The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Public Meeting Minutes May 30, 2024 A public meeting of the Board of Education was held in hybrid format on May 30 2024. 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 the Zoom meeting platform. The meeting was convened at 4:00 p.m by Reginald Streater, President. Opening Remarks President Streater reported and commented on the following: ● Acknowledgement of several May celebrations including: Jewish American Heritage Month, Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mother’s Day, National Military Appreciation Month, and Memorial Day ● Recognition of Vice President Novales as she represented the Board at this year’s Lindback Distinguished Teacher Awards. ● Acknowledgement of National School Nurse Appreciation Day
● Recognition of two seniors of the month: Damar Wilson from Hill-Freedman World Academy and Octavia Lauderdale from the South Philadelphia High School Educational Options Program ● Recognition of teacher of the month: Mrs. Muc, ELA teacher at Jenks Academy for Arts & Sciences. ● Recognition of the Board’s school visits to Imhotep Charter High School and Northeast Propel Academy ● Acknowledgement of Chief Peng Chao for his participation in the May 7, press conference with the State Auditor General Timothy DeFoor to discuss an independent audit which commenced in July 2023 and sought to determine whether the School District’s authorizing practices are compliant with applicable laws and guidance ● Announcement that the Board is holding a public hearing on June 6, 2024 at Benjamin Rush High School. ● Acknowledgement and presentation honoring students involved in creating the artwork for the FY23 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
President Streater invited Mike Herbstman, Chief Financial Officer to present to the students involved in creating the artwork for the FY23 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Announcements Vice President Novales made announcements concerning recording, copyright, participation in, and viewing of the meeting. President Streater invited Board Member Wilkerson to provide a legislative update. Board Member Wilkerson reiterated the Board’s appreciation to both Governor Shapiro and Mayor Parker for their bold budget proposals and the investments they are each making in public education. Board Member Wilkerson shared that the Board looks forward to continuing to work across the aisle in 1
Harrisburg and with all members of City Council to pass state and local budgets that serve the needs of students and meet the visions that Governor Shapiro and Mayor Parker have both laid out. Roll Call and Minutes Lynn Rauch, General Counsel, announced that the Board met in Executive Session on May 16th, May 22nd, May 23rd, and earlier today to discuss confidential, privileged quasi-judicial charter school matters and today to discuss confidential, privileged, personnel, labor relations and litigation matters. Ms. Rauch conducted Roll Call. Members Present: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 Members Absent: Ms. Lam - 1 Attending: Tony B. Watlington, Ed.D, Superintendent, Cavance Snaith, Student Board Representative, Doha Gassem, Student Board Representatives, De’Naiza Watson, Student Board Representative The minutes from the April 25, 2024 Board of Education Action Meeting were presented for approval.
Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0 Registered Elected Officials The meeting was opened to the public for presentation of statements by registered elected officials Ms. Rauch provided the applicable provisions of the speakers’ policy for the meeting. Ms. Rauch called the following student speakers: The following elected officials spoke about the importance of a comprehensive plan to address air quality in schools and urged the Board and the District to purchase HEPA air filters to improve health and safety in schools. The elected officials also expressed solidarity with students, teachers, and families at Northeast High School who are advocating for their right to discuss the current conflict happening in the Middle East: ● Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke ● Senator Nikil Saval ● Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler ● Rep. Rick Krajewski Committee Reports 2
Student Board Representatives Gassem, Snaith, and Watson provided a report on the Student Board Representatives’ activities throughout the last month. Student Representative Watson invited Fati Sidibe to participate in this month’s report. Student Board Representatives Gassem, Snaith, and Watson along with Miss Sidibe provided the Board with a detailed report of their most recent trip to Frankfurt, Germany for the Global House of Young Voices Summit. The students shared that throughout their trip they engaged in various small group discussions and learned about topics such as positionality, structural bias, intersectionality, educational equity, and quality of life for young people in our local contexts. Additionally, Student Board Representatives Gassem, Snaith, Watson, and Miss Sidibe shared that they met with student delegates from Yokohama, Toronto, Leipzig, Lyon, Milan, Frankfurt, Poland, Guangzhou, Eskişehir and Deuil-la-Barre. Student Board
Representatives Gassem, Snaith, Watson, and Miss Sidibe thanked the World Affairs Council, The School District of Philadelphia, Dr. Watlington, Dr. Dawson, and the Board of Education for this opportunity for choosing and trusting them to represent Philadelphia. Representatives Gassem, Snaith, Watson, and Miss Sidibe thanked the PRIF organization and The Global House of Young Voices for bringing together the next generation of leaders so that they could gain a different perspective on life and discuss important topics. Lastly, Representatives Gassem, Snaith, Watson, and Miss Sidibe thanked their chaperones, Ms. Warner and Ms. Siswick for keeping them safe throughout their travels. Student Board Representatives Snaith also congratulated each of the students who have begun participating in the interview process to find the Student Board Representatives for the 2024-2025 school year. President Streater invited Board Member Andrews to provide brief remarks.
Board Member Andrews shared that this evening would serve as the final Board of Education meeting for Student Board Representative Cavance Snaith. Board Member Andrews thanked Student Board Representative Snaith for his contributions and service as a Student Board Representative for the 2023-2024 school year and offered him well wishes as he prepares to take on Washington, DC for the summer. Registered Student Speakers The meeting was opened to the public for presentation of statements by registered students speakers. Ms. Rauch provided the applicable provisions of the speakers’ policy for the meeting. Ms. Rauch called the following student speakers: The following students spoke about their experiences at Philadelphia Hebrew Public Charter School: ● Ernest Blair, student ● Anisha Renard, student The following students spoke about environmental conditions at Northeast High School as well as their
recent experience with a teacher who discreetly took a photo of them and the self-made pins that they were wearing in support of Sudan and Palestine. These students called upon the Board and Dr. Watlington to hold teachers accountable for the violation of student rights and to protect all students: ● Taslim Sabil, student ● Tasnim Sabil, student The following students spoke about the recent events at Northeast high school noting the challenges that they are facing in their school communities as they try to express themselves and their beliefs as well as 3
engaging in dialogues around what is currently taking place in Gaza in a supportive and safe environment. These students asked the District to take a stand in supporting and protecting students, teachers, and families and to allow students to engage in uncomfortable conversations and ensure that teachers have the skillset to support students in these discussions: ● Lev Wise, student ● Amir Mohammad, student ● Hazel Heiko, student ● Alba Marku, student Andre Baldwin, student, spoke about his experience as a freshman at the Workshop School and highlighting some of the key facilities concerns/issues that exist within the school building. Mr. Baldwin specifically highlighted the need for additional space that is needed for students to learn comfortably in the building. The Board of Education recessed at 5:09pm. The meeting resumed at 5:36pm. Superintendent Remarks President Streater invited Dr. Watlington to provide remarks. Dr. Watlington reported/commented on the following:
● District Recognition ○ Recognition of Asian American Heritage Month and 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report: Student Art Contest Winners ○ Acknowledgement of Associate Superintendent of Elementary Schools, Dr. Evelyn Nuñez who will be departing the School District of Philadelphia on July 1, 2024 to assume her newly appointed role as the new Chief Executive Officer of Esperanza Academy Charter School. ○ Acknowledgement of Chief of Student Support Services, Karyn Lynch, who will retire from the School District of Philadelphia on May 31, 2024. Dr. Watlington thanked Dr. Nuñez and Mrs. Lynch for their service to the School District of Philadelphia and invited them to provide remarks. ● Conditions of Success ○ Increase School Safety ○ Increase Student Attendance - 2 percentage point increase from April 2023 from 68% to 70% ○ Increase Teacher Attendance - 4 percentage point increase from April 2023 from 81% to 85%
○ Decrease Dropouts - 2,115 students have dropped out, which is 1,376 fewer students compared to this time last year. ● FY 2025 Operating Budget & FY 2025-30 CIP ○ Dr. Watlington invited Mike Herbstman, Chief Financial Officer and Oz Hill, Chief Operations Officer to provide a presentation to the Board. Chief Herbstman and Chief Hill provided the Board with an overview of the FY 2025 Operating Budget, Capital 4
Improvement Plan, the Amended FY 2024 & Proposed FY 2025-30 CIP, and highlighted Key Project. Dr. Watlington, Chief Herbstman and Chief Hill responded to questions raised by Board Members. Copies of presentations are included within the meeting agenda. Presentations President Streater invited Peng Chao, Chief of Charter Schools to provide a brief presentation. Mr. Chao provided a presentation and overview of the revised new charter application, mid-cycle amendment requests, the 2023-2024 Renewal Cohort including an overview of the process, evaluation summary, renewal amendment requests and potential conditions including the need to address potential conflicts of interest. Mr. Chao presented an overview of each mid-cycle amendment request received from the following schools: Belmont Charter School (Change in Building Location), Young Scholars Charter School (Change to Grade Levels Served), and YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School (Change in
Building Location). Mr. Chao also presented the Board with the 2023-2024 Charter School Renewal Cohort and reviewed the renewal timeline, production of ACE/ACE-R reports, domain ratings,and renewal options. Mr, Chao highlighted that the Charter School Office has split the cohort into two groups. Group 1 includes all schools in the cohort that the Charter School Office is recommending for five-year renewal with conditions, Group 2 includes schools in the cohort that have specific requests and/or conditions. These schools include: Independence Charter School West, Philadelphia Montessori Charter School, Global Leadership Academy, Philadelphia Performing Arts, and Philadelphia Charter School for Arts and Sciences at Edmunds. Board Members asked clarifying questions to better understand Mr. Chao’s presentation as well as recommendations for each of the schools discussed. President Streater provided Mr. Chao with clear next steps related to the schools presented during the
presentation as well as the remaining schools in the 2023-2024 renewal cohort. Request made by President Streater are as follows: As it relates to Independence Charter School West, President Streater expressed concerns shared by the Board in regards to the termination of the relationship between Independence West and Independence Charter School and the future mission and academic performance of Independence West. Given this, President Streater requested that the Charter Schools Office proceed to negotiate a draft one-year renewal charter with the school. In the event that the CSO and Independence West can reach agreement on the charter, and if the charter school board approves and signs the charter, President Streater noted that the Board will consider one-year renewal of the Independence West charter at a future Board meeting. As it relates to Philadelphia Montessori Charter School, President Streater expressed concerns shared by
the Board regarding the implementation of the Montessori model at the school and the limitations with evaluating the academic performance data of this school. Given these concerns, President Streater requested that the Charter School Office add conditions to address these concerns and proceed to negotiate a draft one-year renewal charter with the school. In the event that the CSO and Philadelphia Montessori Charter School can reach agreement on the charter, and if the charter school board approves 5
and signs the charter, President Streater noted that the Board will consider one-year renewal of the Philadelphia Montessori Charter School at a future Board meeting. As it relates to Global Leadership Academy, Philadelphia Performing Arts, and Philadelphia Charter School for Arts and Sciences at Edmunds, President Streater expressed concerns shared by the Board regarding the need for a charter school to have different counsel from that of the services provider, when negotiating a services agreement with its management company or services provider. Given these concerns, President Streater requested that the Charter School Office add conditions to address these conflict of interest concerns discussed tonight as well as other conditions deemed necessary by your evaluations of these schools. Furthermore, President Streater requested that the Charter School Office proceed to negotiate draft renewal charters with each respective school – Global Leadership Academy,
Philadelphia Performing Arts, and Philadelphia Charter School for Arts and Sciences at Edmunds. President Streater noted that if the Charter School Office can reach agreement on the charter with each of the schools, and if the respective charter school board approves and signs the charter, the Board will consider renewal of that charter at a future Board meeting. Additionally, President Streater requested that the Charter School Office proceed to negotiate draft renewal charters with each remaining charter school recommended for renewal with conditions. President Streater noted that these agreements should include conditions to address concerns of organizational compliance as well as others deemed necessary by the Charter School Office’s evaluation. Public Testimony and General Speakers Board Member Jones acknowledged the receipt of and summarized ninety two (92) pieces written testimony submitted to the Board from:
● Horace Clouden submitted comments on Priority Area 3 of Accelerate Philly and asked the Board to consider having the District use the 2021-2022 format of the SPREE report. ● Nine (9) parents from Philadelphia Hebrew Charter School wrote in support of its renewal. ● Fifty (50) School District of Philadelphia staff members, students and community members urged the Board to take proactive measures to safeguard students and staff who speak out against genocide, Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian sentiments, adding that educational environments must welcome and protect diverse perspectives. ● Twenty-one (21) pieces of testimony stating SDP Jewish students and teachers are experiencing hate and violence, and implore the District to take swift and decisive action to discipline those who promote antisemitism. Members of the Jewish community of SDP would have liked to participate in person at this evening’s meeting, but feel threatened and unsafe.
● Three (3) parents from Independence Charter School West wrote in support of the school. ● Four (4) community members are urging the District to take substantive action to improve air quality standards in Philadelphia public schools. ● Five (5) members of the Southwark school community are asking for a comprehensive assessment of bathroom access and issues, including surveying individual schools and adding this as a question on future annual surveys 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 general speakers. Ms. Rauch provided the applicable provisions of the speakers’ policy for the meeting. Ms. Rauch called general speakers: The following individuals spoke about the importance of school building conditions and the need for adequate air quality and filtration. These individuals recognized the Board and District’s demonstrated 6
commitment to adequate air quality but asked that the Board and District commit to effective filtration. These individuals also demanded that the Board and District invest resources to procuring and installing HEPA air filters in all classrooms by the start of next school year and to create a public plan for safe air in all schools for high quality ventilation and air condition: ● Charlie Hudgins, District Staff Member ● Russell Zerbo, Community Member ● Caleb Colvin, Community Member ● Katy Egan, Community Member ● Will Gross, Community Member Adam Sanchez, Community Member, spoke in support of teachers in the District and expressed concerns regarding teacher’s feeling fearful to engage in discussions and/or support dialogue in their classrooms around what is currently taking place in Palestine. Mr. Sanchez asked the Board will they set an example and stand up by condemning genocide, protecting students and staff, and providing resources for
students and staff to have uncomfortable but necessary conversations. The following individuals spoke out against Zionism, the need to protect students from outside organizations, and the need to provide teachers with professional development to support them in supporting their students through uncomfortable conversations in the classroom. These individuals also called on the District to condemn genocide, take a stand in support of Palenstine and stand in solidarity with its students, teachers, and families. Lastly, these individuals called for for disciplinary action against teachers who are violating student rights by exposing students to right-winged outside organizations, demanded that Dr. Watlington and the Board of Education counter the climate of fear that exist for Board students and teachers and asked for transparency and accountability: ● Ahmed Moor, Parent/Guardian ● Alissa Wise, Parent/Guardian ● Ed Brockenbrough, Community Member ● Norman MacQueen, District Staff Member
● Katherine Riley, District Staff Member ● Hannah Mermelstein, Parent/Guardian ● Sonia Rosen, Parent/Guardian ● Adeem Suhail, Community Member ● Brian Gallagher, District Staff Member ● Meaghan McDonald Parent/Guardian ● Clarice Brazas, District Staff Member ● Alisha Hagelin, District Staff Member ● Nick Palazzolo, District Staff Member Matthew Riggan, Community Member, expressed concerns regarding the building conditions at the Workshop School and shared that the school selection process does not account for the space in the school building when making enrollment decision which has led to students with IEPs not getting the proper supports that they are entitled to due to lack of space in the building. Mr. Riggan also shared that the building conditions impact student and school culture. Hannah Gann, Community Member, spoke about the experience of students and district staff members
who have spoken out in support of Palestine and demand that the District hold protected listening session for students being impacted and well as address the 6 demands issued by Philly Educators for Palestine 7
to condemn genocide, support students who are suffering, protect freedom of speech, and provide educators with resources to take difficult but vital conversations. Jethro Heiko, Parent/Guardian, asked the District to disavow their affiliation with the group titled The School District of Philadelphia Jewish Family Association and shared his support for Northeast High School teacher Keziah Ridgeway highlighting his daughter’s experience in Mrs. Ridgeway’s classroom and her ability to build relationships with her students. Dana Carter, Community Member, spoke about an incident that occurred during the Board Meeting at the front door of the building as a group of individuals were barred from entering the building by security. Mrs. Carter also spoke about the experience of teachers in the District who have been punished for their personal advocacy and inability to remove racist teachers. Mrs. Carter also asked for information on the
work of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to better understand what they are doing to professionally develop staff. Charlie McGeehan, District Staff Member, spoke in support of Ismael Jimenez, Director of Social Studies Curriculum and Keziah Ridgeway, teacher at Northeast High School and asked the Board to publicly support them as they work to empower students to engage in uncomfortable but necessary conversations and dialogues in their classrooms. Mr. McGeehan also expressed frustration with the District’s lack of responsiveness to requests for protected listening sessions to listen to the experiences of Palestinian students. Keziah Ridgeway, District Staff Member, spoke about her experiences along with other teachers' experiences/encounters with district staff members and dealing with islamophobia in school communities. Mrs. Ridgeway also sees an inequity of teachers having no problem with Jesus or Christmas being
discussed in school communities, yet there is a problem when students speak Arabic and read the Quran during Islam awareness assembly. Mrs. Ridgeway also shared the experiences of Palestinian students who were unable to hold a session in 2021 to discuss their culture and what they experience when they visit Palestine. Mrs. Ridgeway shared several incidents where students and staff have been left to deal with hostile work environments for Muslim teachers and discriminatory behaviors against students. Mrs. Ridgeway asked the District and the Board to take a stand to protect students and staff and put a end to the bullying of Palestinian students and Muslim staff, condemn genocide, create spaces that are uncomfortable but necessary for our students and staff in the same way that the District did for Ukranian students. The following individuals spoke about the Charter School Office’s evaluation of Philadelphia Montessori
Charter School and addressed concerns regarding personnel records identified during the school’s renewal evaluation. These individuals also shared ways that the school has worked to ensure that all teachers in their school building have received the proper professional development to properly implement the montessori school model: ● Joseph Sbarra, Charter School Staff ● Joy Karsner, Charter School Staff The following individual spoke in support of Philadelphia Hebrew Public Charter School asking the Board to approve a five-year renewal: ● Emily Hurst, Charter School Staff 8
Khalid Bilal, District Staff Member, shared the experiences of students who have faced discriminatory behaviors at Baldi Middle School by a teacher in the school building. Mr. Bilal spoke about the impact of a silent majority and the negative impact that silence has when people in power do not speak up. Ari Lev Fornari, Parent/Guardian, spoke about the struggle that she has faced when deciding whether or not to speak out as a Jewish person and a Rabbi in the community. Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari shared that individuals choose public schools because they want their children to be in diverse learning environments that allow them to learn with and from each other. Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari spoke about the danger of censorship and why the discussions around Palestine should be at the forefront of education. Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari also shared an experience that her children experienced in their school community and the
importance of giving students the proper resources to be able to understand each other's religious identities. Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari shared that the District must be courageous in their education of students and allow for the uncomfortable but necessary conversations and teach students how to engage. Dr. Watlington addressed many of the comments raised by registered speakers related to concerns regarding anti-semitism, islamophobia, and discrimination against any group. Dr. Watlington asked that individuals do not mistake passion for violence or any negative connotations. Dr. Watlington also noted that the superintendent and the Board will not address any ongoing investigations or personnel issues from the table. Dr. Watlington reminded everyone that the children are watching. Dr. Watlington noted that the role of the educator is not to direct or inform U.S foreign policy and shared that schools job is to create
environments where students can learn accurate history and to help students think critically and teach them how to think, not what to think. Dr. Watlington also shared that our job is to create an environment where there can be structured critical dialogue whether diverse points of view can be brought into the classroom in a way that we don’t censor people or demonize people for alternative perspectives and that the facts are shared as best that we know them. Dr. Watlington acknowledges that the curriculum department and school are in need of additional resources and support so the District has engaged a global nonprofit entity (Facing History in Ourselves) to provide external support to help the District do a better job in this work. Dr. Watlington shared that the District is happy to welcome Palestinian students and all other students to engage in a listening session and will work with Dr. Dawson to address the spirit
of the request and letter put forward. Lastly, Dr. Watlington asked that folks give the District some grace as we work toward addressing the concerns that exist. Consideration of Action Items President Streater described the process of how Action Items would be presented for consideration: Lisa Haver, on behalf of the Alliance of Philadelphia Public Schools, stated an objection under the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act on Item No. Action Item 45, Belmont Charter School - Request for Location Change Amendment, Action Item 46, Young Scholars Charter School - Request to Change Grade Levels Served Amendment,and, Action Item 47, YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School - Request for Location Change Amendment. ● Priority Item(s): Action Item 45, Belmont Charter School - Request for Location Change Amendment, Action Item 46, Young Scholars Charter School - Request to Change Grade Levels Served Amendment,and, Action Item 47, YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School - Request for
Location Change Amendment. ● Consent agenda for the remaining Action Items, which are Action Items 1- 44. 9
Item No. 1 - Acceptance of Grant Agreement from Pennsylvania Department of Education and Contract with General Recreation Inc. ($150,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 2 - Acceptance of State Facilities Improvement Grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development for ($20,000,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 3 - Authorization to Apply to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Keystone Communities Program for a Grant in Support of the Sayre Pool Renovation Project ($500,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 4 - Limited Contract Process Authority - Updated 5.13.2024/Updated 5.17.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 5 - Amendment to Limited Contract Process Authority FY 2023-2024 - Updated 5.13.24 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 6. - Proposed Student Expulsion J.E - Updated 5.23.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0 10
Item No. 7 - Approval of Personnel Hires - Updated 5.23.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 8. - Approval of Personnel Terminations - Updated 5.30.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 9. - Administration’s Recommendation for Termination of Professional Employees - Updated 5.30.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 10. - Approval of Retirements and Resignations - Updated 5.30.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 11. - Memorandum of Understanding with Elevate 215 for In-Kind Strategic Support for Para Pathway Program Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0 11
Item No. 12. - Contract with The Management Center for Management Training ($200,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 13. - Adoption of Amended Operating Budget for 2023-2024 and Operating Budget for 2024-2025 - Updated 5.28.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 14. - Authorization of Payment to City of Philadelphia for Single Audit Fees Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 15. - Amendment of Contract with Fidelity Information Services for Mainframe Hosting Services ($1,310,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 16. - Contract with Valsoft Corporation dba ScholarChip for Visitor Badge Management System for K-12 Schools ($552,200) - Updated 5.17.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0 12
Item No. 17. - Authorization to Engage Additional Outside Counsel Firms Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 18. - Adoption of Amended Capital Budget for 2023-2024 and Amended Capital Program for 2024- 2029, and Adoption of a Capital Budget for 2024-2025 and a Capital Program for 2025-2030 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 19. - Capital Award for Stormwater Management Improvement at William D. Kelley School ($1,890,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 20. - Ratification Amendment of Contract with The Sheward Partnership for Professional Design Services for the Kensington High School Building Envelope Improvement Project ($163,725) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 21. - Capital Award for the Replacement of Exterior Doors and Access Control System at Roxborough High School ($714,700) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0 13
Item No. 22. - Ratification of Contract with Cotton Disaster Solutions for Repairs and Restoration Services ($600,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 23. - Renewals of Lease Agreement with Various Lessees Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 7 No: 0 Abstention: Ms. Stern - 1
Item No. 24. - Change Orders at Various Locations ($756,673) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 25. - Lease Agreements with Various Lessors for Additional Space ($485,649.71) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 26. - License Agreement with ESS Northeast, LLC – Substitute Staffing Services ($27,549.95) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 14
Item No. 27. - Amendment of Contract with ODP Business Solutions, LLC & Supra Office Solutions, INC.– Office Supplies ($32,000,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No:
Item No. 28. - Contract with Seashore Fruit and Produce Company for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Sample Program ($3,000,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 29. - Contract with Seashore Fruit and Produce Company for Fresh Produce Distribution ($5,200,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 30. - Agreement for Service with Sproutly, LLC – Social -Emotional Lesson Planning Tool ($125,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 31. - Amendment of Contract with Educational Development Software, LLC- HIBster and Harassment Database ($90,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 32. - Amendment of Contract with LanguageLine Solutions - Telephonic Interpretation Services ($50,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 15
Item No. 33. - Memorandum of Understanding with Colleges, Universities and Qualified Accredited Institutions for Student Health Related Practicums and Internships Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 34. -Contract with Center for Black Educator Development for Freedom Schools Literacy Academy ($369,000) - Updated 5.17.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 35. - Contract with JEVS Human Services – Services and Supports for Student Internships and Stipends ($350,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 36. - Amendment of Contract with Discovery Education and Explore Learning Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 37. - Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Albert Einstein Medical Center - Pre-K Nutrition Education Program Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 38. - Contract with Community College of Philadelphia- High School of the Future ($381,664) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 16
Item No. 39. - Ratification of Contract with Univision ($50,000) - Added 5.9.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 40. - Renewal Lease with Sayre Health Center, Inc. at William Sayre High School - Added 5.9.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 41. - Contract with Concentric Educational Solutions, Inc. ($200,000) - Added 5.9.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 42. - Capital Award for Stormwater Management Improvement at Grover Washington School ( $2,062,000) Added 5.13.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 43. - Contract with Ricoh USA, INC. - Mailing Equipment Lease ($1,067,000) - Added 5.17.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0 17
Item No. 44. - Contract with Conner Strong & Buckelew Companies Inc. - Casualty and Property Insurance ($6,687,840) - Added 5.17.2024 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 45. - Belmont Charter School - Request for Location Change Amendment - Added 5.24.2024 A motion was moved and seconded to approve the charter location change amendment for Belmont Charter School. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 46. - Young Scholars Charter School - Request for Change to Grade Levels Served Amendment - Added 5.24.2024 A motion was moved and seconded to approve the request for change to grade levels served at Young Scholars Charter School. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Cubbage, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 47. - YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School – Request for Location Change Amendment - Added 5.24.2024 A motion was moved and seconded to approve the charter location change amendment for YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms, Harper, Mr. Jones, Ms. Novales, Ms. Stern, President Streater, Ms. Wilkerson – 7 No: 0 Abstention: Ms. Cubbage (business) - 1 Adjournment President Streater announced that the Board will hold a Public Hearing Meeting on June 6, 2024 at 4:00 p.m., in person at Benjamin Rush High School for Performing Arts. 18
President Streater announced that the Board will hold its next Goals and Guardrails Committee Meeting on June 13, 2024 at 4:00 p.m., via hybrid format. President Streater announced that the Board will hold its next public business on June 27, 2024 at 4:00 p.m., via hybrid format. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:59pm. Reginald L. Streater, Esq., President Board of Education Tony Watlington, Ed.D. Superintendent 19