Meridith Bebee

The meeting began with procedural announcements, including the board meeting in executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters. Student council representatives from KDM and the 56 Center provided extensive updates on their activities, including recognition events for School Board Appreciation Month, community service projects like collecting canned goods for the Chester County Food Bank, and spirit days. The High School student representative reported on winter sports accomplishments, senior nights, field trips for the AP Art students, work by the National Art Honor Society, details for the upcoming Mr. Great Valley event benefiting the Chrissy Character Award, and information about the Physics of Sports and Hobbies class. Following the student reports, the board president read a formal statement committing the district to serving all students with dignity and respect, acknowledging the recent Office for Civil Rights Investigation, and reaffirming compliance with all civil rights laws and policy 103.3. Subsequent agenda items involved reports from the Learning and Innovation Committee, which reviewed district assessments, discussed the launch of the fifth-grade world language and culture class, noted changes to the 12th-grade English class, and detailed the transition from Skyward to Infinite Campus for student information systems.

The board meeting was designated as a work session, meaning no formal voting took place. Key discussions included updates from the student representative regarding high school activities such as the holiday-themed door decorating contest and the Model United Nations Club's participation in conferences. The student representative also highlighted the entrepreneurship class, which featured presentations on business competitions and the patent process. The superintendent update portion focused on two items: the audit review for the 2024-2025 school year, which resulted in an unmodified opinion with no current or prior year findings, and a discussion regarding a field study. The audit presentation detailed financial figures, noting a budgeted decrease in the general fund balance of $10 million which ultimately materialized as a $6.4 million decrease, indicating better-than-anticipated performance in revenues versus expenditures. Details on pension liabilities, including the state's PENSERS plan and OPED plan, were also provided.

The meeting proceedings commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. A significant portion of the beginning involved recognizing and thanking two departing school directors, Miss Samantha Jewan and Mr. David Barrett, for their years of dedicated service, mentorship, and leadership through various challenges including the pandemic and district growth. Members offered personal tributes and gratitude. Following the recognition, the Student Council from General Wayne Elementary provided a report, highlighting recent activities such as their annual Soup Night fundraiser held on October 8th, which raised money for nonprofit organizations or families in need.

The document covers two distinct meetings held consecutively: a Board Organization Meeting and a subsequent Business Meeting for December. The organization meeting involved administering oaths and confirming the election results for newly seated and returning board members, including the election of a temporary president, a permanent president (Rachel Gyos), and a vice president (Nha Ma). Board committee appointments were finalized for various groups, including Communication, Finance (committee of the whole), Policy, Facilities, and Instructional Tech and Curriculum. The Business Meeting addressed several approval items: Consent Agenda items (801 and 802), Financial Approvals (Section 9), which included approving a contract with Right At School for summer camp and after-school care services spanning 2026 through 2029 (noted as considerably more affordable than the current provider), the Act One budget resolution not exceeding the 3.5% index, foreign trip insurance package approval, and kiln replacement at Charles Town Elementary School. Personnel Approvals (Section 10) included a Memorandum of Understanding regarding compensation for an assistant athletic director. Finally, the board reviewed the draft calendar for the next school year, confirming the proposed August 24th start date despite overlap with PIAA fall sports.

The meeting included recognition of concluding school board members, student council reports from General Wayne and Sugartown Elementary Schools, and a student representative report. The board discussed the state budget, venture grants, fundraising, and an activity bus. Updates were provided on curriculum, technology, professional development, and principal meetings. The superintendent reported on the state budget passage and additional funding. The board approved consent agenda items, including technology and financial approvals, personnel items such as resignations, leaves, appointments, and salary adjustments. Policy approvals and public comments were also addressed.