001Miss Reese, would you take the attendance, please? Thank you. >> Mr. William Brun, >> uh, here. >> Mr. Donald Carpenter, >> here. >> Mrs. Vivian Demco, >> present. >> Mr. Cedric Demar, >> here. >> Dr. Laurel Ericson Parsons. >> My understanding is she is coming. So, you could note the time she arrives then. Well, thank you. Mrs. Megan Lmanino >> here. >> Dr. Shim Pax, >> I'm present. >> Mr. J. Santos. >> And Dr. J. Christian Tattoo. >> Here. >> Do I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> So move. Brun. >> Second. >> Any discussion, comments? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Announcement of executive session this evening to discuss personnel expulsion and special education due process legal update. May I have a motion to approve the
002minutes of May 12th? >> So moved. Lingino. >> Second. Datmar. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Recognition. Hi, >> good evening everyone. We're back. >> Y >> Sen Valley Middle School's IT team uh well represented us at the What's So Cool About Manufacturing State Competition and I have for uh the board this evening the presentation of their uh formal award. Uh to my knowledge, this is only the second time that Sen Valley Middle School has made it two states and the first time we have placed. So taking second place uh out of the entire state of Pennsylvania is pretty remarkable. So with permission, I'd like to present. >> Sure. >> Playing tonight's meeting. >> Awesome. >> And I believe the adviser, Miss Lesnie, has few
003remarks. Thank you very much. >> Good evening. Um, I came with some great news again. Um, on May 13th, we went out to Harrisburg and competed against 21 other top videos from across the state for the manufacturing contest. We won second place and the day was absolutely amazing. um but not as amazing as the kids I got to work with on this project. Please help me in congratulating the following students for their hard work. Jacob Thompson, Samantha McCarthy, Elanor Wckler, Jethro Yardley, Aean Wood, Micah Gil, Andrew Roberts, and Beverly Wood. >> Thank you. I'd just like to make a few comments. I had the opportunity to attend the ceremony. It was very exciting and I must say I was very proud to be there as a representative of Sulen Valley. Um, your students, the children
004presented themselves professionally, dressed professionally, acted appropriately. I was very proud to be part of that group except for, you know, getting hit by the beach ball. I'm not sure what that what that was all about. No, I'm kidding. >> Tell you one funny thing. We um we were so excited and it came up to second place and all of a sudden they said Sakun Valley and we didn't know it was us at first. So, we're just sitting there and everybody's like, "Sny, I think it's I think that's us." And then they said, "Crayola and then we all cheered." >> Yes, it was um I was very proud of all the students and second place is impressive. How many schools participated in the state? Do you know? >> I'm not quite sure how many participated across
005the state. I know that our local competition was like 29 and then um at states it's from all the way up from Eerie down to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. So it was um I think there was three counties that weren't represented. >> Right. Yeah, it's impressive. Very impressive. And I especially liked when the Coriola people were there and the lady was just laughing. one of their executives was there and she was really having a great time watching the kids float in the liquid crayons and things like that. So, excellent job everyone. Excellent. >> Thank you. We still have homework tomorrow. So you're agree to leave. But before you do leave, I would get that picture out in the hallway with the whole group. That's okay. >> Could they stay for the next recognition and then leave?
006We have another recognition. It wasn't on the agenda. So um I'd like to have them experience the next recognition as well. Thank you. >> First of all, thank you for staying middle school. I love the audience. So appreciate that. Recognizing our high schoolers, uh, tonight is with distinct pleasure to introduce our not Sakun, but Saken Valley High School environ Kimberly Merch could not make it tonight, so I'm representing her, but I know how proud and fond she is of these students involved in the program and how hard they work. Uh, these students represent Saken Valley and all of Northampton County exceptionally well at the state competition held in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania this month. During the competition, they demonstrated excellent team, exceptional teamwork, dedication, and environmental knowledge across five challenging competition areas: forestry, wildlife, aquatics, soils, and
007current issues. The team earned third place in forestry, second place in soils, and an impressive third place overall out of 64 competing teams from Pennsylvania's 67 counties. It must be the same three counties that participated in the other competition. I'm assuming they're probably large county school districts that don't have a team or representative. So, uh, each student took home a $500 scholarship for their achievement. Uh, in addition, we have certificates of recognition for each of you. But before that, uh, you know, you should be very proud of your accomplishments, which we all are. And I'm gonna open the floor to Captain Stan Goodusian. Okay. Thank you for that. I'm trying my best. And just to make some remarks about the team before I award the certificates. Stan, >> good evening. Uh I don't have a
008lot to say. I just want to say congratulate these guys. We tried really hard this year. We got first at counties for the third year in a row now. And then we made it to states again. And while the first time around we uh someone miscored our category so we got what was it 10th overall and then they came back to us and said we got third. So that was a great a great fix and I just want to say thank you to the these guys and thank you to Miss Merz because she's been a great adviser and it's been really fun and I'm sure it'll carry on legacy. So please spread the word about it because not a lot of people know about it. >> Thank you. >> Excellent. Well, this will help. Thank
009you. >> I had originally been texted by uh Mrs. Mertz and thought it was like a calculation error or a math error, but it was not. It was a misinterpretation of someone's writing. Like when they wrote down the score, they didn't have very good uh penmanship and that's what screwed it up. So it wasn't calculation. English teachers, it was writing. So >> was it incursive? Just >> just ask why we word process. They step upon Jacob here. Kyle, Ryan, Navar, and this is for Mrs. Mertz. And uh Ryan, thank you for the helping me with the name. I appreciate that. So, thank you very much everyone. appreciate that and congratulations to uh everyone including the middle school students and if we could get a picture out in the hallway that would be great as well.
010So, thank you very much. >> Thank you for your involvement in that. Appreciate it. Okay, thank you for coming. There we go. All right, we're ready. Thank you. soccer and girls lacrosse made it to the district championship for the first time since 2021 after beating Northwestern in semis and got second place in district 11 doubleA. Um Environ team competed in the state competition where the team uh placed third in forestry, second in soils, and third overall. Uh, Gadio Huertz finished top 20 in states for Sen Valley track and field. Baseball is off to the district 11 championship tomorrow at the sales after beating Jim Thorp yesterday. This past weekend, Sen Valley musicians travel to Hershey to compete in various performances. Sam Van Norman and Tess Winganger were honored at the 40th annual Elmer Gates Enterprise
011Awards celebrating their technical education for academic achievement, community service, entrepreneurship, spirit, and involvement in Skills USA. Keystones finished up last week and to celebrate, the Friends of Rachel Club hosted a fun day for the high schoolers where games, water balloons, and snacks were available on a nice hot day. Graduation for the class of 2026 is being held on Friday, June 5th in the stadium. The senior class just voted for their faculty and student elected speakers. Also to celebrate, the class of 2026 will be having their senior sunset tomorrow. And on Thursday, we'll be having their senior awards ceremony. SGA elections are happening for underassmen right now. And we will soon find out who will be coming and giving the uh student representative reports for next year. Um, as we wrap up, students are getting ready
012for final exams, locker cleanout, and yearbook distribution, which will be happening over the next weeks. And then, um, this past week, um, the theater department also traveled to the Freddy's where we had multiple nominees. >> Thank you. >> Awesome. A lot of things going on, a lot of awards. >> It's a busy time of the year. Any questions? >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Congratulations to everyone. >> It's our last one. Is this it? Is this it? >> Was that your last one? >> Last one, right? >> Okay. >> Thank you. If not, thank you. Seeing no presentation, superintendent report. >> All right. Courtesy of the floor for the visitors. Um, presentation of the bills. Um, can I have a motion to approve the bills? Presentation of the bills. >> So moved. Datmar. >> Any discussion?
013>> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. We have the treasures report. Um, do I have a motion to approve the treasures report? >> So move. Demar. >> Second. Lino. >> Any discussion? Hearing none. Um, all those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. Committee reports. We actually have no committee reports. Would anyone like to add anything verbally? Okay, we will move on. Um, any u no unfinished business? New business. We have an expulsion waiver. um approved the expulsion waiver for student um number 1374977551. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. Datmar >> second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. Next on personnel, um we have one uh two, three, four. Did anybody want any of
014those pulled off separately? Hearing not. Um number one, we have marching band instructors listed. Number two, um, approved Robert Fry for a stipen in the amount of $5,000 for facility supervision from May 18th to June 6th. We have athletic coaches for boys soccer, football, girls volleyball, girls soccer, wrestling, and we have a family medical leave act um, and for intermittent leave. Um, do I have a motion? >> So move Brun second. Lemonino. >> Any discussion? Thank you. Thank you to all our coaches and volunteers for the music the marching band. >> Thank you. >> Um all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. Facility. We have no agenda items. Finance. Um Dave, is there any update on I know you indicated in our agenda meeting there um with that contract for
015all the stadium work? >> Uh yes, I reached out to the company. Um the contract is back with um the socialist firm. Um I did reach out, they did check and with this late in the game, they they will not be able to complete the whole project this summer. Their suggestion would be to sign the contract, do a portion of it this summer, and then finish the project for next summer. So, their thought would be if you did the roofing project and some of the masonary work this summer, um, and then do the second part of it for next summer, which then would be build in the 2728 school year, is what they were thinking. >> Could I can I make a motion that we do that? Um, I I would I'm hearing this for
016the first time, so I'd ra I'd like to talk to Dave about it. I would not make a motion like that. I I think if this is something that the board wants to do, we could bring that forward at the at the next meeting, have it as a as an agenda item for for consideration. >> I'd like to withdraw my motions. Just so you're aware, the what would probably get build would be about 152,000 for 2627 school year and then the remainder uh around 400 um and 30,000 would be the the following year. >> Just just a clarific we the board approved the contract. It doesn't really matter when we bill it, does it? >> I think the the it was approved subject to final review of our of our office. So if we're going
017to build in this type of a a timetable arrangement with regard to the contract. I think all right the board would have to do is is just see the final contract authorized the money. Uh the fact that it's spread over two fiscal years is kind of irrelevant to what you've authorized and you've authorized the money. So let me talk to to Mr. Bonenburgger and it may be a situation where we can address this just through contract without further action. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I have I have a question. Um, will the part that they're going to do this year stop the leaks? >> What they would do is they would concentrate on the worst parts of the leaks at this point is what they would do because that was one of my concerns is
018yes, you're going to take care of the roof, but what about the leaks? They would concentrate on the major areas that are causing the worst leaks to get that taken care of uh for this year. >> Great. Thank you. >> Any other comments? Okay. All right. So we'll wait to see how that proceeds. Um we have two agreements. New sorry schools education services amendment and agreement and amendment and Melmark agreement. Do I have a motion? >> So move that. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Hearing none opposed. Um community updates. Um, Helertown Lower Saken Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Santos is not here this evening. Um, foundation. >> I am online. >> Oh. Oh, sorry. I apologize. >> No, no worries. Uh, we don't have any updates
019just yet. There will be another meeting uh in June. So, I'll be able to provide an update then. >> Thank you very much. Dr. Par Ericson Parsons. Okay. Um, Susan is not here this evening. Bethlehem area road. We don't we didn't have a meeting since. Right, Cedric? No, >> that's right. Our meeting's next week. >> All right. Colonial Media Colonial Intermediate Unit, Dr. Pex. >> No updates. >> PSBA to honor Jay and or Jay. >> I have nothing new today. >> Mr. Same here. Nothing new for to report. >> Okay. Um, Sen Valley Partnership, Mr. Brun or Mr. Yeah, I I definitely have something, >> please. So we, you know, we don't really have a I mean this is the time to talk about something like this, but um so we're there's sort of a
020some predecisional um discussions going on um about uh you know different initiatives that we can kind of move forward with um for the at least for the part that um I'm liazison is on two which is the for the Helertown Burough um and the the district. And so I just wanted to, you know, briefly mention that I I'd had a I think a really exciting conversation with um Helertown Burough Counselor U. Larry O'Donnell and um he's he's very interested in creating um you know a context for u basically um supporting things like literacy and community engagement among our younger students. And um so one idea that's been floated and um uh and this is again preddecisional and and this is the the kind of thing that I you know that I foresee needing to involve
021uh discussion with um uh the superintendent probably um uh principal Bra uh probably uh Bob Fry um and uh one idea that I think has come up that that people seem pretty excited about is like for fourth graders or or fifth graders have been discussed doing a a kind of um um like a Sen Valley uh passport. Um, and what this is would be for um, you know, especially like let's say fourth graders, uh, they would do things like check out a library book or from the Helertown Public Library, you know, um, or, uh, attend something like, I don't know, something, clean up something from the the rail trail, pick up, you know, a gummy bear packet from the rail trail or something, throw it away. Um, but they would get essentially kind of a
022stamp book and maybe there would be some partnerships with uh local nonprofits or even some businesses. Um, and it would be like the kind of thing that would go over the the course of an entire year and it maybe at the end there could be some way of rewarding students. The idea is trying to um help students um get more engaged with the municipalities, you know, and there are a lot of really great cultural organizations in the in the um Sen Valley and um it seems like there'd be perhaps a way to do this. It would be really very inexpensive, you know. Um so that's all for now. like um the one thing I I I do want to mention that's a more serious thing is is I think um you know one thing that
023um uh that I heard is that I think there's hesitancy and I don't want to speak for them but hesitancy on the part of like the Howardtown Burough Council to really uh kind of dredge up the Sen Valley partnership itself like they they would rather see and and again I'm not going to speak for them but this is what I I heard is um they would rather see maybe a new vehicle like something that isn't the partnership because there's some there was some baggage there um uh there was you know obviously conflict between the municipalities and um and not so much with the district but with the municipalities between themselves and um I think that the Sen Valley partnership seems like something that's been sort of more abund and they're not really seeing it as
024like a positive kind of vehicle. these days. Um, and this could be something completely new and I know that we reactivated sort of our Sen Valley partnership liaison, but I mean this is really just a nominal thing, you know, I mean um, uh, changing the name or, you know, maybe coming up with something that's a little more connected to cultural engagement. Um, um, and um, you know, so so that's something that I think uh, would end up being something we'd have to talk to talk to with on the board. Um, but I guess I'm inclined more to, you know, first of all, we got to hear from Jay, too. And I'm sure he's going to have something that he wants to say that involves the um the township. Um, so that's kind of where things
025stand right now. You know, does anybody have any questions? >> Jay, did you want >> I I have a question. Uh are there are there like bylaws to this partnership that that would be some that would be part of the like issue or is it literally just the name that's like well I think it's not clear. Um yeah I I I couldn't answer that to be honest with you. Um uh but I mean I guess I would encourage you to reach out directly to people on the burough council. Um, I'm sure Larry O'Donnell would be really happy to talk to you about that. Um, um, you know, but my sense is that they see it as kind of like a a big kind of u sort of a dinosaur that doesn't really apply to this
026kind of thing. And it was, you know, um, and they would they they feel like it should be some there should be something new, you know. So that's and maybe it is just the name. Maybe it is just that. Attorney Fitzgerald, um, when we said we were going to elect people to this, you said, "Well, it's already an existing group. Does that change if they change their, you know, bylaws, if they I'm not I'm not sure about all the details about. >> I'd have to see the bylaw. If there are bylaws, >> if there are I can tell you just >> I know that the partnership has existed for generations, but I I don't think I've ever seen any bylaws. So, if they exist, let's start there. >> Yeah. If that's something that they even
027want to do, we can always find a new name. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Let him go. >> Go ahead, Mr. Santos. >> Apologies there. I I would agree with you, Bill. If there's um you know, hesitancy to re-engage with Sulen due to the name, then I'm sure that we can certainly change the name to you know, whatever is appropriate. Um given that there are different election cycles frequently, I'm sure and hope that uh whatever what going on before has either been rectified or can be alleviated with the the new folks on the council. >> Thank you, >> Attorney Fitzger. >> I just want a completely separate topic, but I think certainly material for uh this board and and and future budgets. Uh a pretty significant case came down from the PA Supreme Court um
028about a week ago surrounding the ability for districts to initiate uh essentially reverse appeals. Um as we know taxpayers can bring by August 1st of of each year an appeal on what they believe to be overassessed property that they own. um districts including Sen Valley have have policies in place that allow the tax authority to to identify what we believe to be under assessed properties and initiate our own appeals. Well, a a a um condominium owner in Chester County brought a lawsuit against the Downey School District saying it's a violation of the PA Constitution, the uniformity clause, and that they were really just targeting commercial properties. Uh the case has meandered through the the state courts for years. The Commonwealth Court actually found against the school district's ability to initiate uh these appeals, but the
029Supreme Court last week said, "No, it is constitutional." The criteria that Sen Valley uses and in this instance, Downing Town, was found not to be discriminatory was found to adhere to the uniformity clause and and would allow uh future districts uh to continue to use um such a policy if they identify uh properties under the policy to be under assessed. So, that was a good news report from the Supreme Court. >> Thank you. Um there were no board director initiated items. Citizens inquiry and comments. >> Ma'am, nothing please. >> She said no. Any board comments? Hearing none. Announcements. Uh, we have a meeting June 9th at 7:00 right