Deana Callipare

The committee reviewed the Social Studies scope, sequence, and resources for grades 3-5, which are slated for a 30-day review. Additionally, the committee discussed and prepared for board approval of revised resources for AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science, alongside a 30-day review for Organic Chemistry resources.

The board approved financial reports, including the treasurer's report and lists of paid and unpaid bills. Key agenda items included the acceptance of the 2024-2025 local audit report, agreements for extended school year services with the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, and educational programming agreements with The Day School at The Children's Institute. The board also authorized a partnership for mental health counseling services, an affiliation agreement for social services with the University of Pittsburgh, and the waiver of facility use fees for Camp Invention. Technology upgrades were approved, including the purchase of new switches and a firewall through the E-RATE program, as well as a new server. Additionally, the board approved capital projects, accepted several grants and donations, authorized budget transfers, entered into an agreement for unemployment compensation claims management, and approved a public school facility improvement grant application for a high school roof replacement. A first reading of several policy revisions was conducted, and personnel items were provisionally approved.

The committee held a meeting covering various district operational, academic, and financial matters. Key topics included a celebration of the wrestling team's state championship, a presentation on parent engagement programs and truancy initiatives, and student representative reports on high school events and accomplishments. The Board reviewed and acted upon several consent agenda items, including the local audit report, various service and affiliation agreements, the hosting of Camp Invention, technology infrastructure upgrades, capital project planning, budget transfers, and an application for a facility improvement grant for a high school roof replacement. Additionally, several district policies underwent a first reading, and personnel items were reviewed for provisional approval.

The Franklin Regional School District's Comprehensive Plan focuses on striving for excellence, learning, achievement, and citizenship, aiming to prepare students for success beyond high school by developing critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, effective communication, creativity, and citizenship. Key foundational planks include fostering a safe and healthy school culture, delivering a world-class educational system that develops life-ready citizens, maximizing student potential across academic, artistic, athletic, and civic domains, cultivating outstanding school-community partnerships, and ensuring fiscal integrity and effective governance. The plan outlines specific goals to improve student performance in PSSA Math and the Biology Keystone Exam, and to launch Advanced Career Academies in Healthcare, Technology/AI/Robotics, and Business/Entrepreneurship.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included financial report approvals for December 2025 and January 2026, and the approval of the List of Bills for February 2026, totaling over $2.6 million including food service. The board approved numerous consent agenda items such as bus and van drivers/stops for 2025-26, a transportation software upgrade, renewal of an MCIU service agreement, the 2026-2027 Technology Budget, purchase of student Chromebooks, acceptance of gifts/grants, student activity clubs, bond proceeds investment management, security window film installation, and sponsorship agreements for the Panther Natatorium Scoreboard. New high school elective courses, Jazz Lab and College Prep for Musicians, were approved, as was the addition of Golf as a PE elective. The board also approved awarding the bid for 2026-2027 gasoline and diesel fuel through a Joint Purchasing Consortium and adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds not to exceed $12,000,000 for athletic facility improvements.