Amanda Elkin, a parent and former FFA member, told the board she and other parents brought letters of support from community members, FFA advisors, current FFA students and a Penn State professor asking the district to offer an agricultural education program and establish an FFA chapter. "This program would expand opportunities for students," she said, and argued that FFA provides leadership, career skills, scholarships and a place for students who may not be served by other programs.

Tyler Smith, a parent, farmer and district resident, described his agricultural background and said modern agriculture offers diverse career options, from hands-on farm work to software and engineering roles. He cited national workforce figures to argue for the program's relevance and told the board an FFA curriculum teaches technical skills such as welding, mechanics and electrical work in addition to agricultural science.

Board members thanked the presenters and asked the board secretary to collect and scan the letters for distribution to administrators and the full board. One board member said they plan to ask the incoming board next month to assemble a group to evaluate what would be required — logistics, scheduling and costs — to bring the program to the district. The district communications staff will file and disseminate submitted materials.

No formal vote was taken on adopting a program; board members described this as a priority they intend to explore further.