Erie City School District public meetings in 2023
27 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Committee of the Whole
The Erie City School District Board will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting at 5:00 p.m. in the Library at East Middle School, 1001 Atkins Street. The agenda includes an open meeting, discussions on educational and student services, finance and operations, highlights from board committees, a review of the regular board meeting agenda, and any other matters. No specific actions or decisions are detailed in the agenda.
- Open Meeting
- Educational and Student Services discussion
- Finance and Operations discussion
- Highlights from Board Policy Review and Governance Committees
- Review of Dec 13 regular board meeting agenda
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie School Board met to approve the superintendent's report and committee updates. The board also approved a resolution to limit tax increases for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the state index of 8.1%.
- Approval of Superintendent Report
- Approval of Committee Reports
- Act 1 Resolution for 2024-2025 Fiscal Year
- District Enrollment Report (Dec 1, 2023)
- Stairclimber Award Recipients (Dec 2023)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Reorganization Meeting
This is a reorganization meeting of the Erie School District Board of Directors. The board will elect a President and Vice President for the coming term, administer oaths of office to newly elected members, and discuss the 2024-2025 budget. The meeting is mostly procedural, focused on perfecting the board's organization under the School Code.
- Election of Jay Breneman as Board President (AYES: 7, NAYS: 2)
- Election of John C. Harkins as Board Vice President (AYES: 5, NAYS: 4)
- Oaths of office administered to six new or re-elected board members
- Discussion of the 2024-2025 budget presented by Superintendent Brian J. Polito
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie School Board met to approve the superintendent's report and committee updates. The agenda included a health and safety plan update and recognition of student attendance achievements. No citizen speakers were scheduled.
- Approval of Superintendent Report
- Approval of Committee Reports
- Health and Safety Plan Update
- Stairclimber Award Recognition
- Correction to Travel for NACAC Conference
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Committee of the Whole
The Board of Directors will meet for general business purposes including discussions on stimulus funds and the administration building. The agenda also includes reviews of PVAAS results, community center programs, and career & technical program data.
- Stimulus Funds discussion with Mr. Neal Brokman
- Administration Building update regarding HHSDR Architects/Engineers
- 2022-23 PVAAS Results presentation by Ms. Teresa Szumigala
- Community Center Programs discussion with Mr. Brian J. Polito
- Career & Technical Program Data review by Ms. Teresa Szumigala
Committee of the Whole
The Erie City School District Committee of the Whole convened on October 11, 2023, to discuss minority recruitment and review the agenda. The meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m.
- Open Meeting
- Minority Recruitment presentation
- Review of October 11, 2023 Meeting Agenda
- Any Other Matter
- Meeting Adjourned
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie City School District Board of Directors met to approve the Superintendent's report and committee reports. The meeting included a moment of silence for two deceased teachers and recognized students for attendance and behavior.
- Approval of Superintendent's report
- Approval of committee and liaison reports
- Recognition of Stairclimber Award recipients
- Moment of silence for Constance Minichelli and Pamela Tonty
- Approval of travel correction for National Dance Education Conference
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Committee of the Whole
The Board of Directors will meet for general business purposes including discussions on the district's Comprehensive Plan and an African American AP course. The meeting also includes updates regarding construction and the athletic budget.
- Comprehensive Plan discussion
- African American AP Course discussion
- Construction update including gym floor cost estimate
- Athletic Budget discussion
- 2024 Election of PSBA Officers
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie City School District Board will hear the Superintendent's report including a Career and Technical Education update, enrollment report for September 2023, and staffing totals. The board will also vote on several travel requests for board members and staff. The meeting includes procedural items and committee reports.
- Approval of Superintendent's report covering enrollment, staffing, and CTE update
- Travel approval for board directors to attend PSBA workshops (expenses only)
- Travel approval for Thomas Kostreba to American Welding Society Fall Board Meetings in Chicago (salary only, third-party expenses)
- Travel approval for Kristen Weibel to National Dance Education Conference in Denver (salary and expenses)
- Moment of silence for retired teacher and former EEA president Daniel Nawrocki, Sr.
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole is meeting to discuss the capital project budget and the use of ESSER/ARP funds. The board will also review 2023 PSSA results and receive updates on school improvement and learning initiatives.
- Capital Project Budget discussion
- ESSER/ARP Funds update
- Biletnikoff Fence options
- 2023 PSSA Results review
- WestEd school improvement update
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie School Board approved a package of 40 policy revisions, primarily to update language regarding gender-neutral pronouns and special education procedures. The meeting also included reports on enrollment and transportation, and a moment of silence for two deceased teachers.
- Approval of 40 policy revisions (e.g., 113 Special Education, 352 School Police, 806 Child Abuse)
- Report on August 2023 district enrollment
- Transportation update presented by Director Randy Pruchnicki
- Moment of silence for retired teacher Charles Ramsey and former teacher Jon Todd Christensen
- Recognition of Vice President John Harkins' 44 years of service
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Committee of the Whole
The Erie School Board meets as a Committee of the Whole to discuss general business items, including the 2023-24 state budget, school improvement plans for Erie High and East Middle, and a First National Bank accounts payable proposal. No formal votes are expected; these discussions inform future board action. The meeting also includes public comment and updates on construction and the pre-K program.
- Additional Targeted Support & Improvement School Plans for Erie High and East Middle
- 2023-24 State Budget presentation by Superintendent Brian J. Polito
- First National Bank Accounts Payable Proposal by Controller John Kuhn
- 2023-24 Pre-K Program discussion
- Construction update by Assistant Superintendent Neal Brokman
Special Board Meeting
The Erie School Board met in special session to approve the 2023-2024 budget and conduct other business. They passed a motion to continue tabling a resolution that would allocate up to 5% of Level Up funding to athletics, pending the state budget. The board also approved several consent agenda items, including a homestead/farmstead tax exclusion, Act 34 conditions for the New Edison Elementary project, and contracts for substitute nursing and software services.
- Approved the 2023-2024 budget for the school district.
- Continued tabling resolution to allocate up to 5% of Level Up funding to athletics, with up to $12,000 for a statistician.
- Authorized Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion real estate tax reductions for 2023-2024.
- Approved Act 34 conditions for the New Edison Elementary School Project.
- Renewed substitute nursing services contract with AVEANNA Healthcare for 2023-2024.
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie School Board approved the superintendent's report and committee reports. The board adopted several new student and program policies and heard presentations on student services and community schools.
- Adoption of student policies (210, 210.1, 246)
- Adoption of program policies (137, 137.1, 137.2, 137.3, 140.3)
- Approval of superintendent report
- Approval of committee reports
- Presentation on Irving Vacant Property Proposal
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Committee of the Whole
The Erie City School District Committee of the Whole will meet to discuss the 2023-24 budget, the 2023-24 Charter Cap, and the Autistic & Life Skills Curriculum. The meeting will also include a review of the draft agenda for the June 14 meeting.
- 2023-24 Budget presentation
- Autistic & Life Skills Curriculum discussion
- Review of draft June 14 meeting agenda
- Emergency Management Plan discussion
- PSBA Voting Delegates selection
Committee of the Whole
The Erie City School District Committee of the Whole will meet on May 10, 2023, to discuss a WestEd consulting presentation and a wellness grant. The meeting will be held at East Middle School and is open to the public.
- WestEd Consulting presentation by Dr. Terry Hofer
- Wellness Grant discussion led by Superintendent Brian J. Polito
- Review of the May 10, 2023 meeting agenda
- Executive session scheduled
- Meeting adjournment
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie City School District Board approved the Superintendent's report and committee reports. The meeting included recognition of student achievements and a public hearing on a behavior specialist position.
- Approval of Superintendent's report
- Approval of committee reports
- Recognition of Stairclimber Award recipients
- Public hearing on Behavior Specialist Position
- Travel approval for Thomas Kostreba to Miami
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will discuss financial projections for the 2023-24 school year presented by Public Financial Management, along with a preliminary budget. The board will also consider adopting a social emotional learning curriculum (Respectful Ways) and discuss a parent voice committee. Additional items include multi-tiered system support training and a WestEd consulting proposal for school improvement.
- Financial projections for 2023-24 presented by Ian Tyson (PFM) with attached preliminary budget
- Social Emotional Learning curriculum adoption (Respectful Ways, 3-year program quote included)
- Multi-Tiered System Support Training proposal from AIR
- WestEd Consulting Proposal for school improvement
- 2022-23 Graduation Ceremonies: Erie H.S. on June 3 at 11 a.m. and NW PA Collegiate Academy at 2:30 p.m.
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie City School District Board will hold a regular meeting to hear the superintendent's report, approve the report, and vote on a bid award following a public hearing. The board will also recognize student achievement and receive reports on athletics, facilities, enrollment, and staffing.
- Motion to suspend Board Rule B-260 to vote on bid awards immediately after public hearing
- Approval of Superintendent's Report (voice vote passed 9-0)
- Public hearing: Kerry Tabb speaking about bullying at Harding Elementary
- Recognition of Stairclimber Award recipients for attendance, behavior, and classroom improvement
- District enrollment and staffing reports for April 2023
Committee of the Whole
The Erie School Board, meeting as a Committee of the Whole, will discuss the preliminary 2023-24 budget presented by Superintendent Polito and Assistant Superintendent Brokman. They will also review Phase II of the Facilities Plan with HHSDR Architects/Engineers. Other items include bids for Biletnikoff Field and a discussion on the charter enrollment cap. The meeting includes a public hearing period and review of the draft agenda for the April 12 regular meeting.
- 2023-24 preliminary budget discussion (presentation slides and book attached)
- Facilities Plan Phase II presentation by HHSDR Architects/Engineers
- Bids for Biletnikoff Field
- Discussion on charter enrollment cap
- Review of draft April 12, 2023 meeting agenda
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie City School District Board of Directors met to approve the superintendent's report and committee updates. The meeting included a presentation on the IT department and health and safety plans, along with the recognition of student award recipients.
- Approval of Superintendent's Report
- Approval of Committee Reports
- IT Department Report
- Health and Safety Plan Presentation
- Stairclimber Award Recognition
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Committee of the Whole
The Erie School Board Committee of the Whole will meet to discuss special education recommendations, Future Ready PA Index designations, and metal detectors. The board will also review the 2023-24 Charter Enrollment Budget and discuss various informational items including furniture and an IT position.
- Special Education Recommendations
- Future Ready PA Index Designations
- Metal Detectors
- 2023-24 Charter Enrollment Budget
- Review of March 8, 2023 Meeting Agenda
Public Board Meeting/Retreat
The Erie City School Board is holding a public retreat to discuss school board business operations, including a strategic plan update from the superintendent, an informal board self-assessment, and governance topics such as public meeting and committee work structures. No votes or binding decisions are scheduled; the meeting is focused on discussion and information.
- Strategic Plan Update by Superintendent Brian J. Polito
- Informal/Mini Board Self-Assessment discussion
- Governance discussion on Public Meeting Structure
- Governance discussion on Committee Work Structure
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie City School District Board of Directors approved the Superintendent's report and committee reports. The meeting included student recognitions, athletic and academic reviews, and a public hearing.
- Approval of Superintendent's report
- Approval of committee and liaison reports
- Stairclimber Award recognition for 20 students
- Mid-year academic and athletic reviews presented
- Public hearing with citizen speaker Jolessa Paterniti
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Committee of the Whole
The Erie School Board will meet as a Committee of the Whole to discuss the 2021-22 audit presented by Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC, a capital projects fund transfer, and a facilities plan by HHSDR Architects. Other topics include a safety update, safe firearm storage information, and the Iverd painting collection. The board will also review the draft agenda for the February 8 regular meeting.
- 2021-22 audit by Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC
- Capital projects fund transfer discussion
- Facilities plan by HHSDR Architects
- Safety update from Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent
- Safe firearm storage information presentation
Regular Board Meeting
The Erie School Board will convene in regular session to approve the superintendent's report and hear remarks from candidates for a vacant board seat.
- Approval of Superintendent Report
- Remarks by candidates for vacant school board seat
- Recognition of School Director Recognition Month
- Stairclimber Award recipients
- Executive session announcements
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Committee of the Whole
The Erie School Board will meet as a Committee of the Whole for general business. Discussion items include filling a vacant board seat, Black History Month plans, the 2023-2024 budget, a facilities plan, an enrollment report, and a review of the draft agenda for the January 18 meeting. No votes are scheduled.
- Discussion of vacant School Board seat
- Presentation on Black History Month by DEI and PR coordinators
- 2023-2024 Budget discussion led by Superintendent
- Facilities Plan update from Assistant Superintendent
- Enrollment Report from Assistant Superintendent