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, October 16, 1999, beginning at 7:30 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, Richard C. Hostrander, Pamela J. Markle,
David B. Stone, Jr., James E. Temple, Gary L. Weber, Lois T. Williams.
ABSENT: Thomas A. Zimmerman.
INVOCATION – Mr. James E. Temple provided the invocation.
President Stone announced an Executive Session to discuss terms and conditions of employment for one or more District employees and to receive confidential legal advice from an attorney at 7:32 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:03 p.m.
4.1 Student Representatives' Report - Alissa Lockcuff and Ashley Null
President Stone recognized Sue Mahaffey who spoke to the Board concerning the Woodward Township succession issue. Mrs. Mahaffey is in favor of the township remaining in the Williamsport Area School District and she reviewed the efforts that the pro-WASD group are taking to assist with this process.
President Stone recognized Kelly Pedersen, Janet Nash, and Jill Confer who reported the completion of the Cochran Elementary School Playground. They thanked everyone involved in this community project.
President Stone welcomed Kelly Pedersen and Dale Vollman to the meeting. He indicated that they would be seated as Board Members in December. Kelly and Dale indicated that they were excited to start their service and looked forward to working with the other board members.
5.1 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT—Jackie Thomas (Acting Superintendent)
A. Recognition of Retirees – The Board of School Directors recognizes the following employees whom retired effective June 30, 1999. Several attended the meeting and were presented Certificates of appreciation by President Stone.
Thomas E. Best Martha Nelle Bouknight
19 years 7 years
John M. Bonislawski Carol A. Diffenbach
28 years 31 years
A. Recognition of Retirees cont’d:
James W. Dodge Mary W. Fedorko
31 years 9 years
Barbara A. Fullmer Thomas W. Hartland
30 years 31 years
Phillip W. Hartman Ellen K. Heimbach
31 years 29 years
Michael J. Hudock Trina L. Koser
27 years 34 years
Mary J. Lippert-Coleman Rebecca S. Lusk
28 years 30 years
Georgie A. Major Larry P. Rhinehart
22.7 years 30 years
Steven L. Rolley Robert H. Schuler
31 years 30 years
C. Robert Schultz Richard L. Thatcher
34 years 24 years
David J. Ward Robert A. Lowmiller
37 years 25 ½ years
John C. Neyhart J. Henry Stahl, Jr.
33 years 24 years
Paul W. Wingrove Lester L. Vandermark
12 years 16 years
Phyllis A. Shevitski
Not available
B. Dates to Remember
October 25 – Meeting with Parent Leaders
October 28 – Educational Technology Advisory Committee
November 2 – School Board Meeting
November 3 – Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee
November 5 – End of First Marking Period
November 9 – School Board Meeting
November 16 – WASA/Board Reception
November 16 – School Board Meeting
November 18 – Educational Technology Advisory Committee
November 25 – School Holiday
through November 29
5.2 BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT--Mr. David B. Stone Jr.
The motion carried 8-0.
2. Discussion about an owners representative for the Roosevelt Project.
Mr. Weber excused himself from the meeting.
FINANCE REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Temple, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following financial items:
6.1* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 10/19/99 in the amount of $1,239,299.17, 10/19/99A in the amount of $9,053.76, 10/19/99B in the amount of $176,994.73, and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 10/19/99, 10/19/99A, and 10/19/99B.
6.2* Authorize a contract with PP&L Energy Plus as negotiated by the Pennsylvania Energy Consortium, to purchase electricity for the period of January 1, 2000 through May 31, 2001.
The motion carried by the following: Item number 6.1 carried 7-0. Item number 6.2 carried 6-0 with Mr. Hostrander abstaining.
BOARD POLICY - Gary L. Weber, Esq. - None
CURRICULUM REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Temple, to approve the following curriculum items:
8.1* Approve Jackson, Lose, and Sheridan Elementary Schools’ application for Read to Succeed Grants to support early literacy initiatives in reading and writing. The grants include moneys for staff development, materials purchases, and parent involvement programs. The total amount of the three grants is approximately $127,000.
8.2* Approve Detective Damian Wiles, Pittsburgh City Police and STAR Center for Safe Schools, to speak at a student forum for middle school and high school students on November 8, 1999. The cost is estimated to be $200 for transportation and lodging. There is no charge for his presentation. Budgeted in Drug and Safe School Grant (149-2120-0-00-063-11-329).
8.3* Approve Ms. Sandra Grothberg, Institute for Cultural Partnerships, to speak at a student forum for middle school and high school students on November 8, 1999. The cost is estimated to be $650.00. Budgeted in Drug and Safe School Grant (149-2120-0-00-063-11-329).
8.4* Approve a reading curriculum inservice by Sylvia Burns from Intermediate Unit 16 on
May 12, 2000, to the combined faculty of Round Hills and Woodward Elementary Schools. This was originally approved by the Board to be presented by Chris Cherrington, but she is no longer available.
The approximate cost of $600 includes a $400 fee and is budgeted in string number 101-2270-0-00-330-17-323.
8.5* Approve Dr. Chris Cherrington, Bloomsburg University, to present guided reading strategies to second grade teachers and one Title I teacher at Stevens Elementary School on November 11, 1999.
Funds are budgeted under Stevens Title I Professional Development (140-2270-1-16-065-18-329) in the amount of $700 plus expenses. Substitute salaries for three teachers will be paid from the Stevens Title I budget (140-1490-1-16-065-18-121). This is a modification of agenda item 8.13 approved on the August 3 Board agenda addendum.
8.6* Approve training for 18 District employees in Microsoft Word for Office 2000 at the Penn College Technology Transfer Center on November 24, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The approximate cost of the training will be $720 (6 hours @ $120) and is budgeted in a Link-to-Learn grant.
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.7* Approve an agreement with the Tressler Center of Williamsport to accept approximately 40 service hours per week from a Primary Grades Initiative Counselor during the 1999-2000 school year. Referrals and exchange of communications will be made by designated liaison school personnel. The counselor will provide mental health services for students including, but not limited to, assessment, crisis intervention, in-school individual interviews, family contacts, co-facilitation of psycho-educational groups, consultation with school personnel, consultation to IST teams, and referral for follow-up therapy. Information will be confidential, but any appropriate information will be released to school personnel relating to the goals and objectives for the child’s improvement and relating to school performance. Statistical information on services will be shared with Mental Health/Mental Retardation. Funding is being provided by the Lycoming-Clinton Mental/Health/Mental Retardation Joinder Program under a contract agreement.
8.8 Endorse a transition over a 20-month time period of administrative software from WordPerfect and Lotus to Microsoft Office 2000. Purchase of software and training would be included in the current and future budgets.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to approve the following personnel items:
9.1 RESIGNATIONS - NONE
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Approve the following leaves of absence:
A. Margaret A. Lowmiller, fourth grade teacher at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, for a sabbatical leave effective October 20, 1999, through the remainder of the first semester of the 1999-2000 school year (tentative return date January 24, 2000), for the purpose of health restoration.
Mrs. Lowmiller has been a teacher in the District since September 8, 1970, and has not taken a previous sabbatical.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE CONT’D:
B. John A. Lowmiller, custodian for the District, extension of his unpaid medical leave, effective through December 15, 1999.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. Matthew D. Hartman, 781 River Mill Rd., Jersey Shore, as Coordinating Teacher for Cochran Elementary School, at a stipend of $2,500, prorated, for the 1999-2000 school year, effective October 11, 1999.
B. Patricia I. Jacobs, 15 Casey Drive, Williamsport, as Coordinator of Volunteer Program-Kindergarten at Stevens Elementary School, at the rate of $12.00 per hour (not to exceed $750), effective November 1, 1999, for up to 2 2 hours per week, for the remainder of the 1999-2000 school year (funded through Title I Program).
C. The following students enrolled at the Williamsport Area High School Designed Education Program for employment in the Food Service Department and subject to assignment by Lloyd B. Forcey, Job Training Coordinator, at the hourly rate of $3.75 per hour for the actual number of hours worked, effective dates and locations as follows:
James W. Irvin - 51 Washington Blvd., Williamsport 09/07/99 - Cochran
Wayne L. Hackenberg - 632 Maple St., Williamsport 09/14/99 - Jackson
Kelly L. McAndrew - 423 Louisa St., Williamsport 09/07/99 - Lose
Amber R. Weaver - 50 Waltz Ave., Williamsport 09/07/99 - Rd. Hills
Marcus G. Degarmo - 929 High St., Williamsport 09/01/99 - Stevens
Joshua F. Parker - 612 Walnut St., Williamsport 09/01/99 - WAHS
Alexander Powell - 126 Federal Ave., Williamsport 09/10/99 - WAHS
Jack R. Vanderlinder - 612 Walnut St., Williamsport 09/01/99 - WAHS
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
D. The following substitute teachers, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the salary and/or daily rates as established by Board policy, and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked:
Secondary
Karen M. Engel 64 Clees Dr., Montoursville (effective 10/20/99)
William R. Kelly 1511 Sheridan St., Williamsport (effective 10/13/99)
K-12
Michelle D. Zerbe 352 Pennsylvania Avenue, Williamsport
E. The following persons as non-certificated substitute teachers with receipt of emergency certification, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the salary and/or daily rates as established by Board policy, and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked during the 1999-2000 school year:
Christine M. Kandra 105 Valley Heights Drive, Williamsport
Christian D. Frey 2200 Roosevelt Avenue, Williamsport
F. Authorize the administrative to post the following positions:
Two part-time sign-in monitors at the high school main entrance (up to 3 2 h ours each; one position AM and one position PM), effective as soon as possible through the remainder of the 1999-2000 school term, at the rate of $6.90 per hour plus applicable benefits (social security, retirement, workers comp., sick leave only). The status of these positions to be reviewed at the end of the 1999-2000 school term. (Utilize funds that were originally budgeted for morning hall monitors.)
G. Douglas J. Bell, 4688 West Fourth St., Williamsport, as a substitute custodian/event staff, with a base wage rate of $6.90 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective October 20, 1999.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
J. Tatum R. Smith, 1825 Marshall Ave., Williamsport, as an instructor for the Saturday School Program at the rate of $21.87 per hour, beginning October 16, 1999.
K. All full-time and part-time professional staff and substitute teachers in the District to serve as teachers for the Saturday School Program as needed for the 1999-2000 school year at the rate of $21.87 per hour, beginning October 16, 1999, for the actual number of hours worked.
9.4 POSITION CHANGES
Approve the following position changes:
A. Kimberly I. Matthews, 173 Breezy Lane, Linden, from an instructional aide (special education) to an instructional aide (Vocational Education Program) at the high school (185 days, 7 hours per day) with a base wage rate of $12,821, prorated, effective October 18, 1999 (replacing Patricia Betz, resigned).
B. Eric C. Anderson, 925 Beach Drive, Cogan Station, from a full-time auxiliary custodian district-wide to a full-time Maintenance Specialist - Automotive Mechanic (250 days, 8 hours per day), effective November 1, 1999. Mr. Anderson = s salary adjustment (to $29,100) to be effective whe n he has submitted appropriate Pennsylvania School Bus Inspection license (replacing David Cohick, transferred).
C. Bernard O. Rockwell, P.O. Box 113, McElhattan, from a general full-time custodian at the high school to a general full-time auxiliary custodian district-wide (250 days, 8 hours per day) with a base wage rate of $25,100, prorated, effective October 20, 1999 (replacing Kenneth Harter, transferred).
D. John W. Springman III, 1876 State Route 973 West, Cogan Station, from a general part-time custodian at Lose Elementary School to a general part-time custodian at the high school (250 days, up to 4 hours per day or more during scheduled activities) with a base wage rate of $6.90 per hour, effective October 20, 1999 (replacing Chris Anderson, transferred).
E. James W. Housel, 1044 State St., Jersey Shore, from a substitute custodian to a general part-time custodian at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School (250 days, up to 4 hours per day or more during scheduled activities) with a base wage rate of $6.90 per hour, effective October 20, 1999 (replacing Jerome Harer, transferred).
F. Kathryn Otzel, 606 Main St., Watsontown, from a full-time special education teacher to a full-time vocational education learning facilitator at the high school, effective November 1, 1999, at a salary rate of Level 5, master = s maximum, $56,374, prorated. This position is funded through the Perkins Grant. Ms. Otzel has requested this transfer (replacing Barry King, transferred to administrative position).
9.5 AGREEMENTS/CONTRACTED SERVICES
A. Delores Eberly, 14 E. Third St ., Watsontown, qualified Registered Nurse, to provide substitute License Practical Nurse/Aide (LPN/Aide) $12.00 per hour, as needed during the 1999-2000 school year, effective October 11, 1999.
9.6 ATTAINMENT OF TENURE STATUS
Acknowledge the attainment of tenure status of the following teachers, who have successfully completed a three-year probationary period as temporary professional employees with a satisfactory sixth rating, and extending professional employee contracts to them:
Earned June 1999: Michelle L. Bitner Donald J. Fisher
Marie E. Fox Sharon E. Freed
Jennifer J. Griswold Julie A. Hammond
Paul H. McPhail, Jr.
9.7 ADJUSTMENTS TO SALARY
A. Approve salary adjustments to the master's level, effective for the 1999-2000 term, as stipulated in the Agreement between the Board of School Directors and the Williamsport Education Association, for those having earned either a Master's Degree or an Equivalency Certificate prior to the beginning of the 1999-2000 school term:
Doris L. Getz Equivalency Certificate
Kathy F. Gorg Equivalency Certificate
Angela M. Meyer Equivalency Certificate
Rebecca K. Ward Equivalency Certificate
B. Approve salary adjustments for the following staff members for credits earned beyond the Master's Degree or Equivalency Certificate, prior to the beginning of the 1999-2000 school term:
NEW TOTAL CREDITS NEW
CREDITS TO DATE SALARY
Barbara J. Adair 9 9 $38,200
Peggy A. Bross 33 33 $57,290
John M. Dick 9 9 $56,679
William G. Emery 9 9 $48,020
Mari A. Fauth 9 9 $38,200
Dianne A. Hartman 27 27 $57,290
Lydia A. Marinucci 9 9 $42,985
Georgeann S. Opdenhoff 24 24 $56,985
Stephen C. Pfirman 9 9 $56,679
Eugene F. Ramin, Jr. 9 9 $56,679
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1 RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, 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 7-0.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
11.1* Motion made by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following student
trips:
A. Fifty-five (55) eleventh grade students from the Williamsport Area High School, accompanied by their teachers, to travel to the Lycoming County Historical Museum on Thursday, November 4, 1999. The students will have the opportunity to view the Lycoming County – 100 Years of History exhibit
11.1* Motion made by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following student
trips cont’d:
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
12.1* Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to award a contract to the following company for coal deliveries (pending receipt of their performance bond) in accordance with their bid submitted. This bid was received at 1:30 p.m. and opened publicly in the District Service Center at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 5, 1999.
RECOMMENDED AWARD:
Keystone Filler & Manufacturing Company, 214 Railroad Street, Muncy, PA to furnish and deliver rice/buckwheat coal for the period of July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000 in accordance with our specifications and their bid of $74.00 per ton.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
TAX ITEMS
13.1 Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following tax summaries:
The motion carried 7-0.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Harris stated that the pep rally was very nice and the kids did a great job. She appreciated the invitation.
Mrs. Williams reminded everyone about the Curtin spaghetti dinner.
President Stone announced that the Tax Reform Committee would do a presentation immediately following the meeting.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC – None
Upon motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Williams and carried, the meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
_________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary