1 The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Public Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 A public meeting of the Board of Education was held in hybrid format on April 20, 2023. Some Board Members, select staff, and some registered speakers participated in-person, while others participated remotely. Members of the general public who did not attend in-person participated via Zoom meeting platform. The meeting was convened at 4:00 p.m., by Reginald L. Streater Esquire, President. President Streater asked that the Board and members of the public take a moment of silence to acknowledge and honor students in our school community who have tragically lost their lives to gun violence this year. Following the moment of silence, President Streater reported and commented on the following: ● Called upon our city partners to continue working with the School District of Philadelphia to address gun violence by putting in place comprehensive programs that keep our learners safe.
President Streater expressed appreciation for the support the School District has received from the Mayor, City Council and the Philadelphia Police Department for measures that address safe passage to and from school. ● Acknowledgement and congratulations to the following seven outstanding School District principals who received the 2023 Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals ● Recognition and congratulations to Joseph DeSantis, an 11th grade ELA teacher at Olney High School who was named Teacher of the Month for March ● Recognition and congratulations to Seniors of the Month: Stephen Lawson, a senior at School of the Future; and Adrian McRae-Woodruff, a senior at Roxborough High School. ● Recognition of several celebrations that happen every April: National Arab-American Heritage Month, Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month, and Celebrate Diversity Month, ● Announcement of summer programming opportunities hosted by the School District of
Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia that will be available for all students ● Acknowledgement of deep appreciation to my colleagues on the Board who have taken the time to visit several schools this year and have participated in School District events and celebrations Vice President Fix-Lopez made announcements concerning recording, copyright, participation in, and viewing of the meeting. Vice President Fix-Lopez shared that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is currently focused on budget hearings noting that the Board has four key priorities to ensure the academic achievement and wellbeing of every student, which they will continue to advocate for. Vice President Fix-Lopez also shared that she has been asked by the Pennsylvania School Board Association to extend her term on the Legislative Advisory Council for the 2023-2024 school year.
2 Roll Call, Minutes, Announcements Lynn Rauch, General Counsel, announced that the Board met in Executive Session on April 13 (to discuss privileged, confidential quasi-judicial matters related to charter school matters), April 19 (to discuss privileged, confidential, and investigative matters and information or strategy in connection with The School District of Philadelphia vs. City of Philadelphia et. al, Philadelphia United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 23-CV-0238), and today to discuss privileged, confidential, personnel, and investigation matters, and information or strategy in connection with the following: Sargent vs. School District of Philadelphia et al, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 22-CV-1509 (alleging civil rights violations), School District of Philadelphia vs. City of Philadelphia et al., United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 23-CV-0238
(challenge to city ordinance), and Evelyn Sample-Oates vs School District of Philadelphia et al., Philadelphia County of Common Pleas No. 230401226 (alleging defamation and misrepresentation). Ms. Rauch conducted Roll Call. Members Present: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson (remotely), Ms. Wilkerson – 9 Members Absent: Sophia Roach, Non-Voting Student Board Representatives Attending: Tony B. Watlington, Ed.D, Superintendent The minutes from the March 23, 2023 meeting of the Board of Education were presented for approval. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson (remotely), Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0 Committee Reports Board Member Thompson provided a report from the Parent and Community Advisory Council, including: ● Advisory Council members continue to encourage school communities to participate in the Board
of Education Action meetings ● Advisory Council members have provided support to their school communities by facilitating after school programs involving students in activities which are an extension of student achievement such as tutoring and homework assistance. ● Advisory Council members have provided assistance to families on how they can advocate for their students in their particular schools and advocate for their schools and school communities. ● Advisory Council members have facilitated programs encouraging creativity among the youth which, in some schools, is not occurring in our schools. Board Member Andrews provided an update on the Student Board Representatives and shared that the application for the 2023 - 2024 Non-Voting Student Board Representative position will be available to all rising 10th and 11th graders on the Board of Education website beginning March 29, 2023. Superintendent Remarks
3 President Streater invited Dr. Watlington to provide remarks. Dr. Watlington reported/commented on: ● Acknowledgement and recognition of seven District principals who received the 2023 Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals ● Criterion-based School Selection Results Update ● District Facilities Update on the recent school closures due to environmental hazards highlighting the following ○ Building 21 Status Update ○ Mitchell Update ○ Frankford High School Update ● Superintendent Immediate Priorities which include the following: ○ Increase School Safety ■ Safe Pathways Program ○ Increase Student Attendance ○ Increase Teacher Attendance ○ Decrease Dropouts Dr. Watlington invited the following to respond to questions raised by Board Members: ● ShaVon Savage, Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services ● Oz Hill, Interim Chief Operations Officer ● Karyn Lynch, Chief Student Support Services ● Rachel Holzman, Deputy of Student Rights & Responsibilities
● Kevin Bethel, Chief of School Safety Copies of presentations are included within the meeting agenda. Public Testimony and General Speakers Board Member Salley acknowledged the receipt of and summarized written testimony submitted to the Board from: ● Dr. Bradley-Brown ● Corine McHugh ● Nicole Lynn ● Horace Clouden ● JoEl Rohrer ● Kerry Adams ● Fifteen constituents of the Global Leadership Academy Charter Schools Complete copies of the written testimony are included within the meeting agenda. The meeting was opened to the public for presentation of statements by registered students, elected, and general speakers. Ms. Rauch provided the applicable provisions of the speakers’ policy for the meeting. Ms. Rauch called general speakers: The following students expressed concerns regarding the lack of access to foreign languages, algebra I, and support staff at Nebinger Elementary school and middle schools across the District. These students
also spoke about the positive impact that access to these classes and supports have on students
4 academic success asked the Board to find out who gets to take a foreign language and algebra I in middle school and why don’t some students have access to a foreign language and algebra I in middle school and stressed the importance of all middle schools student having access to foreign languages: ● Jordyn Simmons, student ● Rahim Gardner, student ● Christin White, student Mardiyatou Sabari, student, spoke about her experience at Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School and expressed satisfaction in the support provided. The following students urged the Board of Education to approve the application for Global Leadership International High School and spoke about the importance of the GLA community and the need to feel safe and seen during their high school years: ● Chrisitan Allen-Abrams, student ● Ma’Nya Robinson, student ● Trina Jones, community member ● Gregory Davis, parent/guardian ● Yvonne Coates, community member ● Colona Roberts, district staff member
State Representative Darisha Parker of 190th District, elected official, urged the Board to revitalize and reimagine Marcus Foster Pool and asked for a commitment from the District, today, to get a cost estimate on what it would take to reopen the pool. Representative Parker expressed the need for collaboration with the District to get the pools reopened. The following individuals spoke about the importance of swimming and reopening the Pickett and Marcus Foster swimming pools: ● Cyrus Booker, student ● Marqus Brown, community member ● Kenneth Booker, community member ● Veronica Holman, community member ● Gloria Presely, parent/guardian The following individuals are publicly calling for the removal and reconstruction of the Board of Northwood Academy and asked the Board of Education for support noting concerns with fiduciary responsibility, leadership and staff qualifications, and lack of communication and transparency of the Board and administration: ● JoEL Rohrer, parent/guardian
● Michelle Mangum, parent/guardian ● Dinorah Walker, parent/guardian ● Julia Melone, parent/guardian ● Sommer Sigler, parent/guardian ● Vernon Quarles, parent/guardian ● Sophia Pace, parent/guardian ● Richard Rohrer, parent/guardian
5 Deborah Grill, Community Member, flagged that April is school library months and urged the District to restore school libraries noting that students deserve access to robust school libraries staffed by fully qualified licensed librarians across district schools. Lisa Haver, APPS, expressed concerns regarding the Board’s speaker policy highlighting that the Board will consider an action item focused on communication with the public and stakeholders. Mrs. Haver also expressed concern regarding Action Item 6 - The Institute For Excellence in Education (Epicenter) - ($90,200) - Updated 4.5.2023. Mrs. Haver called upon the Board to be more transparent in their processes as it relates to charter school renewals and allow the public to participate in the evaluation of charter schools, increase the number of chairs set up in the auditorium, and keep speaker registration open until the day of the Board meeting.
Gili Ronen, parent/guardian, expressed gratitude to the Board and Superintendent Watlington for meeting with students from Saul at the March 23, 2023 meeting. Ms. Ronen expressed concerns regarding the number of students who were given an opportunity to attend one of the criteria based schools with seats available following the reopening of the school selection process. The following individuals spoke about leadership concerns and issues at Lamberton Elementary School and alleged an abuse of power and stressed a violation of the school district’s code of ethics by removing the current principal: ● Ashley Quetant, district staff member ● Sheila Myers, district staff member ● Linda Briggs,district staff member ● Kennesha Russell, district staff member The following individuals spoke about the proposed Philadelphia 76ers arena in the Fashion District and noted that the construction could impact the funding of the School District of Philadelphia: ● Scott Melman, community member
● Taylor Tai, community member ● Claire Wan, parent/guardian ● Alden Dirks, community member Pilar Newsome, district staff member, spoke about the importance of education to teach black students how to impact their communities. Ms. Newsome spoke about the importance of hiring black males as teachers and the role that they play in school communities as role models for students. Anne Dorn, parent/guardian, spoke about the lack of an admissions essay at Masterman and shared concerns around the school selection process. Horace Clouden, PCAC, spoke about the importance of junior high schools and urged the Board and District to bring back junior high schools. Mr. Clouden also spoke about the importance of community pools and encouraged the Board to bring back the pools A break was taken at 8:10pm and the meeting resumed at 8:18pm. Goals & Guardrails
6 Board Member Danzy introduced and facilitated the Board’s Goals and Guardrails monitoring session to review progress on Goal 3: Math Performance, Grades 3-8. Board Member Danzy noted that the Board expects the District to tell a story with the data, presenting a clear picture of (1) where we were (2) where we are now (3) and where we’re going. Dr. Watlington invited Shavon Savage, Deputy Superintendent of Academic Service and Dr. Tonya Wolford, Chief of Evaluation, Research, and Accountability to provide the staff report. Deputy Savage provided an overview of why Math Goal 3: Grades 3-8 noting that nationally students struggle with math performance with the United States ranking 36 out of 69. Furthermore, Deputy Savage shared that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the District was on track to see increases in PSSA scores which have now declined by 5 percentage points. Deputy Savage noted that when looking at the data from fall to winter
the District has seen more schools have accelerated growth in this school year than compared to last school year. Dr. Wolford provided an overview of where we have been and where we are going, highlighting that prior to the pandemic there was notable improvement being made in student outcomes regarding math in grade 3-8 with 16.5% of students scoring proficient or advanced. Dr. Wolford shared that the District has experienced a 5% decline in proficiency which is in alignment with national math trends following the pandemic. Additionally, Dr. Wolford shared that support is being provided to both students and teachers to include Ongoing Assessment Project (O-GAP) and Carnegie Institute and Coaching. Dr. Wolford highlighted that there was an improvement in teacher content knowledge for those who participated in O-GAP and for those who participated in Carnegie Institute and Coaching students and teachers showed growth on guiding principles in action.
Furthermore, when discussing where the District is headed, Deputy Savage and Dr. Wolford highlighted that a key strategy being employed to boost student performance in mathematics is a shift from students being the thinkers and doers instead of teachers being the thinkers and doers. Deputy Savage noted that shifting to a model that has students actively thinking and understanding how and why the strategies work and applying them to real life is key to ensure that students master the content being presented to them. When discussing areas that impact student mathematic success, Deputy Savage and Dr. Wolford noted the following: teachers are critical, new high quality instructional materials are needed (Board Members should expect an action item at the May 25, 2023 Board of Education Meeting), intensive training for teaching staff. Additionally, Deputy Savage and Dr. Wolford shared that students need intensive support
to go faster which will include: focusing on students with IEP and English language learners, identifying interventions by new core instructional materials, evidenced intervention to focus on middle school students in math, online adaptive programming implementation, and expansion of Algebra I pilot which currently serves 3 schools. Following Dr. Watlington and team’s presentation, the Board engaged in a discussion as well as a question and answer period. Board Members asked clarifying questions to better understand the ways in which research supports student exposure to Algebra I, how math is translated for ESL students, the root cause of the slow movement across schools, requirements surrounding teachers engaging with resources and initiatives available, alignment with high quality Pre-K, teacher professional development to align with new core materials, philosophy regarding the Algebra I pilot, and allocation of resources for more
intensive tutoring. Vice President Fix-Lopez stated that the Board has accepted the Superintendent’s report on the progress towards Goal 3: Math Performance, Grades 3-8 and summarized the District’s report on Goal 3: Math Performance, Grades 3-8. Vice President Fix-Lopez noted that while the District is currently down 12% from this year's goal, the District is also down 5% which matches current national trends in math performance post pandemic. Additionally, Vice President Fix-Lopez highlighted that Board Members are eager to understand how the District is working toward striking a balance between going too slow but not going too fast. Additionally, Vice President Fix-Lopez highlighted key takeaways from the
7 staff presentation which included Dr. Watlington and staff request for the Board to consider and approve upcoming action items related to textbook adoption, implementation of math coaches system-wide, and recruitment and retention strategies to address the root cause of some of the challenges the District is currently facing which is highlighted in the data. Consideration of Action Items President Streater described the process of how Action Items would be presented for consideration: ● Action Item 12 - Contract with Sherpa Government Solutions ($338,000) - WITHDRAWN BY STAFF 4.14.2023 ● Action Item 16 - Contracts with Various Vendors For Structural Design Services - ($5,200,000) - WITHDRAWN BY STAFF ● Action Item 51 - Contract with The Milton Project, LLC. - Provision of IDEA Special Education Consultation Services ($240,000) - WITHDRAWN BY STAFF 4.20.2023 ● Group 1 includes the remaining items of the consent agenda which are Action Items 1-11, 13-36, 38 - 50, and 52 - 54.
Item No. 1. Acceptance of Sub-Grant from WHYY for the Media Arts Education Project Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 2. Acceptance of Donation of Services from and Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Pennsylvania Penn Injury Science Center ($2,332,082) Board Member Danzy asked clarifying questions to understand if the District will need insurance for this donation. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam,, Ms. Salley, President Streater, ,Ms. Wilkerson – 6 No: 0 Abstentions: Vice President Fix-Lopez (business relationships), Ms. Salley, Ms. Thompson (personal reason)
Item No. 3. Acceptance of Donations from Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates; License and Right of Entry Agreements for Various Elementary Schools ($465,000.00) Updated 4.13.2023
8 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 4. Acceptance of Donation from Philadelphia Eagles Annual Day of Service (valued at $200,000), License and Right of Entry Agreement with Field Turf, Inc. and George Ely and Associates, Inc. (no cost), and Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocacy ($100,000) at Henry W. Lawton Elementary School Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 5. Acceptance of Donation from The Fund for The School District of Philadelphia - Francis S. Key Outdoor Classroom and Playspace ($125,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 6. The Institute For Excellence in Education (Epicenter) - ($90,200) - Updated 4.5.2023 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 7. Approval of Personnel Hires (Updated 4.13.2023) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 8. Approval of Personnel Terminations (Updated 4.20.2023) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 7 No: Ms. Salley,Ms. Thompson - 2
Item No. 9. Administration’s Recommendation for Termination of Professional Employees (Updated 4.20.2023)
9 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 10. Approval of Resignations and Retirements (Updated 4.20.2023) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 11. Contract with LinkedIn Corporation ($45,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 12. Contract with Sherpa Government Solutions ($338,000) - WITHDRAWN BY STAFF 4.14.2023
Item No. 13. Authorization to purchase from vendors approved via the DGS cooperative contracting schedules Contracts with Various Vendors - Security, Surveillance Equipment and Support, IT & Communications Equipment & Services ($3,500,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 14. Authorization to purchase from vendors approved via the COSTARS cooperative contracting schedules 3, 6 and 8. ($8,000,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 15. Contract Award with Weatherproofing Technologies (WTl), lnc. for Roof Replacement at Various Locations ($11,000,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9
Item No. 16. Amendment of Contracts For Supplemental Staffing Services with Constructonomics, LLC; Atane Consulting (MBE); The McKissack Group, Inc.(M/WBE); The Temple Group, Inc.(M/WBE); S. T. Hudson Engineers, Inc.; The McCloud Group, LLC (MBE); Promatech, Inc.(WBE); Rotator Staffing Services, Inc. - ($3,000,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 17. Contract with ODP Business Solutions, LLC – Office Supplies ($32,000,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 18. Contract with River Valley Landscapes Inc for Playground Repair Services ($460,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 19 Contracts with Diamond Quality Construction for Scaffolding Services ($460,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 20 Contracts with Various Vendors for Heavy Duty Equipment Rentals ($160,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 21 Contracts with Various Vendors for Flooring Maintenance, Repair & Installation Services ($2,500,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 22 Contracts with Various Vendors for On Call Fencing Maintenance, Repair and Installation Service ($1,650,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 23 Amendment of Contract with EnergyCAP, Inc. for Utility Billing Audit Services ($678,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 24 Contracts with Various Vendors for Boiler Burner Repairs($6,000,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 25 Amendment of Contracts with Various Vendors for HVAC under 50-ton system repairs ($12,000,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 26 Authorization of Coach Bus Services - Various Vendors Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 27 Ratification of Contract with Kamco Building Supply for the purchase of suspended ceiling tiles ($1,350,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 28 Amendment of Contract with The Home Depot Pro - Cleaning and Custodial Supplies ($3,500,000)
12 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 29 Contracts with Philadelphia Water Department and Vicinity Energy for water/sewer services and steam heat ($9,300,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 30 Ratification of Contract with Corestaff, Inc. and CareersUSA ($1,050,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 31 Amedee Bregy School - Schoolyard Improvement Project -The Trust for Public Land (TPL) - ($1,639,567) Updated 4.13.2023 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 32 Amendment of Contracts with USA Architects, for Professional Design Services at Richmond Elementary School – ($376,130) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 33 Amendment of the Contract with USA Architects, for Professional Design Services at Ethan Allen Elementary School – ($406,593) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 34 Amendment of Contract with Robert Michaels & Associates for Classroom Modernization at Vare-Washington Elementary School - No Cost Time Extension Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 35 Amendment of Contract for Richmond School with Ernest Bock and Sons, Allstates Mechanical, Ltd., Dolan Mechanical, Inc., Lex Electric Company, Inc., Major Renovation and Addition - No Cost Time Extensions Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 36 Change Orders at Various Locations ($299,648) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 37 Contracts with Various Vendors For Structural Design Services - ($5,200,000) - WITHDRAWN BY STAFF
Item No. 38 KPN Contract Award with Weatherproofing Technologies (WTl), lnc. for Roof Replacement at Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences (FSAS) - ($2,250,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 39 Amendment of Contract with Weatherproofing Technologies (WTI), Inc. Roof Replacements at Various Locations – No Cost Time Extension Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 40 Mary McLeod Bethune, Alain Locke School, Amedee Bregy School - School Schoolyard Improvement Projects - limited Joinders to Subgrant Agreement - Updated 4.13.2023
14 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 41 Ratification of the Contract with Crabtree Rohrbaugh Associates Architects for the provision of Professional Design Services at the Solomon Solis Cohen Elementary School – ($215,684) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 42 - Ratification of the Contract with Gannett Fleming, for the provision of Professional Design Services at the Vare-Washington Elementary School - No Cost Time Extension Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 43 - Ratification of the General, Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Contracts for the Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School, New Construction Project – No Cost Time Extension Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 44 - Ratification of the Plumbing Construction Contract for the William M. Meredith School, Modular Building – No Cost Time Extension Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 45 - Amendment of Contract with Educational Development Software, LLC- HIBster and Harassment Database ($16,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 46 - Contract with Dynamic Enterprise Solutions, Inc.- Data Management System for Teen Parent Services ($87,300) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 47 - Agreement for Service - Lakeside Global Institute Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 48 - Memorandum of Understanding with University of Pennsylvania - Rising Senior Summer Academy Summer Programming ($1,170,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 6 No: 0 Abstention: Vice President Fix-Lopez (business relationship), Ms. Salley, Ms. Thompson, - 3
Item No. 49 - Contracts with Various Qualified Vendors - Preschool Programs ($79,670,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 50 - Contract with Keystone Recognition - Nutrition Education Reinforcement Items ($100,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 51 - Contract with The Milton Project, LLC. - Provision of IDEA Special Education Consultation Services ($240,000) - WITHDRAWN BY STAFF 4.20.2023
Item No. 52 - Contracts with First Aid and CPR Academy, Kallective Wellness, Med Training Solutions, and the American Red Cross for CPR and First Aid Training and Certification ($300,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, President Streater, Ms. Thompson,Ms. Wilkerson – 9
Item No. 53 - Contract with K12 Insight, LLC for Let's Talk Customer Service & Intelligence Communication Platform ($881,549) - Added 4.5.2023 Vice President Fix-Lopez expressed concerns with how this system will support multilingual families and their needs. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Vice President Fix-Lopez, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 6 No: Vice President Fix-Lopez, Ms. Egea-Hinton, Ms. Salley - 3
Item No. 54 - Contract with Public Consulting Group - Strategic Communications Planning for Board of Education ($336,000) - Added 4.13.2023/ Updated 4.20.23 Board Member Salley expressed that strategic communications is important for the District and the Board and the importance of community engagement and public communications noting the difference between the two. Board Member Salley expressed concerns with taking a vote at this time and suggested a need for a vendor with more digitized experience and asked that the Board reconsider the proposed vendor given the scope of work. Vice President Fix-Lopez noted her fidelity in the procurement process and noted her participation in the vendor selection process. Board Member Egea-Hinton noted that this item indicates that the Board acknowledges the need for help and support with communication and we can not wait. Board Member Thompson expressed concerns and stated her disagreement with the
procurement process regarding the Board's process for selecting vendors. Board Member Streater asked that Board Members that participated in the procurement process speak to the process. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Ms. Egea-Hinton , Ms. Lam, Vice President Fix-Lopez, President Streater,Ms. Wilkerson – 7 No: Ms. Salley, Ms. Thompson - 2 New Business Vice President Fix-Lopez requested follow-up to testimony heard during the March 23, 2023 Board of Education meeting regarding services available for multilingual families. Board Member Thompson asked clarifying questions to understand the procedure for schools when they have leadership concerns and disagreements. Board Member Thompson also requested that the District plan to share the proposed Intermediate Unit 26 plan with the Board of Directors before submission to the
17 Pennsylvania Department of Education and ahead of the May 25, 2023 meeting of Intermediate Unit 26. Board Member Thompson also noted that the Intermediate Unit 26 needs to appoint an Assistant Executive Director. Adjournment President Streater announced that the Policy Committee will hold its next public committee meeting on April 27, 2023 @ 4:00pm. President Streater announced that the Board will hold its next public business meeting on May 25, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., via hybrid format. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 10:18pm Reginald L. Streater, Esq., President Board of Education Tony Watlington, Ed.D. Superintendent