Christina Baker-Lipschutz

The East Pennsboro Area School District's Comprehensive Plan aims to deliver meaningful educational experiences and serve as a cornerstone of its community. The central strategy is to further develop its Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process to identify and provide targeted and intensive support for students in specific sub-groups lacking skills and knowledge. Key objectives include improving state assessment performance for all student groups by a 3% gain in proficiency annually, increasing community and stakeholder engagement by 5% year over year, and achieving a 98% staff retention rate. The plan addresses challenges in meeting interim growth targets on PSSA and Keystone Exams across various sub-groups, particularly for economically disadvantaged students, students with IEPs, and English language learners, while building upon existing strengths in academic growth and coordinated student support systems.

The meeting agenda included several presentations covering Comprehensive Planning, English Language Learners, and the Kindergarten Registration Process. Key considerations involved the approval of several policies, including Organizational Chart, Academic Standards, Weapons, Controlled Substances/Paraphernalia, Threat Assessment, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Relations with Law Enforcement, and Opioid Antagonist. The agenda also addressed tenure affirmation for a Special Education Teacher, approval for numerous Spring Extra Duty Stipend Positions across sports like Baseball, Tennis, Softball, Soccer, and Track & Field, and the approval of a new English Teacher appointment. Further items included consideration of the Facility Usage Report, FMLA requests, placing the Comprehensive Plan 2026-2029 on public review, approving the 2026-2027 Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center Budget, and filing a grant request for HVAC improvements at East Pennsboro Area High School. The board also considered retroactively approving the Skybound Pediatric Therapy Agreement.

This document records the School Board Reorganization Meeting, which involved multiple procedural steps following the initial session. Key activities included the initial meeting call to order, roll call, and acceptance of the minutes from the prior November 20, 2025 meeting. Following a brief adjournment, the meeting reconvened for the seating of new members, which involved administering the Oath of Office to newly elected members by Judge William T. Tully. The agenda then focused on organizational elections: the election of a Temporary President, followed by the election of the official President (Mr. Rittner) and Vice President (Mr. Wevodau). The newly elected President subsequently addressed committee appointments, noting suggestions for reducing the number of representatives for certain boards. The Superintendent provided reports on items including the new Board Member tour, inclement weather procedures, and Christmas card contest winners. The meeting concluded with public comment and a final adjournment.

The meeting commenced with an executive session discussing personnel, student, safety issues, and Act 44. Student representatives provided updates on various activities including fundraising, concerts, and exams. The Superintendent reported on the Winter Concert Season, the Middle School band's performance, a Mock Constitutional Convention, BizTown interviews, and upcoming dates. Key presentations included an explanation of the PVAAS student growth measurement system, noting specific results for High School, Middle School, and Elementary schools, and concerns regarding Middle School math scores. The Financial Audit Results were presented, showing a clean opinion, with transfers to the Capital Reserve Account and payment of the CTC obligation resulting in a reported deficit. The proposed 2026-2027 Academic Calendar was also presented. The Board considered placing several policies on review, including those related to weapons and controlled substances, in light of Act 44. Personnel actions included accepting resignations, approving extra duty stipends, and approving FMLA requests. Committee reports included updates from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit and the Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center.

The agenda for the School Board Meeting included several key discussion points and considerations. Presentations were scheduled regarding Student Growth Measurement, an Audit, and the Proposed 2026-2027 Academic Calendar. The Superintendent's report involved placing several policies on review, including those related to Organizational Chart, Academic Standards, Weapons, Controlled Substances/Paraphernalia, Threat Assessment, Emergency Preparedness, Relations with Law Enforcement, and Opioid Antagonist. The board was set to consider approving the Facility Usage Report under Student Activities and Athletics. The Personnel agenda included accepting resignations, approving new extra duty stipend positions and transfers, and considering several requests for FMLA leave. Committee reports were scheduled for the Capital Area Intermediate Unit, Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center, Facilities, Cumberland County Tax Bureau, Education, EP Education Foundation, EP Township Recreation Board, Policy, and Wellness.