001Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Get a roll call, please. >> Mr. Baronowski, >> present. >> Mrs. Carlson, >> present. >> Mrs. Depalo, >> here. >> Mr. Godson, >> present. >> Mr. Hartline, >> present. >> Mrs. Kger, >> here. >> Dr. Maguire >> here. Mr. Martin >> here. >> Mr. Saddowski >> here. >> Nine members present. Can we all stand for the pledge of allegiance? To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Any announcements? I have none. Any board members have announcements? All right. presentations. Mr. Greenwood, you are up. >> Uh, first of all, thank you all for coming in tonight. I appreciate it. It's the extra
002board meeting. I feel like uh we were just talking like we've been we've been together for a a long time right now. Uh, but thank you. Um, I have a quick presentation. Uh, it's sort of a review of what we looked at uh last Tuesday. looking at the preliminary uh budget projections and what a preliminary budget is. And I think the last bullet point that the budget is referred to as preliminary because it's not final. It's not the final budget. It's an interim legally required step to comply with act one. Uh and that's what we're here to uh to do tonight. Uh we talked about this what the preliminary budget is not. It's not the final budget obviously. Uh it's not a commitment one way or the other. Uh and it's not any approval one
003way or the other. We had shared this uh earlier uh back in the beginning of January um looking at where we would be with zero increase where we'd be with 3.5 which is the act one and where we would be uh relative uh uh where we'd be with an act one plus uh additional um numbers. Right. The preliminary budget is 154,118,000 with expenses of 61,181,000 for a deficit of just over $7 million. We're here tonight uh to meet the deadline to uh adopt a preliminary budget. Once that's done, I will uh run home and we will file the preliminary budget uh and get that on uh online for PTE and just the remaining stops. And that's all I have for you tonight. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Any questions? >> Well done. >> Thank you.
004Very well done. >> Well done. >> All right. That was one of your shortest ones I understand. No, >> nobody has any questions. Anybody? >> All right. Community comments. >> I don't blame you. >> You sure? >> It's all you. >> Three minutes is yours. >> All right. Mr. Saddowski. >> All right. >> On to approval of the agenda. Be it resolved that the Centennial School District Board of School Directors 3.1 approves the February 17th, 2026 board agenda as per the attached. Are there any corrections that need to be made that are allowed by PA law? >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed? Any abstensions? Passes 90. On to new business. It resolved that the Centennial School District Board of School Directors 4.1 adopts the 2026 2027 proposed preliminary
005general fund budget in the amount of $161,181,895 in expenditures and $154,118,49 in revenue based on a tax increase of 3.5%. Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? I. >> All opposed? Any abstensions? This is 90. >> Just to clarify for anybody watching at home, I know this is popular. Um, that 3.5% tax increase, that does not mean you are getting a 3.5% tax increase. Take a deep breath in and out. That does not mean you are getting that. All right. Um board discussion. >> Just one quick item. I hate to do this. I want to ask the superintendent. Um where do we stand? I you sent a memo out end of last week uh regarding potential student protests who haven't worked that out well at Pensbury, Upper Perky Omen, and other places. Where
006do we stand with that please? >> Sure. So what I can share is that that um William Tennet High School administration has been actively working with student leadership and um is going to be issuing a communication out. Um we are going to allow and um give students a forum to express their first amendment rights which they have a right to do and we're going to do that in a controlled environment. It's voluntary and it does allow uh for students to um express themselves uh within a set of parameters and we believe that we can do that in a very calm civic-minded way. Um obviously if students leave class they're responsible for what they miss they're going to have to miss. Um, and I know that there's variance of thought around that, but um, I believe
007and we believe that it's wise to to work with students to give them a forum to express themselves, to not squash their first amendment rights, and to do so in a productive way and then talk about other ways that they can engage their civic voice as well. If I might, students have first amendment rights. Obviously, they have the right to express them. They don't necessarily, in my opinion, have the right to do that on school property owned by taxpayers of these three communities. This is a controversial issue. It's an area which I believe they're going to look at of law enforcement. What is the parameters if then other students who wish to protest in favor of law enforcement or other issues regarding the Middle East, LBGT, voter rights, all these other voter ID, all these
008other issues that we have out there, whether differences of opinion on both sides of that particular issue. by allowing one side to proceed and endorse it doesn't seem to me that that would be the sentiment of the vast majority of the people who taxpayers who actually own the school and I don't know why we are permitting this if they want to go protest that's their absolute right to do it's first amendment I actually think that's a good idea there's protests at Doylestown every week go to Doylestown and protest If you want to protest on Street Road, by all means, go protest on Street Road. I don't know why we're giving class time with no consequence to promote this what I view as a somewhat political issue and anti-law enforcement as ICE, which I guess is
009what they're talking about, is a law enforcement agency. I just don't think that's and I don't know why we're doing that. It's a slippery slope. and the next group that wants to have a protest. I don't know how you're going to possibly turn it down if you permit this to occur. I just don't think it's a particularly good idea to have endorsed this. That's my own opinion. Probably no I don't know anybody else agrees or don't agree. I just don't think that's appropriate thing to do with taxpayer buildings who own it. If if I own my business and somebody want my employees want to come protest to me, they have a right to protest. They could go protest. That's their first amendment right. Not on a building that someone else owns. That's not something that's
010guaranteed. I just don't think that's appropriate for a school issue on either side. I don't Garrett's pro ICE or anti- ice. This happens to be anti- ice. I think it hasn't worked out well in the other school districts. I've been reading about what happened at Pensbury. They had to have the building shut down because there was other people who objected to it. hasn't worked out well in Upper Perky Omen. Hasn't worked out well in Quaker Town. I don't know how it's going to work out well here. And I don't think we should. No is a great word. I think no is something we ought to say. Go protest by all means. You're right. Do it. Don't do it on school prop. No. And and I I appreciate your opinion and I respect your your thoughts
011and and and what you shared. It's it's definitely an issue that takes tremendous judgment and thought. Um however I am very confident in our students and the ma the way in which administration has worked with them. It's delicate and I I I truly respect what you shared. I understand what you said and understand you know that there are a lot of issues that we need to think about and and take into consideration. I do um it's it's something that I'm very proud of the way building administration has handled it and the manner in which they've interacted with students. uh and I have complete faith in our student body that um we'll be able to manage this in a very productive way. Are we addressing other issues that may arise of which there are several unfortunately
012in our country these days that are very controversial people on both sides virtually half on one half on the other. What's your policy regarding approval of protests? If somebody says I want to have a student come out they they love something else. How's that going to work? Who makes that decision? It's this is a good one. That's a bad one. Well, I think you handle those, Mr. Martin, on a case-by case basis. Um, I have in my career, um, experienced a number of these. Um, and there are always ways to to manage and mitigate those situations. But I think, um, you know, we handle things on a case- by case basis and really look at the totality of it. Um, this is definitely an issue that touches some of our families and our students and
013our community and I want to be sympathetic, but I understand your point and I think it it's something that if what you are describing would begin to emerge with a frequency that is obviously beyond what would be typical, then that's a different conversation and we start to think about that and what that looks like from a disruption standpoint. But there is case law. There is um precedent out there. Um and I feel confident in our plan and our ability. But I I understand what you're saying and I truly respect what you're saying. And these families and folks are in this country legally, they should have absolutely nothing to be concerned about or worry about. And if they're not here legally, then that's actually technically that's a violation of law. But I'm not getting into that
014debate on a schoolboard meeting. But that's that's there's other other contentious issues. >> Quickest school board meeting ever. Charlie, >> it comes with an ICE t-shirt on. It says I support ICE. They going to be allowed to wear that. >> There there is um freedom of speech law and material disruption in the environment in a lot of Supreme Court cases. And as long it does not create a material disruption to the environment, yes, they are. Um, and again, I'm not going to get into anything political. I'm going to base our decisions on supporting kids. >> Mr. Hartley, >> any kids who want to protest just come to you. They'll get a protest. Okay. >> That's Mr. Martin. That's not what I said. >> No, he's just honoring um our students first amendment right. Mrs. Depalo.
015>> Um, thanks Mr. Martin. Thank you for bringing this up because I on my end I heard about it also um in my house. Um, and I would say I don't think administration is endorsing it. I urge my daughter who told me she was going to be doing this to talk immediately to the principal the principles um, specifically Dr. Caracappa. I think administration is just providing a a safe structured outlet for the kids like you're saying to express their first amendment rights. I think the kids are going to do it either way and I think what the school's response is that they're trying to make sure it's done safely. I don't know if anyone remembers back at during CO um the kids protested something like masks or not wearing masks and Dr. Heinrich's response was
016she escorted the kids walked with them for their protest and went back into the building. I think the whole thing took 15 minutes so there was very little disruption I think to the school day um and it was handled and it was finished all before I think probably anybody realized what was happening. So I'm confident that this will be handled in the same manner. better than Pensbury then better heard better. >> I will tell you because I also look north Penn um maybe two weeks ago had the same thing and uh I work uh in the North Penn school district the administrators also walked with the children not as protesting but to make sure that they were um safe and then Abington school district I think did it as well last week and it was
017okay. Um but I'm sure you said you have some examples where it didn't go so well. Um, but I'm confident in our school district that they will I'm sure our administrators will make sure it goes smoothly. So, I think >> and I think one of the one of the indicators as well um to to to build on what you just shared, Mrs. Depalo, is that the kids came to administration and and what I've learned about our district is we have exceptional students. Um, I will tell you the Centennial kids are incredibly thoughtful. Um, and nobody wants to bring our district into a negative light. And I'm very proud of how they have approached it and how administration has managed that conversation. And again, it's voluntary and I firmly believe that it will be handled with
018respect and it will be a non-issue. It's a heartline. >> Let's get back to legality and what our current school policy and procedures allow for this type of event. Do we have something under our policies and procedures regarding students walking out or students doing a protest during school hours? Do we have a policy in place on how that is to be handled? And if we do, has that policy been vetted through PSBA and the attorneys to make sure that we are in fact in compliance with federal law? Because if we're doing an exception to policy, that's something the board needs to be able to do. That's not necessarily a unilateral decision. >> I think it's a constitutional right. I think it >> Oh, so you know, like Mr. Martin said, you know, if they wear
019an anti- ice shirt, there's certain speech that is considered protected and not. You go back to the 1967 case of the the gentleman wearing the profanity on his jacket versus being able to yell fire in a crowded theater. Some is protected, some is not protected, and it depends on the inflammatory nature of it. But if we as a district have a policy in place for the safety and security of the students saying that they are not allowed to walk out of class for their own safety because it creates an environment in which we cannot control or guarantee the safety of the students then that is a paramount um overriding factor. It is not this whether or not they can or cannot protest. They have the right to protest certainly, but they also have to conform
020to certain requirements and that's where if we have an existing policy in place that addresses this already that and my guess is if we do have one in place that it has been vetted by PSBA and that we have had some pretty, you know, pretty high paid attorneys that have looked at this already. um you know and if it is a policy then there wouldn't have to be an exception to policy and that would be something that okay they can put it off a week go out the following Friday and because we have a school board meeting >> on Tuesday hopefully if the weather prevails >> so there are my questions surrounding that >> Dr. Magguire. Um I think that you had um identified what I was thinking uh because I'm looking at the policy
021uh open for adoption uh that was on our agenda from last week upon adoption u policy 122.1 and it talks about but this I believe as you're talking um student initiated groups of secondary students to meet without discrimination or school on school district premises dur during non-instructional time for the person of conducting a meeting I guess or um a protest regardless of the religious political philosophical etc. So it talks about non um curriculum meetings of non-curriculum student groups must be voluntary of course we know that and it's to be on non-instructional time. So if this is part of pol our policy one and we're just adopting or re reviewing it under so policy 122.1 indicates to me what I'm seeing that it needs to be whatever is going to happen you know freedom of speech
022etc needs to be done on non-instructional time al then my second question is was this student initiated or a faculty or other staff member initiated >> it's students initiated that answers Okay, thank you. So, where are we? So, with blank, we do have I think this is just um you know rewritten this policy. So, we're actually not following policy for this um protest during school time when it >> so that would be non-school time. >> Correct. >> Now, whether or not lunch period would be considered instructional time or not, you know, that that would be up to administration to decide. that's not um so I don't know that this falls I think that policy is more designed around groups at which to form and then to be able to participate or to be able to
023have um meetings on school property. Oh, example, Future Business Leaders of America, or if you have a group that is a dog lovers versus cat lovers or something, you know, where they could form and meet on school property after non-instructional time. I think that policy is geared more towards that. That's my opinion. I don't, you know, we might need a legal legal bound on that one, but that's the way I would lean towards that. >> Okay. Any other board members would like discussion? >> Can I just say one more thing? >> Absolutely, Mrs. Dep. >> I just want to say overall I'm just impressed that our kids are thinking about these types of things and that they feel like they need to take action. So I do give them credit as young people for >>
024but you half of the students don't know what ICE stands for. ICE couldn't tell you what it I can tell you my daughter and her group of friends, my daughter and her group of friends, I will tell you they do talk about it a lot to be educated. >> I do want to end on a happy note when everybody's done. I >> I mean I ultimately I think the because it is student organized, I'm glad that we're at least taking it seriously and finding ways to make, you know, make sure it happens in an orderly way to make sure the kids are safe. >> Yes, >> the point of peaceful protest is disruption. It is causing trouble, good trouble, as John Lewis would say, to call attention to something you don't like. >> Keeping in
025mind that your actions have consequences. >> Absolutely. If there will be consequences, those should be clearly understood by the students as well. Yep. >> Right. It's civil disobedience. There's going to be discomfort in this and that's kind of the point as well. So, I think it's it's going to happen. I'm glad that we're having the discussion because it's an important one to have. >> Will there be two groups, one pro, one anti? I heard from students not having talked to any kids other than Mike to >> um they there are kids who plan to >> join the protest quote in favor of ICE. I don't know if that there is any organization there. I don't know anything beyond what I've heard. But you know >> it doesn't stop they all have the first amendment right.
026So regardless of which side they're on they they all have that right. >> As Mr. There are issues that I think we >> there there are opposing viewpoints on so many things that we talk about all the time. >> I don't think we get to the point of walkouts and protests until something rises to the level of an existential threat or something that students feel the need to get to this level of organization about. And there are enough students in the district who believe that ISIS's potential presence in our district and the threat that may pose to some families of our students is is worth calling attention to. I mean it's and going back to co I think if we look back to you know the past six years now that's the other big gigantic
027you know existential thing in their lives that they would have felt that strongly about that would have impacted so much of their daily lives their family members how they go to school if they're in the building if they're not. So I think that it it's higher level than the argument that comes up sometimes over the day of silence. You know what I mean? It's just a It's just a different tier of protest. >> Okay. Mr. Heartline, >> Mrs. Cracker had something. >> We We welcome it. >> Microphone. So, um I found the executive council um extremely enlightening and it made me realize what a heterogeneous environment Centennial School District is. With that said, and where we're trying to get to in terms of balancing the budget, can we by any chance get some metrics around
028um student count and what the co average cost is for special ed? um English as a second language and economically disadvantaged students because we're looking at a number of $22,000 on average for Centennial. But I would say that the numbers for these three groups are substantially higher. And I think that transparency is important if we're going to approve a uh tax increase, which hopefully we're not going to have to, but if we're going to have to, we're going to have need to understand that these are outliers in that $22,000 per student. And it would be very helpful to understand how great that differential is. >> Yes, we can provide all that information. I >> see Mr. Greenwood writing. I don't know whether there I don't know whether there are other groups and other programs but
029to me these three stood out. These three stood out and I think we should understand that what it really comes down to is the average for the average student is probably a lot lower than $22,000 because it's being outweighed by these three groups and I think we should get to understand what that is. >> Thank you Mrs. Kger Mr. Hartley. >> All right on some good news. Congratulations to our Panther girls basketball team on their victory over Council Rock. They are moving on and uh I think their next game is Friday. >> Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night. >> Tomorrow night. Uh at um Garnet Valley. >> There we go. And this is the first time that they beat Council Rock in >> a long time. Seven years. So >> time to break that snap. >> They
030haveations. They are moving on. They had a great Valentine's Day it looks like or day before and congratulations to them. >> Perfect. All right. Any other communications? Uh, black and white night starts next week. Black and white. >> Yeah. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. >> Academic night, pool night, and gym night. >> Black. >> Yes. Go black. >> Yes. I wanted to find out where we can buy shirts. Can someone email us or tell us? >> Yes. >> Somebody who has children in the high school. >> Let me get you some shirts. We'll get you some shirts. All right. Any other communications? All right. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> All right. Have a good evening.