Paul Bigham

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silent meditation, followed by roll call. The agenda remained unchanged, and minutes from the January 13, 2026, board meeting were noted for standing as written without comment. The session included the first of two public comment opportunities, reserved for agenda items requiring a vote. The primary focus of the covered segment was the Superintendent of School reports, featuring presentations from Kindergarten Academy leadership regarding their comprehensive kindergarten transition support initiatives. These initiatives include the "We Wild Cats" program for 3 and 4-year-olds, pre-K workshops in partnership with the United Way, kindergarten registration, and kindergarten orientation. Discussions detailed efforts to build relationships with new families, focusing on pre-readiness skills like phonological awareness, fine/gross motor skills, and social-emotional growth, alongside providing materials for parental engagement.

The working session commenced with a discussion regarding Athletics 2.0, specifically focusing on the proposal for a middle school track team. The presentation detailed compliance with district policy regarding new sports programs, noting significant student interest, particularly evidenced by the large participation in the middle school cross country program. Logistical considerations, including using the high school track for meets and practicing on the cinder track at the middle school, were discussed. Budget implications included an estimated startup cost of $25,000 for refurbishment and $10,000 for initial uniforms, with projected yearly expenditures of $13,000. The second major topic covered medical insurance trending, presenting five-year benchmarks showing a significant escalation in district medical spending, rising from approximately $4 million in 2010 to a projected $14 million for 2025-2026. It was noted that medical expenses have surpassed pension costs to become the second-largest line item in the budget behind salaries, with recent annual increases reaching 17% and 14-15%, compared to historical averages of 5% to 8%. The proposed next steps involved a three-part approval process concerning the addition of the sport, the track refurbishment, and associated budget expenses.

The working session included community recognition, featuring updates from the Simpson Library and celebrating the retirement of Mrs. Sue Erdman, with an introduction of the new executive director, Lizzie Cidle. Discussion highlighted the ongoing partnership between the school district and Simpson Library, including support via appropriations and summer learning challenges such as 'Color Our World' and the upcoming 'Unearth a Story.' The board also heard a presentation on the audited financial statements for the year ending June 30th, 2025, which resulted in an unmodified or 'clean' opinion from the auditors. The implementation of the new GASB standard 101 regarding compensated absences was noted as a change in accounting principle.

The proceedings began with the reorganization meeting, including the administration of the oath of office for new and reelected board members, followed by the election of officers, resulting in the unanimous election of Rick Bradley as President and Tracy Morgan as Vice President. The meeting then transitioned into the regular session. Key agenda items included the affirmation of the PSBA standards for governance and leadership, approval of the meeting schedule for regular board meetings and committee meetings, and the reading of minutes from previous meetings held on November 11, 2025, and November 25, 2025. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing a departing board member, Mr. Rup, for his 18 years of service to the district and seven years on the foundation board, noting his involvement in infrastructure projects and advocacy for public education. Later, a presentation was given on the newly implemented CKLA English Language Arts (ELA) program, detailing its components (skills and knowledge) and the positive feedback received from teachers and students regarding phonics, decoding, and engaging knowledge topics like the human body and Greek mythology.

The meeting commenced with the opening remarks, noting that the session was being recorded and live-streamed for transparency, followed by the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silent meditation. Key agenda items included the Superintendent's report recognizing board service and presenting a resolution proclaiming January as School Director Recognition Month. Reports were also provided for the Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center, noting construction progress and increased student enrollment, and the Capitol Area Intermediate Unit, focusing on financial recovery and contract reviews. The Wildcat Foundation reported on its upcoming largest fundraiser and a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding with the district. The board addressed procedural items such as committee assignments and authorized the administration to proceed with bidding and joint purchasing programs for supplies and equipment for the 2026-2027 school year. Furthermore, the board approved the 2026-2027 high school course registration booklet revisions and the instructional calendar for the same period. The finance section included approvals for the Treasurer's report, budget reports, and various fund invoices, as well as the approval of the tax policies report. New business concluded with the adoption of an agreement for student expulsions and the approval of the personnel report.