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. There were no changes needed at
this time.

Jane Swan, CEO, reviewed the current enrollment numbers for the school noting trends in
enrollment. Current enrollment stands at 6,449 students. At this time, 38% of students have indicated that they will be returning to Reach next year, while 56% have not responded to the survey. 

Ms. Swan was joined by Michael Garman, Director of HR, to review the findings of the recent Employee Pulse Survey. The year, the school partnered with RSM in order to promote anonymity in the survey process. 

Highlights of the survey include: 

• a 92.4% participation rate
• significantly favorable response in the areas of supervision and diversity
• 76.77% agree/strongly agreement with all questions

The leadership team has further identified next steps as a result of employee feedback. 

Michael Garman, Director of Human Resources, reviewed current staffing levels with the
Board highlighting the authorized complement of 919 and the 887 current staff members
of which 83% are 10-month staff. There have been 137 new hires and 44 departures
since the beginning of the school year.

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 board members to consider the items from the Consent Items. No questions or concerns were noted.

• Approval of Minutes from the April 17, 2024, Board Meeting
• Approval of Staffing Report
• Approval of Sage Intacct General Ledger system contract renewal 
• Approval of Add-On to Focus Communications Agreement 
• Approval of Renewal Agreement with IXL 
• Approval to renew JAMF Education annual license 
• Approval to Purchase Asset Tags 
• Approval of Agreement with Harrisburg University 
• Approval of Renewal with GovConnection Inc 

Mrs. Yeselavage reviewed the draft 2024-2025 budget, including major revenue sources, projected enrollment, staffing costs and other non-personnel related expenditures.

Projections for the 2024-2025 budget were based on an enrollment of 7,500 students and a 3% increase in weighted average tuition rates over the 2023-2024 weighted average rates as of 4/5/23.

MS. Swan requested approval for an affiliation agreement with University of Kentucky to provides for education experience opportunities for a students enrolled in the University’s
College of Social Work for the fall.

Mr. Garman requested approval for changes needed to the current 2023-2024 Employee Handbook.

Proposed changes include: 

• Updated the non-instructional salary structure to reflect board approved changes.
• Added a new section to define and explain administrative leave.
• Expanded bereavement leave guidelines to include a relative living in the
  employee’s household as an eligible family member for five days of bereavement
  leave.
• Expanded bereavement leave guidelines to include niece and nephew as eligible
  family members for one-day of bereavement leave.
• Reduced the minimum PTO leave request from two (2) hours to one (1) hour.
• Removed the provision to payout fifty percent (50%) of the bonus to staff who
  respond to the intent to return survey indicating they will not return for the next
  school year.
• Clarified that the school limits approved serious illness leave to 10 days per
  school year.
• Renamed the COVID-19 section as Respiratory Virus Policy. This aligns with the
  recent CDC guideline changes reflected in the school’s Respiratory Virus Policy
  formerly published as COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines.

With Board approval, the School will publish the Employee Handbook effective July 1, 2024.

Ms. Swan requested approval for a 36-month contract with UKG for a human resources information system.

Ms. Swan requested approval of a summer work proposal where teachers will create, update, and refine their courses in the Learning Management System during the summer from July 15 through August 15, 2024. 

Brandie Karpew, Board and Legislative Liaison, provided a government affairs update
specifically highlighting the school's efforts at grassroots advocacy.

Dr. Kelly McConnell shared that PSSA testing had recently concluded and the school would begin Keystone testing the following week. Reach will be testing at 40 locations across Pennsylvania to
ensure that all students have a location within an hour of driving time from their homes.

Reach Administration is requesting an additional $5 million in fund balance reserves for anticipated/ possible school district funding reductions due to the current legislative climate and statewide funding cuts for cyber charter schools proposed by the Governor of Pennsylvania.

JD Smith, Director of EIB and Career Development, shared details of an agreement with the Finishing Trades Institute. 

This program is created to educate and provide hands-on experience in painting, drywall finishing and glazing to students in their Junior and Senior years of high school. The goal of the program is to provide our inner-city youth the opportunity to experience the potential that careers in the building trades have to offer by providing professional instruction and guidance in these trades.

The program is geared to be a stepping-stone for students to progress from classroom to potential apprentices in these industries by teaching them the skills and knowledge that is needed to be a successful tradesperson.

The vote for this agreement was postponed until the June 2024 meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Mr. Smith requested approval for an agreement with SUL Studios where students could explore career opportunities in the music industry. 

The Board entered into an Executive Session at 10:38 a.m.

The Board entered into an Executive Session 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, Gail Hawkins Bush, Paul Donecker, Marcella Arline, Matt Ryan, and Ralph Woodard. Guests present at the request of the Board were: Jane Swan and
Mike Garman. All others left the meeting at this time.

No action was taken during Executive Session. The Board resumed open Session at 10:53 a.m.