WEBVTT 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:40.000 Mrs. Royal? Dr. Searfas? 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:43.000 Here. Here. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:44.000 Mrs. Stickler. 9 present. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:53.000 Here. Thank you. Please rise if you're able and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.000 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:13.000 into the report for which it stands. coordination, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:18.000 May I please have a motion to approve the January 26, 2026 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda? 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:22.000 So moved. Second, Jennifer Renz. Is there any discussion? 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:27.000 This is a standard voice vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:36.000 the agenda for this evening is approved. Uh, the board did not meet this evening in executive session prior to this meeting, as we usually do due to the inclement weather. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:41.000 Um, we are holding this meeting in person, and I'd like to just thank all of the board members for being here. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:46.000 as school code and state law require that we have at least 5 members in person in order to have a quorum. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:54.000 Um, everyone is here, so we are able to conduct business as normal, so thank you for that. 00:01:54.000 --> 00:02:03.000 We'll now begin our first public comment period, which is an opportunity for residents and taxpayers attending either in-person or virtually to address the board on matters related to the agenda. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:11.000 If you wish to speak on matters not related to the agenda, an additional public comment period will be provided later in the meeting. 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:21.000 Each speaker is permitted up to 5 minutes of speaking time during each one of the public comment periods in order to provide other residents with an opportunity to speak, and I'll ask Board Treasurer Dr. Mccarver to please keep time. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:29.000 When necessary, the Board may set a maximum time for public comment. As a reminder, all public comments are part of this evening's public record and minutes. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:37.000 We do not have any in-person participants this evening, so I will invite anyone who is attending online and would like to. 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:41.000 participate in public comment to please raise your virtual hand at this time. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:45.000 You must have registered individually with your full name and address in order to be recognized. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:51.000 For all speakers, it's only necessary once you are recognized that you identify yourself by providing your full name. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:57.000 Mr. Nicholson, is there anyone online wishing to comment virtually? 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:03.000 Not at this time. Thank you. We will move on to our standing committee meeting reports. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:08.000 Uh, general services and finance standing committees both met today, uh. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:16.000 in a fully virtual format, Mrs. Wrens was re-elected as chair of General Services, so congratulations, Mrs. Wrens. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:23.000 Do you have a report for us? Thank you. I'd like to say the election was a landslide, and I appreciate it. Thanks so much. 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:44.000 We had a very robust, um… This evening, um, we received an update on some elementary school submacement work from Dr. Winsler. She provided us with a timeline, and uh… plan for moving forward. I had the pleasure of introducing Mr. Henry Snyder, our new Director of Buildings and Grounds. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:47.000 Um, he, in his first 5 days of working for the district. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:53.000 Um, was able to identify. many different, um, items that needed to be. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:04:02.000 taken care of action items, and he has, um, a plan to take care of all of those items, so that's fantastic to hear. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:09.000 Um, and I'd also like to extend a debt of gratitude to our buildings and grounds crew, because they. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:16.000 Despite all of these things that need to be taken care of, we were completely unaware of it. Everything was running very smoothly, and they. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:26.000 We're able to make sure that we have heat and hot water, and, um, so thank you so much to them for keeping us going. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:34.000 Um, we received a presentation, um, on E-rate items from Mr. Nicholson, um, for, um, security updates for the elementary school. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:47.000 Um, and we are able to move this, um, project over to the new building when it is installed, so… Um, we won't be losing any money, we'll actually be saving money by doing it now using the E-Rate program and not having to put it into. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:56.000 The new… presentation from our architect for the elementary school, Anthony Kolstock. He presented us with the Act 34 booklet. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:05:04.000 Um, which is required to be available 20 days prior to the Act 34 hearing, which will be held on March 3rd, I believe at 7 o'clock. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:15.000 And the NPR in the elementary school. And, um, please listen to, um, the meeting's minutes, or, sorry, read the meeting's minutes, or, um. 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:21.000 watch the audio to get updated on it, because we discuss many things, and. 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:23.000 It's, uh, too much for me to mention here. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:26.000 Um, and that is everything. Thank you. Great. Thanks, Mrs. Wrens. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:30.000 Uh, finance also met today, and we did not elect a new chair, because. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:35.000 Dr. Mccarver, as Board Treasurer, gets to, uh, remain chair by default. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:39.000 Which we are grateful for. So, Dr. Markova, would you have a report, please? 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:48.000 Yes, I do. At the Finance Committee meeting, Ms. Dermo began by reviewing the financial statements for the district. Revenues were approximately $4.5 million. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:55.000 And expenditures were approximately $5.7 million, revenues consisted primarily of real estate tax. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:01.000 collections and state subsidies, while expenditures consisted primarily of salaries and benefits, as usual. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:05.000 There were no significant revenues or expenditures of note. 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:11.000 And there were no significant scholarship or activity fund transactions of note. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:23.000 Mrs. Dermo then gave a brief update on the 2026-2027 budget process, the building and departmental budgets have been submitted to the business office, and budget meetings are in process of being scheduled. 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:28.000 a very preliminary budget will be ready for the February Finance Committee meeting. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:34.000 As well as a listing of all open items requiring board input, discussion, and guidance. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:41.000 Mrs. Dermo reviewed the contracts listed for board approval. There were 5 contracts that have been reviewed by administration. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:46.000 And they recommend approval by the board, which will happen in February. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:55.000 The Act 34 booklet was reviewed by Anthony Kolstock from Crabtree Rohrbach & Associates and Lou Verdelli from Raymond James. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:03.000 The maximum building cost is expected to be $122 million, and the booklet was forwarded to the full board for review. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:12.000 And finally, the 2024-2025 audit was reviewed by Matt Wildeson from Boyer & Ritter. The district budgeted. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:21.000 A deficit of approximately $700,000 that year, but we ended up with approximately $1.8 million deficit, and this was mainly because. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:26.000 of Cyber Academy expenses and substitute teacher costs that were more than expected? 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:32.000 The auditors gave us an unmodified or a clean opinion of the district's financial statements as well. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:37.000 As the audit of our school lunch program, which receives a lot of federal money. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:45.000 The auditors found no instances of noncompliance. Material to the financial statements and did not identify any significant deficiencies. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:52.000 in our internal controls over financial reporting. The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday 23 February 2026. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:59.000 Great, thank you, Dr. Mccarver. Um, our student representatives are joining us online this evening. 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:08.000 I see Representative DeLal and Al Quinn are both with us, so would you please share your report virtually? Thank you for joining us. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:19.000 Yeah, this is Representative Dole. We do have a small report today. Um, Model UN recently held a conference at the Hershey Lodge to address global issues. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:28.000 And Hershey won the Outstanding Delegation Award. Our Hershey boys basketball team has been keeping an outstanding record this season with a win over Redland. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:39.000 This past Friday. We'd also like to say good luck to the Hershey High School competitor cheer team as they head to Nationals tomorrow, and students also worked on our. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:52.000 Fed day diligently at home with enough time to enjoy the snow outside. They are looking forward to maintaining a positive mindset tomorrow, continuing their Zooms, and eventually returning to schools. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:57.000 Good evening, everyone. This is Representative Alcline. I hope everyone's staying warm this evening. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:06.000 Uh, last week, during the 4-day break, the high school band and orchestras went on a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:22.000 They had the opportunity to record soundtracks and voices for The Secret Life of Pets, and spent some much-needed free time at the Universal theme parks. This was only possible through our wonderful Hershey Instrumental Music Boosters and the DTSD staff and administration. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:35.000 the Hershey Middle School and HHS Minathon had fundraisers at Texas Roadhouse and Permani Bros, respectively, with a percentage of each food purchase being donated to the Four Diamonds Foundation. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:41.000 And lastly, we had our Hershey Elementary PBIS Community Night with. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:48.000 over 1,200 attendees, and it was a fun night full of fun games, crafts, and dancing. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:51.000 Thank you. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:56.000 Thank you, and thank you both very much for joining us online tonight. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:10:10.000 Okay, in just a moment on the, um, screen will be the listed items for the anticipated February 9th, 2026 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:16.000 Thank you. There is no unfinished business this evening, so we will move on to the consent agenda. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:22.000 The consent agenda contains routinely adopted items and items which normally do not require public deliberation on the part of the board. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:26.000 A board member may pull items which will then be discussed and voted on separately. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:30.000 May I please have a motion to approve the consent agenda items as they are listed? 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:34.000 So moved, Jeff says. Second, Jennifer Renz. Is there any discussion? 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:39.000 This is a standard voice vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:47.000 The consent agenda for this evening is approved. Moving on to new business, our first item is the approval of the. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:54.000 school calendar, Dr. Winslow? The administration recommends the approval of the proposed 2025-26 school calendar. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:11:00.000 Thank you. May I please have a motion to approve the 2025-2026 proposed school calendar? 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:04.000 So moved, Shashik? Second, Jennifer Reynz. Is there any discussion? 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:10.000 Dr. Winslow, would you like to add anything? Sure, I'll just very quickly say that it is a very standard. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:19.000 school calendar. Um, there are no major changes. Uh, first day of school will be August 24th for students. Staff would come back on the 17th. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:27.000 Graduation is, um… Wednesday the 2nd of June, with the final day of school on Thursday the 3rd. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:39.000 Being a half day, very standard, um. in-service time and, um, Act 80 days. Nothing… nothing unusual, and I do want to point out there, um. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:48.000 I know there's been a request for Diwali. We've been trying to work that in. It does fall on a Sunday. It's coming here, so we haven't forgotten, we still look every year, and. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:50.000 When it fits, we'll definitely get it on there. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:55.000 Great. Thank you, Dr. Winzo. I would also just like to mention, one. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:12:03.000 We're approving the calendar on January 26th, so thank you for your work in that. Um, I know everyone always anxiously awaits that approval for planning purposes. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:12.000 Um, but also thank you for continuing to be mindful and thoughtful in the planning of the calendar in a way that allows for. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:22.000 Um, days off that are over-observed holidays of. Um, a variety of religious practices, um, and special days on there. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:32.000 I think that it does a great job. Our calendar does a great job of, um, reflecting and representing the diversity in our district, and I appreciate, um. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:41.000 that we give that consideration. Absolutely, and I will just say that it was a delight creating the calendar this year, because Dr. Rawls and Ms. Dichico did the first. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:52.000 And it made it so much… Much nicer to go from there. Well, thank you for the collaboration. They did a great job. It was wonderful. That's great. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:59.000 Is there any other discussion? This is a standard voice vote. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:07.000 The calendar for next year is approved. Our next item of new business is the CAIU E-Rate Consortium, Dr. Winslow? 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:16.000 The administration recommends the approval of the CAIU E-Rate Consortium to authorize the CAIU to act on behalf of Derry Township School District for participation. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:27.000 In the E-Rate consortium, including submitted FCC forms. related filings for telecommunications, internet services, and eligible Category 2 equipment and services. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:31.000 Thank you, may I please have a motion to approve the CAIU E-RE Consortium. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:35.000 So moved. Second, Jennifer Rentz. Is there any discussion? 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:38.000 This is standard voice vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:54.000 Any opposed? No. Item is approved. The next item is the Wilkes University Memorandum of Understanding, Dr. Winslow? The administration recommends the Board approve the field experience memorandum of Understanding with Dairy… 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:59.000 Thank you. May I please have a motion to approve the Wilkes University Memorandum of Understanding? 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:03.000 So moved, Jessica. Second, Jennifer Rentz. Is there any discussion? 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:07.000 This is a standard voice vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:17.000 Any opposed, no. Our next item of new business is, um, may I please… the revised 2026 committee delegate assignments. May I please have a motion to approve? 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:21.000 So, move, Justin. Second, Jennifer Renz. Is there any discussion? 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:30.000 Um, I just want to comment, this is just to update and fill some of the vacancies that we had from our previous approval, so thank you to all the board members who are willing. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:38.000 Uh, to fill these delegate spots. Um, for places where we participate as liaisons of the district, um. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:43.000 in community groups in Dauphin County Technical School, it's another additional thing that, um. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:48.000 That we lend our times to… time to as board members, and I appreciate everyone's commitment. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:54.000 This is a standard voice vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:15:00.000 item is approved. Personnel resignations. Dr. Winzo? The administration recommends the approval of the personnel resignations. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:07.000 Thank you. May I please have a motion to approve personnel resignations? So moved, Josek. Second, Jennifer Wrens. Is there any discussion? 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:12.000 The standard voice vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:21.000 Our final item of new business this evening is Personnel General Dr. Winzo. The administration recommends the approval of the listed personnel in recognition of any listed transfers. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:26.000 Thank you. May I please have a motion to approve the listed personnel in recognition of any listed transfers? 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:37.000 Second, Jennifer Rentz. Is there any discussion? Mr. I just want to say that I'm delighted to see Jesse Ruiz coming as a temporary professional employee. He's doing a really nice job, and. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:43.000 has been coming to sporting events and doing announcing, and it's just really nice to see, uh. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:48.000 several of our new young teachers really getting involved in the last couple of years in extracurriculars and. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:51.000 And time with students, and it's just nice to see this. 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:58.000 Great, thank you. There's no other discussion. This is a standard voice vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:10.000 Any opposed? No. item is approved, that concludes our new business this evening. There are no delegate reports, so we'll move on to special reports. Are there any board members who would like to give a report? 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:22.000 How many times can I say report? Dr. Winsor, do you have a superintendent's report? Just a very brief one, I just wanted to take a moment and publicly thank our Buildings and. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:33.000 I've worked diligently to clean up the storm. I know that they still have a little bit that they want to do yet tomorrow, moving some of the big piles of snow off of the lot so that all the spaces aren't taken up by the big piles of snow. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:45.000 I did not realize that they had come in at 3 AM and 6 a.m, respectively, yesterday morning, so that they could be here before the snow started. And then several of them stayed overnight last night. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:55.000 So that they could be up first thing this morning and continue. So, just deeply grateful for that level of commitment and dedication to the district. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:59.000 And the kind of teams that we have in place. Just really, really thankful. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:07.000 That's great. Thanks, Dr. Winzo. Um, for boards… board presence report, I just want to echo, um, the thanks to that, uh, our. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:16.000 facilities look better than most places, including my own walkway, so thank you for that commitment, and it's just a testament to. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:22.000 the level of dedication across the district entirely with our employees, um, hearing teachers on Zoom today. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:28.000 Um, conducting virtual learning, seeing what's happened on campus. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:32.000 Um, everyone that's here tonight, it's just really appreciated. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:40.000 Um, I also just wanted to give a plug, uh, for… if you have not yet purchased your ticket to the upcoming musical. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:57.000 Our HHS theater Department is, um. doing Frozen, the musical, it is going to be… phenomenal, I am sure. Um, one of our student representatives is in the cast, um, and I'm super excited to see her on stage. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:18:03.000 February 27th through March 1st. Tickets are available online, and they are selling quickly. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:10.000 Um, so if you have not reserved those, I highly recommend that. Also, any place where you're able to share and. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:18.000 kind of bring attention to the program. Normally, you'll see there's a lot more advertisements out around town for the production. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:30.000 because of the license. For this, because we are the first high school, it just… the license just became available this year, so no one's done the show, um, around, but we are restricted in how we're able. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:40.000 to see it promoted, um, as a result of that. So, uh, word of mouth is going to be a really great thing, sharing online, um, and then any, um. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:44.000 kind of earned media that we're able to receive for that. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:52.000 That concludes my report. We'll now begin our final recognition of citizens and public comment period for the evening. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:59.000 this is an opportunity for residents and taxpayers to adjust the board on matters related to the agenda, or matters of district governance that were not on the agenda. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:07.000 We will follow the same guidelines outlined at the initial public comment portion of our meeting, and I'll ask Dr. Mccarver one more time to keep time if needed, please. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:25.000 There's still no one in the audience publicly, or in person, uh, so I will invite anyone participating online who wishes to participate in public comment, uh, to please raise your virtual hand at this time. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:32.000 None at this time. Thank you so much. Um, is there anything else for the good of the order? 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:35.000 Hearing none, the next public board of directors meeting will be held on. 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:48.000 Monday, February 9th, 2026, beginning at 7pm. Please refer to the district website to register for virtual attendance. Hopefully, we will not have a snow day that day. May I please have a motion to adjourn this meeting? 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:54.000 So moved, Jessica. Second, Jennifer Rentz. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:59.000 This meeting is adjourned at 7:20 PM. Thank you, and have a great night.