There were no comments from the public at this time.

David Taylor, Board President, asked the board to review the agenda distributed prior to the meeting and asked if any changes were needed. Jane Swan reminded the group that there would be a discussion about a facility subcommittee during the strategic portion of the agenda. There were no changes needed at this time. 

Jane Swan, CEO, read from the CEO Board report included in the packet. 

Additionally, Mrs. Swan reviewed the current enrollment numbers for the school noting trends in
enrollment. Current enrollment stands at 6,283 students.

Staffing Report: Michael Garman, Director of Human Resources, reviewed current staffing levels with the Board highlighting the authorized complement of 919 positions and the 856 current staff members of which 83% are 10-month staff.

Benefits Renewal Update: Lisa Blickley provided an update to the Benefits Renewal process. Capitol Blue Cross awarded Reach a $200,000 loyalty credit, which offsets the $106,000 shift in enrollments and nets a $93,000 savings on the approved renewal.

Karen Yeselavage, Director of Finance, reviewed the school’s financial statements with the Board. She reviewed the revenue and expense statements, advising on changes since the previous months’ statements. Ms. Yeselavage further reviewed with the Board the school’s balance sheet and current forecast. 

Mr. Taylor asked if there were any items from the Consent Items that should be moved to Action Items for discussion or tabled. No changes were noted.

• Approval of Minutes from the November 15, 2023, Board Meeting
• Approval of Staffing Report
• Approval of Expansion of Edmentum Contract
• Approval of Contract Renewal with Nearpod
• Approval of Additions to the Student Handbook
• Approval of Health and Safety Plan
• Approval of continued contract with Reclamere

JD Smith. Director of Career Readiness requested approval to expand the current Alaska Sealife program to include students in grades K-8. Each grade band will have 1 session for 60 minutes, via Zoom. They will begin around springtime due to daylight hours and live animal activity in Alaska.

Brandie Karpew, Board and Legislative Liaison, shared an update on recent government affairs, specifically highlighting the recent Basic Education Funding Commission hearings, Gov Shapiro's appointments to the Charter Appeals Board, legislator visits to our school, and current updates to the state budget process.

Scott Stuccio, Director of Outreach, provided an update on the work being done by the Outreach Department.  Mr. Stuccio specifically highlighted the growth of Reach's social media platforms, Fall 2023 events, the new Ambassador program and partnerships.

Greg McCurdy, Director of Special Education, discussed recent changes made by the Department of Education to amends Chapter 711 (relating to charter school and cyber charter school services and programs for children with disabilities) by replacing the term ''mental retardation'' with the term ''intellectual disability'' and by replacing the term ''mentally retarded'' with ''an individual with an intellectual disability''.

Jane asked for volunteers to participate in a subcommittee whose purpose would be to secure a school facility in the future. Marcella Arline and Anthony Alexander volunteered as representatives from the Board of Trustees. From staff, volunteers were Jane Swan, Rachel Graver, LeeAnn Ritchie, Scott Stuccio, Scott Shedd, JD Smith, and Greg McCurdy.

The Board entered into an Executive Session at 9:34 a.m. upon a motion being made, seconded and confirmed via roll call vote of all Board members present.

The Board cited the following for entering into the Executive Session: Pursuant to 65 Pa. C.S. §§ 708(a)
(1) – to discuss any matter involving the employment, appointment, termination of employment, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of performance, promotion or disciplining of any specific prospective public officer or employee or current public officer or employee and 65 Pa. C.S. §§ 708(a)(5) – To review and discuss agency
business which, if conducted in public, would violate a lawful privilege or lead to the disclosure of information or confidentiality protected by law.

Board members present were: David Taylor, Marcella Arline, Paul Donnecker, and Anthony Alexander.

Guests present at the request of the Board were: Jane Swan, Rachel Graver, LeeAnn Ritchie, and Karen Yeselavage. All others left the meeting at this time.

A vote was taken to approve a performance bonus for all employees to be paid on January 31, 2024.

There being no further discussion and upon a motion being made, seconded and confirmed via roll call vote of all Board members present, the Board resumed open Session at 9:45 a.m.