I'd like to call the January 25th 2021 meeting of the Derry Township School
District Board of Directors to order
and announce that this meeting is being livestreamed and audio recorded.
This meeting is being conducted both in-person
and virtually.
Sorry.
I'd like to call the June 14th, 2021
meeting of the Derry Township School District Board of Directors to order
and announce that this meeting is being livestreamed and audio recorded.
This meeting is being conducted both in-person and virtually.
I'd like to request the board members to please state your name when speaking.
Message at Mrs.
e.g. Roll call please.
Is she not she?
She's a panelist.
Michelle, you need to unmute.
She there?
Should I do it? She's there. Okay.
Oh, she can't. She can't hear.
Joe managed to roll call.
Well, she can't hear.
Well, she's unmuted.
She may want to leave and come back in.
You know that that has.
Can you hear us, Michelle?
You do the roll call.
We're going to have Dr.
Winslow do the roll call.
And Thomas, as you can get
situated
Mr. Able.
Here. Dr. Cronin.
Ms.. Drew.
Here, Mrs. Harrison. Here.
This is Mamie here.
Dr. Shaw.
Here. Mrs. Secor.
Here. Mr. Singer. Here.
Mrs. Steiner, you're working for Trish.
There are eight board members present, and Dr.
Cronan does not have an excused absence for this evening's meeting.
Please rise if you are able to join me
for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The United States of America to which it stands.
One nation under indivisible, with liberty and.
Justice for all.
May I have a motion to approve
the June 14th, 2021 Board of Directors agenda?
So moved Kathy Secor second.
Terri Singer.
Is there any discussion?
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I, I, i
and he knows motion carries.
Okay, so we.
Just. Bear with us.
Gets a little cumbersome.
We need to elect.
We need to do the election of a school board president tonight,
which means that we have to do the election
of a temporary president.
Yes. So
say that again.
I thought I said it right.
But what did I have to say?
I'm sorry.
That one on the actual agenda,
It says April 26.
So the approval of the June 14th,
I'm sorry.
Back up to the approval of the board.
Minutes of the board of directors agenda.
I'd like the approval of the June 14th, 2021,
Derry Township School District Board of Directors Agenda.
I'm sorry about that.
May I have a motion to approve the June
14th Board members Board of Directors agenda?
So move to Kathy Secor.
Second, Lyndsey Drew.
Is there any discussion?
This is a standard voice for voice vote.
All those in favor say I, I. I.
And any one opposed motion carries.
Again, I apologize for that.
Now, on to the election of a temporary president.
Are there any nominations
for the position of temporary president?
I'd like to nominate Miriam Emmy.
Terri Singer.
I'll second.
Okay.
But are there any other nominations?
Okay.
Hearing none.
The nominations are closed.
Miss A.J., are you available for a roll call?
She doesn't appear to be.
No. Donna, I'm sorry.
Dr. Winslow, can you please. Absolutely.
Mr. Abel? Yes,
Miss Drew? Yes.
Is have her sick? Yes.
This is Mary. Yes.
Dr. Shore?
Yes, this is. Yes,
Mr. Singer? Yes.
Mrs. Steiner? Yes.
Okay. Yes.
Okay.
So I will now accept nominations for president for the remainder.
Of the year.
So I would like to state that.
I. Will nominate
I would like to nominate Lindsay Drew
as school board president for the remainder of this year.
Second, Cathy Sicker. I.
I'd like to nominate Kip Shore.
Okay,
sir, any discussion on why we need a safety?
I don't.
You actually don't need a second look this up.
A nomination does not have to have a second.
In Robert's Rules of Order.
Okay, so on the slate is Lindsay,
Drew and Capshaw.
Are there any other nominations?
Okay.
Nominations are closed.
Is there any discussion?
I just wanted to do one thing.
Since Michelle's not able to When we do rule
roll call, then you have to move the first person to the last now.
So since John started the last one, he just goes at the end.
Thank you.
I have a list.
Okay.
So we would like to do a roll call for Lindsay Drew.
I think you just do a roll call and you say who?
Sorry. Yes, Steve.
The name of the committee.
So just say Lindsay Drew.
Okay. I'm not following what you're saying.
I'm sorry. So
I see.
Okay. Okay.
I got it. Sorry.
Okay. So Dr.
Winslow is going to do a roll call vote.
And when she calls your name, you're going to state
the candidate that you're supporting, Lindsay Drew or Capshaw.
Dr. Winslow.
Mrs. Steiner.
Lindsay Drew.
Mr. Singer.
Lindsay Drew
as a sticker.
Lindsay Drew.
Dr. Shore.
Typical Mrs. Mamie.
Lindsay. Drew.
This is, however, stick kept Capshaw.
Mr. Lindsay.
Drew. Mr. Able. Then she drew.
Six for Lindsay. Drew
two for Capshaw.
Okay.
See? Drew.
New president.
Okay.
And that's it.
I get to stop this.
This is so. Painful.
And thank you very much, Maria, for handling things.
We have several meetings.
Thank you.
Oh, just have the dialog.
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
Next item is election of a treasurer.
We'll do this in two motions because the
the current term of the Treasurer is through June 30th, 2021,
and then the next one is beginning July 1st.
I'll accept nominations for the position of Treasurer
for the remainder of this fiscal year through June 30th, 2021.
I'd like to nominate Kathy Sukkar.
This is Terri Singer.
You don't need a second, I guess. Okay.
Just a point of order.
Doesn't the current Treasurer need to resign before we can elect a new one?
Oh, yes.
Are there any other nominations?
Hearing that nominations are closed
with Mrs.
Seger as the nominee.
We'll do a
voice vote.
All those in favor say I.
Any opposing
Mrs. Seger is appointed as treasurer through June 30th, 2021.
Thank you.
The next item is election of Treasurer for the next fiscal year,
beginning July 1st, 2021 through June 30th, 2022.
May I have nominations for Treasurer for the upcoming term?
I'd like to nominate Kathy Seger.
Are there any other nominations
hearing?
No nominations are closed.
This will be a standard voice vote for Mrs.
Seger as treasurer beginning July 1st, 2021 through June 30th, 2022.
All those in favor say. I.
Any opposed
motion carries congratulations with a cigar.
Thank you.
The next item of business
is the authorization of signature change for newly elected president.
May I have a motion that the Derry Township School districts
Board of School Directors approved the revision of signature authorization
on file with designated depositories to include the signature
of its newly elected president.
So moved Maria me.
Second. Second.
Cathy Zika. Is there any discussion?
Mr. Rossi.
As a point of order,
does this need to have a separate item
for Treasurer as well, or
okay,
this is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I, i, i any opposed
motion passes
adding an
item of business authorization of signature change for newly elected
Treasurer.
May I please have a motion that the Derry Township.
School Board School.
District Board of School Directors approved the revision
of signature authorization on file with designated depositories
to include the signature of its newly elected Treasurer.
So moved.
And second.
There any discussion?
All those in favor say.
I i. Any opposed
motion passes?
President Communications.
I would like to announce that the Board met
in executive session prior to this meeting to discuss matters of personnel
purchase or lease of real estate
consultation with attorney or other professional advisors.
Agency business which have conducted in public would violate
a lawful privilege or lead to disclosure of confidential information
recognition of citizens.
This is an opportunity for residents and taxpayers
to address the board on matters related to the agenda.
Those who speak, if present, are asked to come to the microphone
and state your name and address for the record.
Those who are attending virtually are asked to raise your virtual hand
in order to be recognized, you must have your first and last
name typed into the livestream registration.
Once recognized and unmuted, please state your name and address
for the record to provide other residents with an opportunity to speak.
Each speaker during the public comment portion
is limited to 5 minutes of speaking time once recognized and limited
to one opportunity to address the board during each of the public comment periods.
If necessary, the board may set a maximum time
for the public comment portion of any meeting.
This portion of the board meeting is for comments to the board
and is not a question and answer period.
Those wishing to present
private concerns or questions needing follow up outside of the board meeting
may go to the district website and submit a community correspondence.
Are there any residents or taxpayers who would like to comment at this time?
We only have one attendee in person
and I see no hand raised, so we will move to
the virtual attendees.
Mr. Swaggart It looks like Mr.
Brooks is the first person registered
or with his hand up.
Mr. BROOKS You can come off
mute and go ahead, please.
Good evening, Gordon.
My name is Edward Breaks out of the 1740 East Caracas Avenue, Hershey.
I would like to
question legitimacy under Robert.
Rules of order over the Board of Directors in Jeddah during the posting of April
26, 2021, versus the correct date.
I also would like to object
the nomination of Lindsay Drew as the president of the board due
to partizan concerns and the receives the recipient of money
from George Soros and other partizan sources.
That is all.
Thank you, Mr.
Brooks.
Mr. Swaggart.
Next.
Next, we have Diana Clemons.
All right.
And everybody hear me.
Yes, Mr. Hammond, thank you. Go ahead.
Hi. Dennis Lamont, 1051 would Reg
drive in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania?
My question was to the attendance
of the curriculum meeting this afternoon.
And I know that that's not on the agenda, but there was no other way
really for me to contact people I was interested in attending.
And I had just a few questions
and concerns about some of the curriculum that is being.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Evans.
Per the advice of counsel, this is not directly related to the agenda.
And so I apologize.
I would just have to ask you to wait until the second comment period.
Okay. All right. Thanks. That's fine.
Madam President, we have Corrine Seacrest.
Miss Seacrest, you may know, unmute.
Hello, my name is Corrine Seacrest
and I live at 1940 Deer Run Drive,
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.
I also object
to Lindsay Drew's nomination as president
if she has received money from Soros.
That is that is awful.
And you should not be president if you have
been supported by that man.
And that's
that's all I have to say right now. You.
Thank you for your comments.
We have no other hands raised at this time.
Madam President,
thank you.
Will move on to standing committee meeting, report the Curriculum Council
and the General Services Committee met today
for the curriculum committee.
Who will be providing that report?
I'll give the report. This is Cathy Zucker.
The Curriculum Council met today,
and we had an informational item from Mrs.
Michelle O'Brien about a potential Europe trip
in the 2022 2023 school year.
She did come to us prior to the COVID
shutdown last March and presented this idea to us.
But obviously that whole thing got put on hold with COVID.
So she would like to bring it back, not this school year, but the next school
year, hoping to go over the Thanksgiving break in November 2022.
And she is working with a very reputable
company, ACS, that puts safety as their number one priority
and also includes a type of trip insurance.
Since of everything we just went through with COVID.
So we will get more updates on that.
We also had another item
for discussion and an update on the high school grading system.
Lori Wade came from the high school.
If you remember, we started with the 4.0 grading scale
for the current ninth grade rising 10th grade class.
That is going very well.
There are no issues reported.
So we will continue doing that.
So next year in the high school, it will be the current ninth
and 10th graders who have their grades reported on a 4.0 scale.
And then the top two grades,
the 11th and 12th, are currently still in the percentage.
So, you know, like you might get a 97% and biology than your overall.
It could be like a 92.
So the top two grades will be in the percentage in that
and any one coming in is on a 4.0 scale.
Is that because they started that way?
Yes. So we started with the the rise in 10th graders a year ago.
And then we'll move.
On for all future class transition down.
Right. So it's transitioned out.
They are
transitioning to a new computer system over the summer called Synergy.
So all that's in the works with this grading scale,
we also reviewed our goals for next year.
They are the same goals that we discussed at the last Curriculum Council.
They have not changed, so they stay intact and they are a couple of pages.
So if you want to look at those goals, they are in Agenda Mander
in Agenda Manager under the Curriculum committee,
we also approved under old business
three textbooks that are out in the hallway here.
They are approved through a second read, so they will be coming to the board
at the next June 28th meeting.
One is called Catch Up Readers.
One is our psychology textbook for AP High School
Psychology, and another one is our Strong Kids program.
And that concludes my report.
Thank you. Mrs.
Sikka, General Services.
Mrs. Mimi, is there a new General Services chair?
There is Terry Singer, but he got thrown into it, so I, I did the meeting,
so I'll just give that the update if that's okay, unless you want to
come over.
So we elected a new territory speaker and then we did.
We didn't have any unfinished business and the new business.
We got an update on capital projects.
We discussed the 2021, 2022 capital plan,
and then we also started the discussion of the proposed
roller hockey rink.
So there were attachments.
If anybody is interested in the general services agenda, that is for the public.
And we also recorded the meeting that's all.
Thank you.
Mrs. Many Community Correspondence Report.
Mr. Tredinnick, do you have a community correspondence report?
Thank you, Madam President.
I do have a report.
During the month of May,
we received a total of 52
submissions via our community correspondence form.
The vast majority of those were all related to the district's COVID
19 response.
Others included a question about the school calendar.
We had a request for I.T.
assistance, a request to distribute non-school materials.
We had five inquiries related to curriculum, three enrollment inquiries,
and we had two submissions that related to student discipline matters.
Five Report
Thank you, Mr. Tredinnick.
The following items will be on the agenda for the June
28th, 2021 Public Board of Directors meeting.
There is no unfinished business this evening.
Consent Agenda Items.
The Consent agenda contains routinely adopted items and items
that normally do not require public deliberations on the part of the board.
A board member may pull items which will then be discussed and voted on separately.
May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda items as listed so moved?
Maria Miami second.
Cathy Speaker Is there any discussion?
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say. I.
Any opposed
consent agenda is approved.
New business
approval of Revised 2122 Calendar. Dr.
Winslow Administration recommends
the approval of the revised 2021 2022 school calendar.
Thank you.
May I have a motion to approve the 2122 proposed school calendar?
So moved Maria me
second.
Terry Singer Is there any discussion
documents or would you just explain the change, please?
Absolutely.
There's not a substantive change for the community.
There was one. Too many.
Teacher days as there were four in-service days listed
at the beginning of the school year, and there were only supposed to be three.
So one of those was removed. Thank you.
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I.
II any opposed. I
motion passes.
Next is I will accept nominations for two board members
to serve as the Derry Township School District voting delegates for the 2021
SBA Delegate Assembly to be held on October 23rd,
2021.
Is there anybody who's interested
that once nominated?
I have attended the past two years?
This past year was electronically and prior to that was during the conference.
I know that it's separate from the conference this year and it's
actually been
a really great experience to be able to hear
from so many school directors from across the Commonwealth.
So I would encourage it.
I would be happy to to be one of the two to participate again,
unless, you know, I don't I want to provide the opportunity
for others to be part of that as well, to
I just need nominations.
I'd like to nominate Lindsay Drew,
this is Tricia Steiner.
I'd like to nominate Terri Singer
if she's interested in attending and I just wanted to add.
To that that it is available in at the SBA.
Headquarters for the first 100 registrants.
They only have space for 100 people in person.
And thereafter that the other remaining delegates
or if you choose to, it will be available virtually.
Thank you, Mrs.
and Mr.
Singer, Are you interested in that nomination?
Sure. Thank you.
Thank you.
Then, Mrs.
Mimi and Mrs.
Steiner move that Lindsay Drew and Terri Singer been nominated to serve
as the Derry Township School District voting delegates for the 2021
PSB delegate assembly to be held October 23rd, 2021.
May I have a second?
Second? Kathy Seger.
Thank you. Is there any discussion?
Nominations for the delegates are now closed.
This will be a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say aye.
I, i any opposed.
Thank you.
Change orders.
Number two, Hershey Elementary School. Dr.
Winslow, The administration recommends the board approve the Gala.
Mechanical Incorporated change. Order
number two for the chiller replacement at the Hershey Elementary School.
Thank you.
May I have a motion to approve the regalia?
Mechanical change. Order number two.
So moved.
Maria. Mimi
second.
Terry Singer.
Is there any discussion?
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say hi.
Any opposed
motion passes?
Casco, supplemental bid, participation.
Dr. Winslow The administration recommends the board approve the agreement
with Kafka.
Supplemental bid participation allowing Mr.
Hummel to participate in the tri state purchasing group for grocery supplies
for the 2021 2022 school year.
May I have a motion to approve the Casco Supplemental Bid Participation Agreement?
So move to Maria.
Mimi Second.
Cathy Speaker Is there any discussion?
This is standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I, I.
I. Any opposed Motion passes
Approval of 30 day Review of the Derry Township School
District Comprehensive Plan. Dr.
Winslow, The administration recommends the approval of a 30 day
review of the Derry Township School District Comprehensive Plan 20.
2120. 22 through.
2024. 2025.
The proposed Comprehensive plan will be on display in the following locations
the Hershey Public Library,
the District Office and Derry Township School District Website.
Thank you.
May I have a motion to approve the 30 day review of the Derry Township
School District Comprehensive Plan for 2021 through 2221,
22 through 2024 25.
SEL moved. Kathy Secker second.
Maria Mammy, is.
There any discussion?
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say aye.
Hi. Hi. Any opposed
motion passes?
Updated safety and Security Warehouse Agreement.
Dr. Winslow.
The administration recommends the board approve the agreement
with Warehouse for professional services in the amount not to exceed
$127,575
for the high school campus traffic flow project.
The contract is set up in seven parts.
Part one was approved on April 14th, 2020.
Warehouse will begin part two.
Upon approval of this agreement, work will not begin on part
three and subsequent parts until approval is provided by the superintendent.
Thank you.
May I please have a motion
to approve the warehouse agreement for the high school traffic flow project.
So moved Maria Mimi
Second.
Cathy Secker Is there any discussion?
Madam President, as previously stated, I remain concerned
that there is nothing in this agreement about warehouse
approaching or discussing with the Milton Hershey School.
Their proposed construction of the Catherine Hershey School for Early
Learning on the southwest corner of Governor and Homestead.
And I am concerned that without some communication
that something will just get missed
and that the study there for the traffic study will be incomplete, inaccurate.
And I just I feel that there should be something in this agreement
to make sure that they discuss this with the Milton Hershey School.
Madam President,
just when we talked about it last time, I did pull up the aerial view
of that proposed site and the entrance to it is far down on Homestead.
It is not across from my school on the highway.
So I'm okay voting for this because the entrance to this proposed
property is not at our high school.
But certainly
that will increase the traffic on Governor turning on Homestead, right?
Yeah, I mean, that's that's why you would want some communication
there regarding the traffic study to make sure that it's not.
Is there any other discussion.
Just thinking about it.
Wouldn't it be part of where I was has responsibility to communicate
with whomever they felt they needed to communicate with to do a proper
traffic flow study?
It seems
that there wouldn't have to be
mandated to do it or contractually obligated to do it.
I would think if they didn't do that, they wouldn't.
I don't know.
I'm just thinking out loud here.
It seems to me it something that they would do
that one would think unless it just gets missed.
I believe it would be required by the township
through the land development plan if it was required.
I know that
Mr. Friends had explained that this next
the next phase of this project is to to conduct that,
and then the traffic impact assessment has to go to PennDOT for approval
before anything else can happen From there.
That is a requirement of the project.
So I know that PennDOT will have to review and approve that, and they would have,
I would assume, have knowledge of, of any other
traffic studies that are being completed in the area.
And you know what that would. Be.
Because Milton Hershey would be bound to those same traffic study requirements.
PennDOT would have to approve it.
So I guess whoever comes out of the project out of the gate
first with their project.
This is Judy.
Have a sec then I have a question regarding that.
So if Milton Hershey might have to do a traffic study,
are we duplicating it all, and would it be better for them to do it on their dime?
Like, if they're going to be building there.
I know Mr.
Friends, if you're able to join in on the conversation,
my understanding is that each one would have to
have its own unless applied at,
you know, at the same time for PennDOT, because it's for two separate uses.
But I would ask Mr.
Friends, if if you have any comments and
can participate.
Just to Mr.
Shah's question about
engaging Milton Hershey School,
as I think one of the members noted, that is done through the township
and as part of the as part of the process warehouse will be going through,
they will be working with the township to understand what the process
we're talking about, the process with the projects that are handling.
As far as the traffic study is concerned, it is project specific.
So unless we were to adopt Milton Hirsch's portion of the project or vice versa,
we would not be able to submit one traffic study for both of our part purposes.
We are doing this for two different purposes,
and that's part of the township planning and PennDOT as well,
that they play quarterback.
In terms of those proposals coming in,
what's been addressed, what hasn't been what's been talked about.
But it would be fairly improper for us to go to individuals
throughout the community to talk about proposed projects
that once again have not been approved by the township
or PennDOT or for construction.
Thank you.
Does anyone have any additional discussion or questions for Mr.
Lawrence in this discussion?
Okay.
Hearing none is easy.
I would ask for a roll call vote, please.
This is five or six.
Yes. Yes.
Mr. Fanning? Yes,
Dr. Sharp? No
sticker? Yes.
Mr. Fair? Yes.
Mr. Steiner? Yes.
Mr. Abell. Yes.
That's.
Mr.. Yes.
Okay.
All right.
Seven. Yes, one now.
Thank you.
Approval of Depositories for 21, 20, 21, 2022.
Dr. Winslow The administration recommends the board approve the list of.
Depositories for the 2020 2021 school. Year.
Thank you.
May I have a motion to approve the list of depositories for the 2022?
For the 2021 2022 school year.
So moved Maria. Me
second Cathy snicker.
Is there any discussion?
I just have a question for Mr. Friends.
Are all of these the same depositories from the last school year?
They are with you.
I believe I have it listed Fulton Financial in the past.
Just doing it to be safe. We don't.
We have the money deposited on deposit with them, but we don't normally
put money on deposit with them.
So the addition of Fulton would be the only one.
The other three have been were the same ones approved last year.
Okay.
Thank you.
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say. I.
Am any opposed
Motion passes, personnel, resignations. Dr.
Winslow, The administration recommends the approval of the following resignations.
May I have a motion to approve the personnel resignations?
So moved. Maria, My second Cathy sticker.
Is there any discussion? Yes.
This is Judy. Haverstock.
I just wanted to thank Scott Govern for his
service with the school.
I just thought he was an outstanding athletic director and.
Always valued his.
Opinion and who he brought forth.
And I just wish him the best of luck.
In his new role.
Is he on here?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
So sorry to see him go, but I do wish him the best
as KIPP. Shall I just echo Mrs.
Harris sticks Comments.
Much appreciation to Scott for his time and effort on behalf of the students
and wish him well all of his future endeavors.
This is Terry Singer.
I'd like to thank God for all his efforts as well
and wish him the best in the future.
This is Johnny all concur.
I think he always did a great job representing our district and our students
and we will miss him and wish him all the best.
I agree and thank Mr.
Governor and wish him good luck in the future.
I know a lot of.
Students are also very sad to see him go.
A lot of feedback from that. So
this is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say hi.
And he opposed.
Personnel resignations is approved.
Personnel. General,
Dr. Winslow administration recommends
the approval of the list of personnel and recognition of any listed transfers.
Thank you.
May I please have a motion
to approve the listed personnel and recognition of any listed transfers?
Same old Cathy Seger, second Maria, Mimi.
Is there any discussion?
This is the standard voice vote.
All those in favor say. Hi.
And any oppose
motion passes.
Delegate reports.
The CAIR report is attached.
Mr. Abel, do you have anything to add? No, I do not.
I had the pleasure and honor
of telling my first meeting, and I'm looking forward to further service.
Are you attending virtually or allies?
I went live this last meeting.
I think an excellent.
You do have the virtual option.
I'll probably be virtually attending. Okay.
PSP, a report is attached as well.
Board member reports.
Are there any board members who would like to give a report?
Madam President, Kip,
I just want to remind everybody today is Flag Day,
and it's the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars
and Stripes by the Continental Congress in in 1777 on June 14th.
And reminder, the flag represents the ideal of freedom,
which for us in perfect humans, will always be a work in progress.
Thank you, Dr.
Shah.
Superintendents Report.
Dr. Winslow, do you have a superintendent report?
I just wanted to give a reminder that the virtual sign up,
we're calling it a survey.
It's not exactly a survey, but is open through tomorrow at midnight.
So families who would like to choose the virtual option
for their students for the 2122 school
year, would want to have that completed by tomorrow, midnight.
Thank you, Dr.
Winslow, for president's report.
I just want to say thank you to the board for this opportunity
to serve as president and to Dr.
Shore is honored to be nominated alongside you.
To all of my colleagues here on the board, I have a tremendous amount of respect
for each one of you.
And I know that we do not always agree on
on things or vote the same way, but I have
valued tremendously the input
and work that we've done together over the last three and a half years.
And I appreciate this opportunity to sit here
for the next several months until reorganization of the board.
We have had just a really crazy year and
it has tested a lot for the board, for the administration, for the
the students that that we represent, for the community and the parents.
And so I look forward to all of us continuing to work together
as we move forward with a reopen in the fall
for our students and always remembering to keep the best
interests of the students in mind as we go through this.
So thank you for this opportunity and
I look forward to to continue
serving with you.
The next item is recognition of citizens.
This is an opportunity
for residents and taxpayers to address the board on matters related to the agenda
or matters of district governance that were not on the agenda.
Those who speak are asked to follow the same guidelines
outlined at the initial public comment portion.
Our meeting.
Are there any residents or taxpayers who would like to comment at this time,
seeing none here in the audience.
We can go to the virtual attendees.
Mr. Swaggart and Madam President, we have Deanna Salmons.
Thank you, Ms.. Marin's.
You may unmute and go ahead and thank you for your patience
in waiting until this portion.
Thank you. I apologize.
I am new to this process,
not meeting Hershey, Pennsylvania.
I've been here over 20 years, but new to Derry Township School District
as I homeschooled my kids all the way through until last year,
my son decided to attend school and he did it during a COVID year.
So he found it very interesting here
to be in public schools that was fits and starts and and all those things.
And we were able to get our footing.
But I'm no stranger to Hershey as I attended Milton Hershey School
as a student and also as a house parent and Milton Hershey School for 15 years.
And I come to you as now a citizen of Hershey with a child in public school.
I'm super excited to partner with you.
I do have background in social learning and curriculum writing,
and so I was very excited to see that you have strong kids
on your curriculum as something that you're approving for this year.
I would like to make the recommendation that strong kids go broader
than just those students who are struggling
with behavioral or coping mechanisms
and then actually become adopted in the entire school district
through your cocoa principles that you have outlined on your website.
And a reason that I recommend that is because I did see that in your curriculum
you will be addressing some diversity and inclusion
topics in your curriculum through ELA and also through social studies.
I think that a strong character education program
in the school district will unite the school district.
I do think that critical race theory or any proponents of that cause
further division.
As an African-American parent, I studied a lot of critical race theory
topics and concepts this year, and I struggle
even as an African-American woman with accepting it
because it poses an oppressive,
oppressive division amongst society.
And I fear that it will do that within our school system.
And so those are the things that I'm concerned with mostly
in some of the adoption of the new language for curriculum.
I would like to also see point as amended
in your goal number two,
and I'm going to bring that up on my phone so that I can read it the correct way.
I know I'm I'm taking some time, but I do have probably 30 seconds.
I say 2 minutes and 30 seconds left.
2 minutes and 30 seconds. Okay.
Thank you so much.
I think part ass
goal two says the curriculum must reflect the needs of our citizenry.
I absolutely hands down.
Agree with you on that.
Public education is a primary vehicle for societal change.
I would like to see that amended.
I believe that the family is the primary vehicle for societal change.
I do not think that the role of the school
is to be a vehicle for societal change.
I think that the school can teach character, and I think
that character development will change society.
My biggest concern is that depending on what is taught
at the school district level, when it comes to
diversity and inclusion, oppression versus the oppressor,
those who are victims versus those who have a to power,
as I as children still trying to develop
who they are and their identity, I think that we
probably would be creating much more division.
So I think that
it is clear under as it says
that there is systemic racism and oppress oppression of marginalized groups.
But a strong kids could adopt empathy,
mutual respect, would adopt listening skills,
and would it be able to teach kindness under your community
opportunities, citizenship, ownership and academics?
I think it would be a strong journey for a Derry Township school district
to model what it looks like to be diverse and to be inclusive
without adopting a critical race theory or oppression
oppressor versus oppressive mindset for our kids.
These are adult issues that we're still wrapping
our brains around at the death of George Floyd this year.
And even thinking about it here, I don't think that it is something
that we should be teaching to our children until as a community of adults,
we actually can come together and be able to dialog this ourselves.
Here in Hershey, I think I love the idea
of having all things diversity being brought to the table.
I think discussions amongst adults during all things, our city
would be the best place to hash this out and not bring it forward to our children.
Thank you so much for your time. Thank you,
Mr. Swiger.
Next, Madam President, we have Coreen Secret's next.
Thank you, Mr.
Chris. Go ahead. Hi.
I have just one short question for you.
Is Derry Township, are they
including critical race theory
or the 1619 project in their curriculum?
And if they are as a taxpayer and a supporter of you all.
Of all the teachers, I plead with you
to completely trash
that curriculum because it is racist.
It is division divisional,
and it is not anything
that we should be teaching in the schools of this country.
We should be teaching our children to love our country
to respect our country, to respect authority,
to love each other,
and to get active
in keeping this country free.
And I do not believe our country is racist
and I think this
critical race theory is something that teaches racism.
So can anyone tell me,
is this being taught in our schools?
Ms.. Higgins,
thank you so much for your questions and for your comments.
I would encourage you to please submit a community correspondence
submission so that Dr.
Winslow would be able to speak with you directly, as this is
not typically a question and answer period.
But you can't tell me yes or no.
I believe that it's much broader than that.
I can share that At the counsel of the solicitor at our last meeting, Dr.
Winslow did speak to this and a question that was raised about that.
So I would encourage, if you go to the district website
for the May 24th, 2021 meeting
at the final public comment portion, Dr.
Winslow did respond to questions that were similar to yours.
Okay.
I will do that.
But again, I reiterate that our schools
should be teaching respect for authority, respect for government,
respect for law and order and love of this country,
which is the best country in the world
because it was formed on God's principles.
And anything that takes away from that should not
and must not be taught in our schools.
Thank You very much.
Thank you.
Madam President, we next have Catherine Berry's.
Thank you.
Miss Berry's.
You may go ahead and unmute.
Hi, my name.
Is Cathy Marissa, but 163 high point drive
in Hummelstown and
I wanted to address
the issue which seems to be
so prevalent with
a lot of members of the community,
we would like to have a very clear answer that masks will be optional
for the students, all students in the fall.
Now that the emergency orders have been discontinued for the state of
Pennsylvania, it is my understanding that it is up to the districts to
move forward with this format
in the fall, depending on,
I guess, what is voted on.
And I have actually taken a small survey
with the Pennsylvania parents
protecting children and have received at least 41 parents
and the school district that they absolutely do not want masks
to be worn by the students in the fall and would like it to be optional.
And I was like this to be addressed and it should be addressed very soon.
Thank you.
Okay.
Next we have Michelle DAVIES.
Ms.. DAVIES, you can go ahead, please.
Hello.
I just want to say that you can give.
Address. For the record.
Oh, sorry to keeping nobody else.
1524 Church Road, Hershey.
I just want to say that if you can give us a definitive
no answer to whether CRT
is being taught in our schools, then
you need to get it out.
CRT has no no place in schools at all.
I also want to bring up that
as parents,
we're supposed to make the decision whether to have our kids
be virtual or
not by tomorrow.
But you guys haven't given us exactly what
the plan is for next school year for in-person.
Whether you're going to allow us to have the right to choose
health care for our children and not have masks on them,
and whether or not you'll require vaccinations, which my kids
won't be old enough for anyway because they're not over 12.
But I'm sure that's a concern for some parents.
And so I think you need to extend
the deadline for choosing virtual
until you guys give us
that decision publicly.
I know I've talked to Dr.
Winslow that followed the governors guidance,
which kind of scares me,
that he'll say, oh, it's up to the school districts,
and then you guys will still say,
Our kids have to have masks on the kids, and they shouldn't be.
So thank you for your time.
Madam President.
Next, we have added Brookes.
Mr. Brooks, your immediate please go ahead.
Oh, thank you.
Ever read something for you strikes?
There's really nothing I can say more than everyone else who's already spoken.
I stand against CRT in all its forms, whether it's labels, say,
or whether it's called equity
in teaching our children getting the people by race as opposed to character.
I stand against masks.
I stand against a school board standing
fully behind neighboring school boards and allowing
or declaring when they will
allow kids to be without masks to my daughter,
wearing masks outside in guard practice, etc.
We pay the highest taxes in the district.
We expect more from the school board as far as action quicker
and prioritizing education
over politics, sacrificing
our children's education time, sacrificing time for the teachers
to learn equity versus education and empathy.
That's it.
Murphy What better than I?
I just want to make my voice heard by letting me know that I stand with them
and let you know that we're going to be here until this is figured out.
I do respect the visit everyone, but
our part of the community deserves representation too.
We are here until we are represented.
Thank.
Thank you, Mr. Brooks.
Is there anyone else for public comment?
At this time, there is not
actually, at this time we have one more person,
Kristy Parker.
Thank you, Mr.
Swaggart. Ms..
Parker, you may go ahead.
Hi. Able to hear me?
Yes, Thank. You.
Okay. Sorry.
Last week I had trouble with that.
My name is Kirstie Parker.
I live at 167 South Hanover Street, Hummelstown and 17036.
I am I. I've come on late.
I missed the.
I thought that it was earlier, so I come on late.
So I didn't get to hear everything that everyone was talking about.
But I do just want to lend my voice again to.
Just.
I'm just.
I'm just blown away by just all the talk about the CRT.
I can speak for myself as someone
who is half black, half white.
I'm telling you that I absolutely abhor and oppose this.
I think that it is absolutely against our civil rights.
People have lost lives and and sacrifice
many, many things that we could never even imagine.
And I can't believe that we have a a school district
with with, you know, Derry Township is a very diverse area.
I am I am just appalled that this is even something
that anybody would even think about incorporating.
And it is absolutely, in my opinion, definitely a political move.
And I find it to be very just very cowardly.
I hope that I don't mean to be disrespectful.
I just think that when we are talking about teaching our children
to look at the outside of a person and judge
based on what they look like from the outside, what their station is,
how much money they have, where they live, if they're worth anything.
It boggles my mind that this would even be talked about.
I cannot believe it.
My father worked for IBM when he was younger.
He he died from a cerebral hemorrhage.
He did not die in any kind of gang violence.
I am appalled at just the utter idea
that this would even be allowed to creep in to any public school system.
Written by a woman, as far as I understand, who was white.
It boggles my mind.
The last thing I will say is, is that I would just.
I would just plead for you all to think long and hard
about the fact that if you're thinking in any way, shape
or form of incorporating this anymore, I know that it's been incorporated
because I have two girls who have talked about these things.
So if you were again thinking about it, I just would ask you all to think
long and hard about the consequences, about what you're thinking about doing.
No one should ever
be asked to look at someone else's skin color, gender, hair.
It doesn't matter what it is.
No one should ever be judged based on what they look like from the outside.
Never, ever, ever.
It is absolutely, positively disgusting to me
and I think to probably most people.
And that's all I will say.
Thank you, Miss Parker.
Sir. Anyone else for public comment, Mr.
Swiger?
At this time, I see nobody.
Okay. Thank you.
Is there anything else for the good of the order?
I would just like to personally address.
I know that there were some comments made
during the first portion of the public comment related to,
you know, some donations
or something from from George Soros for me and
I'm not really sure you know where that came from.
But I do want to just ask the committee members that spoke to that.
Please feel free to reach out directly to me.
I unfortunately have not had the opportunity to talk to
to either of you personally and would
welcome and appreciate that opportunity.
And just ask that the community continue as we move forward
and go through these transitions that
were provided the opportunity to, you know, to do so
and that we can have dialog.
So I just wanted to address
that in the section.
The next public Board of Directors meeting will be held on
June 28th, 2021, starting at 7:00 PM.
Please refer to the District website for details as the meeting draws closer.
May I have a motion to adjourn this meeting?
Meaning?
I'm sorry.
We will be meeting in person following this meeting.
May I have a motion to adjourn this meeting?
So moved to Miami.
Anybody else?
John Singer.
All those in favor, please say I oppose.
The meeting is adjourned at 8:05 p.m..