wait? >> No, I think yeah I think the the issue and again this is part of the reason why we have these meetings and the education committee meetings. It's >> that's fair. It's the education committee is more
059of a back and forth. So I really do encourage you to come >> to the next one and the one in the particular the one in January. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other comments from the public? All right. So the public periods public uh the public comment periods for this evening are now closed. This is the point in our meeting when we make any announcements required by the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. Our solicitor this evening is Ken Roose and he will make any required announcements. The board did meet prior to this meeting, but there was no deliberation, so there's no executive session to announce. >> Thank you, Mr. Roose. Future meetings. Monday, November 24th, 2025. Regular board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Konosoga High School. Right here, same time, same place. Monday, December 1st 1st, 2025, reorganizational
060board meeting. Uh that is again here 7:30 p.m. Konosoga High School. We're now at the point for general announcements. I will turn to the board and see if we have any general announcements from board members. Nope. Seeing none, I direct everybody to the correspondence received by the board this past uh period since our last board meeting. It's on page 112. I will now call for we're at the point of the meeting for adjournment. So, I will call for a motion to adjurnn. >> So, moved. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Right. All those in favor to adjurnn, signify by saying I. I. >> Any opposed, you can stay here. Eyes have it. Thanks very much. Thank you everyone.