001Order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance 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. The board met in executive session prior to tonight's public meeting to discuss several matters. The board discussed an employment matter and district business that if conducted in public would lead to the disclosure of information or confidentiality protected by law. The board reviewed with council information or strategy in connection with tax appeal litigation. The board also reviewed an item related to school safety that if discussed in public could impair the effectiveness of the measures. Mrs. Anusk, could you please call the role? >> Mrs. Cooper >> here. >> Miss Dad >> here. >> Miss Finley >> here.
002>> Mr. Frank >> here. >> Mr. Good >> here. >> Mr. Hamilton >> here. >> Dr. Hasselin >> here. >> Mrs. Lynch >> here. >> Miss Zitch >> here. >> Nine members present. Thank you. Uh Dr. Railjack, would you like to introduce our wonderful guests? >> Yes, we are so pleased to have some guests with us this evening. Uh the first guest that I'd like to introduce is Fox Chapel Area High School fall play director Christian Josephs, who is here to introduce two students who won awards for their work with the fall play. >> Hello, good evening. Um, I am Christian Josephs and I am the director of the Fox Chapel fall play and I have been doing this for quite a while now. I like to say that I've been married as long as
003I've been doing the fall play. And every year I see more and more talent and um more and more beautiful personalities. And within the past few years we have started participating in the prime stage fall play drama awards and um we've always been nominated for a number of nominations. Um, but this year we were nominated for eight nominations >> and that is really incredible and I think that that's a testament to parents, to teachers, um, to our coaches, um, anyone who was involved in these kids' lives. And, um, we did win this year for best costumes and makeup artistry. And that would be going to Abby Hos and Molly Pashik. And um I shouldn't talk because I have a really hard maiden name. It's Metatiatus. So um and every day these girls uh had to
004deal with these really wonderful student actors who are full of personality and really difficult. But every day Abby and Molly came in with smiles in their faces and worked really hard all the time. And um I can't say how proud I am of them. um every day working with me, smiling with me, laughing with me, and just doing great, great great work. So, just wanted to present them with these awards. I'm not sure if Molly Molly's here. Thank you so much and congratulations Molly and congratulations to both of our students and all of those that were nominated for the fall play. This evening we would also like to introduce Fox Chaporia High School cheerleading head coach Alita Balser who's here to introduce the varsity cheerleading competition team that recently participated in nationals. So I'll turn
005it over to you coach. Good evening. First, I would like to thank you for recognizing the girls. Um, this is uh a really big deal that they have made it to nationals. This is the fourth time since I've been coaching for 12 years now. This will be my 12th year coming up. So, this is the fourth time that we've actually made it to nationals. In order to um earn a bid to nationals, you've got to compete at a at a regional competition. And we had two. So, we we were competing at two regional competitions. one was in Ohio and one was um downtown at the convention center. So, they did earn the bid this year and we are very proud of them. Um but something that I would just like to say that most people
006don't realize how long of a season cheerleading is for us, we start in April with tryyouts and they go from April through February. And I did a little uh calculation today just to see how many hours they put into this between practice, football games, basketball games, two parades, local parades for Memorial Day, three competitions, the regional competitions, five days at nationals, mini cheer camps. There's so much that they do. We're over 400 hours. Each girl has been 400 hours with the cheer team. And that's my best guess. That's not even exact. I know there's more. Um, but I think that's just something that they need that I feel like everybody should be aware of that because they put in a lot of hard work. It's a lot of work and a lot of pressure and
007um, the fact that they made it to nationals, we're all very proud of them. Um, so I would like to congratulate you girls for making it to nationals and then I'd like to present you to your awards. I'm going to call you up by grade. Okay. Maya Agarwal, Katherine Conlay, Lillian Fontino, Adele Breenalt is not here this evening, Trista Jackson, and Emma Curts. That is our senior class. Juniors Aninssley Good and Evie Rosen. Sophomores Allaria Ki, Chloe Carlo, Kenzie Minton, Emma Ritz, Ariana Solari, and Presley Turner. and our freshman Mave Carrey, Tessa Jackson, and Emilyn Mazy is not here this evening either. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you all very much. And congratulations to our our cheerleading team. I know that it's a lot of work and a lot of hours and I
008appreciate your school spirit and all that you do to help support uh our school and also to do uh the sport that you enjoy. So, thank you very much, >> Miss Dad. That does conclude our guests. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> And guess you are also welcome to stay for the whole meeting, but we also understand if you have other commitments. We don't take that personally, but um you're always welcome to >> Congratulations. >> I would love to like There's very cool photographs. There's very cool >> perk. >> Maybe some I'll try to get Yeah. >> Yeah, that would be >> really clear out. >> Oh goodness, it's so quiet in here. >> Wow. >> Okay. Um I think our student council people come next week. So, superintendent report. >> Sure. There's no
009formal report tonight. I do just want to say also congratulations to the Fox Chaporia High School musical cast and crew. Uh they had did a wonderful production of Something Rotten last week and it closed on Sunday and we are just so proud of them. It was an enjoyable show for those of you that were able to see it and a lot of talent on our stage and behind the scenes and I couldn't be prouder of their hard work and efforts. And thank you to not only our students and the cast and crew, but also to the adults and our educators and staff who help them. Thank you. I agree. I saw it on Saturday night and it was wonderful. Uh, all right. Solicitor's report. >> No report this evening. >> Thank you. Uh, next week
010we will need approval of the minutes for the regular business meeting dated February 9th, 2026. Does anyone have any questions, comments, corrections for the minutes? Okay, it is time for first public comment period. I'm assuming we don't have anyone. No, we do not have anyone. Thank you. Okay, old business. Our committee reports. Mrs. Cooper, academic committee. >> Yes. The board academic committee will meet on March 10th, uh, 2026 at 6 PM in the staff development room on the lower level of the district office. The committee will receive an update on the K through five English language arts pilot and a recommendation for adoption. The committee will also hear a district data overview. The committee will continue to discuss perceptual data collection updates and potentially recommend a survey tool for the full board's consideration in the
011future. >> Thank you. Any questions? >> Okay, Mr. Frank. The governance committee report. Uh the board governance committee will meet tomorrow, March 3rd, 2026 at 6 PM in the lower level of the district administration offices. The agenda will include a discussion on advocating for a statewide property reassessment policy and further work on a board handbook draft. The committee will also have a brief policy update. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any questions? Who's giving the um the or is there a speaker coming in and talking about the advocating for the uh >> Mr. Good. >> Yeah, I was going to talk a little bit about the the PSBA legislative platform and how we can propose changes as a board to it. Um >> like adding it because it's not currently on it. >> Well, I thought
012it wasn't currently funny story. I thought it wasn't currently on it, but looking it actually is in there. Um but it may be it may be worth discussing um if if we should propose an amendment to the language uh or or um uh proposing anything because so just let me just >> reassessment thing right >> about the reassessment. It is it is in there. I I I didn't think it was in there but then I actually looked at it and and it was >> I would say at a training we recently attended Dr. Horn and I they seemed unaware that that was a big issue in Alig County. So I that's why this is a little something that we can yeah it's something that we could discuss and and good topic >> and so I'll
013talk about the um yeah so we participate in the PSBA legislative um >> uh platform process uh in in such that we we go to the delegate assembly and vote on it um but we've not yet uh contributed to the contributed any u proposals to the platform so >> um great >> yeah it's something that uh it's it's not yet open for 20 for this year for 2027, but last year the deadline was in June 2025 and it requires full board approval um to be submitted. So if we want to if we want to do that now is about the right time. So >> yeah, that's great. >> Yep. >> Thank you for taking that on. >> Will you guys be discussing uh encouraging any action at the county level in in the chance that
014state level action isn't actually viable? I I don't know if it is or not. I'm just saying. >> Uh my my plan was to talk about it at the PSBA level um because I'm familiar with that. Um and and my thinking was it feels like the state is a good place to advocate for it so that we have uniformity across the counties. Um and uh it also takes the pressure off the county government to um you know advocate for that which has stalled here. >> Maybe it would be worthwhile to discuss the um the the upcoming AI AIU legislative forum also. >> I'm not familiar with that. >> Okay, I'll make sure to send it around again. You can all register still. believe the registration period is open for the AA um IU legislative forum
015and also the um statewide day of action is coming up and there are many car pools with me if you want to ride with me to the state house and advocate at the state level in person >> car pools with you. >> Yeah. Well, there's actually a lot of other car pools besides me including a number of statewide organizing entities. So, yes, let's let's talk more about that. I'm excited that's on your agenda. >> As as Amy and I learned from our training, there there are other local school districts that are very interested in doing this at the board level also. So, I I'm proud that we are going this direction as well. >> You're here. >> I I'd love over time for the committee to consider looking at the county level as well if
016that makes sense in the political scheme of things. I think that we should be pushing at all levels. Maybe maybe an ideal plan would be the state says go do this, but we do not live in an ideal world. We live in one in which we need to get this done. And so if it comes at the county or if it comes at the state, I don't really care which one. Somebody needs to act. >> Yeah. >> In my opinion, >> the PSBA legislative platform um addresses statewide issues and it sounds like maybe the AIU it would would be a a vehicle for countywide issues. So >> yeah, >> sounds good. >> Like enough people. Any other questions? >> Wanted to >> The meeting is open tomorrow if you would like to join us. >>
017I might. That's a good I will add it to my calendar. I wasn't planning on it, but now that I Yeah, that's great. >> Okay. Uh the projects and planning committee report, Miss Zinch. >> Yes. Um the projects and planning committee met on February 24th. Um the committee received updates on current facility projects including the Hartwood mechanical renovation, the Fairview window project, the high school field lighting project, and the high school proposed renovation. The committee also reviewed a status update for the 2026 2027 budget and act one index update and the budget timeline. Also at the meeting, Dr. Mccommens provided the projected enrollment for 2026 2027. >> Any questions? What's the projected enrollment for 2627 >> for the first time in a very long time? It is just barely increasing though not to the extent
018or substantively to warrant any major instructional changes is basically the TLDDR. Would you like to elaborate on that? >> I mean there's a five-year projection we're going to go up about 100 students K to 12 again over the next five years. So uh that's in line with what we've done the last three years. So it's are very positive that people are looking to move into the community. So, >> great. Any other questions? >> I just wanted to thank Dan Breer as I had to run off to another meeting, but um he walked us through the the plant and that was the first time I'd ever been under the pool, but it was also very I think it was really helpful for context because we talk a lot about these expenses and projects and to put
019eyes on it, I think, is valuable. So, thank you for the time he took to do that for us. >> Yeah, I encourage any of the board members who have not had a tour to take a look. It it does help to make things concrete when thinking about the budget and capital expenditures. >> No pun intended. >> Okay, moving on to new business. Facilities and transportation. Mrs. Lynch, >> no action is requested. >> All right. >> Or will be requested. Uh, Mr. Hamilton, could you read the finance items, please? >> Yes. Next week, we'll have item one, finance report for January 26 will be acknowledged and filed as for audit. Uh, item two is the budget transfers for 2025, 2026 will be approved. Item three, subsidies for Fox Chapel Area School District Club Sports. This
020is a new item. Approve the request of the Fox Chapel Area Fencing for a subsidy in the amount $3,000 for current school year and approve a 2% increase in the amount of approved subsidies for the Fox Chapel crew Fox Chapel area high school ice hockey Fox Chapel area fencing beginning in 2026 27 school year and continuing until further action forward. Um item four, the Alageney Intermediate Unit 20256 2027 program of services budget is to approve the proposed 2026 2027 AIU program of service budget in the amount of 2,431,488 and the Aleny County School District total contribution to the budget is 2,42,623. 3. Oxy school district's contribution to the program services budget is estimated $111,224 and will be determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education sometime after July 1st, 2026 based on the district aid ratio
021and weighted average daily membership. Those will be the four items. >> Thank you. Um, if I could point out for number three on our club sports, I don't think we've ever raised the amount that if I'm correct, if I'm not correct, please. >> No, you are correct. >> Yeah, I don't think we've ever raised the amount that uh the club sports are given and fencing was not included in that. So, that is new for fencing uh to receive some funding and we're going to give them a small increase um each year. >> So, they all start at 3,000. >> No, they are they're different. >> So, what are the numbers >> growing is 5,000 that what it used to be? I don't think it's changed. >> Hockey is a little bit more a little bit
022larger because of ice time contributions. pocket. It was $8,000 and crew is $5,000. >> And how are those amounts determined? Is that based strictly on numbers? Okay. >> And then contextualizing this a little bit more amongst our other sports. Are we increasing our our funding of our other sports by similar amounts each year? How does this all picture? >> Right. But when we look at our regular athletics program, >> well, the salaries for the coaches etc. are included in the contract so that they go up um per the contract each year. Um as far as the budget for uh supplies, etc. I'm not sure how that is calculated, >> but the amount that we pay on coaches far outstrips this the any of these amounts, >> right? >> I think the other it's it's more
023integrated in general. The the the regular school sponsored sports are just more integrated with the budget. I think they do they go through the normal budget process. >> Yeah. But they get a a bump each year. >> I mean, they negot they figure out the proper budget, I think. Yeah. This is a subsidy to the external sports that that our kids Yeah. these sports up. >> Are these all of our club sports? >> Yes. >> So, we have a total of three club sports. And these are the three >> correct. >> Okay. And they're club Sorry, >> I'm sorry. They're club sports and not irregular intram murals in so far as they are um shared sports with other schools or they are elected or like what makes them a club sport? >> Usually they're a
024club sport when they are not covered under whipple under the west western Pennsylvania inner scholastic. They maybe work under US hockey or other things. They do have to have at least 85% of the students being Fox Chaparia students and they follow the requirements under the club support handbook that every year they they agree to follow the uh eligibility requirements, the medical requirements and those kinds of things, but they're governed by their booster group uh at the end of the day. >> So, they have to apply for official club sport status. >> That's correct. >> Cool. The only thing I was that caused me pause was that the annual increases sort of keeps going until further action. So that's why I asked about the context of our other sports programs. If we were to say we
025need to >> hold off on some things in general athletics program, but yet we're still increasing these until further action of the board. Does that get messy at any point? >> Sure. The amount for further increase was determined it uh by the director of finance and the director of athletics based on what the typical escalation is for sports. There are some sports that escalate maybe more because there's a a new piece of equipment that needs to be purchased and some that may escalate less per year, but in general that was general escalation. That's how they determined it. >> Not clear on what the meaning of passing a resolution that puts a annual amount if increase is that basically just a policy is a recommendation. It's not actually something we can approve because we haven't approved
026budgets. We don't commit ourselves to anything other than it's not a contract. So what is it? >> It was it was done as this kind of a resolution because it's been flatfunded and been part of the budget that you have approved every year for crew and for um hockey and fencing sent a letter requesting uh fin funding. They had not been funded in the past. uh we asked the director of finance and the director of athletics to review that and I asked for a formula so that there would be equity across the club sports. They came back with the amount and looked at the enrollment. Uh we did speak about this in the academic committee and the reason it was uh put in there is is to escalate at a similar rate as other sports
027escalate annually. It certainly could be an annual um you know item for the board if the board wishes. I would just recommend if the board does wish that as an annual item that it's done in enough time that if the board chooses to remove funding that you have that you have time to notify club sports to not expect it. >> I just would change the language I think um from approving an annual increase to something that's a guideline or recommendation so that you know that you put that in the budget but we haven't approved anything. It won't be approved until we actually pass the budget in those years. I'll let Mr. Jay handle that since he wrote the motion. >> I I think my understand was for budgeting purposes so that for next year's budget
028they're going to assume there's a 2% increase for each of the subsidies to make it easier to include the exact amounts in the budget instead of Dr. instead of trying to then pass a subsidy each year prior to the budget process. So give direct finance some guidance as to what to approve for these subsidies each year. >> So maybe budget instead of approve. >> Well, I have one question. Do we approve do we approve the current subsidies every year or we do not >> separately separately as an item like this? Well, they they they were approved at one time >> some time ago and just been continued through the budgeting process. >> It just goes in the budget. >> There's a line in there. >> It's never So, so what we're what we're saying is
029we Yeah. So, this doesn't change that other than it's going to inform the budget. Ultimately, we do have to approve the budget, right? >> Correct. So yeah, I would say if we haven't been reapproving these every single year, then this isn't terribly different. I mean, currently we've, you know, if we think about inflation, we've essentially been reducing it every year. So um yeah, maybe the wording is a bit could be a little bit uh changed, but uh we could say Yeah, I think you said budgeted. Yep. instead of approve if we could say um and budget an annual 2% increase in the amount of the approved subsidies to Fox Chapel. So like I think that um implies that we are budgeting 2% increase year-over-year and that will be approved as a part of the budget.
030>> Right. >> We could we could recommend we could recommend an annual 2% increase in the amount or approve a recommendation for >> for a budgeted amount. Right. Increase. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure we're not saying we're approving something for future years >> cuz we're not approving. >> We're approving we're approving a >> a guideline which is a recommendation or whatever. But I guess I think I like the word budget >> which I think I mean I agree with I agree with that. I think I think it's good. But yeah, I think just to clarify things it would be better. >> I have no problem with the 2%. I I was in involved with crew for many years and uh we got the same exact amount for all those years and to
031this very day we're still getting that I'm sure they're getting that same. >> So do we >> the biggest change is that there was a club sport being left out of this funding and they are now being funded which is fair. I think that does warrant. >> Is that something that we do approve? So, we would maybe split it out and approve uh approve the approve fencing and then >> and then approve a recommendation to have the budget increase by 2%. >> Sounds better. >> Does that seem reasonable? >> Does that seem okay? >> And incidentally, didn't the girls fencing team win a big >> They did >> tournament like >> Yes, the girls won first place in a big tournament over the weekend. and the boys took third and one of our female fencers
032also won second place overall individuals. I think the clarification of the question was being asked about the budget process. The the this is more of a donation for to assist with the covering cost to cover the cost for the club sports. The uh high school athletics, they go through the formal budget process where an initial budget is is sent in proposed to cover the entire cost of both our female and male athlete athletic sports. And it does fluctuate each year depending on the items that may need to come up, whether we're buying uniforms, the number of athletes we have. Like right now, we've had uh recently a the request for additional assistance with cross country because the number of participants has grown over recent years. So those things will a will affect the athletic budget
033that uh is designated for our our high school athletes versus the club sports. That's how that's different. >> Mr. O'Brien has a regular cycle where uniforms are replaced every three years. So correct >> football this year the uniform costs will be much higher than basketball the next year because of the number of participants etc etc. It's it's a rotating thing every on a three-year cycle. >> Yes, sir. >> So, do we still want this changed? >> I like the suggestion that we break it out into two items. one which approves the request to initiate a subsidy for fencing and one which separately suggests budgeting a 2% annual increase in the amount of approved subsidies budget >> guidance could be a resolution or something and not a approved budget amount yeah >> it could be yeah
034I think that I think that's a real question like what kind of item is it is it a >> it could be a point of information where like the board suggests or the board resolves to budget or something like that >> yeah I think it's important that we say we we stand behind the 2% recommendation. >> Paul, do you have anything to say about this >> suggested wording? >> So like is what's being suggested okay? >> I mean I I think it is I'm not sure what the distinction will be by separating it into two parts unless the idea is that some folks don't support the second one or the other part. I I mean, it sounds like there's still consensus to agree to a 2% annual increase. I mean, we we could do it
035in two parts. I'm just not sure if that's meeting the concerns or not. >> I think the concern is we want to separate the word approve from the projected budget implications of a regular annual increase. >> Right. We want to approve fencing and >> Well, then then I think we should just avoid the 2% increase. I'm I mean, I'm not sure. >> Oh, interesting. you're not approving it then if you're >> right. So in that case that would put the onus on the administration to budget for a 2% annual increase and um that would be a part of our budget discussion on a regular basis. So we would remove that. We will approve a subsidy henceforth for fencing. Is that the idea? >> So I I just if the reason I'm saying that is we
036don't automatically increase anything in a budget that hasn't already been approved for increase or that we have a reason for it. For example, in the supplementals for athletics, those are approved based on the contractual language. So there are increases, but all of that is worked out that was approved by the board. So if annually when we do the budget, we you want us to put that in there and put that as a specific line item, we can, but we don't usually come to you with increases just without those being part of a collective bargaining agreement, without those being because of an inflationary cost. They're they're not a projection of increase. They're real costs instead. >> I see. So, because these aren't these budget increases aren't imposed by direct cost projections. They are stipulated as like
037a sort of baseline. >> These are these are just flat rates and they don't they're not actually informed by the programs >> um any any differently. So, when we're budgeting for our athletic program, as Mr. Frank said, one year it might be, you know, uniforms for one or there might be more enrollment in one. And so those fluctuate based on real numbers. This is not reflective of the program necessarily. We're creating a starting point that's reflective equally uh for similar programs. But it doesn't, you know, if we want to do that, we just need to be clear so that we can make sure it's articulated in a budget in the future if none of us would be sitting around a table that that would still be a process >> somewhere that a board approves. >>
038So maybe it's fine as is. >> Yeah. And I don't know how to do that. Paul might have that reason. I just want to make sure that we do that we reflect it somehow for the board so that we don't make that decision that we're going to increase a subsidy to another to anybody that all has to come to a board approval. >> Mr. Hamilton, does that satisfy your concern with that language? >> I think the alternative would be just annual to an amount, but I think timing wise you would want to do that prior to the budget process. I think this was just a a shorthand way of doing that and having some guidance here and the language continuing to kill further action board gives the board the option of either increasing the amount
039based upon the request based inflation or decreasing amount because of some concern with the program or some reduction in the number of participants in the programs. But it's certainly fine to just approve the new request and to address it each year. But my suggestion would be that it be done early enough to be incorporated into >> we would do it like >> in >> Yeah. >> Well, it would need to be done ahead of their season if >> I mean is normally >> July or something. >> Yeah. It have to be summer, June, July because they start October, November, >> which is fine. We just would we would want to make sure that we put it in the proper month in the future. >> You're talking $60. >> Could not change their plans a whole
040>> Could we separate that into part A and B? Could we put the H or the the fencing on one and on the second second part of the motion put that increase for next year would be two there will be a 2% increase next year for the three club sports. Period. We can vote on A and B. >> Yes. >> Well, >> does that make sense? >> But if we don't say annually, then we are going to have to vote on this every year. >> I thought people were I thought people were opposed to annually. I would I would rather go 2% each year until further board action, but it sound like people were opposed to that. >> I think that's I mean that's okay. >> Uh the question was what are are we actually
041approving this? And like I think I'm I've come I've come come around to thinking yes, we're approving we're approving changes proposed to the budget in the future. Ultimately, we still have to approve the budget, but it's it's it's essentially taking the place of what a contract would say where we approve changes, you know, in future years. >> And and if the board wishes to approve this amount annually, that's okay. It's just we need I would recommend you do it before their season because because granted that 2% increase is not going to make or break their budget, but if it's an approval every year, then every year there's an option for it not to be approved. And so you would just want to make sure that there's plenty of knowledge. >> I'm interpreting now I am
042interpreting this as not usurping our budget approval authority for a single item in the future. This is just suggesting that it be included in a budget. >> That's the intent. That's not the words though. The words say approve 2%. So I would say approve the budgeting of 2% and we're good. >> I'm comfortable with that. >> Yeah. >> We don't know what to do with our basically it's basically substituting as you said a contractual language so that you'll have something on paper that says the board's okay with us booking this every year. >> Right. Go through budget approval >> which will and it's not the amount of money. >> Yeah. I mean, if there's any clarified language, then >> yeah, >> but I think I'm okay with >> approve the budgeting of an additional 2%
043annually, >> right? Approve the budgeting of an annual 2% increase. >> Right. >> Okay. >> Is that >> Are we good? >> Do you want me to write that down? >> See what it looks like next. Somebody got it. >> As one motion. >> As one mot just a slight change that takes us a while. >> I think we're anticipating it'll pass with flying colors, but that's clear. Thank you. >> Okay. Anything else? >> Um I did just want to make sure um this is related to the uh item four alig intermediate unit program services budget mostly as a point of information. The district aid ratio has that changed appreciably this year? >> I'm sorry I didn't hear your question. >> Has the district aid ratio changed appreciably this year? >> I don't have it
044in front of me. I can get that information for you. >> Okay, that's fine. Um I think that's >> and it won't be set specifically until July 1st. So >> Okay. So we were this is working retroactively on the prior year in terms of projecting our current support. >> It is it's it's how it's the mechanism that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has to fund intermediate units. We don't have much of a >> No, we don't have any say in it. Mostly, like I said, point of information only and it really relates also to our grant eligibility in the future. So I think that's something that um can be discussed in committee. >> Well, we're we're approving the estimate. >> Yeah. No, I Yes, we are totally approving the estimate. That estimate is informed by
045two numbers. Our district aid ratio and our we uh de membership or WADM um weighted average daily membership. I can't remember what it stands for, but yeah, that's all. Um and I think that's uh again more of a state of the union problem than it is like a >> informing this particular decision problem. >> So I'm lost in my PDF of attachments. I know you sent it to us that um AIU program of services budget where they sort of go over each program area and what we get from that. Is that included in the board attachments for >> it's not separate? >> It's not in the attachments. It was emailed separately in the email. >> I think that for folks who look at that as such a huge amount and what do we get for
046that? That's a really helpful >> yes >> document to see. >> Yeah, I think that like at any point anyone should absolutely take the time to educate themselves on the services that the EIU provides. It's a powerful framework that that like governs a lot of facets of education in the region. They must get that question a lot because they did put together a nice overview of what exactly the services are. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Any other questions? >> All right. Uh Mrs. Cooper, could you please read the one instruction item? >> Yes. Next week, I'll be moving on one item to approve the required Fox Chapel Area School District comprehensive plan for submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education as attached. >> Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments on that? >> I
047had a couple questions. Um on page six it talks about uh challenges and one of them being that our high school attendance hasn't rebounded since before the pandemic. And so I was just wondering this says that our current attendance is 83.2%. Can you just let us know what the attendance rate was before the pandemic? So what are we trying to get back to or >> 85.7%? It's always been about 15% absenteeism at the high school and that's something we would like to see increase in general. >> Okay. And not increase the absenteeism, increase the attendance. >> So probably an important thing to clarify. Um and what are we using to accomplish that? I mean I know it's just give us a cliff's note version of what we're doing to help with that. >> Sure. The
048district is working on chronic absenteeism and we've uh identified through some data analysis students that have higher frequencies of absences. We actually identified we have two categories. We have students who frequently miss for travel or for family things and then we have students that may miss more frequently due to other issues. And um students that miss in the first 20 days of school tend to have more opportunity to be chronically absent or are are a little bit more um apt to be chronically absent. That doesn't mean that there might be one person that gets sick in September and it's just September they were sick. So what we have been doing is not only tracking our attendance, working on our positive behavioral intervention support system at the high school uh to help diminish anxieties that people
049may have as well as to articulate um uh what is expected of students. Positive reinforcement. We've reworked some attendance letters that we've sent to be more positive. Uh there are state requirements and local requirements that we must do for attendance. But it's not about being punitive. It is really about trying to find what is the barrier for a student to come to school and how can we do our best to try and take down as many of those barriers as possible. >> And then um can you speak to on page uh 14 it talks about special education and the MTSS uh system and how it's used. Could you just talk a little bit about the function of the MTSS system for special education? I had a community member reach out and I'd just like us
050to sort of clarify a little bit how we're using that. >> Sure. Multi- MTSS stands for multi-tered systems of support. It's not a it's not a program. It's just a structure of thinking about how to reach student needs. And so that is used for all students. It is not specific to special education. Uh it is really how you look at a student and look at what they might need either for intervention or enrichment and then uh try and make sure that you get that for them whether that's in a classroom whether that's in a special program or whether that's more intense. Students with special needs have individualized education programs that are based on their exact needs and their evaluation report. At times they may participate in other programs that students that may not have IEPs
051participate in, but that is because it might meet the needs that they have. And they will also participate sometimes in programs that are specific for their particular needs. And so when we're looking at MTSS, it's really just a system of thinking, whether it's for academics, whether it's for behavior, and it's how can you put tiers in place uh of different kinds of of interventions that and enrichment that can help support students to make sure that they're all feeling success and growing. So, I was able to attend one of the focus groups um and there was just such a great level of feedback provided by all sorts of members of the community, parents, um >> alumni. It was a great experience. Um and I I think we talked about this before, but what can we expect
052as the board to see in terms of some kind of synopsis of the feedback that maybe didn't nicely fit into the boxes for the comprehensive plan? >> Sure. is as I said before and even uh when we put this on public display a month ago um the comprehensive plan is really in two phases. This is the Pennsylvania Department of Education requirement. Uh it's rather narrow focused on just a few things and um although we did receive feedback from people on it. Sometimes that feedback isn't something that can actually be edited in this plan uh because of the constructs and the constraints of the plan. What we also were doing as a district was elongating the comprehensive plan process to be deeper and a little bit more meeting our needs. And that's what our focus groups
053um have been uh talking about. Those were some of the bigger visioning questions like what is the purpose of school and what does a graduate need? Uh all of that information is still being compiled. I actually got some additional information uh focus groups that are still taking place in buildings. Once all of that information is compiled, the emerging themes that we've been reporting through the steering committee and during focus groups will continue to be refined and then with the goal of that coming toward uh the board in not only a synopsis for the board and the public but then uh an update to our strategic vision moving forward that can help shape the next few years. So this is the PTE version part and this will kind of put a bookmark on this part and
054the rest we would hope to have before the end of this school year. >> Sounds good. And if somebody wanted to continue to learn about our academic growth across different school age kids or the ELA goals for middle school and high school, the academic committee would be the place to sort of get more access and knowledge about what that looks like. >> Well, I think if anyone has questions, they should just contact their school. Uh that's first and foremost. If anyone in the community has questions, the school principal or their teacher are the best uh place because uh it it depends on the student level and it depends on a whole lot of things. uh what what might be interesting or what may be available. If we're looking at overarching academic data, uh the academic
055committee does speak about all kinds of data at times and then annually the board has had a report as well on data that has usually occurred in February. However, the academic committee set their timeline this year that they will receive a data report in March. So, if the full board wishes to see that, if the academic committee recommends that, then it will come in April uh or May to the full board. And all of those previous data presentations have been public and they're on our district's website under the board um meeting that they would have occurred in. >> Yeah. >> The majority of our data is actually also available publicly under the future ready uh PA future ready index. >> Sure. >> I would still love to I hope the academic committee says they think
056it's a good plan for it to come to the full court because I think it's something that's important for us to see each year. So, thank you for >> Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. Uh let's see. Mr. Frank, legislation and policy, please. >> Yeah. Next week, we will move to approve the first reading of the following revised policies which are attached. Uh number 105.2 exemption from instruction. Number 204, attendance. 218.1 weapons. 247 hazing. 610 purchases subject to bid quotation. 611 purchases budgeted. 626 Federal Fiscal Compliance. 626 Federal Fiscal Compliance Attachment, which is concerning procurement. 805.1, Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies. Number 805.2, School Security Personnel. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any questions or comments on those? >> Uh, yes. I have a couple questions just about um I'm curious the so item 247 the
057hazing policy there seemed to be a lot of the the primary meat of those changes looked like they were deliberately ambiguating what law enforcement is. So it went from being police department to law enforcement. And I was just curious if we understood the rationale behind that. Like why are we making it more general than just law just police >> because that was a recommendation legally um from PSBA uh as be based on case law and that not every jurisdiction has is covered just by police, local police. Okay. Uh for instance, sometimes Alageney County police may respond in this jurisdiction. Sometimes it is local police. Um, sometimes it could be uh other law enforcement and >> state police state police. >> State police have sometimes depending on what where where something may have happened, we could
058be interacting with different types of law enforcement. And so it used to say, I believe, local law enforcement and now it just says law enforcement. >> Interesting. Is that likely to extend other arenas in which we coordinate with law enforcement? >> Is it likely to extend? So, I see it only changing the hazing policy, but there are a number of different scenarios in which we participate with law enforcement. So, I'm curious if this is a policy change that's being recommended for other policies, or for some reason, is that only for hazing? >> We did make that those adjustments throughout the year last year through numerous policies. I I don't remember every single one, but we can try and pull some of that together for you if you'd like, but we have been doing that. >>
059Okay, that's helpful. We just follow we follow the PSBA guidelines 99%. >> Do they give like a rationale and an an explanation for why? >> I'm not sure they give a rale to us. >> Yes, they do. News network. If you would like us to forward those, we can >> for that for those particular ones. This has been we have changed probably eight or 10 policies with this language um based on on recommendations from PSBA. This would not be the first time. >> Legal ease. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's becoming uh salient. >> Um, and I think >> I think another reason for it was with the increase in school police, >> I think. Yeah, I would >> resource officer. >> Well, isn't it it's state law now that every school district has to have at
060least one I don't know what the term the >> legislation uses. Is it >> it's one armed officer? >> One armed officer. officer or safety officer >> either school police officer or safety officer. >> So, >> okay, that's really helpful um to understand um I guess the >> how far does this extend into law enforcement? >> Yes, I think that's Yeah. And I like is it worth >> exploring as a district what our what our boundaries on that are and if that's even something we're legally able to do um is something I would like our board to consider. Um, I'll I'll add um I was intrigued by the time like the the one change to 8051 the relations with law enforcement agencies. The only change I saw in that was a timely coordination clause and
061I'm curious if there was a rational provided for the timely coordination clause that was added >> links to the public school code. >> Okay. >> Yep. Is that a constitute is that a change in our public school code that would necessitate a change in the time and coordination? >> That's my guess because the bold thing links to reference footnote 17 reference 17 which links to the public school code. So that's >> it was an update in the most recent omnibus school code bill. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Um and then I saw that similarly the consumer price index was what triggered the increase in the floor for the budget approval for like spending approval items. Does that seem >> I think that happens every year. >> That's annual not set by the federal government. >> All
062right. >> Anything else? >> I had a question about um the exemption from instruction with the addition of the words sincerely held beliefs. Is there a standard of what is sincere or is just the statement need to be um request an exemption because of my sincerely held religious and or moral belief? >> I'll let Mr. Defra answer that since it's a legal term. >> That is a term of art from case law. >> Let's check the standard. Do we have the standard of uh acceptance? >> Does the district >> Yeah. Can the principal say I don't believe this is sincere? >> Like that's a weird like it's a >> uh it implies that there are different levels of held beliefs. So I'm just asking is does the wording when a parent requests an exemption need
063to include sincerely held religious and or moral beliefs or is there some kind of tool which we are judging the sincerity of the request? >> I would say that we can't judge uh somebody's feelings. >> Sure. Yeah. Yeah. That's I mean >> you know whether or not we we believe or a principal or any educator believes it's sincere or not doesn't necessarily affect how we would >> so in practice like nothing not much changes on >> considering the number of people that have have had sincerely held religious beliefs over PSSA tests. Um, yeah, I think that we we we we respect what people tell us. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean, I guess I'm just checking that seems to be a >> it's not language we created. >> Yes. Yes. I see that it's in >>
064to be clear. I think I'm learning the system here. But um yeah, I mean it just I I guess I wanted to assure that we are not suddenly putting the onus on principles to decide the sincerity of a parents request. Okay, great. >> Is there there's an accompanying an accompanying AR I assume that would maybe have some clarification on how you interpret that phrasing or not? >> There's accompanying AR. I I don't know. I I would have to look at what it actually says in it. >> None of all of the ARs are updated after Sure. >> you approve a policy. >> So >> that might be a way to sort of answer uh Miss Cooper's question a little bit. >> Say I don't think it's good practice for any of us to try and
065judge whether somebody is sincere or not in their beliefs. >> I would think that that would be a quagmire that you just wouldn't want to step in for any reason. I guess I just wanted since the change was coming before us to ensure that there wasn't some kind of a you know one through five how sincere does this >> there's no sincerity group right yes >> thank you just wanted to make sure that publicly >> we we will take it at face value >> um I did have one more question which is whether um the memorandums of understanding between the school district and local law enforcement if those are um public documents or >> they're not public documents right now. Okay. Um I think uh for safety and security purposes. So something you have a
066question and you can just to be clear anou with the school police essentially says that when we don't have when our when our school police I'm sorry with the local police when our school police um how they are formed they don't have jurisdiction over certain offenses and it requires us to contact then the local police for certain offenses. Mhm. >> Um, and we have those with all local police departments, but not county or state police departments. >> We have those with O'Hara Township Police and Indiana Township Police. Those are the only two areas that we have schools. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Any other questions on policy? Okay, Miss Zitch, could you please read the personnel items? Yeah, next week I will be moving on six items with a seventh for uhformational items. Um
067those are two appointments. Jason T. Elrich uh for a 12-month 8 hour per day custodian. Diane M. Keeper for a 10-month 8 hour per day custodian role. Um a leave item. Allison E. Delatory elementary. >> Oh, I did. I skipped number one. Let me Okay, I won't I won't reread those. Um sorry. Resignations. Professional resignation of Marilyn Ahal literacy teacher at Dorseyville Middle School due to retirement. the resignation of J. Jessica A. I Albert, instructional assistant at Kerr Elementary School due to retirement. Courtney L. Andrine, 12month building secretary at Hartwood Elementary School due personal reasons. The appointments um for custodial as I mentioned earlier, a leave a leave professional appointment, a leave professional item, Allison E. Deatory Elementary teacher at Fairville Elementary School for child and adoption leave, uh appointment for application system manager, Mary
068B. Weisman, director of ancillary services, Daniel Breakites, and school psychologist Megan Ella Edwards. Item five, summer programs elementary, Rebecca Grisbeck for um Fox Chapel School District Elementary Summer Learning, Sophie Anderson for summer learning. Um and the following individuals for um as instructors for the FCASD Elementary Sum Learning Academy. Julia Arlia, Sean Baldis, Adam Danielson, Carrie Ferguson, Anne Hook, Al Alexis Herbett, Nicholas Luchiano, Alexandria Lupert Howell, Tracy Plans, Julia Pentill, McKenna Robinson, Emily Stant Kavik and Claire Walters, Kayla Wise, and Katie Wagant. um as well as the following individuals for substitute instructors. Jennifer Lance, Kristen Cherro, and Miranda Zarino for food services. Laura M. Heretic will be approved as a food services employee for um at the middle school summer learning academy. And Lisa R. Gibson will be approved as a Western PA learning academy director.
069Um there's also a conference attendant attendance for the superintendent um for a national conference. And then finally I will have a personal item um personnel item that isformational in nature which is all the salary crossovers including for Brian Brinker Joshua um Katona Lauderbach Materard Pontil Robinson and Wagner. >> Thank you. Any questions or comments on any of those items? >> What is the Western PA Learning Academy? It is a a an academy that runs in our high school and it's offered um one of our some of our educators will uh produce that or teach in that academy and it just provides extra supports for students if it's desired. It is not run through the school district. It just uses the school district um uh facilities as well as then it is um a rate based
070on the participation in it. Okay, any other questions >> in the uh verification of crossover for the salary? I don't know that I've noticed the PH before as a designation for crossover from M30 to PH. What is PH? >> Doctor, >> congratulations, Dr. Per. Got it. >> Thank you. >> Very cool. >> That's exciting. >> Okay, Mr. Good. operations and cooperative services, please. >> I will have four items to move on next week. The first is to approve the agreement between the district and interstate studio for photographs. Um the second one is to approve the agreement between the district and in community magazines who publishes in Fox Chapel. Um we we we can I believe we contribute to that. That's a renewal of services. Both these are renewals of services. Uh the third one is
071to um approve the amendment to renew the service agreement with Caris Soloulless uh and is funded by the uh by a grant. And number four is to approve the agreement between the district and Mobilcom for the purchase and installation of safety and security equipment for the cost of $8,950. And that's a new agreement. >> Thank you. Any questions >> for the photographer? Um, I heard from a few folks with some concerns around privacy and how that is being shared or not shared. Um, did we get an update from them on privacy protections and can that be shared with families as needed? >> Sure. The the Interstate Studio we do use, it's a privatelyowned local um studio. So although Interstate is a large company, they are individually owned locally and uh they have a privacy um
072requirement uh they follow the required laws under like federal uh FURPA and other laws. Uh I did share that privacy update with the board as well. If a family wishes that they should contact us. >> Any other questions? Okay, it's time for our second public comment period. Uh, you will have three minutes to speak. Mrs. Glick, and I'll let you know when you have one minute left. >> All right. Thank you. >> Hi, everybody. How you doing? I came from a zoning hearing board meeting, so sorry I was late. Um, nothing on your agenda exactly, but something being talked about in our community is the cell phones in the schools. And um, I just wanted to join the conversation, especially with this group here. Uh, it sounds that some of you may have attended the
073town hall meeting last week. Um, I will say as a parent, um, you know, I think the more that we can have a solution at a local level, that would be the best case scenario. Um, is a state law or a national law necessary to protect kids from their cell phones? You know, number one, why do the kids have the cell phones? Right? So on a more local level, you know, personally, we had waited till my oldest son was in February of his seventh grade year before he got his iPhone. Um, so parents could be encouraged to give phones to their child when they're a little older. Um, of course that's a personal decision, but we can be responsible um as parents and then as the leaders of a school community. Um, I would say
074my son was one of the very last in his seventh grade class to receive a cell phone. Um, that put a lot of pressure and discomfort on him. Um, but it also was quite encouraged within the schools. Um, there were teachers even in middle school where at least in his words certain assignments they kind of expected a child to be able to access things through their cell phone. um which may not be exactly the right story because you're also giving them a school device. So that should be the primary method of communicating with a child versus relying on their cell phone. But I would say um over the years though things I think are have improved and I do see mechanisms that especially this year in the classrooms I'm hearing more about the box within
075the classroom. students drop their cell phones in the box when class starts and then as they file out they pick their phones back up. Um and that is I think could be a great solution. I don't have the feedback for the teachers but if we you know really put your foot down and try to manage this as adults that would be wonderful. The law concerns me because if it's a state law there's going to be an implied criminal and how are we going to deal with that with our students? Uh, additionally, I'm sure a lot of taxpayer money will eventually move towards bags and things and pouches to manage the phones when maybe the box in the front of the classroom is a good idea. Um, so that is that. Um, also, you know, prohibition
076existed 100 years ago for a different type of addictive device. Um, and so, you know, I think we're moving through growing pains with the cell phones. And then um we'll highlight we live nearby um and with facilities um I know I could just send an email to Dan but the practice field there's some shielding um along the fence for privacy and those devices have been falling down so it just needs a little maintenance back there. All right. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Fox Chapel Educators Association rep. Okay. Thank you. Uh board comments. Just again I'll say the musical was wonderful. Thank you to all the faculty and staff who helped the students uh put that on. I'm always amazed every year how talented our students are as well as the band
077accompanying them. It was it was really wonderful. And uh Mr. Frank, we'll go to you. >> Thank you. I I will echo Dr. Hustle Corn's comments about the comprehensive plan. I took I took part in in one of the uh sessions and at my table, the comments, the conversation was excellent. Um and I compliment Dr. Railjack and the administration. There was great participation uh from the community and feedback from the community. And I'd like to to congratulate all the winter athletes who just finished up. uh a lot of them were in the playoffs except for the swimming team who who has gone to the states and there were freshman uh a plethora of freshman winning gold medals uh for the double pal and so I congratulate them on a great job and more to come.
078Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Finley. Um, I just wanted to mention because I don't think a lot of people in our community know, we do have a prek program that is based on income, but there is also a 4day um 9:30 to 11:30 program held by uh Jennifer Antonus. My children went to it. You can bring them at the age of three or four depending on their potty training ability and go through um age five. So that way they get that introduction to schooling. Um it's completely free. You don't pay anything. It is a fantastic adventure of two hours for the kids to enjoy everything. It started out with two days and then they went to four days. The students at Fox Chapel also participate creating um class plans and get their introduction for
079possibly teaching. So please look into that. Carles, we are renewing as you saw again. If you need help, please reach out. There are different programs throughout all the schools. And um happy Women's History Month. >> Thank you, Mrs. Lynch. >> Um I just wanted to reiterate that the reassessment process needs attention and uh school districts, even school districts like ours that have um strong tax bases need dependability of that income. And uh we need to know what's going to be happening and we need to understand that. And so I uh that county and state reassessment conversation is very very important to me and I think to our school district as we try to we've done a ton of work as this board to um be very careful and mindful and fiscally responsible with our choices
080across the last few years that I've been on the board. Um it is highly frustrating that the reassessment issue has such a large impact and is so outside of our control. So um I'm hopeful that we can as a board choose to push on that issue and make it a priority to be more vocal about that across either or both all of those spaces. So >> thank you Dr. Hasselhorn. Yeah, I completely agree and I think um if we can each individually commit to doing some personal advocacy in that area, contacting our state reps, county reps, whoever will listen, um it it it definitely does feel like we're just up against a wall and um and yeah, very frustrating. I think the more that we can also help explain to community members what this is
081all about. I know that article from the Post Gazette last week did a really nice job of explaining how this has happened and what the problem is. Um it is complicated. It took me six months to figure it out when I was on board. So, so that's that's a a big deal. Um and also thank you again to everyone who participated in the comprehensive planning process. Um, I know folks took time off work to come talk with us and and it is appreciated and valued. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Hamilton. >> Yeah, I'd like to um first off uh congratulate um Dr. Patterson, our ex executive director of secondary uh education. Um he on his appointment as Beth Park's uh next superintendent. Um it's a quite an honor and a um and a compliment
082to his professionalism and I've enjoyed working with him and we'll definitely be sad to see him leaving the district. Uh maybe we'll get one more meeting with him at one more academic committee meeting. >> Yes, we're rescheduling before he leaves. >> Okay. Okay. Right. Great. Um then uh on the cell phone phone point um there was there is a misconception. It was stated tonight. It was stated at the um town hall that I that Mandy Steele, our representative ran that because it's a state law, it somehow is criminalizing it. It it is not in any way any different from any other law that gets passed by Brown school the school codes in the school code does make it criminal just creates a new requirement for schools to have a policy and it states specifically what
083that policy is. There are many many of those types of requirements throughout the school code about what we have to do, things we have to do and it doesn't make them criminal. Um there are some specifics. There are two different bills. Uh there's a Senate bill and a House bill. There are differences between them. Um some of them are more prescriptive. One of them is more prescriptive than the other. There's I've talked to Representative Steele about and she is and that they mentioned at the meeting that they are planning to make some amendments uh in the legislative process um to to make some changes. So, there's still definitely going to be some adjustments, but I I would just point out that um I think we've been going on a 15-year or more experiment with cell
084phones and and mobile devices in schools. Um and I don't think the results have been good. Uh I think we have um an overwhelming evidence now that we did not have years ago a few years ago that these devices are addictive that they're distracting they're we are up against major enterprises which are trying to suck every moment of our attention and monetize it and that that the attention of our kids as well and monetize it. It's a distraction in the school. Information and distraction are infinite. the time in our school is very finite and very precious and we need to protect that and I think this is a big enough threat now that uh uniformity and high standards and being more aggressive on this issue is um important for our our children and um so
085I do support uh some type of action at state level um and if they don't do it I would want it to be done here but I think it's going to be happening pretty soon at the state level. >> Thank you Mrs. Cooper. >> Hi. Um, I also attended the the town hall u meeting. Um, I mean, no one can deny there's some con compelling uh facts out there about the use of cell phones. Um, I will say I think it's uh it's misappropriate to place it on the the state level. Um, they talked a lot about the idea of guard rails. These are very narrow bumpers written in the policy. It's far from guard rails. um it's a one-sizefits-all policy that would go statewide and doesn't allow for the local um kind of decisions
086that we were elected to make. Um I think anytime I've seen we've seen plenty of other examples where state or federal legislation has passed and when we try to fit the letter of the law exactly onto our district, it's not the best for for students or educators. Um, also there's there's there's several problematic things with that particular one. Um, there is a Senate bill as well. I did talk to the PSBA representatives this weekend as well. They seemed aware they were aware of the Senate one and they have been testifying um through that process. Their position is that this is a local school board level policy. um they weren't aware of our um the health spill uh for it as well. I would um to me it's hard it's hard to have the conversation on
087cell phones bit of uh an over decisions where is it appropriate to make these broad level decisions in a district. So, I'd love to have the local cell Well, I don't know if I'd love it. I'd be willing to have the cell phone policy for our local um I I think that it is way too specific for a state level um kind of mandate. It would just complicate things. It would put an onus on our district. Um examples of given of just passing around a Rubbermaid container. Um, I mean it just shows that they're not talking to the people that they should be to develop this kind of policy. >> Thank you, Miss Zitch. >> Um, yeah, my views fall somewhere between those of my colleagues and I look forward to the reconciliation of a
088House bill and a Senate bill to come up with something that compels districts to create a policy, which most of us have, um, that is specific to the needs of our district. So, I think I think there's yes, make the state make us and every other board in the state make a policy, but I think we're highly capable of doing that. Um, so I look forward to that resolution. Um, what I would really like to say is is that um all of that is less urgent than a number of other things and it feels deeply distracting. >> Yep. >> Um, I've been spending time worrying about data privacy of our students in our community. It's something that I was relieved to hear our district takes a number of actions on that are very explicit. I'm
089not confident that's true for all districts in our state and I'm also not confident that's true for every single um you know contract or or vendor that that comes into our circles. And so like that's something that's more urgent to me. This issue of uh property tax reform yesterday is something that's more urgent to me because that's actually money that goes to funding teachers and funding issues. So I I I think that cell phones have been around for a long time. they're not as urgent as the things that are threatening public education right now. Full stop. That said, um our school district is doing great. I was really pumped about the level of engagement we saw in those community meetings. Some of the comments and the insights provided by members of our community and those
090conversations were truly um wonderful and it showed a level of engagement and passion and care um mirrored both by the but the people listening from our administrative side as well as by the parents who were in those rooms. So that was a gift and I was delighted and grateful for that gift. >> Thank you, Mr. Good. >> I'll just congratulate our guests again um on the awards they received. I think that is time well spent in our board meetings. Um and uh I I always find uh find it a great use of time. So thank you. >> Thank you. Could I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Meeting adjourned.