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, Chief Executive Officer, shared an update about recent events that have occurred since the beginning of the school year particularly highlighting the Back To School events across the state, the annual week of STEM, and completion of the school year's first benchmark. 

Current enrollment is 5,773 students, with 106 of those being new enrollments within the last 14 days.

Michael Garman, Director of Human Resources, reviewed current staffing levels with the Board highlighting the 874 current staff members and 83% of staff who are 10-month staff. There are currently 29 unfilled positions, 7 of which are posted and/or pending, and 22 on hold.

There have been 27 new hires this school year and 22 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 September 18, 2024, Board Meeting
• Approval of Staffing Report
• Approval of Renewal with ABC Keystone

JD Smith, Director of Career Readiness and EDIB, shared details of an agreement with Fabric 1-9-6-8, a sewing workshop course, for Middle School age students.

Lisa Blickley provided an overview of the benefits renewal highlighting key data relevant to the renewal. 

Mr. Smith shared information about a partnership to introduce students to careers in the medical field. The program had previously been paid for with grant funding, but the grant has now expired so Mr. Smith is asking for school funding. The offered programs  include:

• Nursing
• Psychology
• Radiology
• EMT
• Behavioral Health
• Social Work
   

Lee Ann Ritchie, Chief Academic Officer, requested approval of an agreement with Western Governors University.

The Board entered into an Executive Session at 9:55 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, Leigh Ann Kraemer-Naser and Anthony Alexander. Guests present at the request of the Board were: Jane Swan, Lee Ann Ritchie, Michael Garman, and Karen Yeselavage. All others left the meeting at this time. 

No action was taken during Executive Session.

The Board resumed open Session at 10:21 a.m. 

School staff provided an update to the Board regarding the status of the school's 2024-25 SY Strategic Goals.