School districts must balance budgets by carefully managing revenues from local property taxes, state funding, and federal grants against expenditures for salaries, benefits, supplies, and facilities. The district presented three budget options (A21, A22, A23) with different tax millage rates, demonstrating how varying assessment methods can achieve similar tax bills while affecting individual taxpayer burdens differently. The board ultimately selected A23, which uses the lowest common level ratio between counties to equalize tax burdens across municipalities.
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LASD School Board Meeting 5/13/26 @6:30Añadido:
I'm filling in for Danielle Rekey tonight as she is uh in a work conference for all week. So, I would like to call to order the uh Leburg Area High School public work agenda setting in a board meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 7 6:36.
Please stand for the pledge of allegiance and among the saints.
>> I aliance 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.
>> Please be seated.
We have roll call, please.
>> Here.
>> Mr. Bra >> here.
>> Here.
>> Mr. Lish >> here.
>> Mr. Love >> here.
>> Mr. Paul >> here.
Mr. >> Here.
Okay, thank you. Executive session was conducted prior to the public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on May 13, 2026 in the Leburg Superintendent Office to discuss legal issues, contracts, personnel, and board relations.
And do we have any student representatives here this evening?
Please like your celebration of students, please come forward.
Hi. Um, I'm going to be talking about some of the recent events of May and the ones that are finishing off the school year. So, the first one is prom. It was May 1st at Hillrest Country Club. The snapshot of Miss Perock helped set it up and so did students who helped decorate the stage. And then the middle school and high school band concert was on May 7th. That was grades 6 through 12. And then on May 14th, tomorrow, there's a Tao and jazz band concert. That's 7 PM in the high school auditorium.
And on May 21st, is the middle school and high school choir concert, also 700 p.m. in the auditorium. And then for sports, junior high volleyball completed their season yesterday with Springdale.
And then the varsity baseball finished second in the conference and earned a five seed in the playoffs. And varsity softball has a 39-year playoff streak.
and their first round playoff game is at Gateway High School tomorrow versus Jefferson Oregon. And then we're going to have sports physicals May 28th in the athletic trainers office. And then lastly, the awards assembly is on May 29th at 8:30 in the high school auditorium.
[laughter] Any questions?
>> Thank you. Thank you.
Okay. Uh, Mr. An.
>> Okay. We have two comments on agenda items on the guidelines for the uh public comment. Uh, no personnel issues can be discussed. Uh there are a limit for each speaker of five minutes and you do have to give your name and where you reside when you before you speak.
Okay, any questions? Uh first we have Cassandra Young and she will be addressing us on transparency clarification regarding May 4th incident.
>> [snorts] >> Good evening. Uh, first I want to apologize. My allergies >> Okay, please state your name and your address first.
>> Okay, sorry. Um, Cassandra Young and I live at 101 Lincoln Avenue up on the hill. Um, I want to apologize. My allergies have been going crazy all day, so my throat's a little scratchy.
>> No problem.
>> Um, on Monday, May 4th, our 9-year-old came home from David Leech Elementary School and told us that a student on the bus had made threats involving a gun and a knife. He said that the bus was stopped, the child was removed, and the child was searched.
We learned this at approximately 4:30 that afternoon, not from the district administration, transportation staff, or law enforcement, but from our autistic 9-year-old son. As parents, I urge you to put yourselves in our position. What would you do if your child came home and reported a weapon threat on the school bus? What would you think if hours had passed and no one from the school had contacted you? Would you feel confident putting your child on the bus? the next morning. Would you feel confident that he was being protected? How would you feel sending your child back onto that bus knowing there was nothing you could do? At first, we wondered whether Kota may have misunderstood what happened. He does have autism, and due to this, he does often misinterpretate sarcasm and exaggeration. Um, it it's difficult for him. Uh, we calmly contacted the school and reached out to other parents [clears throat] to better understand the situation.
What we found was that several children had shared the same account with their families and that multiple people had already contacted the district with serious concerns. When we finally received a response on Wednesday, nearly 40 hours after the incident, we were told that no weapon had been found and the situation was simply a rumor. But that explanation does not answer questions that us parents still have. If there was no incident, why was a student escorted off the bus? Why was the bus stopped? Why was the student reportedly searched? and why was that child later removed from the bus route? Why were parents never informed that a threat had been reported in the first place, whether there was a weapon or not? The district's public statement emphasized no weapons were found, but parents are not upset simply because an item was not recovered. We are upset because children reported threats involving weapons.
Students witnessed a significant response and families were left completely in the dark. Even if the district determined there was no active danger, the fear experienced by those kids on that bus was very real. Those children were scared and so were us parents. The district silence only intensified those fears. Transparency after social media pressure is not the same as proactive communication. And I want to repeat that transparency after social media pressure is not the same as proactive communication. Referring to parents concerns as a false narrative in rumors does not rebuild trust. timely communication, accountability and transparency do. As parents, we are asking not asking for gossip. We are not asking for panic or drama. We are asking for the most basic expectation that any parent that sends their child into this school should have safety, transparency, and communication. Right now, many parents are questioning whether the safety of our child and our children are truly being prioritized. When reports involving possible weapons and threats are not communicated promptly and clearly, trust in the district's ability to protect our children begins to erode.
If the district is concerned about families leaving traditional public schools, it may be time to look inward.
When our family was considering a move to this area, many people advise us against choosing this district. Despite those warnings, we continue to choose to move to this beautiful town because of its strong sense of connection and support. And that sense of community is unlike anything I've experienced elsewhere. But over the last six months, I have began to seriously wonder whether we made the right choice or not. And as a parent, that's hard. Our children deserve to feel safe on their buses and in their classrooms and throughout the district. Parents deserve to know that every threat, whether confirmed, suspected, or ultimately disproven, will be taken seriously and communicated responsibly. That is all for tonight.
Thank you.
>> Can I follow up? and I appreciate you here and I apologize just like as I did everybody else uh that didn't meet the expectations of some of our residents on the communication. Are there any other incidents in the last six months that you stated that goes on? I I understand this one. Was there something else that went on the last six months that >> Absolutely. We actually pulled our oldest son out of school due to bullying. Um there was severe uh bullying for him for the first let's see we moved here in September. We pulled him in December. Uh so those entire months he was being harassed by the other children. Um and it was to the point where he had tested gifted previously at this other school and we moved here and he was getting 16%s in his class because it was like emotional warfare. He at at 12 years old he wanted to kill himself. Um we reached out to the principal I'm sure I can't think of his name right now. I apologize. um and as well as his teachers and his teachers told him that if his grades were better and if he would just pay attention to his classwork, he wouldn't have an issue.
>> But whenever there's a child behind you telling you that you're fat and stupid and no one loves you, etc., that's a little hard to do even for a 12-year-old.
>> And I apologize for that. Ask in the future if any of that comes up and you're not getting an answer, please reach out to me.
>> Absolutely.
>> On that part of it. And then just to address our incident on there, um I I will follow up with the whole community as I told them there were no threats. I do want to commend our elementary principal in our security. There was a statement made. Not a single student in the district reported it to an adult here. After we got through Monday, had that happened, I would have put a notice out on Monday. There are other pieces on that. I do apologize and I understand and we will use this to learn as we go through as a team as our admin team. But I do want to commend it when a bus driver made a statement in less than 10 seconds that student was removed, searched and and was not there. There was no weapon found on that part of it with it. But I I do want to commend that part of it that my job here is to make sure your kids are safe. I feel that we do a tremendous job of that of what we do with that. I take pride in that. I would like I wish that all schools did the same thing with that on there. So I do take that that you know we continue to do that but I I apologize communication was not where it was at.
My priority is making sure the kids were safe and they did a great job with that.
We will continue to work on the communication to make sure it's better to meet those needs on that.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Thank you, Michelle. Uh, next we have Ashley Bower and this is regarding the weapon related incident and transparency with communications. Please state your name and your address, please.
>> Good evening. I'm Ashley Bower. I live at 1211 Entry Drag West Leechburg. Good evening. My name is Ashley Bower. I'm a resident of West Leechburg. I'm a mother of a current kindergartener. I'm emotional because of what happened in listening to that. So, forgive me. But I'm [snorts] here this evening to speak in regards to that same weapon related incident on us too on May 4th. As I expect most of you are aware, I emailed each of you board members. Um I only heard back from the president, but um many details remain unclear and scattered throughout the community. What I do know is that my six-year-old saw a peer with what appeared to be a gun and looked like a gun on the bus. The bus driver reported this to school leaders as he had reason to believe that child had a knife. He was searched and a small replica gun was found. My daughter was told her father and I about the gun at dinner. I immediately emailed to make a report and never heard back until after school started the next day. Looking back, I SHOULD HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL police and placed a filed a report and this would have hopefully calmed my mind before having to place her back on that same bus before I had any answers and create an avenue for transparency.
When speaking to Mr. Comr and Dr. Keeper, I asked why parents were never alerted and I was told because no student officially reported it and they were unsure who knew about the situation and didn't want to cause alarm.
Respectfully, that lack of communication caused far greater alarm. Something clearly occurred on the bus that morning which prompted the driver while actively transporting our children and focusing on the road to recognize that there was a serious concern. Whether students informed him, whether he overheard threats or whether he personally observed something, we may never know.
But what we do know is this. If the bus driver was aware while doing his job carefully transporting our children here to school, then the children on that bus were aware as well. I know the details can't be shared and nor do I expect that. But parents should have received a simple general statement saying that there had been an incident on the bus that was thoroughly investigated. No real weapon was found and that students would be safe to return to school the next morning. That level of honesty and transparency would have eased the minds of family. I wouldn't have felt compelled to even reach out that evening. I would not be standing here tonight questioning the honesty and transparency of our district. I wouldn't be considering whether my daughters should go cyber or to another school next year. Unfortunately, the handling and the aftermath only deepened those concerns. Two days later, parents lacked unclear answers and naturally some are going to take it public. In response to Facebook, a letter was finally sent to the school communities that left families feeling that it was very vague and dismissive. To many of us, it made us feel that the students who did the right thing by speaking to a trusted adult seemed as though they had exaggerated and fabric created this situation. When I question the communication I was met with, I'm sorry the school didn't MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS WHILE ALSO STATING, "It's not their job to make everybody happy." That is correct. IT'S NOT YOUR JOB TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY. HOWEVER, it is their responsibility to create and maintain a safe, trustworthy, communicative, and transparent school. Parents want and deserve that. As an educator myself, I've always believed deeply in the value and power of a brickandmortar school.
I've never imagined sending my children elsewhere, but now I find myself looking elsewhere and deciding what I want to do because my confidence, trust, and transparency that's happens is not happening here. We need change. I'm asking you, our school board, to make that. As a parent who's only at the beginning of my children's educational journey, I respectfully ask that you consider of the few following things.
First, revise the district's act 44 policing asleep language so that parents are notified within 24 hours of any weapon related incident, including replica weapons, as many other Pennsylvania districts already do. I understand the item involved was described as a small toy gun attached to a keychain. However, real firearms can be extremely small. They can be concealed in belt buckles, keychains, and other objects. And our children are taught to treat every gun as though it is real. and my six-year-old did exactly that. Second, I want you to hold our district accountable for communication that is prompt, honest, and transparent.
I'd like to provide a few examples of local districts that did just that in the last two weeks.
Last week, Kisk Area School District notified families after a student became stuck in a railing. An ambulance responded to campus and they stated they didn't want parents to see an emergency vehicle and worry unnecessarily. They communicated proactively. Another district informed parents that an elementary student bought a replica firearm onto a school van. The item was immediately confiscated and parents were informed. The district even clarified THAT NO OTHER STUDENTS WERE EVEN ON THAT VAN THAT MORNING, but yay still chose to trans to communicate transparently.
Another local example is a district communicated to families that a community member voluntarily surrendered a box cutter at school event security checkpoint. The district explained that there was never any display, never any threat, but they still chose transparency and maintain trust with their families. I finally I ask that you please consider separate transportation accommodations for students and placement programs. And I thank you for your time and your consideration. I'm open to individual conversations with any of you at any time. I'm I want to help the school as an educator and have I have a background for 14 years as a teacher and as a principal. I've been in these situations. I know that you can't control what a child brings as much as we say don't. But it's how we handle it afterwards. That's what I'm upset about.
I'm not upset because he brought that there, although he shouldn't have. I'm upset that I had to put my teeny tiny the littlest kidney on that bus that morning and not know if the school took care of that situation. And then when they did, it wasn't clear. It wasn't transparent, and it wasn't what we deserve.
>> Thank you. and I'd like to address you as well on that part of it. I will apologize that we didn't meet where you're at on there. Um, as I will go listening to that part of that, there was no movement of bus. The bus was not driving. So, I'll be very frank that we let pieces go on confidentiality of students with that. The bus pulled up out front here. There were no issues on the bus whatsoever. The bus driver waved to Mr. Kobar while he was there. By the time it pulled up 20 feet is when we were notified of it. within 10 seconds it was handled and taken care of as I tried sharing with you on that part of it. Those are the pieces of there. Not one student reported it. Not one student reported it till we talked to you the next day.
>> Isn't it important that your bus driver reported IT?
>> THE BUS DRIVER said he heard him. We didn't go in the situation.
>> The kids heard him.
>> You don't know THAT AND I WILL DO THAT.
>> I I don't and I argue.
That's what I'm asking of you.
>> I I understand that. As I said, as a part of that though, you have information that was on there. We you were up whenever we called up to the daycare on that to let them know that it was handled as it went through. They sent a message out to their didn't even ask me about send that. So, I do apologize. We will handle these differently as we learn.
>> I'm sorry. Can you clarify what you're talking about?
>> I told you that I answered the phone at the daycare, but I didn't speak to you.
>> No, I spoke to someone else shared information.
>> There was there was a message sent out for my daughter's cardiologist appointment. We didn't if you listen there was a text message sent out >> to all the families up there. I have a copy of it that were on there about bus.
>> I will agree. I got it as a parent.
There was a text message said there was a bus incident to reach out to the school because there was a rumor circulating that it happened at the day and as she shared that as it came to me.
Yeah. That that's what created all of this which has been a learning lesson for us to go through. There were parents that were on there. I will apologize again with the information we had on Monday morning as we went through that we handled it. It was 10 seconds that was handled on that to go through and create to do that. If we had the other pieces that were there and anybody shared it with that, we 100% would have put a message out of what was going on with that. We have to be selective on where it's at with the students that are involved with what was happening on that. And we will continue to get better on that. As I said, as I just told our other parent, we will work to grow. So, if this happens tomorrow, are you telling me that you're not >> Oh, no. I'll put a message out to the community on that, BUT BUT I'M STILL GOING TO ask I understand that.
>> And I'm going to ask and it could have been and and I'm pretty >> that happened first, I wouldn't have been here tonight, as I said. And then if the followup would have been frank and honest and transparent that it wasn't a real weapon and it admitted that there was something that happened, parents wouldn't still be upset. like I contacted you back because it made my six-year-old SOUND LIKE A LIAR.
>> I I didn't say that. But it's still at this point, no adult in our district was contacted by any student that day.
And that doesn't make it justifiable of not making that communication on.
>> My six-year-old told me as her trusted adult in that same day, I reached out to Mr. Comar via email. So, I did make a report of it.
>> Okay. And that bus driver driving down the road is a district employee of some aspect and he made a report of it. And what I'm saying is if if he driving that bus heard something, saw something, witness something, >> we can assume the kids did as well.
>> And so that's why I'm asking for that letter.
>> Yeah. And all I'm asking is that please be appreciative of the safety that what my admin team did on that. I apologize.
we will do better communication. But I've heard a lot of I'm asking to thank them because there there's not many other districts would have handled that in 10 seconds and had it taken care of and that has been hidden throughout all this of all those pieces on it. That was my number one priority is student safety. We couldn't have done a better job on that piece of it. Can we do better in communication? 100%.
>> And that's where my issue is. My issue wasn't how they handled the situation.
I'm glad they searched them. I'm glad there was nothing found. Thank the Lord.
>> My issue is the communication. up and we will do better on that.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Dr. Cable. [clears throat] >> I'll be back.
>> Yep. Enjoy it.
>> Okay.
Next, we have board committee reports, air and intermediate unit report.
restored.
>> The last meeting was the um before mentioned convention meeting that was held up at the IU in Shella and I was out of town so I did not attend. So I have no report. I do have the next meeting coming up next Tuesday up at Aaron Intermediate Unit. So I will have something to report next month.
>> And they did I can add to that. We discussed that today. Um Marian Center was a school as we did in the past where we hosted it last year. They put a school on spotlight that highlighted what they were doing. They said it was a very well great turnout to be able to highlight the schools so that that way they're going to continue that. I believe Apollo's next year they're going to keep the same format for that. But everybody was appreciative of how that worked.
>> Thank you.
>> Anything else, M?
>> No.
>> Thank you. Lenipe about the report. Mr. Love Lace and Mr. Lepish. Um, Lenipy had um 341 students apply for the 26 27th school year. The award assembly and signing day will be held on May 15th.
Graduation will be held on May 22nd in the gymnasium. The doors will open at 6:15 and the graduation will start at 7:00.
>> Okay, any questions?
Okay, next we have the Armstrong County Tax Collection Committee report by myself, Mr. Brady. There still has not been a meeting. I don't think we've had a meeting in two or three years, but and one of the reasons why is we switched to a new tax collection u committee, you know, to do that about 3 four years ago. Just been running with since uh administrative reports. Dr. Borggo, >> good evening. Um, obviously we're in May. The year is winding down. So, uh, that means it's testing season. So, we finished up PSSAs a couple weeks ago.
Uh, we're in the midst of Keystone testing. Um, those are end of course tests for mostly high school, but if you're an eighth grader on kind of the, you know, accelerated track for math, um, there's an algebra test. So, we did the first two rounds. We had ELA yesterday and today along with biology.
Um, tomorrow and Friday will be algebra 1 and then next week will be makeups for students that had may have been double booked because they, you know, needed to retake bio and they were taking ELA or vice versa. So, um, we'll hopefully have those things kind of taken care of um by the middle of next week with with makeups and things of that nature. Um, also we had the uh NHS induction or inductees. So, we I'd like to congratulate our six new inductees, Jillian Bours, Sammy Cole, Adam Havjack, Joey Stonus, Jackson Vargo, and Kaylee Wel. Um, I'd like to also thank Mrs. Shank and Mrs. Trella for making the program. Um, you know, special event that evening and to recognize the newest members. Um, I will say if you're looking for somebody to light candles, don't ask those six up there. That was hard to watch and doing that was it's brutal. But, um, but they can solve calculus. So there you go. Um I'd like to congratulate also Jillian Bours um or earning her way to uh PMEA states. I believe we haven't had somebody representing us at that level since maybe 2019. It's been quite some time.
Um I'm just excited that she had that opportunity to play at that level and also represent um our school and our district um you know at that state level. So congratulations. Another congratulations um to uh Talon Mcamera.
um he is a recipient of the founders award and so what that was is the video club they attended the uh digital arts uh consortium festival Robert Morris University so other students who did attend were Lillian Walters Adeline Rollison Jillian Bors and Joey Stenos um but um talent he he received this award down there so it was through that so we're excited for him and congratulations to that also another congratulations Dylan Bilby um he's one of our seniors years. Um if you ever have the chance to to you know I've had the chance to work with Dylan through a number of different um outlets whether it was through sports or just being in school. Dylan's an outstanding outstanding young man. I'm excited for him. But he was awarded the outstanding achievement and transition award from the Armstrong Indiana Transition Council on May 7th. Uh Dylan is also he's on quite the heater here. He's also being inducted into the Laca Hall of Fame on May 17th. So I'm excited for him. I think he's a well-deserved recipient of both of those things and I wish Dylan the best of luck. Um on your on your place mats you um I put a uh an invite to the elite 8 dinner. Um so this is the second year we're doing this. So we take the top eight students in the senior class. Um and we we have them they invite an educator that they felt has made a profound impact on their educational career and they invite them to dinner. So, um, we all get to sit down and eat, uh, in the National Public House. They have been so gracious to, uh, to host us again for the second year. Um, so that is May 26th at 6 p.m.
The invitation is open to you. I know Miss Stewart, you were there last year.
Um, I thought it was a great event. Um, you know, an initial inaugural event there for for our students, hoping to kind of keep that going. Um, but it it was, you know, it was a great night and hopefully you guys can share in that.
So, I know Dr. will be asking for some numbers here by the end of the week so I can kind of get back um to National Public House, but you guys are invited to uh to join in and seeing our top eight students with with some of those educators that have helped them along the way. So, I hope to see you there. Um and just finally, as you know, we just came off of teachers appreciation and and nurses appreciation week. So, I'd just like to formally say thank you to uh to what the teachers and nurses do for our school district and um most importantly our students. they do an outstanding job um of you know trying to make this a great environment to to educate but also learn those softer skills and have experiences to set them up beyond um you know what we have here at Leburg. So I appreciate that and give my many thanks.
>> Any questions?
>> Thank you. Thank you Dr. >> Mr. Comar.
>> Good evening everyone. Uh so as Dr. Fargo said, "I I have the luxury in the elementary that our PSSAs are done. I know he's still testing, but um but that was really smooth. Big thank you to the staff. Big thank you to Miss Mattis um and everybody for helping PSSAs go really smooth. We finished those up. Um and April and thank you for the students for their attendance and and their hard work through that uh testing area in the elementary. Um the PTA did a great great job with uh teacher appreciation week.
Again, as Dr. Vargo said, I'll echo that. You know, thank you to our teachers and and staff for the hard work that they give. Um PTA sponsoring a book fair this week, which is nice. That's down in the PTA room right um in the end after the entrance once you come into the elementary from the 20th to the 26th. Now, there's a couple days in between there and a weekend. We'll be doing science olympiad. Thank you to the staff members that are putting that together. It was great last year. I'm looking forward to a a really great event again this year.
Uh special thank you to Mrs. Serissio for all the time she's put in uh coordinating coordinating that event and and making that you know work really smooth. [cough and clears throat] Got a lot of events here. Uh so will the accelerated reader uh end of the year award event will be happening on the 28th at 9:15.
We have field day for David Leech Elementary on the 29th up at the up the football field.
>> The 29th.
>> Got a couple graduations.
Uh so prek graduation will be on June 1st at 10:30 and the kindergarten graduation at 1:00 on that same day as well. Fifth grade farewell uh and also the glow party. So, fifth grade farewell obviously focusing on fifth graders and the glow party for all other grades will be on June 2nd. So, that'll take us close to the end of the year. Um, so for we'll be wrapping up our end of the year MTSS and PBIS paperwork. So, got those reports and submitting those reports uh that we have to for the state. So, moving on to special education. Uh again, busy month on that front as well.
So we I have 25 IEP meetings scheduled for the month of May. Uh also doing senior exit meetings with students and their case managers. We'll touch base, talk with them about their future plans, fill out some end of the year paperwork with them. Uh no 504s for the month of May. Uh again, like I said, MTSS will be doing our end of the year procedures and we have one student that is uh completing the Renew program. He's about two more weeks left of that. So, finishing that up. Any questions for one of Oh, I'm sorry.
>> No, why would you get that?
>> Oh, I was going to ask to be excused to get to the uh the fourth or fifth grade concert. I've double booked tonight. Um so, I did want to get over there to support. I was going to ask to be excused after I I spoke.
>> No, I'll be there 29th and have pie in my face.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> Okay.
>> You're in.
>> You said you were coming this year. I don't I don't think I can be there in the afternoon for pie.
>> Anybody else want Neil? You'll be there for pie.
>> What's the date?
>> 29th.
>> 29th. I should be okay. [laughter] >> We'll be there for just a I thought like getting hit in the face with a pie was fun. Like I it seemed like fun on cartoons and stuff, but I mean my eyes were burning. Like I had that smell on me. It was [laughter] it was I know the kids think it's hilarious and I you know as much as like getting taped to the ball or getting hit in the face was high like it's fine. It's it's I know it's part of the the game but it it's not as enjoyable as it as people make it >> seem like to the wall was more fun.
>> Tape to the wall was I guess probably probably between that and the pie. I think that was probably more fun.
>> Oh my. We're going to have we're going to we've already and that's weird like the things you think about but we have a way of a better process last year. I'm going to start with the older kids and then work down the younger kids tape you know and my knees were like buckling and pushing inward. So that was the only [laughter] that was the only downfall but like I said the kids talked about it for weeks. They thought it was hilarious. And so I was happy to happy to do that for the kids. So >> we have another pie person.
>> Yeah. [laughter] Anybody that wants to get anybody that wants to get a pie, you know, like I said my kids think it's awesome. It's the 29th. It'll be at the end of the field day. We'll do some wrap up uh things at the end of the field day and you know that'll be the big culminating event. I think Mr. Davis did a good job as far as pumping all the kids up that you know people are going to hit get hit in the face with pie. So part of the job I guess and any other questions but is that is that okay if I >> Thank you and enjoy the concert.
Thanks.
>> Thank you Mr. Kaki Mr. Barker.
Good evening. Um my report for the information technology um department uh short and sweet. It's uh we are uh we've signed a contract for uh security camera upgrade and we're excited that that's going to happening this summer. So we're not only getting a new server, we're upgrading the software itself to the latest version. We're also looking to get a mobile app so that people can view the camera footage on the go. They're not tied to a computer. And we're going to add nine security camera systems at priority places around or security cameras at priority places around the building. So, uh that's on the agenda for retroactive approval because we need to get that signed. So, so to get under the wire before a price increase from the venture. So, um, we are, uh, continuing to refine our, um, uh, our email spam and fishing attempt collection. So, we've met with our, uh, a vendor that does our go secure email filtering. And we are, uh, we are making sure that uh, a lot of those emails that come in that are disreputable or mark deception don't get to the end users in the first place.
Uh we are working on setting up some new uh prep preparing to set up some new lab computers for uh dance stits area for the computer drafting uh department. So we're getting ahead of that with our um help from our student tech squad volunteers uh getting those so we don't have to wait for the summer for that which is nice to frontload that summer work. And uh there are some summer community service opportunities available for uh for our students if they want to help out with the student tech squad. So, uh, feel free to send them our way if you have anyone that needs to collect community service hours. So, that's about it. Any questions?
>> Thank you, Mr. Mark.
>> Thank you.
>> Mr. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Sissa.
>> Good evening, everybody. Just have a few updates from the buildings and grounds department. um [snorts] had uh a late entry for our um boiler PMs that I've been talking about. Um so we do do have that uh information compiled. We'll be meeting with Mr. Chapler to review that. Um that same company was able to do a quick turnaround and come back and we walked to campus to look at the rest of our HAC system, which was something I wasn't even sure we were going to entertain for this year. um they were able to provide a u a budgetary number a rough number on what that might be pleasantly surprised at what that came back at. So we may be uh looking at that effort to get that u put in place sooner rather than later.
So I'll be meeting with uh Mr. Chapla to review that. um the grounds. Um want to commend our maintenance crew for doing a great job considering the weather that mother nature threw at us this year to get the uh baseball field and softball fields prepped for the games. Um we didn't have too many issues with that. A couple little stumbles, but um overcame a lot of uh a lot of adversity with that. with uh with those sports behind us, um we'll be turning our efforts to maintaining just the campus and uh getting things in order um to uh for the for the for the mowing season. Um, as far as the building, met with the roofing company uh just this past week um considering the fact that we'll be uh delaying uh roof replacements for a year uh to um uh we'll still be faced with with some patchwork uh undoubtedly this summer. So that uh just came back this past week. Be meeting with Dr. Keeler and Mr. Chapla uh to go over some estimates on some repairs that I think will have to happen uh this summer.
Um upcoming other items, uh we'll be doing prep uh both of the uh football field stadium and the gymnasium to prep for graduation to uh make sure both uh both areas are ready to roll depending on what the weather um is for that uh for the graduation day. And um we started getting in materials for the summer cleaning season. So we'll be getting queued up to do that as soon as school is out for the semester.
>> That's about it. Are we working on the railing for the football? We are working on effective.
>> Yes, we are. So hopefully be there.
>> I'm old. I got to get up.
>> I understand. Yeah, that's on the road.
>> We had another guy didn't whatever happened to him. He disappeared that he was supposed he made the one and >> disappeared.
>> Yeah. So yeah, had another one queued up and it got busy with other things over the winter as did he and just >> you'll take care of >> Yes, we will.
Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Miss Krypton met. [clears throat] >> No, she's not here.
>> You're not here. Okay. Uh business report by Mr. Chapla.
>> Good evening everybody.
Attached are the uh April cash reconciliations and financial reports for review. bank reconciliations all tied out to zero. I commend Vanessa Walters for her work in the business office. She does a great job with helping make things easy. When it comes to our reconciliation, she does very good with the bookkeeping. Um getting into cash on hand in the general fund at month end, we sat at 5.8 million, uh which is about $100,000 less than our March month end. And we will continue to see that uh tick down as we get through the May to July months. Uh obviously no real estate collections coming in. Um final BEF specialed payments will come in. So it's going to slow down. We're going to see that number take down because expenditures are going to continue. Uh update on cyber charter. 53 students are currently enrolled. We unfortunately had two recently that have moved into the district. They've never stepped foot into our buildings. So then that number keeps ticking up which hurts our budget as well. Um on for agree excuse me on for approvals tonight we have a deli and mari agreements for outside placements. Those have been ongoing agreements. It's just renewal for next year. We have the pims people agreement to facilitate facilitate our PTE PIMS reporting.
We have a Ronic agreement. They have been with the district for a very, very long time. We appreciate their services. So, we were able to come to terms with them on a new five-year contract that will run through the 2030 2031 school year. Unfortunately, when it comes to those contract negotiations, we will see a 12% increase to our daily run rate for next year. But my positive outlook to it is in the 2728 school year, our transportation subsidy reimbursement from the state will go up because our expenses have gone up. So it's going to realign. We were leaving some money off the table because what the state allowable expense reimbursement was for our district. We weren't paying our vendor enough to meet that reimbursement allocation. So that was a part of our discussions in the back and forth with Sue over at Ronic when it came to we're we're stressed financially already, but we're going to be able to help maximize some reimbursements in the 2728 school year and so on after that.
Also on for approval this evening is our PA precount agreement with the Aaron Highu. That's to continue our partnership with the prek program. Uh we're fortunate we have that program.
It's one of our highlights within this district. It's a great selling point for a lot of families when they're looking to move and established families in a school district. As Mr. Barker stated on is the security systems of America agreement. That's for cameras, camera servers, halo detectors, and installation. and that's going to be reimbursed through our PCCD grant that was just approved and is active as of February 1, 2026.
Getting into food service, we um finalized our scoring and based on the recommendation of the scoring committee, it's our recommendation to award to the bid uh to the nutrition group. And here with us tonight is Joe Raybuk, the regional representative for the nutrition group who was a part of the RFP process. I've been fortunate to uh work with her in my prior school districts. Um so thank you for showing face tonight and we look forward to working with you guys.
>> We look forward to as well. Thank you very much.
I would like to also say thank you and I appreciate Mets Culinary for the time and service they've put into our district. Um it was a great partnership.
Um unfortunately sometimes change happens and we really liked the vision that nutrition had with our kids and the food service department as a whole.
Also on for this evening is an ESS addendum. This is giving the district the ability to add custodial subs.
Currently, we use them for paras, secretaries, and teachers. This is going to help Mr. Serissio when it comes to daily callouts. We'll we'll have a little bit of a subpole to help with the day-to-day cleaning and hopefully getting more maintenance work done that's needed around the district.
Also, within the facility realm, Mr. Serissio and I have met with NRG. Um, if you go to Sam's Club, I'm sure you run into them a lot. They're always there trying to get you to do things for your own home.
This through NRG, it's demand response agreement. Mr. Serissio brought this to my attention months ago and NRG actually reached out to me about this. So, we continue the conversation. There's a potential $2,800 rebate for the school on our utilities for participating. It's no cost to us if we're not able to meet the response date that they have set for us. Fortunately, within a school district, they can put your window within the summer time period. So, with discussions and uh with Dr. Keebler, if for some reason they would like us to power down for a whole day during the summer, we could discuss the potential of working remote that day so we can power down to get this rebate.
Unfortunately, our utility costs have skyrocketed this school year. We are already exceeded the budget numbers for electric.
So, this is a great opportunity for us to get a little cash back for following a simple program. Mr. Serissio, is there anything I'm missing in that program that you would like to add or help you with?
>> That's that's all. That's basically the the utility will will call upon us as well to uh do what is a essentially a twohour power down. That's um that's our test and if we meet the goal that is set by them as far as our electricity reduction uh in that window, then we qualify for the reimbursement.
Um the only potential catch of that is that if we do ever end up in a grid emergency, uh we are obligated to execute that that same power. Meaning if we get into the late summer and um we start having issues with uh utility issues with the grids going down or issues, they would call on us to do an emergency shutdown. Will we all be able to respond to that? I don't ever know that this is all test and preparation for it and we get a little excited to uh participate in that.
>> So, there are some catches as it sounds like there, but it's a great opportunity for us to get a little bit of money back in our pocket to control our expenses when it comes to utilities. Does anybody have any questions or comments on this part before I get into our proposed final budget?
Thank you.
Can we believe it's already May? I feel like I was just here um two weeks into starting here last May and here we are a year in getting into our next school year's budget.
So starting with our revenues for our proposed budget for next year, [snorts] our local revenue will consist of 7.1 million which is 42.91%.
Our state revenue is 8.8 million 53.75% and our federal revenue 552,000 which is 3.34% for a total budget revenue of 16.5 million. Getting into the high levels of our revenue for our local revenue. The primary driver is obviously our real estate taxes.
We are estimating it would be a budget of $5,999,334.
That number is the highest of the three options that you'll see this evening. It was at the board's request to see A21, A22, and A23. So that's why there's an approximate number there because the PD system has a little bit of fluctuation about $300 to $1,000 between the three.
Jumping over to the right side, our state revenue, our FICA reimbursement is estimated to approximately be $36,16.
That is the state share of our FICA payment for salary.
Paser's reimbursement, the state share on that is estimated to be 1,343,671.
Our homestead allocation went up about $400.
Um we're at $778,626.
We were at, I believe, 311 for this school year. So, don't take a few hundred bucks, but it's not moving any needles. Getting into the majority of our state funding.
As I've told you guys several times, we're in the unfortunate predicament of only seeing a 1.9% increase to our state funding through BEF, special ed, and ready to learn. It's about $112,000.
And since our increase is not astronomical, uh, school districts, they go back and forth on should I budget for my whole allocation from the state or should I be conservative.
Since ours isn't very large, I put in what they tell us because it's a drop in the bucket when it comes to the state.
>> [snorts] >> So getting into it, basic ed funding is uh it was up about $27,000 to that $4,828,215.
Special ed was about in the same ballpark of that $27,000 getting it to $828,000872.
And the unfortunate part of it, and I will point my finger right at the state as I speak right now, when it cost the school district 100 plus,000 for an outside placement, but we're only getting $27,000 on a year increase. It It just doesn't add up. They expect us and demand of us that our special ed costs go up every single year. If you do not, there's a finding and they slap you on a wrist for it.
>> We have to continue to increase our expenditures, but our revenue that from them is not keeping up. So, I I I ask of you that you you push on our local state reps, the people out at Harrisburg, start advocating for us. As a small school, the burden goes to our taxpayers because the state's not picking up the slack that they should be. So I ask of you advocate for us. Ready to learn.
They gave us a little extra there. We're up to 258,000 and our ready tolearn tax equity staying at the 58,000 that it's been the last couple years. Sliding over to our federal revenue. That is a simple drop in the bucket. We unfortunately do not see a lot. We uh I commend Dr. Keebler.
does a fantastic job with title and the process that he has to go through and before I got here I was planning that's all going to salary benefits he already does it so I'm very happy that he does that so title one we're able to pay for teaching staff 179,000 title two is 24,000 and title four is 13,000 I have in here an access draw down potentially of $327,000 It's a potential draw down. This is, as I consider it, our rainy day fund. If we see expenditures are a lot higher and we need revenue to keep up, we have the ability to pull this funding.
I just solidified our 2425 cost settlement report. Dr. Keebler can verify for me. It looks like we are allocated to get another $100,000 from the 2425 school year. So that bucket should get up into the $400,000 range.
So I have it at 327 for now. I'm waiting for them to give us our final approval on that 2425 cost settlement to see if there's more money potentially in there.
And as I said, that's a rainy day fund just in case. And >> just to add on that, do want to commend Mr. chapel in that access of getting more and making sure we're claiming everything. Not only our conversations through a transportation contract, but every other allocation he's made and pulled into making sure that our numbers in the right columns so that it benefits the district on both sides of that. So, very nice job on that and I thank you for your work as you go through that.
>> Thank you. As I told you when I first got here, I game the system when it comes to the PD 363 for our cyber charter tuitions. So when it came to transportation, I was moving everything to be able to write that off as a um allowable deduction in PD363 and the budgetary reserve that we'll get into within the expenditures. That's also allowable deduction. So that's why I put a larger pot in there because I'm taking it out from our tuitions. Anyways, getting into our expenditures, we're sitting at $17.5 million.
And first, before I even start with this, I I would like to thank Miss Montdale in the LEA for coming to the table after we just settled.
If it weren't for you guys, I would be in a very uncomfortable position up here with program cuts, staffing cuts, but with your help, we were able to come to an agreement to help our expenditures.
Obviously, it's still not where I'd love for it to be. I'd love to be a balanced, but we were able to save $300,000 off of our primary primary outlook from a couple months ago. So, thank you to you.
Thank you to your staff.
>> Getting into salary and benefits, salaries are going to make up 6.8 million and our benefits will be a little over 5 million in that 200 category that counts for our medical, dental, vision, FICA, pasers, unemployment workers comp, all that good stuff.
Getting into a little more of it, that 500 line, that 2.8, 8.
I'm sure that sticks out because it's a very astronomical number. That's where our cyber charter tuition bills are and our outside placements. We'll get into that once we get into depth. Supplies, you can see we're pretty lean when it comes to supplies. It's unfortunate that we're having to take money out of our school, out of our kids here in the building to put elsewhere.
Um, our supplies are at that 611,000.
I have it also broken out just by the function code on the side. As you can see, last year we had that 1.4 million in the facilities. We're not in that position right now to be doing that. And the 5,000 debt service, that's our obligated debt service payments from our 2017 bond as well as our budgetary reserve.
Getting into some of the high level stuff with the expenditures.
Our Paser's employer contribution rate is going to be 33.59%.
Came down a tick from this school year, 34%. So hopefully we continue to see that trend down.
Our Paser's employer contribution is going to be that 2.2 2 million and as I stated earlier we should see that about 1.3 in the state share for our paser's contribution.
We just had our trust meeting today with Rashini regarding our medical benefits and we are unfortunately going to see a 12.88% increase but with the concessions that were made with the LEA the plan design helped us save that money. So, we're going to be a little over two million when it comes to our medical cost. Our active employees will consist of 1.9 million and we have nine retirees that are still on our coverage from an early bird um I believe five years ago that are going to be $141,000.
I'm very excited for those people to come off of our benefits there. Uh they should be terming December 2027.
our outside placements tuition, that 500 object code that I described earlier, that's going to be $532,748.
And as I stated, those those placements can be $100,000 a piece with tuition and transportation per kid.
Our cyber charter tuition, we're nearing a million dollars. We're at 958,000 for 45 students.
We should have about seven graduates this school year into next. So, that number will tick down, but hopefully we don't see more go in. Um, I estimated our PDE 363 tuition rates because for the 2627 school year, you take your 2526 budgeted numbers and that's where I got the $16,424 regular ed per student and $31,041 per special ed student. As I stated earlier in the quick um discussion about Ronic, we're going to be seeing a 12% increase to our daily run rate which will take our overall transportation cost to $844,000 and in our budgetary reserve I have set aside $42,000 due to the unforeseen placements any cyber charters and current open contract negotiations.
And unfortunately, we we have to have that set aside because as we've seen this year, we have eaten our budgetary reserve for additional cyber charges.
Just a quick overview of our revenues versus expenditures, we're looking at a $978,000 deficit. If we were to exclude our budgetary reserve of 42, we are looking at 576,000.
So, we're slowly closing the needle from my first presentation to you all in February of our overlook. So, within the next month, we'll continue to see what revenue streams we could try to be creative with and what expenditures we can continue to review.
>> The fun topic of it all since we have >> one question. Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Our deficit is almost the cost of the cyber students that that we have to pay. uh when you look at it basically otherwise the school would be operating out of you know wouldn't be making money but would be >> would be balanced >> would be a balanced budget >> and to I know we've discussed it prior we are working with the Alagany intermediate unit to create a marketing campaign of the Leechburg area all the great programs and offerings we have for our students to hopefully go door knocking to our cyber charter students this to try to get them back in our building to help us with our expenditures and provide them a better education that they possibly have.
>> And we offer a cyber program here within less for golf.
>> So for tonight on for approval, there's three different proposed budgets and they consist of the following under 821.
So A21 is using the municipality ratio that's set by taking the step assessed value divided by the step market value for each municipality.
When I put this into the PD software, it gave us a millage of 27.12 ms. And I gave you all packets in front of you for you all to reference so it's easier for you to see.
So under 821 it's using the municipality rates as I said the millillage is going to be lower because the assessed values are higher. So an overview using that Gilpin's budget would be 2.6 million. Leechburg burrow would be uh 968,000 and West Leechburg would be 1.4. Net real estate budget is 5,98,000 which was a little less than what I showed you earlier.
Showing on the right side when you take the market values of all these different homes in these different municipalities.
The first column you could see the 2526 tax bill at face value verse under the 821 tax bill at face with the 27.12.
So you can see Leechburg burrow for the 119,000 would drop $162 and Gilpin and West Leechburg would increase by $130 or $115.
So, as I stated when I got here, I was looking to balance the tax bills by county and by municipality. And right now, this 821 method did not do that for us.
>> Now, in 821, that's the way we do it today. Correct.
>> 81 is the way we do it today. 821 is a method under the 82 just the first option using municipality ratio.
>> Okay.
>> Under A22 >> this is taking the aggregate of the municipalities.
So those ratios that we got under A21 you're taking the aggregate of those to get the 31.97%.
This one is getting us to the wheelhouse that we're looking for. So when you take the market values times that 31.97% our assessed values are showing higher giving us a millage of 36.79 mills and it's getting us into where I'm looking for it to be. So Gilpin would be 2.6 million for a budget. Leechburg burrow would be 1.3 and West Leechburg would be uh just under 1.1 million. When you compare this to our tax bills from the 2025 school year under the A2 method, you're seeing [clears throat] tax bills are equal based on the market values of these homes. So Leechburg burrow and Gilpin would go up about $134 each and West Leechburg would drop $281 and then into the higher range $400,000 $499 $516 and West Leburg would drop $1,58.
The reason the drop looks so drastic for West Leechburg is there are 690 taxable parcels in West Leechburg. Armstrong County has 2700 taxable parcels. So for 690, the 2700 are making up for the 690 decrease.
[cough] Any questions on 822?
No, it's on 822.
We only have to do the uh that's where you're only doing the Armstrong County for the It's 823.
>> 823. So A22 to get to our uniform assessed values, I'm going to have to take market values from Armstrong County and West Morland County to get our uniform assessed value with the lower mill of that 36.79. So if we were to go the A22 route, I would have to um send over these new school assessed values to West Morland and Armstrong County for the tax bills being processed and printed.
Under 823, this is taking the lowest common level ratio, which is West Morland County. So, as I was just stating, under 822, under 823, I would only have to be sending uniform assessed value data to Armstrong County. We'd still be able to use what West Morland County gives and just verifies to make sure everything's correct there, that the counties are the same into A23.
As you can see, the assessed values are lower. So, the millage is higher. But as I've told you, I hope it makes it easier now because it's in front of you. When the assessed value is higher, the millage is lower. When the assessed value is lower, the millage is higher.
So, you can see here under 823, since the millage is higher, it's it's within sense of each other though of 8.22 22 on what the tax bill is for. So 141131 141133.
So it's just the site of the PTE system.
When the assessed value is higher, it's going to be a lower mileage. When the assessed value is lower, it's going to be a higher millage. It's just how the PD system calculates it. But it's getting us that uniform assessed value to get equal tax bills based on market values across the counties here.
So these these increases and decreases under 823 are about the same as the A22.
It's just A23 requires a little less work for me because I don't have to work with West Morland County directly on these uniform assess values.
>> Anybody have any questions on the 823?
>> Yeah. And we just now we have to >> when you compare the three it's it's getting a it's getting a more of an equalization the tax rate between the the taxing communities and municipalities if you want to talk to between West Leburg Gilbert and Leburg Burough under A23 we it is more work for Mr. chapel going into checking, you know, with carbon level ratios and everything else for the Armstrong County and for West Morland County. But it sort of to me I think that sort of gives us a good way of valuing to keep it to to know the values between the two counties even though it's a little bit more work for you. you know, in case we're still checking the values of Arntorm County and West Morland County in doing the uh equalization right here under A2 two and can I ask just to add that looking at A22 and A23 when you look at the taxes ruled in from each of those municipalities is it going back to somewhat where it was at in 1718 which was the last time before and as we've talked about this and we've been dealing with this for the last 8 10 years beyond that it used to always have a jump in one and then come back jump the other way every other year till it started going a little bit opposite of that and just going one way back when that last time it was balanced on there and we raised taxes it was pretty close to those actual totals of what that revenue was that we threw there which balances it back out for each of those communities with that um and then just going back to the 822 and 823 um I asked to consider if we go with and I know Mr. Chapel would recommend A23. I know you were talking about A22s. It would be an option if we went A23 each year during this process. He could show the two because they're within a dollar of each other. I think if we show that to the public of here's what it's going to be.
If we still go A23, we can still compare them that way. But if we approve it in A23, he would only have to do one county. We could still show the community of hey, we're doing our due diligence and we can change that either year. If next year A22 is a better option versus A23, we would have the ability to make that switch next year as well, just as an option with I have a question on between the two. Jake, are you saying with A23, you wouldn't have to have really any interactions with either county because you're selecting just lower of the two common level ratios.
>> A23 would require work with Armstrong County to ensure that they're doing it correctly. Unfortunately, there's been some hiccups up there with the turnover and staff. So, just my OCP overview, I would want to make sure that they're going to be processing correctly.
>> So, but with A22, it would require the same thing for both counties.
>> Yes. Yes.
>> I can add we we've had some issues up of getting data from Orange County. So, I know Mr. Chapel is working to get the actual vendor who sends the tax bills out so we can get that data directly to them. They can implement it so it's not stuck at the county level going through on that. So I think that's a nice piece too that we work with them on that piece.
>> And I'm guessing the work is just telling Armstrong County that hey we're using the I think it's 8.88% in West Morland County for this year as the common level ratio.
>> Correct. whereas you would be calculating the common ratio telling both counties this is how we're assessing our properties.
>> So there have been no hiccups in West Morland for you to feel that same uncomfortableness as you did to Armstrong County.
>> West Morland County they provide me timely data. I don't even have to request it. It's in my inbox before I even ask. Armstrong County I had to send three works three weeks worth of emails and it wasn't until I copied a county commissioner on there I got the data.
So, that's the unfortunate state. I understand people get overwhelmed, opposition turnovers happen, but uh I know other Armstrong County School Districts are having the same thing happen.
>> And leading up to this, we've um had extensive virtual meetings with tax assessment office from West Morland County. I mean, they they've taken hours out of their day to look at different options um to help try to find this solution.
[clears throat] Do you think Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.
>> I would just speak from a taxpayers's perspective. I think what's most important to the people that are here today is not the millillage, but the bottom line, what am I going to be paying in taxes? And if A22 and A23 are just pennies or dollars apart, that's something we all need to consider. Um, in addition to what Dr. Peter mentioned about we can always go back and revisit it year by year. Do we want to go back to A22 versus 823?
So just looking at it from a taxpayers's perspective, I think they want to know the bottom line. They don't care about what's higher millage or or uh >> what am I trying >> assessed.
>> Assessed. Yeah. They're going to want to know what am I paying in my taxes. So with taking that into effect, I think A22 is one that the board should consider.
And that was my goal this evening was to show you all between 82, >> I'm sorry, 823, I'm sorry, 823, >> between 822 and 823, even though those millages are drastically different in tax bills within pennies of each other.
And this is just to show you all how higher assessed value brings you a lower millage under 821 and 822 and the lower assessed value under 823 brings that higher millage. But under 822 and 823 this is the same tax bill.
This is just the overview of top shows are market values, the current under 2025, the assessed values, the millillage, what their tax bills are at face value and the dis disparity between the two counties. And the rest of the way through just shows 821, 822, and 823.
The bottom I'd like to highlight especially as I've stated already there's 2700 parcels taxable in Armstrong and 690 in West Morland in 201718 before we saw the true variance come into play. Gilpin was $2.7 million a collection. Leechburg burough was 1.4 and West Leeburg was 1.1 and the district was bringing in $5.3 million in real estate revenue. 4.1 was coming out of Armstrong County, our primary taxable parcel count under A1 in this school year, 2526.
Gilpin was down at 2.2 million, Leburg Burrow was 1.2, and West Lynchburg 1.3.
So we're down to $4.8 million. As Mr. Brady said, if we didn't have cyber [snorts] charter bills, we could have a balanced budget. If we don't have a step issue for 10 years, we'd have additional revenue to be putting towards our budget to help us out in our current deficit.
So, I think we found the path to get back to that that we're controlling the narrative. We're going to continue to gain the revenue that we need to sustain as a district.
Some more breakdown under 821. Gilpin would consist of 2.6. Leechburg Burough would drip drop down to 968,000 and West Leeburg would be 1.4. 4.
Looking at the A22 and the A23, this is where we're starting to look more like the 201718 collections with 2.6 million for Gilpin, 1.3 for Leechburg Burough and West Leechburg being a million. And I can state that the slight tick down for each in the budget is one, we've lost $500,000 in real estate from 1718 to now, but our homestead allocation has also gone up. So when it comes to taking it in the PTE software, they factor the homestead allocation versus the percentage collection to give you your budgeted number.
to >> getting back to the 8 A22 and A23.
Mr. [clears throat] Chap has done a a hell of a lot of work in doing in doing the calculations and he's going to have those calculations. You know, we want to keep them here, but those calcul, you know, it could be replicated for each year going forward with the calculations that he's done. We could switch it any year. you know, A2 and A3, make it more equitable amongst all the communities, amongst all the taxing communities. And that's what we tried to get at years ago when I was on board would go one year would be up, one year would be down, one year would be up for Van or for Leburg, one year would be up for West Leburg.
There was always the disparity. You know, this makes it more equal.
>> I I want to add to that, Mr. ready too that the assessment of your properties and all your communities was outside of your control, right? You were just plugging in, hey, we need x amount of dollars every year from all your taxpayers and the calculations with how the two counties assess their properties, took care of the rest. So, the district's been handcuffed for nearly a decade and >> bringing in revenue on a responsible basis. Yeah, >> West Mor County is more efficient than our, you know, from getting the the data that you need.
>> And as Mr. Delonso said, I'm sure you all see it in the news. Alageney County school districts are going through the same thing due to the common level ratio. We're seeing the same thing with common level ratios changing in West Morland and Armstrong. And that's a big driver in the last 10 years on why we've gotten to the state we're in.
>> Yeah. And if you did notice, Alageney County is considering another reassessment.
>> Uh West Morland County has been dragging their heels for a very long time. Um but they're kind of in a tough situation where that may eventually come to fruition, too.
>> And just adding to it, I want to thank you, Jake, for the work on that. Like I said, we've done a lot over the last year since you've got here and we went from going after counties, going through stuff to really digging into it. We found the answers to what we're talking about. And I think that over the last two budgets that I've went through, we've had members of the community come in here yelling at the board of, "Hey, here's what's going on." We had zero control that it was coming out future as we put this in place moving forward if there's a tax increase we could be answering for it of hey we have these costs we have this xyz but we're responsible for making that increase not because the state and some board that is out in Harrisburg that's in a computer spits that number out. So I think that moving forward this allows us to take that local control of what we're doing with it. Just as you know the teachers have done that to take responsibility for it. We're taking some responsibility so that we're able to do that though as well. So thank you for that work on that part of it.
>> I think other schools will be looking to you for [laughter] advice.
>> We'll see if they follow suit.
>> I'd be willing to bet there's a lot of them giving Jake a call in the next year. [laughter] >> Getting into our fund balance overview.
I think it's important to highlight this 2526 school year, we could be looking at a fund balance of $3.9 million.
Getting into 2627, our proposed final budget with our $978,000 deficit if we were to use our full budgetary reserve, we would be getting down to $2.9 million at the end of June 30, 2027.
So, we're still within a tolerable range um when it comes to the fund balance, but as I've stated to you several times, we're starting to get to a little bit of alarms going off for me. So, I will continue to look at our expenditures, what changes can we make to be more financially responsible as well as creative avenues to generate revenue into our district.
Are there any questions, comments, concerns before you all decide on 821, 822 or 823?
>> The only comment I wanted to add is the end of the speech you just gave. Um, this is a trial run for a year to see because year to year. So hopefully So hopefully Jake's in that position next year where a bunch of schools want to because if that does work the way that we hope it does, then we'll be in a positive. I just wanted to make that comment. I'm hopeful. But we'll see.
>> If you're concerned about it switching the other way.
>> No, I'm just saying this is a trial, you know what I that we didn't have a lot of background on when we looked into it to begin with is all I'm saying because we've only had other one one other school that we knew that did it and we have not got very much data about that.
So I'm hopeful that it works. I'm not trying to be negative. I'm just being, >> you know, real a realist. I >> I I'm I'm trying to alleviate some of those concerns going forward.
>> Um because it's really the two common level ratios that are posing the problem. [clears throat] We're going to be dealing with one setting the assessment based on market value what somebody is going to pay for the property essentially. So that concern should be lessened by that.
>> Right.
>> Mrs. Knight, if it blows up as you stated, you'll look at my contract.
[laughter] >> We all said it was going to be a trial.
We would give it a try this year because it's the first time we're trying it. So, I'm hopeful. I'm not negative. I love this community. Born and raised, believe me.
>> But you can switch back.
The biggest part that's all of that is, you know, I'm not going to make it so that everybody thinks that everything's going to be rainbows and sunshine because hopefully it is. I'm just saying.
>> I got faith in my [laughter] circumstances could change, right?
>> Absolutely.
>> Yeah. They reassess with you. Well, that's part of what made me feel that way is because you say regardless, West West Merlin County is fantastic right now with all the data, but they reassess what's going to happen.
>> So, we have the tools now >> because what year did they reassess?
>> 1975.
>> Thank you.
[laughter] So if if one of >> one of born [laughter] way before >> I was born >> take that >> I was here [laughter] >> if one of our counties were to reassess there is a line within PD general fund budget software for counties that go into reassessment so that does come into play if there's reassessment We'd be in talks again with Ben Haft and the crew out at PDE to make sure we're following the proper channels with any reassessment that might happen.
>> And ultimately our goal is as we looked and I think Jake did a great job of putting these different scenarios together of looking at a common uh assess value of that of what the actual bill looks like. And I think that's our key going forward. If we can keep those equal where he got within a dollar of each other, that's going to make the whole community successful on that part.
I'll say this. You have more tools in your toolbox than you did two years ago.
Make sure you save this somewhere. Save it.
>> It's in an Excel. I got it. I got it saved some places [laughter] >> in paper in computer.
And for more reassurance, >> for me, for more reassurance, before tax bills are even printed and processed, government software solution that we use for Armstrong County, they send over preview to make sure everything looks accordingly, to make sure the tax bills of face value are where they should be for Gilpin and Leechburg. and West Morland sends us over all that data as well to make sure everything looks within where it should be to make sure people are paying the proper amounts and we're going to be collecting the proper revenue we need.
>> Anything else?
>> Thank you all very much.
>> Out of the three, you you uh think 823, right? My recommendation would be 823 because you're taking one common level ratio rather than three combined as the aggregate.
>> Thanks.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Next we have Modell from LEA president and I would like to reiterate what Mr. Chapla said before. We thank you and at least forg the LEA the the teachers in considering doing something mid-contract which is rare and not usually done at the time and it has benefited the school district as she said about $350,000 in savings. It just share it shows the intent and and the dedication and the benefits that you have for the students and for the for the administration here within the school district. And we thank you.
>> That's what we do. Um, happy May.
Finally, the light is at the end of the tunnel.
Kindergarten has been rehearsing and preparing their songs and dances for their 2026 graduation. Um, as Mr. Comar said that their graduation is June 1st at 1:00, so you're invited to attend that. Um, kindergarten is also present participating in a continent countdown, reviewing each consonant until the last day and activities every day relates to a consonant. They also visited Mrs. Krooks's classroom for a sensory science experiment where they um explored the different life cycles and got to pet baby chicks and bunnies. First grade students participated in the healthy forme 4 age literacy program through Penn State Extension. The character-based lessons focused on building self-confidence, fostering healthy healthy relationships, and promoting overall wellness. Their favorites included Wiggles, Stomps and Squeezes, Couch Potato, personal favorite, and Be Where Your Feet Are.
Second grade has started learning about life cycles of plants and animals. Not only have they planted seeds, but they're also incubating quail eggs.
>> Those should be hatching within the next week. And to say the kids are invested would be an understatement. Pictures will be coming soon. As part of art class, the fourth graders finished up creating a video game unit design or a unit on video game design with that worked in conjunction with Mr. McKe's class with they covered some content in win and their displays are currently in the hallway across from room 303. Sixth graders in art created realistic cape cake sculptures. Um the students took a vote and the winner was rewarded with a cake of their choice. Miss Ferdy, Mrs. Vignet, and a group of a dozen students placed over 1500 flags at 11 local cemeteries over a two-day period. As we prepare [clears throat] for Memorial Day, special education students who earned participation in a reward field trip went to Camp Gaasuda, participating in team building exercises as well as outdoor activities including a ropes course, climbing wall, and zipline experience. The Interact Club will be participating in a cleanup day at the Leechburg area pool and park to help get ready for the 2026 summer season. The cupcakes for a cause fundraisers were a success. The internet club combined their profits with National Honor Society to donate over $650 to both Tiny Cause and Champion Crusaders Animal Rescues. I'd just like to say I once again won Change Wars. So, haha to everyone else. [laughter] We are kicked off graduation mode for the seniors. Um the honors English 12 students are completing their research project presentations. Topics this year include bare ACL reconstruction surgery, a surgery to treat Alzheimer's disease, alpha fold, and hypersonic missiles.
Next week starts senior exit interviews, and then the seniors will have some fun during our senior week activities, which include our traditional picnic and trip to David Busters. And just a friendly reminder, the graduation is Wednesday, June 3rd, starting at 7 PM. I sent each of you an email this evening inviting you and asking for you to RSVP so we make sure we have enough chairs prepared and we hope to see you there. Any questions for me?
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Okay. Next on the personnel, we will uh be voting on a non-athletic supplementals for the uh MSA sets detention monitor. Now, am I able to mention the name now or do I wait till we >> uh at the next one?
>> At the next one. Okay.
>> discussions now if they ask questions.
>> Any questions on on athletic supplementals?
>> Uh after that 7.2, too. We will be dealing with the athletic supplementals that we have which will include football, volleyball and cheering and we will mention all the names again when it comes to the uh in the voting session including under personnel and 703 we have retirement of employee number 515 which we will be voting on questions and also the fur of employee five of number 966 and 7.4 under uh budget and finance we will be uh reviewing the financial reports for Mr. Chapla there, which will be all the uh uh the check for the funds, the budget transfers, cash receipts, food service year-to- date expenditures, food service year-to- date revenues, uh general fund balance sheet, general fund year-to- date expenditures, general fund year-to- date revenues, leaseburg cash reconciliation, treasures report, profit and loss statement, Prooft general fund treasures report, student activity balances, and the May finan financial dashboard. Any questions on any of the reports, comments?
Okay. Thank you. Under budget and finance under 8.2, we will be uh payout of the unused vacation days. We will be uh uh for the uh for the people for the we will have the we able to put the names and we >> Yeah, I mean we can put those and I'll talk I may send this just so everybody knows um I see my doctor on the 21st for MRI. I believe I'm having shorter surgery June. That's why I have days because there's everything due during that month. So if I'm out five or six days for shorter surgery, there's no way I'll be able to take a couple more vacation days on that with that.
Normally I value my days and take them off on there, but I don't think I'll be >> Yeah, these vacation days are included in Mac 93 contracts. So authorize it >> in about Thank you, Dr. Cab.
Uh in 8.2 two and at point we will be okay in the Adelfi education contract [clears throat] which I think Mr. Chaplain mentioned that earlier.
>> We've had this agreement in the past.
These are all yearly >> rights with that. Also in HR4, we'll have the 2026 2027 marriage agreement which was talked about. Any questions and the 2026 2027 the pimp's people agreement and 8.6 six of 2026 2031 uh road agreement for transportation which was discussed uh 8.7 uh 2026 20 uh 27 PA preK counts partnership agreement and this is an ongoing agreement also >> yes thank >> it's through the IU writes the grant and then we yearly upgrade those with MS through it >> okay thank you uh 88 the Security Systems of America agreement retroactive approval.
>> This is the part that Mr. Barker talked about. This is for cameras, the halos and everything as part of the PCCD grants. We did move it forward with it because the increase was going to hit May 1st with that. They approved it. So, we want to make sure we lock those prices in with it.
>> Okay. At 8.9, we are going to uh >> table >> table for the uh LEA MOU agreement that will be tabled until the next session.
Uh 8.10 we have the 202627 Lenipe general fund budget casting ballots.
Uh 8.11 the award of the food service management bid. Uh we will be approving that because is uh Mr. Chapla Senate with an RP process.
Uh 8.12 we have the 2026 27 general fund proposed final budget.
Questions?
>> You have a discussion here of what do you want to do? A21, A22 or A23 so we know what we can put on for the final code >> because we need to we should discuss it here to see what we want to do.
>> Yeah.
>> Uh you know let's see for Scott 821 I say definitely out >> 822 and 823. Mr. Chapl said that the 823 where we're only dealing with the common level ratios from uh Armstrong County instead of having both of them.
I I think is is good >> discussion on that.
>> I go with 823 as well. I agree that that is sensible and better in the long run.
>> And I think moving forward as we do that, we do this part to present them just to show that hey, they're still equal on that. So it doesn't jump one or the other, but that way we don't have to go through that process of each of the tax base for the whole district on that.
And as we said, it could always even if we had to switch to 822, we could do that if it was a jump or a change in evaluation. So >> yeah, we can always go back to 81 if we have to depend. [laughter] >> I think we're good this way.
>> No, I don't think Okay. So we will put on in a voting meeting it would be >> 823 >> 23. Yep.
>> Okay. And next is the uh agreement for the 2026 2027 new story schools agreement. And what's that for again?
>> That's a placement school that's on there. So they're out of Indiana and we have we had a student there and and right now and I'm not sure Mr. Comr's over there. I don't think we have any more there right now. We have one there that came back on that, but it just gives us that agreement if we need to place a kid there. The agreement's in place.
>> Okay. Thank you. and 8.14 2025 to 2027 ESS addendum and this is for the custodians >> for the custodians that were able to to bring them in if needed.
Any questions on any of those?
>> Uh field trip request which will be voting on. We will have a nine when it's 12th grade to energy innovation center for 2026 STEM summit in Pittsburgh uh April 10th retroactive approval >> and I apologize for that. That was sent to me like a day and a half before that.
So we were able to send Mr. Durant took the kids down and there were four or five students that he took down on a Friday for that. Um but it was given late but I didn't want the students to miss out on that opportunity.
>> Uh 92 we will have the Spanish uh four and five classes to Pittsburgh in May of 2026. Uh we don't have a date yet for that.
>> I think look where they going to Pittsburgh. I think >> I looked at it. I >> think they don't they go on the gateway.
Oh, they usually That's right.
>> Find the right paper.
Well, what's the date on Monday? I guess that's what it is.
>> It's going to be >> It's not retracted. Have to be after today's date, >> right? That's what I mean.
>> Yeah, Monday is the 18th. I don't know.
>> Well, they haven't done it yet. We know it's not retroactive. So, we just approve.
>> I'll find it here before we vote at the next one. I'll get >> Okay, that's good.
>> Uh 903 second grade friendship donor field trip May 20th, 2026 schoolboard environment.
I asked my daughter's >> my youngest idea.
>> I think that's a cool idea.
>> Uh and uh 9.4 uh field trip request city of Pasco to Dave and Busters on May 27th, 2026. And that's like long road trip for the city, isn't it? They've gone there before.
>> Yeah.
>> 10 years. That's Uh 9.5 is a junior senior uh class to Hillrest Country Club for the prom on uh May 1st which is >> retroactive.
>> No 27th >> that's next for next >> damn 27.
>> Yeah.
>> I think I think it was nice. Uh when I heard about it, they said there probably a nice way to set up at Hillrest.
>> Uh use of facilities request uh 10.1 fourth and fifth grade auditorium for the music concert which is this evening which uh Mr. Commer went to. So it's uh >> same day approval, not retroactive.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Well, it was retroactive the fact that wasn't in earlier >> because they started before.
>> Okay. uh marching band band room for parent meeting on May 27th, 2026.
Uh 10.3 would be guidance uh auditorium for senior award ceremony on May 29th, >> the same day as field day >> and uh 10.4 would be the senior class veterans memorial uh field for graduation on June 3rd, 2026.
Uh 10.5 would be guidance auditorium for parent financial aid night on October 1st 2026 and >> that was a change as part of the new requirement. Every senior is going to be required to fill out a fast as a part of the state law on that part of so we're going to make sure we're presenting information so they have it for them.
>> Uh 10.6 would be homecoming for the auditorium for homecoming assembly on October 9th 2026.
And the last is 10.7 uh is a junior class auditorium for prom grand march on May 1st 2027.
Uh next we have the professional development request 11.1 for Christ Christian Hornman 2026 PKC and HSSAP grantee gathering at Blair County Convention Center in Altuna, Pennsylvania, May 27th to 28th, 2026.
Uh for under curriculum 12.1 ASBA testing October 6, 2026 at 7:45 a.m.
What is ASBA?
>> ASVAB for this um >> military services. They'll come in in the morning. We do it every year with that. So that's the part.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Uh next we have that report by uh Dr. Kever for the superintendent. And just to follow up, I will talk with Senior Shank. Uh she did just put mail in here, but if it's Monday, I'll ask her. And she only had Pittsburgh, but it's uh cultural trip through Pittsburgh. I'll get a little bit more details next year on you. Did she send an email? I didn't give.
>> So she said it's Pittsburgh historical segue to our ethnic lunch.
>> Oh, the segue.
>> Aren't there things that you >> Yeah, you stand up.
>> It's a good thing there's only four or five.
>> Is it Monday the 18th?
>> Monday.
>> Perfect.
on that picture.
>> Yeah. Monday the 18th.
>> Yep. Just for my report first off, I want to start off again and Miss Mundelle and the rest of the staff as I've always said, as she said at the statement, it really is a family here.
Um I do build through transparency with our staff through every step of our way as we talk budget, as we talk positions, as we do each of those parts. I can't thank them enough for working with us on that part of it because that is a tremendous saving. And as Mr. Travis said, as I've been here for the last 10 years, um there's been times that I've given up positions when they were not needed. I've always asked for them back on that part of it. There was it's not in my um DNA to say, "Hey, we're cutting what we're offering kids here." So, this was able to get there. I think we have this is just the start of others with healthcare and what we're doing. We will continue to work on savings on that part as well as looking at other savings throughout the district to do that. So, I want to thank you on that. uh and everybody else on there. [snorts] Um tomorrow we have our pack meeting up at Lenipe and following that we will meet with the Armstrong superintendent as well as Lenipy's executive director. We met last two weeks ago with the Armstrong County Commissioners. There was some opioid money from a settlement that was given to the counties. Um Cambrio County used it to put the RISE program into every school which gave them a counselor in every school district there. They got more money than what we got. So, we approached them with trying to have a conversation of can we do something along those lines in Armstrong County. We learned that the drug and alcohol task force of Armstrong County is also trying to get that money.
So, we're looking tomorrow, we're going to put a plan together to present to the commissioners as well as the drug and alcohol task force to try to get some funding to come back into the schools through part of that settlement. And as we talked as groups and we would have Armstrong, Freeport, Apollo, Leechburg, and Lenipe, we have different needs throughout that. So, do we have a social worker? Do we have a behavior coach?
What can we fund through that that would be helping out? And ultimately, we're trying to share with the drug and alcohol task force as well as the commissioners. All this goes back to the same thing. It may not be treating the drug and alcohol recoveries of it, but if it's parents who are dealing with that, we're going to be dealing with those children with that. So really trying to open those doors up. They had a meeting the week before we were up there. We were not invited. We're hopeful that we'll be invited to those meetings moving forward so we can work together to help the communities in Armstrong County. Um next week I have federal programs meeting up in Erie. I will be leaving Monday afternoon. I'm going to attend Tuesday's session and then come back home. It was a three-day session. I've attended it multiple times for the three days, but just don't have the time to spend up there with that.
were required to have some in there. So, I figured if I get up there for a day, we'll come back, get the meetings, get the updates we have for those pieces.
With that, as Jake said earlier, with our federal programs, we were able to transfer our title two for funds into title one. It still doesn't pay 100% of the two teachers we have, but it's a higher percentage of that. Previously, when I got here 10 years ago, we used to pay for about 70% and then we'd spend about 18 to 20,000 buying supplies, and then you had the track hat and the other 30 was coming from local funds. We just put it all towards there. It makes it much easier to track on where we're spending our federal funds for. It makes it much easier on that. Um, all the events coming up, I want to thank my principles and the rest of the admin team on what they've prepared as we go to the end of the year getting ready for graduation. The Elite 8 dinner coming up. Uh, some of the state stuff. I spoke last month about the digital accessibility that was part of the law they put in place that they're put in pieces that you have to have different options for everything that's digital in your district. And I still don't even have a grasp of it yet because there's so much through that. Uh it was just reported this week the state's now going to put a year weight on that because they've realized the the hole they've dug to be able to get this all in place and really realize it. The IU started putting some trainings together. So I'll start going to some of those, start sending our principles to them as they go through with that. But that's something to make sure that everything a teacher downloads if they put it in their Google classroom. It has to be digitally accessible by someone and different options of that. So most of our websites we use HSA McGraw Hill, they do it for us, but we just have to make sure. So wasn't sure how we're going to get through it. We've been talking about it for six months now.
Thankfully, the state's waiting a year till they will continue to work towards that as we go through.
The IU is starting to do some act 45 work for the principal's admin team.
They're going to start a book study that will give us act 45 hours, which is nice. It's something they're going to do in the summer. It'll be done by Christmas, but that keeps us from having to leave and go out of the building for professional development on that part.
Uh, as we've talked, cursive writing is coming in. They're going to start some doing doing some scribbles to scripts training for our teachers on that. They have a couple dates set up. So, I may look at the elementary staff, but this is a K to 12 looking at that. So, we may look and send some teachers to that as we go through with that. Um, as we've continued up, bunch of reports have been due in May. Uh, we're working on those parts and we're going to continue to go through. But that's my updates for today. Any questions on anything else that we have going on at this time?
>> Thank you.
>> Thanks.
>> Thanks. stay busy.
>> May's always fun. [laughter] >> Uh, under Grant's gifts and donations, uh, we'll be accepting a secret for Santa donation. And >> can't thank him enough. And like I said, he sent money. We'll put something together there. We're also going to put something together for the middle school and high school kids. Uh, whatever that looks like to try to give them something at the end of the year as well.
>> Yeah, he's been doing that for a number of years. It's well well in the six figures of what he's given our district on that. And like I said, he's great. He sends me emails with updates on his family and I'm hopeful. I believe he'll be available. He's come to the last three years to field day um and was able to check out stuff. So I think he'll be here again this year. Uh so it's all good stuff by him.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Just keep on thinking of this. It's great for the kids. under under student activities, uh we have the 2026 27 Burl ice hockey co-hop co-op that we'll be driving on.
>> Yeah. So, this will give our students the ability to play ice hockey with the Burl uh club program on that.
>> Under board related issues, uh you'll need a PSBA appointment of voting delegates at the PSBA delegate assembly in 2026.
And that is what in October or so I think >> I believe so. Nice. So >> and uh is there any public comment on non-aggenda items? I think we're okay. under the uh under public comments again it's a li you know as you come up and speak you give your name and your address >> November 7th >> November 7th >> is that PSBA our PSBA meeting >> and it's limited to five minutes also for what you're discussing again no personnel issues could be discussed under the non-aggenda items for public comment so we have uh Chris Christine I'm sorry [laughter] from westburg Yes. Actually, um, with your permission, it is about something on the agenda because I wasn't here. It's more of a clarification if that's okay.
Okay. Um, uh, Mr. Chapla on your um um presentation.
I just was curious um the two different there was like two different market values for each was that just to for each municipality was that just to give like an overview of what it could be?
Yeah, I was trying to show more of a relative 19,000 and the higher under 400 just so people that may fall in the middle could see where they fall between the higher end.
>> Okay, thank you. That's what I thought.
Just wanted to ask. And then I um I don't think this would change anything at all, but um with the A22, the aggregate of all municipalities of the school district within the county, was that to be looked at as like the three counties aggregate or aggregate of like the two municipalities in Armstrong versus >> discussion I had speaking with our council when we were reviewing the 822 method, it was under the interpretation of the within the school district as a whole. So all three >> all three municipalities of they each had one for Gilpin Leechburg and West Lee.
>> Yeah. Right. They all have their own. So then >> yeah, it was like an aggregate of those three.
>> Okay. All right. I just was reading that differently. So I just wanted to make sure I was on the same page as everyone.
And um um yeah, Christina, I'm from West Leechburg if that wasn't clear. And I just wanted to say uh thank you to the board, to the previous board, to Mr. [clears throat] Chapla for your diligence in um looking through all of the options. Um I also hope that it turns out uh favorably for everybody and the school district. So um yeah, however it goes, just um thank you very much everyone.
That's all. Okay.
>> [clears throat] >> One other I didn't put my list of from a non-aggenda item. I wanted to uh thank the uh the staff at the Crossroads Presbyterian Church Deacons had given to our third to eighth graders for the PSSA test. Uh they had a power pack that was given to every student. It said, "Use this pencil to write your best. Show off your skills on a PSSA test. Let this glow stick remind you to shine. Your hard work and knowledge will do just fine." Enjoy these animal cookies for a sweet start. You're one great student who is super smart. Since you're no dum dum, here's one for fun. Relax, do your best, and get it done. So, they had a pencil in that. And the people involved in that packed all these, which I saw them pack and my god, they just it was I thought it was unreal. But it was Sarah Cuffia, Claire Hes, Lindseay Croach, Mike Crochi, Denny Cuffia, Anne Romano, and Patty Brady. So, this is what they had given out and I thought it was a nice idea for the students before they started the test.
>> Kids appreciated them.
>> Yeah, >> there was no chocolate in there. I guess you can't give that out. I would have been happier with a piece of chocolate, but you know, from that >> and I have a short announcement.
>> Okay.
>> Um, a Leechburg town hall meeting hosted by the mayor Dorine is scheduled on Wednesday, May 20th at the Maronei Club mirror room at 6:00. The meeting will focus on highlighting local public resources including nonprofits, church programs, and a new community calendar.
Thank you. Anything else? Anyone? Okay.
Uh do I have a motion to adjourn the meeting uh this evening at uh 8:26?
>> Motion second.
>> Second. So this meeting you guys can get out the Leburg Area School District regular board meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 8:32. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
brought up for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Please be seated.
>> Mr. Chaplain, can we have a roll call, please?
>> Here.
>> Here.
>> Mr. >> Here.
>> Mr. >> Here. Mr. >> Here. Mr. Paul.
M >> Stewart >> here.
>> Mr. >> Here.
>> Okay. Do we have any public comments on agenda items?
>> No. Okay. Uh under we need a motion is needed to approve the meeting minutes for the month of April 2026 as submitted.
>> Motion.
>> Comments.
All those in favor >> I against.
>> Motion passes. Thank you. Under the action items under personnel uh under 2025 2026 non-athletic supplementals, a motion is needed to approve the following 202526 nonathletic supplemental as submitted pending successful completion of all required paperwork and clearances. Christristen Martin, MSHs detention monitor. Do I have a motion?
>> Some move.
>> Second. Comments.
>> All those in favor?
>> I >> against Sorry. Motion passes.
Uh motion is needed to approve the following 2026 27 athletic supplementals as submitted pending successful completion of all required paperwork and clearances. Tyra Vargo, assistant varsity football paid.
Sean Leotaa, assistant varsity football paid. Ryan Lcap, assistant varsity football paid. Dylan Cook, assistant varsity football volunteer. Brian Fulmer, assistant varsity football volunteer. Ryan Mo, assistant varsity football volunteer. Bruno Tresco, assistant junior high football pay. Uh, and we have a to be determined.
>> Another one we'll add later >> that we'll be adding for assistant junior high football, which would be a paid position. Blake Davis, assistant varsity soccer paid. Uh, Sarah Cuffia, assistant volleyball paid. Amy Tone, assistant volleyball paid. Anne Fischer, assistant volunt assistant volleyball volunteer.
Uh, Annne Romano, assistant volunt volleyball volunteer. Neva Vargo, assistant volleyball volunteer. Alicia Kamer, assistant junior high. Uh, cheer paid. Dylan Cook, varsity, assistant varsity boy, boys basketball pay. Do I have a motion? Motion >> second.
>> Comments. All those in favor?
>> I >> against.
>> Abstensions. I have to abstain. I have two daughters that are in here for uh volleyball.
Motion passes. Thank you.
>> Uh a motion is needed to accept the retirement of employee number 515 effective August 26, 2026.
Do I have a motion?
>> Second.
>> Comments?
>> All is in favor?
>> Well, she'll be missed. She >> I want to thank her for when she's on.
>> She's a great parent for us. I had her years ago in my classroom.
>> Okay. I'm allowed to say the name.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. It is for Mary Fellow Par Professional. I want to make sure I said all those in favor I'm sorry.
>> I >> I Anthony against motion passes.
Uh, a motion is needed to accept the furlow of employee 966 effective at the start of the 26 2027 school year. And the name >> no name. Okay.
>> Seven. Second.
Comments.
All those in favor?
>> I.
>> Okay.
Under action items from budget and finance, a motion is needed to acknowledge receipt of the following financial reports and to ratify approve the expenditures expressly set forth therein. Cash receipts, profit and loss statement, food service expenditures, food service revenue, general fund expenditure, general fund revenue, general fund balance sheet report, student activity report, treasures report, check detail reports, financial dashboard. Do I have a motion?
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> Comments?
All those in favor?
>> I.
>> All those against? Motion passes.
A motion is needed to approve the payout of unused vacation days as submitted.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> Comments. All those in favor?
>> I >> I >> against motion passes. Thank you. A motion is needed to approve the 2026 2027 Adelfi education contract as submitted.
>> Motion second. comments.
All those in favor?
>> I >> against motion passes.
Motion is needed to approve the 2026 2027 marquee agreement as submitted.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> Comments. All those in favor?
>> I >> I >> against motion passes. A motion is needed to approve the 2026 2027 the pimp's people agreement as submitted.
>> Motion second.
>> Comments. All those in favor?
>> I >> against motion passes.
A motion is needed to approve the 2026 to 2031 WL Ronic agreement as submitted.
>> So move.
>> Second. Comments. All those in favor? I >> I >> against motion passes.
A motion is needed to approve the 2026 27 PA preK counts partnership agreement as submitted. So move >> second >> comments. All those in favor >> against motion passes. A motion is needed to approve the Security Systems of America agreement with retroactive active approval of April 30th, 2026 as submitted.
>> So move >> second >> comments. All those in favor?
>> I >> against uh [snorts] a motion is needed to table the LEAOU as submitted.
>> [laughter] >> Motion second.
>> We just have to say we move >> comments. [laughter] We have a private joke going on here.
>> Exact [snorts] session.
>> Yeah. I know you're not supposed to break exess exactly the session, but that was just No one has to know anything.
>> We'll move right along >> just to show why we left. I mean, we are professional, but that was too too far.
All those in favor?
>> I [laughter] >> against motion passes.
Uh motion is needed to approve the board secretary to cast a balance for the approval of the 2026 27 Lenipe general fund budget.
>> Second >> comments. We have the uh balance in front of us.
>> All those in favor?
>> I >> I >> against motion passes. We'll turn these in at the end for the meeting.
>> Yeah. Excellent.
>> A motion is needed to approve the award of the food service management bid for the 202627 school year to the nutrition group as submitted.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Comments.
>> Welcome aboard. [laughter] >> Thank you.
>> All those in favor?
>> I against motion passes.
A motion is needed to approve the 2026 27 general fund proposed final budget.
Uh >> to state using a >> Okay. Yeah, I'm sorry. Motion to approve the 2026 27 general fund proposed final budget using A22 as submitted. No, A23. I'm sorry. I have a I have A2 and a dash3 right next to it.
using A23.
>> Second.
>> Second.
>> I'm sorry.
>> Thanks. But comments, Mr. Chapa, thank you for all your work.
>> Yeah, thank you.
>> All those in favor?
>> I >> again. Oh, sorry. Against. Motion passes. Thank you. A motion is needed to approve the 2026 2027 new story schools agreement as submitted.
>> So move second.
>> Comments? All those in favor?
>> I >> against motion passes. Motion is needed to approve the 2025 to 2027 ESS addendum as submitted.
>> Motion second.
>> Comments. It'll be nice to have a pool of substitutes to come in for maintenance to help those hardworking people out.
>> Yes. True.
>> Oh, he's gone. [laughter] >> He's gone.
>> All those in favor?
>> I >> against motion passes.
A motion is needed to combine and approve the field trip request 6.1 through 6.5 as submitted. I move. Second >> comments.
The uh and we had the date for the one filter >> May 18th. Yes.
>> May 18th.
>> And uh all those in favor >> I >> against motion passes.
Motion is needed to combine and approve the submitted facility use request 7.1 through 7.7 as submitted. So move.
Second >> comments.
All those in favor?
>> I >> I >> against motion passes.
>> Motion is needed to approve the professional development request 8.1 as submitted.
>> So move second.
>> Second.
>> Comments.
All those in favor.
>> I >> against motion passes. A motion is needed to approve the ASVAB testing on October 6, 2026 at 7:45 a.m. as submitted.
>> Second >> comments?
All those in favor?
>> I >> against. Motion passes. A motion is needed to accept the Secret Santa donation in the amount of $10,000.
>> So second >> comments. Thank you. Secret Santa >> every year so far. So, thank >> students appreciate >> very much. So, all those in favor?
>> I >> I >> I >> against motion passes.
A motion is needed to accept the 2026 27 Burl Ice Hockey Co-op as submitted.
>> Motion second.
>> Comments?
>> All those in favor? I >> I >> against motion passes.
A motion is needed to appoint the following school board members as PSBA voting delegates for the PSBA delegate assembly in 2026. We do not have names for that yet.
>> That's not the same as the convention.
The the one that I always go to because this is in November. The thing I always go to is in October. There's voting then as well. So, I'm not sure if this is this the delegate assembly I believe is something else. I mean, I can vote in in absent, you know, like I can be a voter.
I mean, I'll go to the one in October and if and if it got moved in November, I'll go to it then. But this isn't even this is in Maryland, I think. No, it couldn't be in Maryland, but it's PSPA.
I don't know what I read.
>> I just looked I just had the letter here.
Are we able to table this and put it on the >> delegates assembly April 3rd annual associationwide business meeting including platform bylaws consideration financial updates and leadership election results. The 26th delegate assembly will occur fully in person event on Saturday, November 7th, 9:00 a.m. Cumberland Valley School District's Mountain View Auditorium. There's no virtual attendance option.
>> Oh, I know why it was Maryland because Cumberland.
>> Yes. And it and it says that you're the leadership election results. So there'll be elections in October that are approved here.
>> Right. I don't want to go to that delegate then. But nobody can vote.
Nobody can vote visually virtually then.
>> Yes.
>> I don't think we've ever had anybody do this.
>> I don't remember. See, I'll look it up from last.
>> I can wait and get some details on that.
>> Okay. Uh do we have a motion to table uh the school board member selection for the PSBA delegate assembly in 2026?
>> No.
>> Comments. We'll wait and get the information on it and see. All those in favor >> against motion passes. Uh public comment on agenda items.
No.
Uh announcement of the date, time, and place of the following meetings. A uh combined public works work session, regular board meeting will be held at the Leechburg High School Library on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Do I have a motion to adjourn the meeting?
>> Motion second.
>> Comments? It is at uh 8:46.
>> All those in favor? I >> against the motion passes. We didn't wait for Anthony on that. I think [laughter] >> Thank you all in attendance. Thank you.
Just fill our >> We have to fill our form out for the authent. benefit.
>> We give these to you guys.
>> Today is May 13.
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