001AK, move for a second. Should I hit the switch? >> Listen, I'm just saying. >> Very good. Very good. >> The blue light was on with the switch being off. So, >> all right. This is our first board meeting with all hot mics. Hold your breath. I call the January 13, 2026 Colonial School Board meeting to order. Please rise and join me as Dr. Virginia Shepler recites the pledge of allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Little curve ball there for you. Way to be paying attention to the audience. >> All right. Um before we begin and go through the agenda here, um I do want to start with a statement. Um
002the Colonial family was a very caring, loving person. uh we found out uh over the holiday break and uh one of our former board members uh Leo McGee senior um who served on board for a long time. So the Colonial School District Board of Education like to take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Leo McGee B McGee senior a longtime member of the Colonial Board of Education and a devoted advocate for our students, families, and community. Leo believed deeply in public education and the power of service. Through his work in the army, the fire department, and on this board, he led with integrity, compassion, and strong commitment to doing what was right. His steady leadership helped shape decisions that will benefit Colonial students for years to come. Leo was a champion for
003opportunity, fairness, and access for every child. He listened, he cared, and he always showed up for our students and staff. We extend our deepest condolences to the McGee family and all who knew him. His legacy will forever be a part of the colonial story. Once a colonial, always a colonial. Rest in peace, Leo. >> All right. Um, moving on. Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda? No, there are none. >> All right. Do I hear a motion? >> Make a motion we accept the agenda as presented. >> All right. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> All right. As moved by Mr. Laws, seconded by Mr. Handy. Are there any questions or comments from the board? >> All right. No question, comments. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >>
004I. All those opposed? Nay. >> Motion carries. All right. Now, it's time for the board meeting for our celebration of the E and the power of Wii. Uh we're going to begin with our student board member, Mia. Uh she's going to provide us with her report for January. >> Great. I want to start off by saying happy new year, Colonials. It's going to be a wonderful second semester. I know it. And class of 26. We're almost there, guys. First, sports announcements. There's not too much going on. We're still in the middle of winter sports of the winter sports season. And I do want to congratulate the the girls basketball team because they're having an amazing season so far. And keep a lookout for schooly updates for upcoming spring sports because there are several interest meetings
005and open gym dates coming up. For academic announcements, there's also not a lot. The end of the second market period and first semester is this Thursday, the 15th. Students are still able to sign up for peer tutoring if they would like to support different subjects. And I think the main updates that I've been hearing so far are college acceptances and scholarships that our seniors are receiving. And for social announcements, William Penn will be hosting a freshman family game night the 22nd of this month from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The prom fashion fashion show is also coming up on the 21st with several rehearsal dates set. And finally, William Penn's Allied Health Senior class will be running a campaign called Heart in the Game at George Reed on February 7th. The founders of the of Heart
006in the Game found that some students and children seemed healthy but in reality had heart issues. So from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Colonial students ages 8 to 23 can go in for a free heart screening at George Reed Middle School to help prevent that risk. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Um so glad she's so excited for 2026. All right. And now continuing with the storytelling of the power of e and we uh uh the e in power of wei. Uh moving on to our public information officer, Miss Laura Wilson. Miss Wilson, floor is yours. >> Good evening everyone from Colonial Nation. Once again, Seeds of Greatness Bible Church made the holidays brighter for 380 students in our district. Thanks to their blessed to be a blessing initiative, designated students from Southern
007Elementary School and Gunning Beckford Middle School received gifts valued at $100 each. Were included in this annual giving program with their generous gifts valued at $125. With the help from family crisis therapists, school counselors, and community in schools coordinators, the students were told to write a wish list. And much to their delight, those wishes were fulfilled. Many of our scholars received gifts that far exceeded their expectations, making it clear that church members wanted to prove to our children that dreams really do come true, even when families are facing challenges. The students families were also treated to an optional dinner at the church and everyone received stockings filled with personal care items. While the monetary commitment from church members was huge and much appreciated, this board recognizes that the love and support shown to our students
008in need was simply priceless. We want to thank Pastor Jerome Lewis, First Lady Lisa Lewis, Tammy Stevens, her team, and of course the members of Seeds of Greatness Bible Church for being an important part of the E in the power of we. Could you come forward team members? READY? THREE, TWO, HOLD. One more. Thank you for everything. Second time I >> think it's still you, Miss Wilson. >> No, >> that concludes our recognition. >> No, I think you got one more. >> This month we have >> We do have one more. I'm sorry. an important one. This month during schoolboard appreciation month, we come together to recognize and celebrate another big part of the ENI. The dedicated members who sit on our board. Your commitment, vision, and hard work shape the future of our schools
009and help build a brighter tomorrow for our students. Your efforts create an environment that enables students to thrive and reach their full potential. Thank you school board members for your service, your leadership and passion for education. You make a difference daily and we are truly grateful for everything you do. Certificates up here. Let's go. Come on around. All right, Mia, you're part of this. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Board in the middle. In the middle. >> Who's got the Grinches? I mean, >> that is the greatest picture ever. He's going to pay for that, too. >> All right. Three, two, one. >> Good. Thank you guys. >> Thank you guys. >> I am sorry, but every time I see that picture, I do giggle. >> Not going to lie. I >>
010am not going to lie. It makes me giggle. There's no doubt. >> Now, that concludes our knew she had two. Thank you very much. >> All right. >> I know. I was just like I signed my own certificate. So proud of myself. All right. Now is the time in the board meeting for board members and ex executive secretary to discuss items of information and topics from our participation in various professional organizations. Um specific updates and documents are listed in the agenda. Um are there any concerns, questions, points of interest board members would like to discuss? Um >> we take that out. >> Yeah. >> Which one? >> I I read the question the question. >> Okay. Yeah. because I read it and read it question. I had faith in myself I can ask that question.
011Um going through that, do we have any DSBA updates, Mr. Andy? Yes, we approved um in our meeting the uh priorities that were set by the legislative part of our board and every only thing that was changed in the wording was I had a part where it said uh SAT testing as a solo measure of students and student performance. It was changed to SAT uh testing as a sole measure of student achievement in high school ELA and math. We just changed the word When's your next meeting? >> March. And Dr. Dorsey, legislative. >> Uh the next legislative committee meeting uh for DSBA will be in February. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. Uh and Dr. Mor for the chiefs. >> Um we had a meeting at St. George's High School last week. Um the bulk of
012the agenda was uh us talking about regularly scheduled legislative sessions coming up, subcommittee hearings, committee hearings, uh potential uh legislative action as well as um regulatory changes that were occurring. Uh then the bulk of the remainder of the time was spent in a professional development workshop sponsored by the University of Delaware Dassel School Leadership Academy and then the Delaware Department of Education regarding strategic school staffing models um for uh consideration um that was a it was a uh about a two-hour presentation with a consultant from uh NEW New Educator Workforce. Um it'll it it's part of we'll we'll be required to engage and learn more about the process. There's no commitment that we have to use or do what they are reporting. Um but it's part of our receiving the bridge to practices grant for
013literacy. We are going to be engaged in attending some of their workshops. Essentially it's just a different way of utilizing staff within the building. It's flexible scheduling and flexible use of time and maximizing teacher certification. It's nothing different than what we've not heard and talked about many times before. It just has a different package to it. >> Thank you, Dr. Menser. Um, and Chris, do you have anything for strategic planning? >> Yes. Um, so the strategic plan committee um continues to move along. Uh, we appear to be uh on track for our self-imposed deadline to have information to the board by February. >> By March. By March. Um in the last meeting uh in December the group uh revisited uh draft priority statements and revised those as needed. Um we also worked on re rewarding
014some of our focus areas. Um and our next meeting is tomorrow. Uh and our our steps will include uh beginning to develop smart goals for each of those focus areas. >> Thank you. There any openings on that committee? Are you good now or nothing advertised where you might be? >> Good. Okay. >> And then in regards to the capital improvements uh committee, I missed that meeting. That was earlier this week. I was working late, but you're presenting tonight, correct? >> No, it's just it's the it's the same. >> It's the handout from the meeting last. >> Oh, okay. Do you have any updates for us at all, Drew, in regards to anything special? Not I mean yeah >> not not in particular I you know ultimately it is all listed in there. It's actually the
015same exact presentation we took the slides uh that we covered that particular night with the construction review committee. Uh obviously leech is an agenda item tonight. Probably that's the biggest section for the new John G. Leech probably the most exciting and then we're still on track track for our uh first year of the referendum projects with the William Penn athletic complex being the the biggest portion of that. Just one update on top of that. Uh we had a a special permits use with the county uh last week and uh did get successfully approved by the county for our special permit use for our stadium lighting. So it's uh things are moving in the right direction for that project. So again, some good things uh that that we have moving forward, but most of it is
016explained uh within the slide deck that you have as part of your uh paperwork there. Any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. More than happy to always get in touch with any of you. Friday night lights will be coming back. >> That is it. It's coming. Nice. That's great. Thank you very much. >> That's always an awesome update. >> Hey, can you get with me after the meeting? >> Absolutely 100%. >> Thank you. Um All right. And we don't have anything else in regards to that. Um do we have any public comment? >> No. >> Okay. All right. With no public comment, moving on. Next agenda item is the consent agenda. Items listed under consent agenda have gone through board review including documentation concerning these items. Uh they have been provided to
017all the board members and the public in advance. Items in the consent agenda generally include routine personnel and business office actions and updates as well as approval of previous meeting minutes and education related items such as choice and student placements. Uh with that being said, do I hear a motion? >> I move that we approve all consent items as presented. >> All right. Do I hear a second? Second. >> All right. Uh, with a motion by Dr. Dorsy and a quick second by Chris Smith. Uh, do I have um any questions or comments from the board? All right. No questions, comments. All those in favor, please signify with saying I. >> I. All those opposed, nay. Motion carries. >> Next up on the agenda is updates and action items. I'll turn it over to Dr.
018Manor. At this point, we uh we'd ask the board to uh make a consideration and a motion for action on the John G Beach school bid awards that were in the packet and that have been reviewed prior to All right. Uh moving on over to page nine. Um do I hear a motion in regards to the John G. Leech bid awards? >> I move that we approve the John G. Leech bid award as presented. >> Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> All right. As moved by uh Miss Smith and seconded by go Mr. Handy. Um do I have any questions or comments from the board? All right. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> All those opposed? Nay. >> All right. Beach is approved. >> Dr. Menser. >> Oh,
019we already did this one. You called Mr. Met up. >> See, you lied to me. You did have You could have had your own special section. >> You already did. >> Um, that's it. >> That's it. >> All right. >> It's closed. >> All right. Uh, with that being said, Dr. Dorsey does have to get to the pharmacy closes. Do I remember >> people aren't well at home? >> Second journ. >> All right. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Oh, we'll close. All right. I give a as moved by uh Ted Laws and second by Carlos. Um any question, comments? No. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those oppos. meeting.