001like to call this meeting to order. Will everyone please rise for a moment of silence? Pledge of Allegiance. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Like to thank everyone for coming this evening. There's a log in the front. If you haven't done so, please sign in. You have anything in particular that you would like to bring to the board's attention, please also write that down. If at any time during the meeting you would like to mention something on an agenda item, please raise your hand to be recognized after uh normal business. There's also time for public comment where you can bring up additional issues. This meeting is being recorded. I'll also
002announce there was an executive session conducted prior to the meeting to discuss personnel matters. With that roll call, please >> here. >> Michael Hes here. Rea Hoffman >> here. >> Cecilia Hull >> here. >> Jason C here. >> Jeremiah Light here. Dennis Udishious >> here. Daniel Woomer >> here. Laurel Ziggler >> here. >> Olivia Plus >> here. >> Lindseay Schmack here. >> All right. Thank you. Uh, first item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes. I'd like a motion to approve the August 18th, 2025 school board meeting. >> So, move. >> Any questions or comments? >> M. We have a roll call to approve those meeting minutes, please. >> Aaron Angel, >> yes. >> Michael Pes, yes. Rea Hoffman, >> yes. Cecilia Holt, >> yes. >> Jeremiah Light, >> yes. >> Dennis Yudishious,
003>> yes. >> Daniel Wisner, >> yes. >> Laurel Ziggler, >> yes. >> Jason C, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Uh, forest communications and reports, your superintendent report. >> Mr. C, Dr. Myers superintendent report here for September 8th, 2025. It's been a few weeks since we have been here, so we had the exciting start to school. It was just a wonderful two weeks really leading up to today of having students back in the building. Um, you know, one of my favorite moments from the beginning of the school year was waiting at the uh dismissal bus line at Clifton Elementary School on Thursday of the first week of school and how excited the students, you know, going student by student. How was your week? It was great. What was your favorite part? It's always my teacher at
004the elementary level. It's just been incredible experience. They were not just excited to go home for a 4 day weekend. They that's the secondary line to go to secondary schools, but in the elementary they were just excited because they had a great week and it's always their favorite part with their teacher. Um, sometimes the answer was like, "Oh, me and my friends." But usually it's their teachers. So, I'd like to thank all of our families. Obviously, our teachers and staff brought a great spark to the school year. Just a variety of good news. Um, didn't see a report. We we had um US News and World Report ranked Cook Center High School in number one high school in Burks County. Um, those ranking number one in Burks County, number 66 in Pennsylvania. The performance indicators
005are percentage of students taking an AP exam, percentage passed at least one AP exam, math, reading, and science proficiency, and graduation rate. They have a few metrics they put they combine together for those pieces to compare all high schools in the country. Um, and very proud of our rehearsal high school for being named the top high school in Burks County from US News and World Report. We teach boys soccer had their teacher appreciation night the other evening. This is always a fun time that um many of our sports get to participate in what they call their teacher appreciation night and on the field they can recognize a adult who in the school community who had had a major impact on them. Um a few of our staff members um who are involved Mr. Brad Lazoto
006as a former soccer coach of a player was recognized. Mr. Mr. Hoffman, a teacher at BCTC, recognized Mr. Hadley, Mr. Bricker, Mr. Dietrich from BCTC, Mr. Null, Mrs. Lidensburgger, and Mr. Beran all recognized that evening in addition to Mr. Simmons who was unable to make it. Um, whether it's no matter the sport, it's just a wonderful event where having students get an opportunity. You know, I talk about these elementary students saying how their teacher was the best part of their day. This is a unique opportunity where our high school students get to recognize someone who's had a significant impact on them. So, congratulations to all teachers being recognized and um just congratulations to students for taking that initiative to recognize an adult in their life. Two Fridays ago on the first home football game, we
007had our second annual champions night where district champions from the previous school year were recognized on the field. Uh we had champions back from 2024 25 in track and field. We had Clara Engel who was district three champion in the long and triple jump. We had Jimmy Underuffler came back after graduating last year to be recognized as a district champion in the triple jump. the entire softball team, which has their picture on the next slide, was a came back, including the four seniors, came back to be recognized um for their district championship and Haven Fedley was unable to make it that evening to be recognized for her district championship in the 100 butterfly. Um the as you see, the entire softball team was there with a great culture. Um to have your four senior leaders
008who are now freshman in college come back to celebrate with their team and coaches. Congratulations to all. Um in addition then you know when appropriate because we every district champion that gets a banner in our gymnasium. So when those banner when that banner is hung um they will be welcomed back as well. The banners get hung at different times because as you can see from that list um you know we have uh students who still have an opportunity to earn more district champions. So we wouldn't want to wouldn't want to short them on the banner before their graduation. So, congratulations to all and just a great night in the state room. And the last piece is a little announcement be putting out to um our community, our community. Um this is something I'd mentioned at
009a committee meeting. Um we'll be hosting a series of community forums just to discuss, you know, what I think is the most important topic to us and our students today. um attention AI and learning helping students thrive in a distracted world. Uh the first of those meetings is going to be on Tuesday, September 23rd here uh in the high school library uh following the Kutztown Strong board meeting. This is a partnership with KZtown Strong as their mission is to help students thrive in uh as growing young people in in our community. some of the it's an open discussion for all parents, staff, community members and the idea is to develop a collective understanding of the current issues related to our students in this this realm. Just two topics of discussion how technology platforms are designed
010to hold our attention. Um and then how to assist our students to value their attention and focus um in a world that is constantly more and more distracted. I think creating a sense of value around attention and focus the most kind of important first step for us all. So I welcome anyone who wants to join to come. Obviously, I'll have um a structure to the evening, but the intent is to have an open conversation to have dialogue between parents, school administration, community. That's our good news. The announcement. >> All right. Thank you. >> Next on the agenda is the student representative Olivia. >> Um I actually uh so a student came to me recently about uh concerning the fish tank and the fish tank lobby. So, we'll see some improvements from that soon. Um, that
011was my first act, I guess, as student board representative. Uh, that's all I really have. School hasn't really >> What's the issue with the fish? >> There's nothing wrong with them really. >> Yeah. >> Um, but a student came to me and he has like a lot of background knowledge with fish and fresh water. Like, he wanted to major in that in college. He's only a freshman, but um, I can tell he's really passionate about it. So, I was like, I met with Dr. flicker and I think we're going to make it happen. So, >> excellent. Thank you. >> Going to be the fisherman. What's that? >> This kid's going to be the fisherman. >> Well, we already have some as as uh when we we met and discussed this briefly. Um we have some
012staff members from the evening custodial crew have strong background in managing the fish tank. So, they obviously take care of it during the evening. And I think collaborating with a student who has this interest is going to be a great way to improve it. the fish tank lobby. This the high school has its series of entry points. You know, the main office, obviously the main office, we have the auditorium lobby where we see our large groups of people. But on a daily basis, um so to take a step back, um the high school has initiated an attendance protocol that's a little bit different this year, what's called on time, where the students come in and they can swipe their badge that indicates they are in attendance school and then an automatic notification can go out
013to their parents. Why is that relevant to the fish tank? Um because as we learned more about the system, we identified that, you know, all students have to be assigned the um a one location that they're going to enter. So, you know, one it was like, wow, can we do this? And as we stepped back, it was well 95% of students go through the fish tank lobby at some point before going to home. You know, so that is our entry point into the high school for our students. It might not be for everybody else, you know, throughout the time, but for our students, that is the entry point. It's the focal point. So taking pride in it and really trying to um you know bring additional life to the fish tank is going to be
014an exciting opportunity to to take that student voice and make it happen. Thank you. Very good. Thank you. >> Next on the agenda then is public comment on agenda items. Uh there's no one signed up here for comment on agenda items. Dr. Myers, anyone? No. Thank you. We can get right into new business. A is personnel. Is the recommendation of the administration that the board of school directors approve the following personnel item 1 through seven are listed. Uh do we have a motion? >> So move please. >> Motion on a second. Any questions or comments? All right then is a roll call vote to approve personnel. >> Michael H. Yes. Dman. Yes. >> Cecilia Holt. >> Yes. >> Jeremiah Light. >> Yes. >> Dennisy Dishes. >> Yes. >> Daniel Whismer. >> Yes. >> Laurel Ziggler.
015>> Yes. >> Aaron Angle. >> Yes. >> Jason Cox. >> Yes. Motion carries. All personnel are approved pending to receipt of all mandated credentials. B is policy maintenance. We can take one and two separately here. And we'll start with policy 008. Organizational chart. It is recommendation of the policy and curriculum committee that the board of school directors approve the following policies for second reading and adoption. The first one is policy 008 organizational chart. Do we have a motion? >> So move >> second motion. Any second? Any questions or comments? All right then. Mr. Hus, please Hoffman. >> Yes. >> Cecilia Hull. >> Yes. >> J sorry. Jeremiah Light. >> Yes. >> Dennisy Dishes. >> Yes. >> Daniel Wisner. >> Yes. >> Laurel Ziggler. Yes. >> Aaron Agel. >> Yes. >> Michael Hes. Yes. Jason Cuck.
016>> Yes. Motion carries. And then to follow that, I'd be looking for a motion to approve the second reading of policy 006.1 attendance at meetings via electronic communications. >> So movement. >> Questions or comments? >> Um, roll call, please. Mr. >> Uh, Rea Hoffman. >> Yes. Cecilia Hall, >> no. >> Jeremiah Light, >> yes. >> Dennis Dishes, >> yes. >> Daniel Whismer, >> yes. >> Laurel Ziggler, >> no. >> Aaron Angel, >> yes. >> Michael Hess, no. >> Jason Cup, >> yes. Motion carries. C is the Conrad Seagull agreement. It is a recommendation of the administration that the board of school directors approve the agreement with Conrad Seagull to provide assistance with reporting related to the affordable care act for the 202526 school year and no rate change from the prior year for the attached.
017Do we have a motion? >> Move. Sorry. >> Take a second. >> You'll take second. >> Sure. >> Questions or comments on this agreement? >> Mr. West, please. >> Cecilia. Yes. >> Jeremiah Lake. >> Yes. >> Dennis Dishes. >> Yes. >> Daniel Whismer. >> Yes. >> Laurel Ziggler. >> Yes. >> Aaron Angel. >> Yes. >> Michael Hes. Yes. Rea Hoffman. >> Yes. >> Jason C. >> Yes. Motion carries. D is the ripple speech services agreement. Is the recommendation of the administration that the board of school directors approve the ripple speech services independent contractor agreement for the attached. Do we have a motion? >> Some move. Yes. Second. Any questions or comments? >> It's a a contract to for several years now, we've needed a small amount in terms of FTE of additional support and speech
018therapy. So, this contract has served that need, which is the equivalent of approximately onethird of a case load. Correct. >> Thank you, Mr. H. I don't think there's any other questions. So, uh I roll call. >> Okay. Thank you, Jeremiah. >> Yes. Dishes. Yes. >> Daniel Whisperer. >> Yes. >> Laurel Ziggler. >> Yes. >> Aaron. >> Yes. >> Michael Hes. Yes. Rea Hoffman. >> Yes. >> Cecilia Hall. >> Yes. >> Jason Cox. >> Yes. Motion carries. E is donations. Recommendation of the administration of the board of school directors accept with gratitude donations from the following. The first is a donation from Rita's Italian ice. The second is a donation from the quality shop. Third a donation from the bagel bar cafe. and the fourth a donation from Burger King. Believe that we can take all
019of these together. Um so be looking for a motion to Can we take number one? >> Sure. Then we'll start with number one. Uh so be looking for a motion to accept the donation from Marita's Italian ice at 200 free small ice cube box to consent area high school for attendance awareness month. Second half a motion and a second. Any questions or comments from that? Thank you to Rita for making that donation. >> Oh, yeah. Sorry. >> Dennis Dishious. >> Daniel Whismer. >> Yes. >> Laurel Ziggler. >> Yes. >> Aaron Angel. >> Yes. >> Michael Hess. Yes. Hoffman. >> Yes. >> Cecilia Hall. >> Yes. >> Jeremiah Light. >> Yes. Jason Cuck. >> Yes. Motion carries. And then we'd be looking for a motion to accept donations two through four. So move dishes. Second. Thank
020you. Questions, comments on the next three donations. I just want to say on behalf of Mrs. Brown at the high school who coordinates uh attendance awareness month and she's grateful to all of these to all these donors. You know, we have three great locallyowned businesses and locally managed business in Burger King that have have been very supportive of programs like this. Great job. >> Yes. Thank you very much. >> Uh Mr. Wildish, >> yes. >> Daniel Whismer, >> yes. >> Laurel Ziggler, >> yes. >> Aaron Angle, >> yes. >> Michael Hess, yes. Rea Hoffman, >> yes. >> Cecilia Holt, >> yes. >> Jeremiah Light, >> yes. >> Jason Cup, >> yes. F is the wrestling mat. It is the recommendation of the extracurricular committee that the board of school directors approve the purchase of a
021replacement wrestling mat at Ktown Area Middle School from Resolite Mac Company for the attached. The Ktown Mac Club has committed to donate $14,000 toward the purchase over the next four years. Do we have a motion? >> So move light second way. Motion second. Uh questions or comments? I'd just like to to to state our appreciation to the Mac Club um for the generous donation and their um their their willingness to to take care of their program and their and their student athletes. This, you know, we look at that program again, it's it's a great partnership that it's K through 12. The official part of the program that is the school districts is 7 through 12. Um but for all of our district community students that partnership is essential and um as as discussed at committee
022meeting ensuring that we have upto-date mats is really essential to safety just having students in that winter they are on mats every night obviously it's using mats um presents safety issues if they're not updated soon enough so thank you to the map level for their installation. What happens to the old map and can it be sold? >> Uh, we can definitely try to sell it on um >> municip um you know that's certainly an option that we have. I think you'll see them sold and I think what's often happens those scenarios is people buy them wings or things of that nature at home. That's what we are. >> It's um so I mean I don't know what the going rate is for 20 year old addressing that but probably won't get much >> if you
023don't have to pay to dispose of it. I think it's probably >> heavy Mr. >> Daniel Whismer. >> Yes. >> Laurel Sigler. >> Yes. >> Aaron Angle. >> Yes. Michael Hess, yes. Rea, >> yes. >> Cecilia Hull, >> yes. >> Jeremiah Light, >> yes. Dennis Dishes, >> yes. Jason C, >> yes. Motion carries. G is a conference request that is a recommendation of the administration of the board of school directors approved the request for employee 805 to attend the Orton Gillingham Plus virtual training on September 15, 2025 through September 26, 2025 virtually at a cost of $1,750. Do we have a motion? So back in >> questions or comments or Gillian is a literacy program we have many of our special education teachers trained in where they can diagnose and prescribe learning plans for students
024with certain learning disabilities. >> Thank you Mr. address roll please. >> Laurel Ziggler, >> yes. >> Aaron Angel, >> yes. >> Michael H. Yes. Hoffman, >> yes. >> Cecilia Hulk, >> yes. >> Jeremiah, >> yes. >> Dennis, yes. >> Daniel Whismer, >> yes. Jason C, >> yes. Motion carries. >> H is the Germany trip for 2027. Is the recommendation of the administration that the board of school directors approve to the high school trip to Germany in the summer of 2027 at an approximate student cost of $4,000. The school district will not incur any costs for the trip. We have a motion. So move pass. >> Second ziggler. >> Questions or comments? >> This is a great opportunity our students be able to participate in um you know thank you to Mr. Hadley because without him
025this wouldn't continue where it's it's that wonderful reciprocal process of having students from another country visit us and we can learn from them in our setting and vice versa. So again, thank you to the adults that make it happen as always. >> Excellent. Thank you, Mr. Holtter. >> Aaron Angel, >> yes. >> Michael Hes, >> yes. Rea Hoffman, >> yes. >> Cecilia Holt, >> yes. >> Jeremiah Lake, >> yes. >> Dennis Dishes, >> yes. >> Daniel Whismer, >> yes. >> Laurel Ziggler, >> yes. >> Jason Cup, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> I is the exchange program visit. It is the recommendation of the administration that the board of school directors approve an exchange program visit from the residents of Castle Germany in the spring of 2026. Students from George Kristoff Likenberg gymnasium will be
026staying with host families in our district school district will not incur any cost. Do we have a motion? So move tests >> second. >> Questions or comments? Is that like whole semester? No, they're only here for um about six weeks. >> Three weeks. Yeah. So, three weeks. >> Sir, please. >> Michael Hes. Yes. Hoffman. >> Yes. >> Cecilia. >> Yes. >> Jeremiah. >> Yes. >> Danny Dishes. >> Yes. >> Daniel Wner. >> Yes. >> Lar Ziggler. >> Yes. >> Aaron Angel. >> Yes. >> Jason C. >> Yes. Motion carries. J is the Burks Health Trust Representative. It is the recommendation of the administration of the board of school directors reappoint Christian as the Cook County area school district management representative on the Brooks Health Trust effective July 1st 2025. Do we have a motion and
027questions or comments? Burks Health Trust is provides a mechanism for school districts in Burks County to pull together resources to limit liability for health insurance. So we don't have wild swings based off small populations um small population claims. Um we are as every district is we have an opportunity of management representative and then labor representative which the teachers union to assign representative to them. >> Very good. Um, Mr. S. Roll call, please. >> Uh, Rea Hoffman, >> yes. >> Celia, >> yes. >> Jeremiah Lake, >> yes. >> Missy Dishes, >> yes. >> Daniel Whis, >> yes. >> Laurel Z, >> yes. >> Aaron Angel, >> yes. >> Michael Pess, yes. Jason C, >> yes. Motion carries. Okay. Is introduction of new business by board members. Is there any new business being introduced this evening? >>
028I wanted to see I know I had said something to Christian about this. Um, do you know what I'm talking about? >> I think so. >> Okay. Um, I've seen a growing number of schools um implementing like a senior parking spot and the seniors can buy a parking spot and come out and paint it. Um, I think Brandy Wine is doing that now. >> Yeah. >> Um, I didn't know if that was something you could look into. >> I would say if there's student interest in that >> there is a lot of requests. What what do they charge to buy a parking? >> We'll have to gather some information. I'm sure every district's a little bit different. I have not I drove through their parking lot recently and did not see it, but I've been
029to many other schools that you know do see that as well. >> Um I think you're charging I think it was 25 I saw and you get like a starter kit of like the primary colors of paint and like the little black and white. So I think they provide some of the paint and just $25 for the parking spot as well. I don't notice much more than that, but >> um you sound more educated than the rest of us. Very well done. >> I would just say that whether you as the student representative to the board or if you want to collaborate with student council, you know, to kind of bring that to the high school administration, you know, come up with a proposal. I think that would be the best next step. >> Okay.
030>> And then we would probably talk about a facilities meeting first. I think >> we should also get some information on the paint being used because it will damage far. >> Yeah, I think it would be very prescribed what paint. >> Yeah, sure. >> And Mr. Mr. Hoffman, I don't want to volunteer him, but I'm sure he would be willing to assist in that considering he's running his scheme over paint festival in our parking lot this year. So, um, we have plenty of resources, I think, to coordinate that, but I think if if you, you know, if you want to take it on, working on student council and kind of work with the high school administration, >> I have seen it done at other places though. So, >> yeah, it's very interesting sometimes what the
031kids like to sign. >> Oh, yeah. Well, I don't know. I don't know how they got it. >> Well, maybe 25 a quarter. >> I I definitely saw like 60 out there somewhere, but I think we can gather that information pretty easily. >> Good. Thank you. Uh, anybody else? >> I just have a question um for you or maybe um it are the changes to the SNAP regulations impacting the district though. >> I don't believe so. I'm not I'm not familiar with any impact to us. >> Well, we're still you mean the food service. >> So, we're still in the what they call the Ber period. Um, and we're still gathering. If you if somebody was eligible last year, they have until early October to reapply and have their status reevaluated. So, they maintain that
032eligibility through through September. So, we're still in that information gathering stage right now. Um, we have had a good number of uh families filling out applications. Um, but a snap would be direct certification. So, those are still coming in. Um, so we should maybe have more information in October as far as you know how that affected our members. We should know in the coming I'd love to hear an update and you know if we're seeing children facing more food insecurity >> anybody else >> I I wanted to say something about the new graduation requirements. I've been um seeing a lot of stuff online from parents that are really excited about what their kids are able to do now because we changed them. Um and you know, I reached out to a couple of these parents
033and and they're like they were like, "Yes, they were definitely impacted uh their children um are able to do more. One of them is he's taking um eyeliding lessons because he doesn't have to be here all day. So, it's it's really been cool to hear the positives. >> We're excited to definitely, you know, the intent was to create opportunity and I think, you know, for most students that's been the case. There's, you know, certainly those exceptions to that, but for most students it's and it's, as we discussed all through last fall, I think into the winter, it's it puts the determination whether or not to take advantage of that in the hands of the family. >> Great. Thank you for sharing this. >> I'll just make a comment about we still do not have a
034state budget. Um, you know, I think that is you hear about news and some of the question is how does that impact schools? While we would love to see a state budget and we want to see one with greater investments in education, we remind that we are in no threat of of um having cash flow issues because you know threearters of the school districts in Pennsylvania receive a higher percentage of their revenues from the state than we do. We're in that we're in the bottom 25% of revenues received from the state. um twothirds of districts receive more revenue per pupil than we do where you know when it comes to funding that's not a great thing when it comes to cash flow in the absence of state budget it's it's a good thing because we
035are more an autonomous district. Um that being said, we'd like to see some movement on specifically cyber charter reform. It's one of the contentious issues is my understanding. Um but that would have a substantive positive impact for all public schools. Understand common sense that that creates challenges for charter schools. I think the state needs to find alternate revenues for that rather than see disproportionate funding coming out of our our revenues which again are all primarily all local revenues here we've talked about about 28% of our revenue comes from the state on average over the last few years we are 70 plus% funded by local >> is there any projection on timeline of the cyber charter decision >> uh you know I mean I that we received a message today that you know there's it is
036still one of the greatest sticking points in that the budget discussion and just continued advocacy is necessary which I do find a little bit challenging because we you know we talked to our representatives um it can speak to Senator Schwank Representative Barton they very much know the issue I mean there's there's no they don't need any additional education on the issue they know it as well as we do um and we're grateful to have that dialogue it's just that's a big state that's only they're only one representative one senator um that I know understand is great and I'm sure most students too. It's just stupid uh you know different opinions we'll say across the common it's harder to get out of a bad system than it is to get into one accidentally. I think that's
037where we are. It's a bad system that was created accidentally before it you know became as large as it is and it's just really hard to get out. Same might be able to say for the overall funding system property tax basis but that's a larger conversation anyone else we can move on to seven which is public comment on non-aggenda items. Um Mrs. Zas are you see >> good evening. Good evening. >> I hope everybody is good and thank you for the opportunity for me to tell >> uh at this my name is Jennifer Saias. I've been living here like around three years old and I have the pleasure three no I'm sorry three years and have the pleasure to meet a lot of people in the community. They are wonderful. Today I speak not only
038as a mother. I speak also as an active member of my neighborhood but also I I am the voice for those parents who are afraid to speak especially the one who work in the school system. I come before you to express a deep concern that affect many of us the school transportation system particularly in my community highline study. Many parents myself include have a rapid voice of concerns regarding the bus stop location where our children are being picked up. and the inconsistency in the bus schedules. But beyond the incompetence, what is truly a state is that we are concerned about the safety of our children. The recent change in the bus company has raised many unanswer unanswered questions and the most important one is are a student really the top priority of the school district.
039The decision made supposedly to cut costs has a real and serious consequence. Bus drivers have quit after being stripped of their right to apply for unemployment benefit during the summer. Children are now forced to walk longer distance and way in cross dangerous roads roads and way along and out isolate areas areas where they are vulnerable not only to traffic but but also for sexful predators. Parents worried for their children's safety have had to change their address or send their childrens to relative to relatives just to make sure some is washing over them. Families have had to adjust work schedule, risk being late or even jeopardize their job. all to ensure the kids are s safe. There are also families in our community who face a even greater burden like us. Those who live in this
040day without um without any relative or extended support system. These parents are completely on their own. And now because of the change in transportations, they are being forced to handle situations that they never has to be worried about it. They have no one to rely on help to watch your children even when they have to walk to the bus stop. This isn't just a list of complaint. It is a real picture of human impact of administrative decisions made without considering the daily reality of families like mine. Even a school district employed having a set if you you guys didn't know about it. Try to balance your responsibility as a working and as as a worker and also as a parent. If we talk about road safety, the situation is alarming. The church parking lot across
041Green Wish where many parents make a line to pick up their children is more aggravated than ever before. Corines no longer stop a church. They now stretch onto the highway. Parents are exposed to the risks of accidents and some have already have near misses of being in almost involved in collisions with trucks and other vehicles. How can you expect us as a parent to believe or trust that the students are truly the the remaining focus? Trust is built through actions not to words. And right now the reality the reality we face as a family make us feel unprotect. Some of us feel unprotect on here and in many ways avenue. This is not just about the money. This is about life. This is about children about family doing the best to protect what matters most
042for us. I invite you sincerely to reflect what is it that child were your child? What if it mother or that father were you? Will will the same decision decision still be made? We want solutions. Yes. But more than that, we want empathy. We want to be here. And above all, we want to know truly that our children are the priority. Thank you for for your time and for taking a moment to really reflect on the impact of this decision are making to our families. I know many of the parents are working right now. They couldn't come over here. Some people get close to me and talk about the how they feeling. Some people get scared about talk because they they feel that they can get fired or they don't want to get in trouble.
043But I doing my part. I work also for the school system, but I'm I I doing my part because I understand that I'm a mother and I also have my right as a parent. Thank you. >> Thank you. We appreciate your coming out here to see Dr. Is there anyone online? >> Yeah, there's not. >> Theformational items are listed under eight. Nine are the upcoming public meetings and informative dates. September 15th is policy and curriculum committee meeting at 6:00 here in the high school library by Zoom. Uh followed by the facilities extracurricular committee meeting at 7 o'clock here in the library and by Zoom. September 22nd is our next monthly meeting at 7:30 here in the high school library and by Zoom. Um and uh 10 is a German. So I may be looking for
044a motion to adjourn. >> Actually before we go into adjournment, could you would you be willing to provide a quick update on the bus situation and the transportation? I know there's been there was an email that was sent out today um that I think you know would be helpful for anybody listening and certainly others contributing uh in as well. Yeah, there's I mean from the inconsistency standpoint, you know, that was the the message went out today where we um there was an attempt to be a little bit more efficient with our routes starting the school year. Um and the the way it worked as you start a school year, you have three days in the first the first three days are going to be slow all the time. So, you really don't you can't learn
045a whole lot about your route in these first three days because everything is slow. Um, last week as we evaluated some improvements, uh, there was about five buses that just were still running late either to get to the school on time or for several of the, uh, stops where people were waiting long periods of time. So, starting tomorrow, as we said in the email, you know, there's implementing some changes adding another route into essentially adding another route into all of the runs. um that changes a lot of people's I mean as many as 600 students um at least times on their buses and um to allow for ear more consistent and likely in many instances slightly earlier pickups um and then we'll evaluate that to see if we can tweak over time. But what we
046need to do first is to get to a better level of consistency so the parents know, you know, have a better range. Like we expect within those 10 minutes that they have a better range to know within that expected 10 minutes that their bus is going to be there both in the AM and PM outside of um you know what there's weather delays. There's all kinds of delays that that people can that are understandable. But yet we just need greater efficiency and consistency. Um you know that's just where we are from that standpoint. We're going to see those changes implemented tomorrow. All families who were impacted received a message this afternoon. Um they also received if they have up-to-date email information in our system. They received an email with their updated bus number, stop and
047time. I would say probably about 50 students had a change of bus actually change of bus. The others would be just slight in stop and time. Um those only address, you know, some portion of what was brought up by by our speakers this evening. But as far as those inconsistencies, we believe that we're going to see great improvement over the course of the rest of this week by adding another round. So, as far as like a general statement about the safety of bus stops, you know, we have we have many roads throughout the school district that um they're obviously heavy traffic roads. We have 222, we have old 22, we have 143 and all these different places. Um and we try to evaluate all routes to see if they meet a consistent standard that the
048others are held to and are they safe? You know, can students st stand far away from those roadways so that when the bus approaches they can then you know uh move towards the bus and you know that's really just the standard that we we have to hold ourselves to. Um it would be it'd be wonderful if we can go doortodoor but that you know that would move our times drastically. We have dozens of stops throughout the district that are you know um students coming out to the road from a community from a neighborhood and um you know as does every other school district you know doing bus routes because it's the only way that we truly efficiently do it. So um we're we're expecting significant improvements um and then we'll always look for tweaks. Um
049what families may have noticed is their times almost to a tea would have gone up um to get earlier. If we if if those times become consistent and then we can slide them back so that they're you know maybe a little bit later for students, we'll do that in future weeks. But right now we just want to get to consistency and predictability because I think that's what parents need first, you know, as far as arranging whatever situation they might they might need. And then if if a parent does have a suggestion on a specific bus stop in terms of safety or location or a recommendation on a different, you know, nearby area for a stop, who should they direct that feedback to? >> Yeah, I mean they can go to transportation department or they can
050contact me directly. Um, you know, and I know, you know, families have contacted me directly for those evaluations and driven those routes both to evaluate them just in personal vehicle and also on the bus with students. Um, but I I think it's best to contact, you know, if it's a minor change, contact transportation. If it's something you really think needs a close look um, from that safety standpoint, I think contact. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Yeah. Prior to motion for I move the dishes. >> All in favor of tournament say I