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, CEO, reviewed the current enrollment numbers for the school noting trends in
enrollment. Current enrollment for the 2024-25 school year stands at 5,818 students, with 239 of those being new enrollments in the previous 14 days.

Attendance at BTS events was the highest ever. Each location set a new record for attendance. 

Philadelphia 400 

Erie 64

Scranton 100

Pittsburgh 200

State College 52

Michael Garman, Director of Human Resources, reviewed current staffing levels with the Board highlighting the 872 current staff members and 83% of staff who are 10-month staff. There are currently 31 unfilled positions, 9 of which are posted and/or pending, and 22 on hold.

There have been 24 new hires this school year and 15 departures. 

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 August 18, 2024 Board Meeting
• Approval of Staffing Report
• Approval to Purchase IPads

Rachel Graver, Chief Operating Officer, shared information regarding updates mate to the 2024-25 School Handbook, including minor language updates, the updated the School Calendar,  
updated PSSA and Keystone section to reflect recent updates from PDE as well as other itmes included in the board packet.

Brandie Karpew confirmed that the October 2024 board meeting will be held in
conjunction with a board retreat on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 9:00 AM at the Best
Western Premier Conference Center located at 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA.

Executive Session

The Board entered into an Executive Session at 9:35 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, Paul Donecker, Marcella Arline, Matt Ryan, Gail Hawkins Bush, Ralph Woodard, and Anthony Alexander. Guests present at the request of the Board were: Jane Swan, Lee Ann Ritchie, Michael Garman, and Pat Hennessy. All others left the meeting at this time. 

No action was taken during Executive Session.

The Board resumed open Session at 9:47 a.m.