Sep 17 2025
Board Meeting

▼Full Transcript Below

1. Public Comment
   ⏯ 0:12:40

   1. • Charles Lockerman (Friends of AI): Raised concerns about transportation funding for the Innovation Center.

2. Superintendent Report
   ⏯ 39:47

   1. • Superintendent Dorrell Green discussed equitable access to college coursework in Red Clay, including AP, IB, and dual enrollment. 

3. Board Action Items - Attendance Zone Committee Proposal
   ⏯ 1:08:37 - 1:14:13

   1. • Board Member Susan Sander made a proposal to create The Red Clay Attendance Zone and Restructuring Review Committee to track attendance zone changes and implementation through 2027, with Superintendent Dorrell Green offering to have the District synthesize the essence of the proposal to ensure the final version accurately captures the Board's intent and logistical requirements for a vote next month.

⏯ 0:12:40

⏯ Charles Lockerman:  Good evening. Red Clay board members, how you guys doing today? Good. I just wanted to talk a little bit about what we've been doing. The Friends of AI at AI High School, we had a senior barbecue to welcome them back to school. Staff and AI alumni doing that. The alumni were actually able to sponsor shirts for all 50 seniors for this year which you know is great because just like the end of the year it's just one less thing that they don't have to worry about that helps them. I took photos in the school on the first day of the school. I've been taking them with the football team. I'm gonna do it for all the sports. When I drop the flash drives off to the school, they actually have a program there in the curriculum for computers that they would edit the photos. So, I'm literally just going to provide the material and the students are going to edit the photos for the school, which I think makes everything a little more interesting. The kids are talking a lot about the alumni band and homecoming again because they want to see us out there. So, that's what we're planning to do. The 24th is our big upcoming event. We're going to play again like we did last year and just keep the tradition going. 

Other than that, I just wanted to switch gears so I get this point in too. I researched the plan that you guys all proposed and everything and the only thing that confuses me is AI High School has less students because the choice busing was taken away among other things. But I feel like that can make an impact. But instead of giving AI more buses to bring students to the school to increase the attendance, you want to give buses to take them to an innovation center and then go back and forth with the upper classmen throughout the day. What doesn't make sense to me is you have money for buses for that program, but you won't allocate any to help the school increase their enrollment. Upcoming we have - besides homecoming - we have some other things that we're planning with the staff and with the principles in the loop and so is the athletic director on everything. So, it looks to be an exciting year and I look forward to the next time I can talk to you with another positive update. Thank you for your time. Have a good day. 

⏯ 39:47

Dorrell Green: And then fall data again at a glance around college level coursework. I think it is important when we look at equitable opportunities for students to participate in rigorous learning. Our fall coursework at a glance and these are college level courses that include Advanced Placement, IB courses, or Dual Enrollment courses in partnership with our local universities whether that's The Early College Academy that we rebooted several years ago for students who are taking courses at Goldey Beacom, students who are taking courses at DelTech. Zion, if you don't mind, what career pathway are you in?

Zion (Conrad student presenter): I'm in the biotechnology pathway. 

Dorrell Green: And are you currently taking any kind of dual enrollment courses, AP courses or anything?

Zion (Conrad student presenter): I take three AP courses. I don't take any dual enrollment courses.

Dorrell Green: So that's an opportunity. Again, Zion is an example of taking those three AP courses where he's earning those college credits. Gives him a leg up to be able to go into college if that's what he chooses to do to have those credits upon graduation. It also makes them marketable for colleges when they have that opportunity. And for our students who choose to go straight to the workforce, the fact that they can put that on some type of resume, it definitely makes them more marketable. There are transferable skills. When we look at our AP seminar course, which we're making that an anchor course for all sophomores, those transferable skills through that AP seminar course, help students across life again through communication, through collaboration, their ability to work, to process information. So this is just some data from the beginning of the year. And if you look at the trajectory from year 2022 to 2023, you see a clear indication that the number of students  who are participating in those college level courses has grown substantially across the district. We're seeing that correlation hopefully through SAT data and the more that we anchor ourselves and providing students with those rigorous opportunities we're certain that we'll see positive outcomes. Just to promote some events, October 22nd, we will have our College and Career Fair will be hosted again at Alexis Dupont High School. Where we'll have over 100 colleges, universities, the military, local businesses. This is aligned with our vision of career and college ready just to again promote so that Red Clay is a destination upon graduation for our students to go to the workforce, military career, but to be a destination for those who are seeking students who are life ready.

⏯ 1:08:37 - 1:14:13

Vic Leonard: Items submitted by the Board. We have the Attendance Zone and Restructuring Review Committee proposal. Ms. Sander?

Susan Sander: Thank you. I propose the establishment of the Red Clay Attendance Zone and Restructuring Review Committee. This initiative represents one of the most significant changes to the Red Clay district in decades. The financial and stakeholder investment required for this project will be extensive and enduring, with the expectation of long-term success. The School Board has a responsibility to ensure that our community of staff and families is well-informed about the changes related to the programs, transportation, district costs, career pathways, and the timeline for implementation. Accordingly, this requires a committee with representation from each nominating district. It’s important to note that this committee is not tasked with proposing changes, but rather reporting on the progress of plans related to the attendance zone and restructuring.

Vic Leonard: Okay. Any discussion? Is there a motion?

Susan Sander: I think we have to…

Dorrell Green: So, there is no motion tonight. This is just a notice of it, and then the Board will come back next month to vote.

Vic Leonard: And so we can have discussion?

Dorrell Green: You can have discussion, yeah.

Vic Leonard: I’d just like to say I think it’s a great idea. It’s bi-monthly, correct?

Susan Sander: Correct. Bi-monthly. I apologize, I forgot to indicate that. Every other month. Apparently, "bi-monthly" can mean two meetings a month, so I would require the planning committee to meet with us every other month for updates on the plans.

Dorrell Green: My general question to the Board is: do you want that update at a regular Board meeting? Or, if you’re saying bi-monthly, is there a subsequent meeting where you want the committee to update the Board? That would require notice. I’m just being clear in terms of dates, timing, and efficiency. Do you want the committee to meet, and then update the Board from those meetings?

Susan Sander: Definitely. It will be a separate meeting.

Vic Leonard: Any other discussion?

Beth Twardus: I noticed on your timeline the life of the committee starts in October 2025 and ends in October 2027. Is there any reason for 2027, or is it until the completion of the project?

Susan Sander: The plan is to be implemented in September of 2027, I believe. I wanted to ensure that all the details are wrapped up, and that’s why I proposed we go until October of 2027 in case there are any last-minute updates the Board should be aware of.

Beth Twardus: Is there a mechanism, then, if plans get delayed for whatever reason, to continue the committee after October 2027? If the situation hasn't fully resolved itself or flushed out, is there a mechanism to extend the committee, or are we set to 2027?

Susan Sander: I would love to see a mechanism put in place, definitely.

Vic Leonard: I think it was in the proposal, if we need to go further.

Dorrell Green: Okay. May I ask something of the Board? If that is indeed the case, after you leave the Board meeting and digest this, please submit that information. We’ll gather the information and work with Mr. Pruitt so that when you come back next month, we have something efficient.

When you talk about "nominating districts," there is a process for how we actually solicit those districts. That might put us out further and delay your timeline. If it’s okay with the Board, submit your info, we’ll synthesize it to get the essence of what you’re saying, and provide feedback so that next month you have something you can vote on that hits the intent you want.

We already have a cadence in terms of getting out to meetings in October, for example, representative student groups. My neighbor, Mr. Mike, who is a graduate of McKean High School, Class of 1975... we heard public comment last month from alumni. They have their 50th anniversary luncheon this Sunday. I’ll be joining them to engage and share insight. There are things already happening to engage the community, and while I know we want a formal committee, we will provide feedback and work with Ms. Sander to dialogue so the Board knows we are engaged.

Vic Leonard: Yeah, I think it’s modeled like the Facilities Committee where the district gives updates on facilities. I’m happy to see it and hopefully we can make that work. Any other discussion? 

📄Proposal for Red Clay Attendance Zone and Restructuring Review Committee September 17 2025 For convenience, the full text of the proposal is typed below. 

Red Clay Attendance Zone and Restructuring Review Committee Proposal

• Charge Statement: The Red Clay Attendance Zone and Restructuring Review Committee is responsible for requiring Red Clay District personnel, tasked with developing a plan to satisfy the proposal agreed upon by the Attendance Zone and Programming Committee and voted upon by the Red Clay School Board, to present progress reports to this committee to assure understanding for all stakeholders affected by this plan and to monitor financial, personnel, transportation, and student issues associated with this plan. 

The Committee: 

This committee serves to assist the school board with communication between the administrative personnel charged with the Attendance Zone and Restructuring and ensure community involvement in the proposed changes. 

Committee Goals: 

Provide progress reports to the board on a regular basis (bimonthly – every other month) regarding the plans for the realigning of the attendance zones, MYP programming at Skyline, proposals for school choice, staffing changes, transportation plans, funding, Innovation Center progress, and launching dates. 

Deliverables: 

The AZ and Restructuring Review Committee will provide the board with all proposed recommendations and ensure information is available for all stakeholders including Red Clay community members, families, and educators. 

Scope of Responsibilities: 

The AZ and Restructuring Review Committee will act only as a communication platform for the board to keep the board aware of the changes proposed by the administrative personnel, and to ensure best practices are followed and input from community stakeholder is communicated to the board. 

Timeline: 

This committee will meet every other month (bimonthly), unless deemed necessary to meet more frequently, beginning with October, 2025 and ending in October, 2027 (to ensure any additional information is communicated to the board. 

Expectations of Members: 

AZ and Restructuring Review Committee members are expected to attend meetings, voice views, act responsibility, interact politely with other members and community. Members shall not miss more than 3 meetings in any school year (July – June) time period. Board members on the committee are selected in accordance with BP 9004 and community members can decide at any time that they wish to end their service on the Committee. 

Expectations of Life of Committee: October, 2025 through October, 2027.