The Regular Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District of which all members were duly notified and of which due public notice was given as required by Act 84 of 1986, was held on Tuesday evening, April 18, 2000, beginning at 8:00 p.m. in the Board of Directors’ Room, District Service Center, 201 West Third Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The President, David B. Stone, Jr., called the meeting to order with the following members:
PRESENT: Shirley L. Canada, Karen V. Harris, Pamela J. Markle, Kelly R. Pedersen,
David B. Stone, Jr., Dale L. Vollman, Lois T. Williams, Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: James E. Temple
INVOCATION – Charles E. Peterson, Jr. provided the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
Student Representatives' Report - Alissa Lockcuff and Ashley Null
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT—Jackie Thomas (Acting Superintendent)
A. Calendar of Events:
B. Cochran Elementary School principal Bob Izer and teacher Barb Rizzo will be featured on Issue Hot Line, a one-hour public affairs program hosted by Jerry Heller of WVIA in Wilkes-Barre, on Wednesday, April 19, from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. The program will focus on the APL discipline model that Cochran adopted.
BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT--Mr. David B. Stone Jr.
A. Budget update and discussion.
B. At the conclusion of tonight’s Board meeting, we will televise a half-hour presentation of the Williamsport Area School District choral group GQ under the direction of Kent Weaver and Paul McPhail. That presentation will begin at 9:30 p.m.
C. President Stone introduced Lycoming Valley’s MathCounts Team. Mr. Ken Weis thanked the Board for their support of MathCounts and the academic program.
Committee Reports by Board Members
Mr. Zimmerman reported that Mr. Kerstetter did a good job on the Athletic Trainer meeting. He also indicated that the Employment Steering Committee recommends approval of the second reading of Policy #028, Harassment of/by Students listed as item 7.1 on this evening’s agenda.
Mrs. Markle reported that the Public Relations Committee met on April 17, 2000. The committee is going to coordinate team visits to schools for small group discussions and encourage the staff to promote positive public relations.
Mr. Zimmerman and Mrs. Williams stated that Jackson’s Metamorphis Program was very interactive and well done.
Construction Projects
A. Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to authorize change orders P-1 and P-2 to the contract with Spencer Mechanical, Inc. (plumbing contractor, Vocational Project) increasing the contract by $47,155.85 and adjusting the total contract as follows:
Original Contract $218,400.00
P-1 5,913.48
P-2 41,242.37
Adjusted Total $265,555.85
The motion carried 8-1 with Mr. Temple voting no.
B. Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to authorize change order H-2 to the contract with Silvertip, Inc. (HVAC contractor, Roosevelt Project) increasing the contract by $512.00 and adjusting the total contract as follows:
Original Contract $394,480.00
Previous Adjustments 1,340.00
H-2 512.00
Adjusted Total $396,332.00
The motion carried 9-0.
C. Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to authorize change order E-6 to
the contract with Rogers Electric (electrical contractor, Roosevelt Project) increasing the
contract by $462.00 and adjusting the total contract as follows:
Original Contract $650,000.00
Previous Adjustments 1,746.00
E-6 462.00
Adjusted Total $652,208.00
The motion carried 9-0.
Construction Projects Cont’d:
D. Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Pedersen, to authorize Rado Enterprises,
Inc. to withdraw their plumbing bid for the Cochran Elementary Project pursuant to their
rights under 73 P.S. 1602.
The motion carried 9-0.
E. Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to approve the following resolution regarding the Cochran Elementary School Project:
The Williamsport Area School Board intends to award contracts to the following contractors pending verification of surety, proper execution of agreements, verification of bonds, verification of insurance and approval of PlanCon Part F and PlanCon Part G by the Pennsylvania Department of Education:
General Contractor - Lobar, Inc. - Dillsburg, PA
Base Bid $4,563,000
Alternate G-3 1,600
Total Award $4,564,600
HVAC Contractor - W.G. Tomko & Sons - Pittsburgh, PA
Base Bid $1,194,750
Plumbing Contractor - W.G. Tomko & Sons - Pittsburgh, PA
Base Bid $529,000
Electrical Contractor - Cipriani Electric - South Williamsport, PA
Base Bid $963,700
Fire Protection - Beach Lake Sprinkler Corp., - Beach Lake, PA
Base Bid $121,900
AND authorize District officers to execute said contracts after satisfaction of all contingencies.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
F. Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Pedersen, to authorize Alternate Bid G-4 from Lobar, Inc. to provide and install a retractable partition at the stage platform at a cost of $33,000.
Construction Projects Cont’d:
G. Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to authorize Alternate Bid H-1 from
W.G. Tomko & Sons to delete the dual fuel capability for the Cochran Elementary Project and
reduce the base bid by $35,000.
The motion failed 0-9.
FINANCE REPORT
6.1* Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 04/18/00 in the amount of $466,841.20, 04/18/00A in the amount of $14,588.15, 04/18/00B in the amount of $215.00, and 04/18/00C in the amount of $181,439.32, that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 04/18/00, 04/18/00A, 04/18/00B and 04/18/00C.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD POLICY – James E. Temple
7.1 Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve Policy #208, “Harassment of/by Students” (replaces Sexual Harassment of/by Students), at second reading.
The motion carried 9-0.
CURRICULUM REPORT - Motion made by Mrs. Pedersen, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following curriculum items:
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 requires Local Workforce Investment Boards
(LWIB), which are responsible for the Local Workforce Investment Area (LWIA),
to establish Youth Councils. The Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment
Area, which is our LWIB, consists of Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming,
Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties. Current members
of the LWIB include the following individuals: Rodney Keller (Community
Development Director of PP&L in Bloomsburg), Nicholas Pecone (Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation District Administrator in Williamsport), James Oswalt
(Mifflin County Career Preparation Partnership Coordinator in Lewisburg), Ed
Christiano (Northumberland Housing Authority Director in Milton), Richard
Steele (Northwestern Academy Deputy
8. CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.3 Approving Ted Piwowar to serve as the educator representative on the Youth Council for the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Area cont’d:
Executive Director in Coal Township), Andrew Clemson (Ferguson Township Police Lieutenant in State College), Ruth Nyman (Clinton County Housing Authority Management Aide for Local Government in Lock Haven), and Harry C. Mathias (Central Columbia School District Curriculum Coordinator in Bloomsburg). The purpose of the Youth Council is to recommend eligible training service providers to the LWIB. In the very near future the WASD will need to become and eligible training service provider as defined by the Workforce Investment Act as a requirement for our secondary vocational, adult community education, and our GED programs.
8.4* 2000 Summer School – Curtin Middle School
Establish tuition and registration fees for the Middle School Summer Session June 19 through July 21, 2000. There will be no classes July 4, 2000. Middle School Summer Sessions will be held at Curtin Middle School. Two-hour courses are offer to students from grades six, seven and eight for remedial purposes only, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. daily. Traditionally, only three teachers are needed to staff middle school summer school. It is recommended that the fee structure remain the same as last year.
Courses offered:
Mathematics: 6, 7, and 8
English: 6, 7, and 8
Non-resident Fee Resident Fee Adjusted Fee
$175.00 $125.00 $75.00
The middle school summer session is provided in accordance with Board Policy 3721.10.
8.5* 2000 Summer School – Williamsport Area High School
Establish tuition and registration fees for the high school summer sessions June 19 through July 28, 2000, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. daily for one credit courses; and June 19 through July 7, 2000, from 8:00 to 12:15 p.m. daily for .5 credit courses. These dates will provide a 29-day (1.0 credit) and a 14-day (.5 credit) schedule with vacation on July 4.
Any secondary student is eligible for make-up in any offered subject or advanced credit work in Social Studies. Students living outside the Williamsport Area School District will be accepted into the program provided space is available. Strict attendance guidelines will be followed.
Length of Course Non-Resident Fee Resident Fee Adjusted Fee
60 hours $200 $120 $100
120 hours $380 $240 $200
8.5* 2000 Summer School – Williamsport Area High School Cont’d:
Courses Offered:
* 0019 English 9 Basic
* 0003 English 10 Basic
* 0013 English 11 Basic
* 0023 English 12 Basic
1010 American Cultures II Honors**
* 9009 Physical Education - Freshman
* 9010 Physical Education – Sophomore
* 9011 Physical Education – Junior/Senior
Motion to approve curriculum items carried 9-0.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following personnel items:
9.1 RESIGNATIONS - Accept the following resignations, effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:
A. John C. Stout, paraprofessional aide at the high school, for other employment, effective at the end of the work day on April 7, 2000.
April 10, 2000.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE - Approve the following leaves of absence:
A. Carole S. Heckel, guidance counselor at the high school, for a sabbatical leave effective August 24, 2000, through the end of the first semester of the 2000-2001 school year, for the purpose of study.
Mrs. Heckel has been a teacher in the District since August 30, 1988, and has not taken a previous sabbatical.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE CONT’D:
B. Jennifer T. Staples, art teacher at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, leave of absence without pay for medical reasons, effective March 28, 2000, through
March 30, 2000.
Ms. Staples' leave of absence is taken under the Family Medical Leave Act, which entitles the employee to health insurance for a maximum of 12 weeks, but is without pay or any other benefits. Additional dates may be necessary under this leave.
C. Marie E. Fox, English/drama teacher at the high school, for the purpose of maternity leave, effective April 11, 2000, through the end of the 1999-2000 school year.
Mrs. Fox is presently on personal and/or sick leave and on April 11, 2000, will make use of leave available under the Family Medical Leave Act, which entitles the employee to health insurance for a maximum of 12 weeks, but is without pay or any other benefits.
D. Ronald W. Solomon, general part-time bus driver, unpaid leave for the purpose of travel, effective May 22, 2000, through June 4, 2000.
E. Donna E. Robertson, general food service worker at Lycoming Valley Middle School, leave of absence without pay for the purpose of travel, effective April 11, 2000, through April 26, 2000.
F. Vivian D. Pena, regular part-time school bus driver, extension of her leave of absence without pay for medical reasons, effective April 28, 2000, through August 1, 2000, possibly to return sooner.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. The following person to the position indicated for the Williamsport Area High School Drama Production on May 11, 2000 (budgeted in 101-3215-0-00-175-07 130):
Director/Producer Bernadett S. Ulrich $363.50
(substitute for Marie Fox)
B. Teresa A. Hall, 1254 Rt. 14 Highway, Trout Run, as a substitute school bus driver (non-bargaining unit personnel), with a base wage rate of $10.00 per hour, effective April 11, 2000.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
C. The following substitute administrative support/aides, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the hourly rates as established by Board policy, and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked:
JoAnn M. Otto 1702 Alexander Ave., Williamsport
D. Shirley A. Forker, 1125 Race St., Williamsport, as a substitute food service worker, at the salary rate of $5.60 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective
April 25, 2000.
E. The following substitute custodian/event staff, with a base wage rate of $6.90 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective April 18, 2000:
Mary L. Anderson 1412 Pennsylvania Ave., Williamsport
Cory J. Blee 221 Church St., S. Williamsport
Wilbur F. Peters 139 Lizardville Rd., Mill Hall
F. The following are two names to be approved as additional coaches at the respective
middle schools for the 1999-2000 school year at the rates in accordance with the 1997-2002 Agreement by and between the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District and the Williamsport Education Association:
Lycoming Valley Middle School
Track & Field
Assistant Coach: John F. Clark $1,040
Roosevelt Middle School
Track & Field
Assistant Coach: Stephen M. Radocaj $1,040
Both of these individuals have coached other sports in our District and
have done an outstanding job. Considering the number of participants
(over 70 at each school) these assistant positions are necessary to help the
current coaching staff at each school.
9.4* POSITION CHANGES
Approve the following position changes:
A. Grace A. Hockman, 692 Lake Rd., Trout Run, from substitute school bus driver to regular part-time school bus driver (bargaining unit employee), at the salary rate of $11.86 per hour, effective April 8, 2000 (replacing Dave Barrows, transferred).
B. Jason A. Reed, P.O. Box 73, Linden, from substitute school bus driver to regular part-time school bus driver (bargaining unit employee), at the salary rate of $11.86 per hour, effective April 8, 2000 (replacing Carol DeRemer, transferred).
9.4* POSITION CHANGES CONT’D:
C. Fayellen M. Fountain, 25 Stewart St., Linden, from a substitute food service worker to a general food service worker (3 hours daily) at the high school, with a base wage rate of $7.53 per hour, effective April 25, 2000 (replacing Linda Beck, transferred).
D. Narcissa Herrera Weimer, 19 Marydale St., Cogan Station, from a substitute food service worker to a general food service worker (3 hours daily) at the high school, with a base wage rate of $7.53 per hour, effective April 25, 2000 (replacing Georgianna Bower, resigned).
E. Kathryn J. White, 1220 Dewey Ave., Apt. #1, Williamsport, from a substitute food service worker to a general food service worker (4 hours daily) at the high school, with a base wage rate of $7.53 per hour, effective April 25, 2000 (replacing Karen Benson, transferred).
Motion to approve personnel items carried 9-0.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1 RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Motion made by Mrs. Pedersen, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve released time for staff members to participate in professional development activities in accordance with the Professional Development Plan of the Williamsport Area School District and consider approving training programs. All expenditures proposed are within local, state and federal budget categories approved as noted.
The motion carried 9-0.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
11.1* Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Pedersen, to approve the following student trips:
11.1* Approve the following student trips cont’d:
Transportation will be provided by contract carrier (101-1243-2-00-200-23-519). Entry fees to the center will be paid through string #101-1243-2-00-200-23-813. Three substitutes will be required for one day.
District transportation is requested and will be billed to the Stevens PTA.
11.1* Consider approving the following student trips cont’d:
District transportation is requested (101-1390-3-26-226-33-519). There will be no other costs.
11.1* Approve the following student trips cont’d:
Q. Approximately 102 first grade students from Jackson Elementary School, accompanied by their 5 teachers and an aide, to travel to the Community Arts Center on Thursday, May 4, 2000, to see the play “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.” District transportation is requested. All costs will be paid by the Jackson PTO.
A. Old Lycoming Township and City of Williamsport Fire Departments to use the
swimming pool and locker rooms at the Williamsport High School on the second Sunday of each month beginning May 14, 2000 and continuing through May 13, 2001 (with the exception of July and August, 2000) from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. to conduct underwater rescue training. The Fire Departments are requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $500.00. Certificate of Insurance to be received.
Motion to approve student/community activities carried by a unanimous roll call.
BIDS/CONTRACTS - None
TAX ITEMS
Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following tax items:
13.1 The attached tax summaries.
Motion to approve tax items carried by a unanimous roll call.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Markle indicated that we should be more proactive in communicating with our Legislators. She encouraged the Board Members to attend the Legislative Meeting on May 4, 2000.
Mrs. Harris reminded everyone that Lycoming Valley would be having an art show on April 27.
Mrs. Pedersen encouraged everyone to attend Cochran’s Ham Dinner on April 27.
President Stone announced executive sessions before and after the meeting to discuss terms and conditions of employment for one or more District employees and to receive confidential legal advice from an attorney.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC – None
Upon motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Harris and carried the meeting adjourned at 9:49 p.m.
_________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary