Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [music] >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> [music] >> What was that? [music] [music] >> [music] >> He doesn't want to hold her. Hello all. >> All right. I call this um school board meeting centennial school board meeting committee of the whole Tuesday, January 27th to order. Miss Rich, can we get a roll call, please? Mrs. Crossson, >> present. Mr. Godson, >> present. >> Mr. Hartline, >> present. M >> uh Dr. Magguire >> present. >> Mr. Martin >> here. >> Mr. Saddowski >> here. >> Uh Mrs. Dalo >> here. >> And Miss Creger >> here. [clears throat] >> We have eight members present. Thank you. Um we're going to stand for the pledge of allegiance, but after the pledge of allegiance, if we could um take a moment of silence for one of our own, Miss uh Deborah Castiglia. Just give a moment of silence for her as she passed away. Okay. To the flag of the United States of America and to the reps, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [clears throat] Quick announcement. The board met in executive session to go overel. >> Sorry about that. The board met in executive session to go over um personnel reasons. Dr. Lucall, if you wanted to follow up on the moment of silence. >> Of course. Thank you, Mrs. Crossen. Uh good evening, everyone. Uh needless to say, today was a very difficult day for the Centennial community. Um this afternoon we met with our faculties at both William Tennant High School and also at Clinger Middle School. Mrs. Deborah Castiglia was a teacher here in our district for 26 years. She taught at Clinger Middle School from 1999 until 2018 and then at William Tennet from 2018 until present in the mathematics department. And she did so with tremendous care and compassion for her students. She also gave her time generously as a coach of girls volleyball and also as a girls softball coach. This was uh a very tragic event. It's very difficult to navigate, but I just want to thank all of our uh support crisis support teams. Um we are prepared to deploy tomorrow at both locations at William Tennant and also at Clinger Middle School. We have our counselors. I'd like to thank the Bucks County IU and their prepare team for their guidance and support of our district. as well. We will have counselors on hand for our adults, counselors on hand for our students. We will continue to wrap our community in support. And I just really appreciate the work that was done today. I would like to thank uh Dr. Caracappa and his counseling team as well as Mr. Hayes and his counselors at Clinger and all the work that is being put in to prepare for tomorrow and what will be a very difficult day. Um, we are confident that we will be able to address all the issues, but it's going to take time and it's going to take compassion and when something like this happens, it opens up a wide range of emotional responses and shock, anger, fear, confusion, grief. Um, but we are at the ready to prepare for all of that. Um, today I did uh on behalf of our district extend our sympathies and condolences to the family of Miss Castiglia and we will continue to support uh our students and our employees through a very difficult time. All right. Um, [clears throat] two other additional announcements. Um, just a reminder that this Thursday here in our boardroom at 6:30, we will have a special budget workshop session where we talk about our approach to our current [clears throat] deficit situation as a district. And also right now, I'd like to introduce u Mrs. Heather Gian Papa. Miss Jim Papa is the executive director of Vita Education Services and she is here tonight to talk about Vita's work and the important role Centennial plays in helping their students and our community members achieve success every day. So, Mrs. Jim Papa, thank you for being here and you can come on up to the podium. >> Hi, good evening. Thanks so much for having me. I'm so sorry about um Debbie Castiglia. I actually graduated Conor Rock with her. So, um I don't mean to make it all about me, but it was a really weird day today. Texts going around and just um knowing that there are so many people who stay in Bucks County because we grew up here. We know what it's like and we like to stay here. So, I'm so sorry to the whole district uh for that. Um I'm really grateful uh to be here tonight. Thank you to Dr. Lucaba for inviting me. Uh to Colleen for helping me arrange everything. Um Vita Education Services is Bucks County's um adult education nonprofit. We've been around for over 50 years. Uh we provide uh English language learning, GED preparation, basic skills, uh family literacy. Uh we also provide jail programs and um all of the education programs in the correctional facilities. We do GED prep and ESL. We do jobs readiness. We do uh parent book club in the jail. Um and we do jobs readiness programs. We originally started in corrections. Um, our programs grew to include the whole community. Uh, last year we served over one over,00 individuals and families in our programs. A lot of that is thanks to Centennial. We have two office and classroom locations, one in Doylestown and one in Bristol, but we also get um donated space and the largest amount of donated space that we get is from Centennial. Uh, we're in two of your schools. First, we're here at your administration building with our family literacy program. So, if you ever come over here and you see some really small toddlers running around, those are Vita. Uh, family uh literacy um is a program for parents with children uh birth through 8 years old. Um we teach them ESL. Uh we also teach parenting. We don't teach them how to be good parents. They're already great parents, but we teach them how to be American parents, how to navigate the American school system, um how to go to the doctor, um how to um nutrition, things like that. Um and their kids get free daycare. All of our programs are free, so we watch their kids while the parents are in our class. Not all of the parents uh not all of the kids are here. Some of the kids are school age, but we do have the toddlers that are here um in the administration building and more kids here in the summer. So, if you're here in the summer, you see a lot of kids. Um every week, um these family literacy uh parents and kids come together for interactive literacy activities where they come together to read, uh to do activities. um a parent is the child's first teacher and so that's why these classes are so important so that the parents can be a part of their children's education. Um here in the Centennial School District we have 21 families. Uh we have um 11 students in our morning classes which are low beginner through low intermediate English. 10 students in our afternoon class which is low intermediate to advanced levels of English. And altogether those families have 68 children. They're not all here, but that's how many all of those 21 families have. Uh the biggest family in the program has 10 children. Uh the youngest child in the program at all is four months old and the oldest is 15. Uh some of the children attend Centennial Schools, Willowdale Elementary, Log College Middle School, and William Tennant High School. Um the students come everywhere from Usuzbekistan, Ukraine, El Salvador, Mexico, Ecuador. They come from all over the world. Um during the program here family literacy this year so far 14 of our students got their first library card when the class went to Warminster Library. Uh two sta two students have passed their citizenship test one in November one in December. Um a lot of our families stay for multiple years working their way up through family literacy and then moving on to our AB and GED prep classes as well. Uh we also have classes um and groups at William Tennant High School Mondays and Wednesday evenings. Um, we have four ESL classes. Introduction, level one, level two, level three. Those are taught by our paid instructors. They are Monday and Wednesday evenings. We have 84 students in the ESL classes at Tenant. Uh, they come from all over the country as well. SP uh Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Usbek, um, Haiti. Um, we are really, really appreciative of everything that Central uh, that Centennial does. Not only do you give us the space for free, which is great for us because we don't have to pay for it, but also we show the Pennsylvania Department of Education that the community believes in our work and your donates donated space um lets us show them that, you know, Bucks County supports the work that we do. Um you give us access to the internet. You have amazing IT people that help us whenever we have a problem. Uh we can use your printers, your overhead projectors, everything. It's it we're really appreciative and everyone is so responsive and really great to us. We've actually been with Centennial for over 20 years. So, it's we I can't thank you enough for this. Um, in addition to the ESL classes at at Tenant, we have um uh uh adult basic education tutor groups. Those are uh taught by volunteer tutors. Those are usually nativeorn um individuals who didn't have a good experience with education the first time. They're coming back around. And so, uh we along with the English classes, we have those groups at Tenant. Uh we have uh two two students in one group and uh six students in another. Um we are funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Some of that money comes from the federal department of education. So as you can imagine uh it's been a wild year with the state budget impass and the federal money. Um but you know we're getting through it. We also do a lot of fundraising because again the funding from the uh government can always count on it. So we do individual business. Uh we're having our first event ever um on April 9th. I'll be sure to send an invitation, a little cocktail reception. So, we're going to try our hand at events. Um, but as I said, we've been in Bucks County for over 50 years. We've been with Centennial for over 20. You've just been so so um impactful in everything that we do. We couldn't serve nearly as many students as we do without your help. And I just wanted to come and say thank you. I wanted to introduce you all to our program so that you uh know on top of all the work that you already do with your own students, you're doing uh so much with our students, too. And we're really grateful. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you, Mrs. Jim Papa. We're glad you're here and it's a pleasure having the families here in our building. Um, finally, before I turn it back over to President Cross, I just wanted to take a moment and thank our facility staff. The last um 48 hours have been an intense time for all of them and they have worked round literally uh long round the clock hours clearing our facilities. Um I can tell you firsthand this was a very difficult snow to remove. Um uh there was a lot of manual chipping away. Snowblowers would go right up over things. And so the work that they did to make our facilities look the way they do right now um is certainly much appreciated. And so just a big shout out to our facility staff, uh Mr. Warpman and his team. A tremendous effort and we're ready to go and just thankful for the safe conditions and uh as I've been asked many times is a regular start. >> So thank you, Mrs. Crossson. [clears throat] Okay, let's go right into um public comments by residents on agenda items. We have one Nicole Lynch, if you could come up, just your name and your um not your exact address, just >> Thank you. Yeah. Um Nicole Lynch. I'm on County Line Road in Upper South. Um, I just as you make a decision hopefully tonight to fill the vacancy left by Jane, I just wanted to encourage you all to remember what the voters told you in November, which is that they are looking for a new voice on the board and I think that you have a number of excellent applications that meet that criteria. Um, so thank you for the work that you're doing. Um, I did also just want to say on another note, um, that I was a little disappointed in the statement that the district released last week regarding law enforcement procedures in the building. Um, I understand it was rooted in policy, but it was a pretty weak statement. I mean, I think it's it's great that we know that people have to sign in and bring ID and that you won't release records without a warrant, but I think people, especially those with vulnerable students in the district, are looking for something stronger. Right now we are seeing on the news masked armed men who are staking out bus stops and [clears throat] parking lots and I think that the district would like to know what you all are doing behind the scenes to make sure that we are prepared in the event that something like that happens in Centennial. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> Okay, let's go to um Mr. Sidowski. >> Thank you, Patty. Approval of the agenda. Be it resolved that the Centennial School District Board of School Directors 2.1 approves the January 27th, 2026 committee of the whole agenda as per the attached. Are there any corrections that need to be made that are allowed by Pennsylvania law? Second. >> Any commentary? Seeing none, all in favor? >> I >> I >> Any [clears throat] abstensions? 8 Z. >> Thank you. Moving on to new business. Would anyone like anything pulled at this time or can I can continue through the Yes. >> Uh, if I could have um softball head coach tabled for further information. Uh, >> make a motion and we can I'd >> like to make a motion to have Um, softball head coach tabled pending further information. >> Second. >> Any discussion on that? We don't discuss tabled. So all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Extensions. Nope. >> Thank you. >> We can. Can we proceed through everything there as amended? >> All right. Be it resolved that the Centennial School District Board of School Directors 3.1 approves the personnel agenda including terminations, retirements, resignation, authorization to employ, leaves of absence, change of status, mentor teacher, and co-curriculars clubs activities as per the attached 3.2 approves the overnight conference request for 28 students and three chaperones to attend the future business leaders of America state conference and competition April 12th through 15, 2026 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. District cost not to exceed $17,000. 3.3 approves the overnight conference request for the chief human resource officer to attend the 40th PASPA conference Blair County Convention Center in Altuna, Pennsylvania, February 26 through 27th, 2026. District cost not to exceed $1,228. 3.4 Four approves a one-time increase to the retirement severance pay incentive for teachers with 10 or more years of service and who provide notice of retirement by retirement by February 28th, 2026. >> Second >> discussion. >> Good question. >> Yes, sir. >> Who is Frank Ruts? [laughter] >> I believe it's Mr. Ruts. Is that our beloved Joe? That is Frank. [laughter] >> That's what my mom calls me when I'm in trouble. >> When when Joe's in trouble, it's Frank. >> That's That's sir to you. [laughter] >> Say that's sir to you, Mr. Martin. >> I'll stick with Joe. Anything else? >> All right. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Passes 8 Z. >> Thank you. Okay, moving right along. Um, Mrs. Depalo, Education Committee. Good evening. Uh, education committee reports 4.1. The education committee met on Wednesday, January 14th, and we discussed the items presented tonight for approval on this agenda. This is my first on a side note, I just want to mention this was my first official education committee meeting and I was I would just love to say that um of teachers and administrators really are a fantastic bunch of people. They work really hard. They're really dedicated and um I was really impressed overall with all the work that they are doing. Um so I want to thank this committee for everything that they do for our students in the district. All right. >> Okay. Um, we moving right along. Finance committee. Mrs. Kger. Um, we met on Thursday, January 15th of the finance committee. Uh, we had a discussion with regard to the presentation made by Mr. Greenwood on the financials as well as the budget discussion uh, for 2627. Uh it's led to us having a workshop on Thursday to discuss what we can do to um optimize our spend and hopefully save some money. We've also two items. one was the um Pennsylvania school district uh liquid acid fund and where they stand now in terms of their rates as well as the IRS um federal mileage update that was started as of uh January 1st, 2026. Um and then the other items are consideration at this next board meeting. Okay, moving right along. Uh thank you Karen. operations. Mr. Saddowski. >> Yes. Uh our operations committee meeting was held on January 16th. It was the first with the new group including Mr. Priger, Mr. Martin and myself. Uh we had a quick update on uh just the you know the function of the standing committee of operations uh project summary for capital projects that are outstanding uh to get our new members up to speed on things that we've been discussing for a while and what we're looking ahead to. Uh the operations committee has been doing wonderful work over the past few years trying to address some long-standing issues and make sure that we're planning ahead. We have a lot of things that obviously school running an entire school district is expensive and there are a lot of things all of the time that need to be addressed to make sure that we're running at highest quality possible for our students to make sure the buses are moving and replaced if they're about to break down to make sure the buildings are you know what they need to be. doing projects as we discussed last meeting like replacing the sewer line here under uh [clears throat] under the this very floor that we're sitting over right now during the holiday break. So, so much to take care of that uh Mr. Wartman's team and uh Mr. Greenwood help us to figure out how to uh how to approach those things in a you know in a timely manner to make sure we can afford to do them and they don't all fall on us at once. So, I thank them for their planning on that. Uh we'll have a few items on the agenda tonight. So, we'll bring those up at that time. So, we've got a little thank you here. Thank you, Centennial Board of Directors from Davis Elementary Community. Thank you on here. So, everybody get ready. >> I know the suspense is killing you. [clears throat] >> [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Davis community. We love you. >> Thank you, Davis. >> Thanks, Davis. >> Okay. Ignore my trash. >> Okay. So, education education student services committee. Uh, Mrs. Depalo, thank you. Uh, before I we start, is there any information um or anything, I'm sorry, that one that anybody wants to pull from these items being 5.1 A to 5.2 I. Good to go. Okay, we'll get started. All right. Um [clears throat] item 5.1A. Um and these items are for approval. >> And now this is just coordination. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> Thank you. All right. I promise soon I'll get all of this down. [laughter] Item 5.1A, the K to5 summer reading program exploration executive summary 2026. Um, that's the information item, but items 5.2 are presented for approval. Be it resolved that the Centennial School Board District Board of School Directors, item 5.2A, 2A approves the overnight conference request for the supervisor of student services to attend the attendance child accounting professional legal symposium February 8th through the 10th 2026 in Hershey PA district cost not to exceed $1,260. Item 5.2B approves the 504 plan agreement and educational fund agreement for student 3-3. agreement is effective as of January 6, 2026 and will remain in effect until the end of the 2025 2026 school year. The educational fund is to be established in the amount of $50,000 plus legal fees, not to exceed $5,000 for a total of this is effective until August 31st, 2031 when the student turns 21 years of age. Item 5.2 2C approval of two book titles by the author Brittney Phillips. Miss Phillips will be visiting McDonald Elementary in March and the McDonald administration makes her book available to the students to purchase, no cost to the district. Item 5.2D 2D approves the renewed tuition contract for student 22-9 to attend New Hope Academy retroactive for the entirety of the 202526 school year cost not to exceed $45,522. Item 5.2E 2 E approves the renewed tuition contract for student 4-8 to attend New Hope Academy retroactive for the entirety of the 202526 school year district cost not to exceed $45,522. Item 5.2F 2F approves the renewed tuition contract for student 11-4 to attend New Hope Academy retroactive for the entirety of the 202526 school year. District cost not to exceed $45,522. Item 5.2G approves the purchase of library books for Clinger Middle School Library. District cost not to exceed $476.72. Item 5.2H. to H approves the purchase of library books for Law College Middle School district cost not to exceed $727.24 and 5.2 I approves the purchase of library books for the McDonald Elementary School library district cost not to exceed $1,593.3. Second. >> Okay. [clears throat] All in favor? >> I >> Okay, passes. Thank you. >> Finance committee. >> Finance committee. Mrs. Kger. >> The first item is with regard to the IRS federal mileage. Effective January 1st. The IRS has updated the optional standard mileage rates used to calculate deduct deductible costs for operating an automobile. It has gone from 72 cents to 72 1.5 cents. The rate is increased due to higher vehicle operating costs in um the business mileage rate is typically used for traveling to and from client or customer meetings, driving between job sites or temporary work uh locations. sales calls, consulting work or service appointments, and self-employed and contractor travel. Um, it is can be used optionally, otherwise you have to provide a tremendous amount of support in terms of where you're going from to the mileage uh and record it and provide any receipts in order to be reimbursed outside of that rate. And then the next item is the Pennsylvania School Liquid Asset Fund. um was created specifically to assist um schools and municipalities um around and the schools include the school district's intermediate units and vocational technical schools um to help manage cash flow and investment needs while ensuring compliance with state funds. Um the program largely invests in fixed income programs uh fixed income items like CDs, treasuries and agencies. Um it manages uh total assets exceeding $8 billion. As of December 2025, um the class that's associated to school districts had a daily rate of 3.64%. As of January, the average rate has dropped to 3.5%. With declining rates, we will be earning less and f further highlights the pressure that is on the district to balance the budget. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then for items for approval, um, be it resolved that the Centennial School District Board of Office adopt the 2627 accelerated budget opt out resolution certifying the tax rate within the inflation rate of 3.5% and 6 uh 2B accepts the job training and education programs grant in the amount of 35,000 for the district-wide robotics program. This grant is made possible with Brian Row. All in fa uh is a second. All in favor? >> Well, I I have a question. >> Good. Okay. >> Believe it or not, >> I hope I have an answer. >> 6.2A. [laughter] >> Yes, sir. >> Is there a deadline by which that has to be accomplished? We have a budget meeting on Thursday night. view our financial situation regarding what we might need to ask for next year or contemplate as a as a uh I hate to say it a tax increase or not to preliminarily do that before Thursday night seems a little premature to me even though a good idea. Yes, but is there a deadline that this has to be done or can it wait till Thursday night when we know what our budget situation is, which I currently am not entirely. >> Mr. Greenwood, you're up. >> There's a deadline, Mr. Martin. >> What? What is it? >> I'll get it back to you. I'll let you know. I'm looking it up. >> I'll just if if there's a deadline, that's one thing. If there's no deadline, I'd rather wait till at least Thursday night to do this. >> Huh? 29th. 29 29 is the deadline. >> That's Thursday. >> Thursday. >> Thursday. Okay. >> I'd rather know what our situation is before passing this, but that's up to everybody else. >> Would you like to table it? >> Yeah. >> I I would like to table it, but table it until Thursday evening. >> So, we meet the deadline that's appropriate. >> Excuse me. >> The best information we have available. So, I make a motion to table this until Thursday. Before anybody seconds that, when we advertised the budget work session meeting, it wasn't advertised as an action meeting. There were no items except for the discussion of the budget >> on the agenda, but we're not we have we have to advertise the intent if there's like what's being uh approved that night. >> You know what I mean? We don't have any >> How would you know that if we postpone something, table something from tonight till the date? How would you know that ahead of time? It's a >> sitting next to you whether you could do that. >> It's a special meeting. >> What he's here for? >> Um, >> so this has been to my understanding what Miss Rush was saying, this has been advertised as a special meeting. It didn't contemplate any action unlike another meeting where it would contemplate action where it would, you know, you would table that till whatever your next meeting. So that's the problem. If you had time to amend the advertisement, which I guess you don't to get in the paper by then, that's the that's the problem. Uh, Mr. Martin, if you understand what I'm what I'm saying. >> Well, this is pertaining to the budget, which is a purpose advertised for Thursday evening's meeting. >> There's no voting Thursday. >> So, all right. >> I mean, Thursday night is is not a meeting where the board will be making any decisions. It is a workshop and an opportunity for us to have some transparent conversation about the the situation that we're facing as a district and some of the possible solutions and points of approach to reduce that deficit. Um there is a deadline of Thursday to pass this resolution that 3.5% is the top of the act one index districts are given >> in of a new board member on Thursday night. >> Yeah, but that takes >> that's not an action item. That's just a procedural >> board member sworn in is on act 9. >> No, it's not. I mean, a board a school director can be uh sworn in outside a meeting. An elected official can be sworn in outside a meeting. >> Well, then I guess I would have an alternative to vote no not to do this and then if we choose to do it later, we can do it. >> Okay. So, we're going to go ahead and we're going to go ahead um with 6.2A. Um and we just do I guess um separate >> vote them separately. Yes. Well, >> if we to the future, if we have items that have a deadline, we ought to put down as a deadline >> to do this so we don't have this issue about how we not do it tonight. >> We have to do it tonight. Correct. >> Perhaps so that should be noted somewhere along the line. >> So, Mr. Rich, can we take these separately or Mr. Heartline? So I So the resolution is to for us to state that we're not going to raise taxes more than the act one index. If we fail to pass it or if we do not pass it, isn't it then just a void statement that it that we can still make that decision regardless? >> Um I I think it changes the planning trajectory. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. Yeah, because I'm I'm looking at the 110 110 day primary exception to it. So, okay. >> All right. Can we take a Can we vote on these separately? [clears throat] >> Okay. If you want to vote on 6.2 A. >> Yep. Yes, please. which is adopts the 2627 accelerated budget opt out resolution certifying the tax rate within the inflation index 3.5%. And for our community members watching and are here that means we do not go above 3.5 doesn't mean we're going to give 3.5 that means we do not go above okay >> Mr. Godson >> yes >> Mr. Martin >> no >> Mr. Mr. Saddowski, >> no. >> Mrs. Dalo, >> no. >> Mrs. Crossson, >> no. >> Dr. Magcguire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Kger, >> no. >> Mr. Hartline, >> yes. >> Okay, the motion fails. 53. And now we have item 6.2B. accepts the Job Training and Education Programs Grant in the amount of $35,000 for the district-wide robotics program. This grant is made possible with the support of State Representative Brian Monroe. Um, Mrs. Depalo, >> yes. >> Mr. Saddowski, >> yes. >> Mrs. Kger, >> yes. >> Mrs. Crossen, >> yes. >> Dr. Magguire, >> yes. >> Mr. Hartline, >> yes. >> Mr. Godson, >> yes. >> Mr. Martin, >> yes. Motion passes 80. >> Okay, moving along. Mr. Saddowski. >> Yes. Operations Committee items presented for information tonight. None. So 7.2 items presented for approval tonight. Only one. Be it resolved that the Centennial School District Board of School Directors 7.2A approves the quote with the Chester County Intermediate Unit for rubric data backup service from June 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. District cost not to exceed $21,6667. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> All opposed? Any abstensions? This is 8 Z. >> Thank you, Mr. Sidowski. Mrs. Crossen, >> can I go back? I think on my committee, uh, my items, I didn't say out loud that it passed. Do I need to state that? Oh, I mean you can. It did pass though. It did pass. It was It was >> Okay. Yeah, the votes were there. Okay. >> You mean because you didn't do the um nays or abstensions? >> Yes. >> Yeah. But everyone gave a yes. Okay. >> Thank you. >> But thank you for following up with that. >> All right. Moving >> move on to section 8. This is our school director interviews and appointments. So, to the public and candidates, uh, the candidates who are here tonight for the board interviews, we ask you to exit the boardroom. You'll be escorted back here when it's your turn to be interviewed. When you're finished being interviewed, you can remain in the boardroom. And thank you for your cooperation. >> And you can just go into this like there's an open area out here with tables. >> Mr. Greenwood, could you show them where they're going? somebody [laughter] >> Tom >> to the board. My fellow directors, uh the board will now begin interviews to fill the vacant position of school director representing region 3 in Warster. The first candidate, Neil Miller, will participate virtually. Each candidate will be asked the same six questions which will be presented by the board secretary, Miss Rouche. Candidates will be allotted two minutes to respond to each question. Board members are asked to listen to all candidate responses and to record notes using the evaluation materials provided. Board members shall refrain from commentary, discussion, or follow-up questions during the interview process. Following the completion of the interviews, the board will proceed immediately to the appointment process. Nomination and voting procedure shall be conducted in accordance with past practice. Any board member may nominate a candidate by name by stating I nominate candidates's name. Each nomination must receive a second in order to for the candidate to be considered. A roll call vote will then be conducted for all candidates who have been properly nominated and seconded. The candidate receiving a majority vote of the full board defined as five affirmative votes shall be appointed to fill the vacancy. Mrs. Roo, you may proceed with candidate number one. >> Thank you, Mr. Miller. I just want to make sure you're able to hear me. >> Yes, I can hear you. >> Okay, great. We can hear you too. >> Excellent. >> Okay. So, I'll start now with the first question. What motivated you to apply for this board vacancy and what perspectives or experiences would you bring to the board at this time? I was motivated when I heard about uh Jane Lynch and I hold her in the highest respect and given that I have two children who attended the Centennial School District K through 12, the district served them well and I saw this as an opportunity to repay the favor. >> Thank you. This appointment requires you to step into an active board midstream. How would you get up to speed quickly on district priorities, policies, and current issues? [snorts] >> Reading. It's the only way to do it. I would read whatever materials I am provided. I would request whatever materials I am not provided and I would learn as much as possible from my fellow board members. >> Okay. Thank you. [snorts] Question number three. How do you see the role of a school board member particularly in relation to the superintendent and district administration? >> The role of the school board member is to serve as the legislative body. It is responsible for managing the votes. reviewing the details and gaining consensus consensus and above all else it is the school board that is the direct liaison of the parents and of students within the district. >> Okay. Um we have let's see number four. Board members must make decisions that may be unpopular with some constituents. How would you handle community pressure while remaining focused on what is best for students and the district? >> The best way to handle that is to explain the situation to the parents in question. The fact is there is no possible way to make everybody happy all the time. It ultimately comes down to making the best decision knowing that it will not be possible, knowing that it will not be popular with a sizable percentage of one's constituents. It is the role of the board member to explain this and if possible convince them that while not a perfect solution, I am acting in the best interests of parents and parents, teachers, anybody that is represented within the district. >> Okay. [clears throat] Can you describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a group that held differing differing viewpoints and how did you contribute to a productive outcome? >> Absolutely. I have limited number of hobbies but the hobby that I am most passionate about is the management of an online debate forum which I have been running for more than 15 years and I direct a board of members a sub set of leaders within the board eight of them that were carefully selected to represent differing opinions different ideologies and I work with all of them. Yes, I participate in the board as a member, but when I'm wearing the hat of management, it is my job to put all politics aside and work with everybody and ensure that as disappointed as some members may be, there's a fairly equal chance that people on both sides of the fence will be disappointed at one time or the other. No one has accused me of bias. >> Okay. And the final question, if appointed, what would be your immediate priorities during the remainder of this term? >> My immediate priority is learning as much as I can. It would be misleading of me to say that I would jump right in making educated decisions because if I make them immediately, they will not be educated decisions. I need to learn what the priorities are at that moment and learn everything I can, get all the information I can to ensure that my vote is honest. It is not biased. It is not catering to one or more existing board members, but based on my own understanding, my own research, and my own conclusions. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um, that concludes the questioning and you are welcome to stay with us in the meeting if you'd like. >> Thank you. Thank you very much and I appreciate your flexibility in allowing me to join remotely. >> Of course. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. and I'll be asking the question. >> All right, this is hot seats. >> [laughter] >> the spotlight. >> Okay. So, I have six questions for you. Um, and you have two minutes to answer each question. Okay. Um, what motivated you to apply to for this board vacancy and what perspectives or experiences would you bring to the board at this time? >> Well, I grew up in Warmster Township. I lived here for about 53 years. Went through the Centennial School District uh education system, starting out at Larry School. Uh I then went to Lock College Junior High and graduated from Win Tennant in 1988. Uh from there I went to the police academy and then returned to Warinster and I served uh Wormster Township for 35 years as a police officer >> and had a lot of interaction in the community. um a lot of working with the um kids of the community as well as the adults of the community and just trying to maintain the peace of the community. I just recently retired November 14th. >> Although 35 years seems like a long time and towards the end you think it's never going to happen. When it did finally happen, it just kind of felt like it was kind of bittersweet that okay, I'm finally retired but now what do I do? I just kind of felt like I still had a lot to offer to the community. Um, obviously growing up in the community, serving the community, uh, I've acquired a lot of relationships, a lot of respect within the community. And, um, I've always just kind of been a big part of the community. Uh, my chief used to tell me that, you know, if they needed a backhoe in the middle of the night, call Eric. We'll have some way back. You know, whatever you need. I always had some sort of connection to make uh that happen. And with the re resources and things I've developed through the years, I just felt like I still had a lot to offer. Uh I also am super involved in Boy Scouts of an Eagle Scout myself. Actually, November 17th, my son made Eagle Scout. Uh he also achieved five Eagle ponds, which is rank above an Eagle Scout. My foot finally started to feel better. um pushed them pretty hard near the end. >> We're out of time. >> Okay. >> Um question number two. This appointment requires you to step into an active board midstream. How would you get up to speed quickly on district priorities, policies, and current issues? >> Uh to get up to speed, I could talk to members of the school board. Um, I'm sure you all be willing to help me out if I'm chosen tonight. Just kind of interact with you guys, see what's happening within the school district, what's happening within the school board, see what the needs are, see what the challenges are, and see where I can apply myself to uh be a valuable asset to the school board. >> How do you see the role of a schoolboard member particularly in relation to the superintendent and district administration? I see the role is you have to put yourself in a position where you can hear all sides. You can't necessarily necessarily see black and white. There's a lot of gray in the middle there. I think you have to be able to listen to the community, listen to the superintendent, listen to the fellow members of the board, and you need to work together to come up with reasonable decisions. um just kind of stay on an even keel, you know, keep everything positive, everything [clears throat] moving forward and when challenges arise, you have to be able to meet as a group and work together and solve those problems. And I think I would be able to do that with all the domestics I've put out over the years. Um, board members must make decisions that may be unpopular with some constituents. How would you handle community pressure while remaining focused on what is best for students and the district? >> Well, again, you have to weigh all sides. Um, you have to listen to the people that have the complaints. You have to balance out, you know, the validity of their complaints. look at, you know, is what you're trying to do what you believe inside to be a positive uh asset to the school district. And you have to try to explain to people like if you made a decision they didn't like, try to explain to them why you made it and see if you can at least meet them halfway. Um obviously you don't want to create enemies within the district because then nothing gets solved. >> Okay. And can you describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a group that held differing viewpoints and how did you contribute to a productive outcome? >> U well for several years um we would be involved in the uh Planned Parenthood community um particular on the days that they were doing procedures and obviously there's extreme opposing views uh when you're out there. So you have to kind of listen to both sides, explain to both sides, you know, that you understand their needs, you understand their concerns, you understand their beliefs, and again, you have to try to meet somewhere in the middle. Uh you certainly want to keep a situation deescalated. Nothing's going to get accomplished when you escalate a situation. Um there definitely has to be positive deescalation, listening to everybody's needs and trying to meet those needs as best as you can. And the final question, if appointed, what would be your immediate priorities during the remainder of this term? >> Well, they're big shoes to fill. Mrs. Lynch was a valuable asset to the school district. I don't know if anybody could possibly fill her shoes. Um, but I would do my best to uh, you know, at least partially fill those shoes and get up to speed on what's happening in the district. uh maybe try to reach out to some of the different schools, see what their needs are, what their concerns are. Um I certainly agree with um what was said earlier about, you know, concern at our bus stops, concerned at our schools, with our students. Um so I certainly believe that's uh something worthy of uh you know, wrapping our head around and getting some good solutions. >> That's it. Thank you so much. >> You can remain in the room here. Okay, thank you. >> [snorts] >> Find her. >> Find her. [clears throat] >> Hello. Okay, this is Mike Binder. Okay, so I have six questions for you. Okay, first one, what motivated you to apply for this board vacancy and what perspectives or experiences would you bring to the board at this time? >> Uh so I have three students in Centennial. I have uh Willowdale, Log and Tennant. Um so my experience, what motivated me was to make sure that what happened previously did doesn't happen again. in the past uh administration. Um uh my experiences are being a parent. I'm not a police officer. I'm not a doctor or anything. I'm just a parent. Um but I'm involved in everything. I'm involved in their musical programs. I do uh the WTMBA, the marching um the music association with the um at Tennant, uh the musicals at Log, the musicals at Willowdale and plays and everything else like that. So I'm a parent. >> Okay. Thank you. And one thing I forgot to tell you is you have two minutes per question. I'm sorry. [laughter] >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, second question. This appointment requires you to step into an active board midstream. How would you get up to speed quickly on district priorities, policies, and current issues? >> I read a lot. Um, I I I'm pretty quick study, so I may not know it right the second, but I will. Um, I have previous experience with I did at uh in college I did uh my residence hall association government. Uh I'm the current president of a Penn State alumni association for my chapter. Um so I read a lot and base everything on what the guidelines are for that organization. So >> and how do you see the role of a school board member particularly in relation to the superintendent and district administration? [sighs] >> Can you repeat that one more time? Yeah, sure. >> I know. Sorry. [laughter] Actually, they didn't even turn it on yet. [laughter] >> Forgot. Um, how do you see the role of a school board member, particularly in relation to the superintendent and district administration? Um, so the super the the school board member oversees the superintendent to make sure they're doing a good job and the the correct path. Um, um, and what was the second part? I'm sorry. >> Um, in relation to superintendent and administration >> administration um, so I mean I as a parent I already talked to the the principles of the various schools that our kids are my kids are in. Um, so I imagine it would be kind of like that. Like I'm very relaxed, easygoing, uh, laid-back kind of person. So I'm more informal conversations than I am, um, like strict, I guess, about it. Um, so, >> okay, >> I'll end there. >> Okay. Um, board members must make decisions that may be unpopular with some constituents. How would you handle community pressure while remaining focused on what's best for students and the district? >> So Mark, the motivation is for my kids to be taught the way I think that they should be taught. Um that being said, I'm on Facebook a lot and the community uh is lovely there. Um so I do make posts there and I am sarcastic. Um but is to make a point. Um, so I kind of deal with the the um the issues. When Mr. Lukal was getting uh nominated, I did make a point. I I was I was on there. I w I did face um adversaries, I guess, as better better word. Um but you know, you stand your ground and you know, you try to reason with somebody logically. I'm a logical person, at least I hope to be. Um, so if it makes sense, like if it doesn't make sense because it's logically flawed, then it just something like I need a better argument. So I'm I can listen to anything you want. Just make sure it's logical. >> Okay. [clears throat] All right. And can you describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a group that held differing viewpoints and how did you contribute to a productive outcome? That's a tough one. Um, I don't know. So, my I don't really have an answer for that one. I'll be honest. I I don't really It's not that I don't hang out with or talk to people that I don't agree with. I just happen to not agree with I just happen to not hang out with those people. That wouldn't stop me though. Um [laughter] uh I could uh you know in my my alumni chapter um individually we all have different opinions some Republican, Democrat, independent, whatever. Um but as a group we we work together because we there's a common good. Um and that's what I more of a firm believer on. >> And last question. [laughter] >> If [snorts] appointed, what would be your immediate priorities during the remainder of this term? to to study up on what I can do. Um I know that we could pass money. Um I the very first thing I thought of as becoming a member of the board was the sound system in Willowdale, for example, is horrible. And I don't know how much it would cost to fix it, but we just pass they just passed $17,000 for 31 people to show up to a weekend event. I I would think a sound system at Willowdale would approve would greatly help every every kid and parent that attend an event at Willowdale. Um so yeah, study uh get to know my my people. I am horrible with names. I apologize ahead of time. Um but yeah, um yeah, it's good. >> Thank you very much. You're welcome. >> All right. And you can remain in the room here. Okay. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. Okay. >> So, we have six questions and you have two minutes to answer each question. >> Sure. >> Okay. First question. What made it motivated you to apply for this board vacancy and what perspectives or experiences would you bring to the board at this time? >> Well, [clears throat] I was on the board for eight years. Um it was lots of experiences in eight years. Um I I felt compelled to apply for this position because I feel like it's a job unfinished. Um, I felt like there was more to do and I waited till the last minute to uh send in my application and um because I really to be honest I had to pray about it. So I did and um this is where I ended up. So that's it. >> Okay. >> Thank you. This appointment requires you to step into an active board midstream. How would you get up to speed quickly on district priorities, policies, and current issues? >> Um, I think I am pretty much up to speed anything that's been out to the public because I've watched the schoolboard meetings. Um, I've talked to people in the community. I've talked to people some of the teachers um that I know personally um I think I'm pretty much up to speed except for some things that would be confidential then I would not be up to speed on those. >> Okay. [clears throat] How do you see the role of a school board member particularly in relation to the superintendent and district administration? So the responsibility of the school board is to uh appoint um a superintendent um adopt a budget um make sure that every child gets the same equal opportunity for education. Um the board acts on personnel matters in executive session. Um um I think the board selects out a superintendent and then it is up to him to guide the district and we have to trust him and believe in him to make the right choices for our district. Um there are some things that the board has to vote on, but it's normally I mean the board does vote on things. Excuse me. Um the superintendent guides us to what we need to vote on and we should support the superintendent. Okay. Board members must make decisions that may be unpopular with some constituents. How would you handle community pressure while remaining focused on what is best for students and the district? >> So, this is one that I have really a lot of experience in. Um um not everybody's always going to like you. Not everybody's going to like what you say. Uh when people don't like me personally and they don't know me, I don't take any I don't get upset by it. I don't get upset by um fresh things that people say to you uh or or to me or about me. I I don't get upset. Do I feel bad that do I feel bad that people have very strong opinions? I do feel badly about it and I always voted with my heart >> with the information at hand and um remember why I ran in the first place because I didn't look to be on a board when I first ran. I I was asked repeatedly to run for the board by a very kind lady and um and that's how I ended up here. Can you describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a group that held different viewpoints and how did you contribute to a productive outcome? Um, when you have a group of people with different viewpoints, that's understandable and it's probably healthy that not everybody sees things the same way. Um, I didn't take it personal and I didn't react and I thought about um I tried to see things from their perspective or maybe their feelings. Um, I just hoped for the best possible outcome for the children. And the last question, >> if appointed, what would be your immediate priorities during the remainder of this term? >> Um, I think one of the top priorities is to find sensible cuts in the budget before we get down to the wire. Um, those are some hard decisions. Uh, not everybody's going to like it. things may have to change a little bit. Uh but that has to be a group decision. It can't just be one person's decision. Um that's that's the top priority. And that's one of the top priorities I should say. Um, the other one is to make sure that the kids are always getting what they need and the kids feel heard and everybody has the opportunity to the same education and the same opportunities in the school district, the children. The children um those would be my priorities. At the end of the day, it's not about the adults, it's about the children. And I think sometimes that gets lost in the shuffle. >> Thank you very much. Um, and you can stay in the room here. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I make a motion to nominate um Eric Bonowski. I'll make a notion a motion to nominate Mary Banko. >> Seconds. >> Can we do a roll call, please? Mr. D, >> you can Well, should we read the motion? Uh, be it resolved that the Centennial School District Board of School Directors approves a motion to appoint Eric C. Baronowski as school director in region 3 of the Centennial School District from January 27th, 2026 through December 4th, 2028. We have a second. >> Second. >> May I just point out we have two nominations and you only read one >> in order. He'll take he'll take the first one first if the requisite votes and move on. >> We take a roll call for wness. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. Dr. Magcguire. >> No. >> Mrs. Depalo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Godson? >> No. >> Mr. Martin? >> Yes. >> Mr. Saddowski? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Kger? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Crossen? >> Yes. Mr. Hartline, >> no. >> Motion passes 53. >> Congratulation. Congratulations, Mr. Mr. BARONOWSKI. [applause] >> Let's go right on to uh board comments 9.1. >> Question, if I might. >> Yes. I would like to ask if the superintendent could invite getting lost in the shuffle here. We hired a new football coach tonight, which to some people in the district is a very important, not quite as important as a school board, but is very important after our one- win season this year. [laughter] So, I would like to invite the superintendent to have the new football coach come to one of our meetings and give us his plan to win at least two games next year. [clears throat] If I might do that, if that's an order and a superintendent wouldn't mind doing that, I think the board would profit and then people watching this who are interested would profit by what his plan is. We certainly need some improvement over I can't count how many losing seasons we have managed to get in a row. So, he doesn't have a high bridge to cross, but hopefully he will manage to get across it. But, thank you very much. Uh, Dr. Lukabore, if you could do that, please. Well, I I I can certainly um grant you the first portion of that request and bring him here to introduce him. >> Thank you. >> All right. Does anybody else have any followup? >> Okay. Can uh All right. Uh can I just make a comment? >> Sure. wanted to congratulate um all the students that participated in Miss Panther this past Thursday. >> It was a great uh it was a great night and um I think all the girls should be congratulated for their efforts. Um and of course marching band, one of our very own marching band students won Miss Panther Kina Vieier. So really just proud of all the students and give them a lot of credit for getting up on that stage and >> doing their best. >> Guts. They're all obvious wonderful students, very talented, and all could have been very deserving candidates. So, congrats to Kina. But it was a fantastic >> and you don't realize they go through even costume changes. I couldn't believe like there was three like complete costume changes. The talent was amazing. The energy, it was wonderful. >> Events that you don't see like axe throwing and I might actually like [laughter] to see. >> Right. Maybe we can record it for next year. We'll record. >> Right. Let's go. >> Okay. So, the next meeting of the committee of the whole will be held Tuesday, February 20 February 24th, 2026. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? Don't move.