October 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM - 21st Century Cyber Charter School Board of Trustees Meeting

Description: 

The Board Chairperson will call the board meeting to order and the Board Secretary will document attendance while the Mission Statement is read:

Mission Statement
To foster a student-centered experience that inspires and empowers our learners through engaging curriculum facilitated by supportive educators to develop the whole individual.

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The Board of Trustees will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

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Student Speakers
Student Council Members Alex (Grade 12) and Hadley (Grade 7) will be discussing the plans for Spirit Week:

• Monday - Pet Day
• Tuesday - Decades Day
• Wednesday - Character / Favorite Person Day
• Thursday - Sports Day
• Friday - School Pride (Blue & White Day)

October 2026 State of the Budget
Jonathon Shiota, our Business Administrator, will discuss our current budget.  A copy of the presentation is attached.


Meet the Teacher Night
On Wednesday, September 2nd, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, we held our virtual Back to School Night for both the middle and high school. Families had the opportunity to meet their teachers in the various Virtual Offices. During that time, they were given an overview of what to expect throughout the school year in their courses and the programs and opportunities we offer. It was a great way for parents to hear what their students will be learning this year.

Field Trips
On Thursday, September 10, students, families, and staff attended the Back to School Picnic in both West Chester and Murrysville locations. The event was attended by 37 students, 31 parents and guardians, and 31 staff members (99 people total). Guests enjoyed relay games, arts and crafts, and a picnic lunch.

21CCCS students, teachers, and families attended a field trip to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in Manheim, PA on Thursday, October 1st.  The event was a great success, with 116 participants, including 52 students, 53 adult chaperones, and 11 staff chaperones. Attendees enjoyed live performances, medieval-style food, and shopping throughout the Faire, providing students and families with an opportunity to enjoy the experience together outside the traditional school setting. This marked the third year that 21CCCS has attended the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, which continues to be one of our largest and most popular events each year.



EAGLE Pride
EAGLE Pride is a student recognition program at 21CCCS that celebrates middle school students who make a positive impact on our school community. This year, the program has expanded to also include 9th grade students. Students can be nominated for demonstrating excellence in Education, Attendance, Growth, Leadership, and Engagement.

Each nomination earns students an EAGLE Pride ticket and the opportunity to win prizes in the monthly drawing. During Friday morning homeroom, we celebrate our weekly nominees and recognize our monthly winners.

The 2026-2027 school year is off to an exciting start, with 85 student nominations submitted for September. Six students were selected as monthly winners and received 21CCCS swag in recognition of their accomplishments. We look forward to continuing to celebrate students throughout the year for their hard work, growth, and positive contributions.



Special Education Count as of October 5, 2026

GRADE	ACTIVE TOTAL STUDENTS	IEP	GIEP	504	ACTIVE TOTAL IEP, GIEP, 504
6	20	4	0	0	4
7	45	7	0	0	7
8	49	9	2	2	13
9	119	31	2	11	44
10	146	39	2	14	55
11	147	42	0	8	50
12	198	56	1	17	74
Total	724	188	7	52	247
Percentage		26%	1%	7%

Description: 

The Board Chairperson will inquire with the Board Secretary as to whether or not anyone has requested to make public comment at today's meeting.

Per Policy 0006 (Meetings):

Public Participation
At each public Board meeting, prior to official action by the Board, an opportunity shall be provided for public comment, in accordance with law and Board procedures and policy.

A request to make a public comment must be made to the Board Secretary by 3:00 p.m. the day of a scheduled board meeting via email.  The request to make a public comment must include the person's name, email address, role (parent, student, staff, member of the public) and topic they would like to present, keeping in mind that they will have 3 minutes to speak.

Per Policy 7003 (Public Comment in Board Meetings):

Guidelines
Statement of Presiding Officer

Prior to public comment during the meeting, the presiding officer shall make a statement providing direction and establishing expectations for the period of public comment.

Public Comment

Individuals shall wait to be recognized by the presiding officer before commenting, must direct all comments to the Board, and must preface their comments by an announcement of their name, and group affiliation, if applicable.

The public comment session at the beginning of the meeting shall be limited to not more than 30 minutes.

Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three (3) minutes.

Commenters may not cede their time to other individuals.

All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no participant may address or question Trustees individually.

The presiding officer and the solicitor have the authority to:

1. Interrupt an individual to warn the commenter that the statement is too lengthy or conduct is otherwise in violation of this policy.

2. After warning, terminate the individual’s opportunity to comment when the conduct continues and is in violation of this policy.

3. Call a recess or adjourn to another time when an individual’s conduct is otherwise in violation of this policy.

4. Request an individual to leave the meeting when that person’s conduct is disrupting the operation of the meeting.

5. If the individual refuses to leave the meeting, request the assistance of school security personnel or law enforcement to remove the disorderly person to enable the Board to proceed with the orderly operation of the meeting.

6. Waive the Board’s rules regarding public comment with the approval of a majority of Trustees present and voting.

Where the presiding officer’s ruling regarding public comment is disputed, it may be overruled by a majority of those Trustees present and voting.
 

Description:  The Consent Agenda Items (Listed by Department) include:

Board of Trustees
2.A.1     September 8, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

Financial
2.A.2    Treasurer's Report and Board Summary Report - August 2026
2.A.3    Expenditure Report - August 2026
2.A.4    Procurement Cards / Fuel Cards for 2026-2027 SY

Human Resources
2.A.5    Personnel Actions

Special Education
2.A.6    Agreement - Lancaster Lebanon IU13 IDEA Subgrant

Board / School / Family Communications
2.A.7    Agreement - Heritage Hotel - Lancaster
2.A.8    Agreement - Holiday Inn Express - Meadville
2.A.9    Agreement - Luzerne County Community College
2.A.10  Agreement - Albright College - Reading
2.A.11  School Trip - The Franklin Institute
2.A.12  School Trip - LIncoln Financial Field
2.A.13  Proposal - Westmoreland County Community College - Murrysville Graduation
2.A.14  Agreement - Immaculata University - West Chester Graduation
2.A.15  Agreement - Coatesville Country Club - West Chester Prom
2.A.16  Picaboo - High School Yearbooks
2.A.17  2026-2027 SY Student Parent Handbook - Revised
2.A.18  2026-2027 SY Calendar - Revised

 

Description: 

Employee	Position	School Year	Card Type
Jason Palaia	CEO	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Jonathon Shiota	Business Administrator	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Nora Wheeler	Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Mike Matz	Director of Informational Technology	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Erika Laidlaw	Principal, Grades 6-12	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Melody Dunn	Assistant Principal, Grades 6-12	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Karis Lane	Human Resources Manager	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Bryan Collazo	Facilities Manager	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Lisa Iozzi	Executive Assistant to CEO	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Melanie Crescenz	Executive Assistant to Business Services	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Anthony Harkins	Home & School Liaison	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Anthony Harkins	Home & School Liaison	26-27 SY	WEX Fuel Card
Lillian Lopez	Home & School Liaison	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Lillian Lopez	Home & School Liaison	26-27 SY	WEX Fuel Card
Angie Pici	Administrative Assistant, Grades 6-12	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card
Kathleen McAllister	Administrative Assistant, Curriculum & Instruction and Informational Technology	26-27 SY	Fulton Credit Card

 

Description:  New Hire/Rehire: 0
Transfers/Classification Change: 0
LOA Request: 1
Additional Duties: 0
Supplementals/Stipends: 0
Retire/Resign/Terminations: 0
 

Description:  This is an IDEA Subgrant for funds not to exceed $10,000 to develop and support a local improvement plan to improve graduation rates of students with disabilities.  This has been reviewed by the CEO and Business Administrator.
 

Description:  Heritage Hotel - Lancaster provides a location for PSSA and Keystone Testing.  This has been reviewed by the CEO and Business Administrator.
 

Description:  Holiday Inn Express - Meadville provides a testing site for PSSA and Keystone Testing.  This has been reviewed by our CEO and Business Administrator.
 

Description:  Luzerne County Community College provides a location for PSSA and Keystone testing.  This has been reviewed by the CEO and Business Administrator.
 

Description:  Albright College - Reading provides a location for PSSA and Keystone testing.  This has been reviewed by the CEO and Business Administrator.
 

Description:  This has been reviewed by the CEO, Business Administrator and Assistant Principal.
 

Description:  This has been reviewed by the CEO, Business Administrator and Assistant Principal.
 

Description:  Westmoreland County Community College provides a location for our Murrysville graduation ceremony.  This has been reviewed by the CEO, Business Administrator and Assistant Principal.  It was previously reviewed by the Solicitor and no changes have been made since that time.
 

Description:  Immaculata University provides a location for our West Chester graduation ceremony.  This has been reviewed by the CEO, Business Administrator, Assistant Principal and Solicitor.  
 

Description:  Coatesville Country Club provides a venue for our West Chester Prom.
This has been reviewed by the CEO, Business Administrator and Assistant Principal.  It was previously reviewed by the Solicitor and no changes have been made since that time.
 

Description:  Picaboo provides high school yearbooks for students.   This has been reviewed by the CEO, Business Administrator and Assistant Principal.  It was previously reviewed by the Solicitor and no changes have been made since that time.
 

Description: 

Please note the changes to the handbook below to Sections 3.2 and 3.8:

Added Language - Highlighted in Yellow
Removed Language - Red Strikethrough

3.2 STUDENT ATTENDANCE

All students of compulsory school age are required to meet the mandated legal attendance requirements. Except as otherwise provided by law, compulsory school age refers to the period of a child’s life from the time the child enters school (which may be no later than at the age of 6 years), until the age of 18 or graduation from high school, whichever occurs first.

Act 47 of 2025 requires 21CCCS to determine attendance in its asynchronous learning environment through a weekly benchmark. The PA Department of Education approved our weekly benchmark plan that consists of a combination of submitted course assignments and assessments for each weekly instructional period. 

Students are considered present when they demonstrate adequate and consistent progress toward course completion by meeting the weekly benchmark. A student who fails to meet the weekly benchmark will be given an unexcused absence for the last day of the instructional period. The weekly benchmark is used solely to determine attendance and asynchronous instructional presence. Satisfaction of the weekly benchmark does not relieve the student of the obligation to complete all required coursework or otherwise modify the Charter School’s academic requirements, grading standards, or assignment deadlines.

21CCCS as well as parents/guardians are required to ensure that their children meet school attendance requirements as evidenced by the submission of coursework in Schoology.

Attendance is taken each day. It is the student’s responsibility to log into the Infinite Campus Student Portal each academic day (Monday through Friday, except for holidays or scheduled days off when school is not in session). If a student fails to log in an academic day, and does not submit an excuse note by the guardian within the required time period, this is considered an unexcused absence.

3.8 WEEKLY SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT PER ACT 47 OF 2025

To remain in compliance with state law, weekly work submission in each enrolled class is required, and attendance for asynchronous instruction is tracked through a structured due-date system. Assignments have set due dates, and failure to submit work by the established due date will result in a reduction of points in accordance with grading guidelines. This structure is designed to promote consistent student engagement, support timely progress toward course completion, and maintain academic accountability, while working towards established benchmarks. Timely submission of assignments enables teachers to monitor student participation and to provide appropriate interventions or instructional support when necessary. Additionally, the use of due dates ensures that students progress through the course content at a pace aligned with the instructional delivery.
 

Description:  The 2026-2027 SY Calendar has been revised to reflect the graduation dates.  Previously, the dates were tentative and they have now been confirmed. 
 

Description:  The proposed position of PT Custodian will support the overall operation of the Facilities Department by ensuring assigned areas are maintained in accordance with established school procedures and safety standards. 
 

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Policy #	Policy Name	Description (Revised or New)
3031	Job Related Expenses	Revised
4016	Payment of Bills	Revised
4025	Credit Cards	Revised
5010	Motor Vehicles	Revised

 

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This schedule reflects the Board Meetings for the 2026-2027 SY.

Board meetings are held virtually and are accessible by the public via link on our website.  They are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, August through May.  For Board Members, separate calendar invites have been sent for the Executive Sessions (5:00 p.m.) and the Board Meetings (5:30 p.m.) for the following dates:

August 11, 2026
September 8, 2026
October 13, 2026
November 10, 2026
December 8, 2026
January 12, 2027
February 9, 2027
March 9, 2027
April 13, 2027
May 11, 2027