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, May 2, 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., James E. Temple, Dale L. Vollman, Lois T. Williams,
Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: None
INVOCATION – Kelly R. Pedersen provided the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
Student Representatives' Report - Alissa Lockcuff and Ashley Null
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT—Jackie Thomas (Acting Superintendent)
A. Recognition of Outstanding Students:
(1) Joseph A. Rackish, Fifth Grade, Cochran Elementary School—Presented by Robert Izer, Principal
(2) Amanda L. Griess, Fifth Grade, Sheridan Elementary School—Presented by Robert Izer, Principal
(3) Courtney A. Reid and Mallory M. Scoppa, Eighth Grade, Curtin Middle School— ;Presented by James Dougherty, Principal
B. Recognition of Outstanding Vocational Student
Shelby Shipton, Twelfth Grade, Williamsport Area High School—Presented by Ted Piwowar, Supervisor of Vocational Education
C. May 7-13 Celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week: Teachers Nurturing Young Minds
We want to take this opportunity to honor every teacher, substitute teacher, and teacher’s aid. We value their dedication and commitment throughout the year. We want to celebrate them and express our thanks for their wonderful work.
D. Calendar of Events:
D. Calendar of Events Cont’d:
BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT--Mr. David B. Stone Jr.
A. At the conclusion of tonight’s Board meeting, we will televise a half-hour presentation of
the Lycoming Valley Middle School’s MathCounts group. That presentation will begin at 9:30 p.m.
B. Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve an adjudication from a quasi-judicial hearing held earlier this evening.
Roll Call – Yea: Harris, Pedersen, Stone, Temple, Vollman.
Nay: Canada, Markle, Williams
Abstain: Zimmerman
The motion carried.
Committee Reports by Board Members.
President Stone reported that the Planning and Development Committee enjoyed the latest presentation of School Improvement Plans and encouraged other Board Members to attend future presentations.
President Stone also reported on the Superintendent’s search. He indicated that the candidates had been narrowed to four including Jackie Thomas and the screening committee was pleased with the applicants. He also thanked the committees’ business representatives for their help and cooperation.
Mrs. Williams reported that the Alternative Education Committee continues to meet and is making progress on a recommendation.
Mrs. Markle reported that the Intermediate Unit Board spent some time discussing Act 48 (continuing education requirements). She was informed that the state is working on a web site to provide a statewide teacher employment application process.
Mrs. Markle also reported that Senator Median spoke at the legislative dinner. He talked about 30 and out being a dead issue and he spoke of the State’s $100.00 tax rebate program. The Region 12 dinner scheduled for the 4th is cancelled.
Construction Projects
A.
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to authorize change
orders G-1, G-3, G-4, G-5, and G-6 to the contract with Lobar, Inc. (General
Contractor, Roosevelt Project) increasing the contract by $9,515.98, which will
adjust the total contract as follows:
Original Contract
$1,762,700.00
Previous Adjustments 0.00
G-1 3,071.75
G-3 (80.00)
G-4
3,679.83 G-5
2,531.56
G-6
312.84
Adjusted Total $1,772,215.98
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
B.
Motion made by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Mrs. Pedersen, to acknowledge receipt
of
PlanCon Part F from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the Cochran
Elementary
Project in their letter dated April 19, 2000.
The motion carried 9-0.
FINANCE REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following
finance items:
6.1
Approve the following financial reports:
General Fund - Unrestricted
$2,345,857.86
General Fund - Restricted (Federal)
151,372.85
General Fund - Restricted (State)
9,812.88
Interscholastic Athletics Fund
28,080.06
Food Service Fund
64,721.38
Data Processing Fund
7,000.53
Maintenance Fund
31,939.89
Williamsport City & school district
Mercantile & Business Privilege Tax Office
2,836.60
Municipal & School Income Tax Office 19,900.33
Student Activities
0.00
TOTAL $2,661,522.38
6.2*
Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted
marked Order No. 05/02/00 in the amount of $1,124,151.95, 05/02/00A in the
amount of $38,566.64, 5/02/00B in the amount of $85,584.51, 05/02/00C in the
amount of $151,394.77 and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be
directed to execute Order Nos. 05/02/00, 05/02/00A, 05/02/00B and 05/02/00C.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
6.3*
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Pedersen, to adopt the following
resolution relative to a proposed budget for the 2000-2001 fiscal year:
RESOLVED: That in accordance with the School Laws of Pennsylvania, 1949 as
amended, Section 687, the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area
School District announces a proposed general fund budget in the amount of funds
which will be required by the Williamsport Area School District for the fiscal
year beginning July 1, 2000, and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That a meeting of the Board of School Directors of the
Williamsport Area School District is scheduled to be held at 8:00 p.m. on
Tuesday, June 6, 2000, for the purpose of adopting the general fund budget and
such other general business as may be brought before the Board, and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the Secretary be and is hereby authorized and directed
to provide for special notice in a local newspaper that the proposed budget
will be available on or before May 4, 2000 and thereafter for inspection at the
Office of the Board Secretary of the Williamsport Area School District, 201
West Third Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania for all who may be interested:
The following is a summary of the proposed General Fund Budget for the fiscal
year beginning July 1, 2000:
ESTIMATED BEGINNING FUND BALANCE
AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATION 06/30/00
$ 6,762,570
ESTIMATED REVENUE (Restricted & Unrestricted)
54,215,466
TOTAL ESTIMATED FUND BALANCES AND REVENUES
AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATION
60,978,036
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES AND OTHER
FINANCING USES (Restricted & Unrestricted)
54,927,405
ENDING UNRESERVED FUND BALANCE 06/30/01 6,050,631
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND ENDING FUND BALANCE 60,978,036
Although the Tax levy will not be made until the budget is adopted on June 6,
2000, the proposed budget anticipates the following taxes:
00/01
Real Property (16.35 mills 99/00)
16.35
Act 511 Taxes
Occupation Tax – Privilege ($5.00 99/00) 0*
Occupation Tax – Millage (4,000 mills 99/00) 0*
Earned Income (1/2 of 1% 99/00) 1½ %*
Real Estate Transfer
½ of 1%
* Tax Reform
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD POLICY – None
CURRICULUM REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Pedersen, seconded by Mr. Vollman, to approve the following
curriculum items:
8.1*
Approve Virginia Hillyer from Conewago Valley School District to provide
training to the elementary principals on the topics of Guided Reading and Early
Literacy on July 18, 2000. The cost of the training is approximately $300,
plus expenses, and is funded through the Title II grant.
8.2*
Approve the Lycoming County Literacy Council to present four sessions to
Jackson Elementary School parents (grades K-3). The sessions, entitled “
Mother Goose Asks Why”, give families skills and materials to explore
literature and science in a friendly way. The cost will be $30 per family and
will be funded through the Read to Succeed Grant. Sessions will be held on May
3, May 10, May 16, and May 17, 2000.
8.3*
Authorize Kathy Pagana, Ph.D., R.N., to present a parent workshop entitled
“Getting Control of Your Time and Life” on Wednesday, May 11, 2000,
at Stevens Elementary School. The cost is $100 and is budgeted under Stevens
Title I Parent/Community Services activities.
8.4*
Approve Steven Herb to present a family storytelling session at the Jackson
Elementary School on Wednesday, May 24, 2000. The costs will be $250, plus
expenses, not to exceed $350. This activity will be funded through the Read to
Succeed Grant.
8.5
Approve appointment of Tony Delisi, Coordinator of Adult Education, to the
Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Adult, Basic and Literacy
Education Lit-Pro Management Team. The management team advises PDE with
concerns associated with their adult education software that tracks enrollment
and performance data for adult education students throughout the state. The
appointment is for one year and the management team will meet monthly,
alternating between Harrisburg and the West Branch Technology Center in Lock
Haven. As a hands-on user of this system, it would be very beneficial for Tony
and our District to have input into this computerized reporting system. The
first meeting is in May 2000. There will be no cost to the District—PDE
will pay all costs.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
8.6
Motion made by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve an Act 80 on
May 11, 2000, for the Alternative Education School.
The motion carried 9-0.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following
personnel items:
Accept the following resignations, effective on the date and for the purpose
indicated:
A.
Cynthia F. Martin, full-time elementary teacher at Lose Elementary School,
effective June 12, 2000.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School
District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Cynthia F. Martin
from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere
appreciation for her 15 years of dedicated service to our school system as a
teacher. It further expresses the hope that her years of retirement will be
many and richly rewarding.
B.
James W. Housel, regular part-time custodian at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary
School, for personal reasons, effective May 12, 2000.
The following leave of absence:
A.
Rita M. Sikora, English teacher at the high school, leave of absence without
pay for medical reasons, effective April 28, 2000 through May 31, 2000.
Ms. Sikora’s 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.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A.
Brian J. Kasarda, 116 Clinton Ave., Bloomsburg (permanent address: Box 183,
Lattimer Road, R.D. #2, Hazleton), as a paid intern in the Tax Office,
effective May 22, 2000, for the duration of 240 hours, at the rate of $8.00 per
hour (no benefits).
B.
Catherine M. Daugherty, 2716 McCoy 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 May 3, 2000.
C.
William J. Bouse, 101 Boak Ave., Lot 4, Hughesville, as a substitute school bus
driver (non-bargaining unit personnel), with a base wage rate of $10.00 per
hour, effective May 3, 2000.
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:
Elementary
Alison M. Newman
1731 Chestnut St., Williamsport
K-12
Erin J. Yeagle
941 Cemetery St., Williamsport
E.
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.
Elaine E. Cressman
301 Chestnut St., Montoursville
Thomas R. Griffith
1434 Warren Ave., Williamsport
9.4
WORK CALENDARS FOR 2000-2001
Approve work schedule calendars for administrative and support staff employees
for fiscal year 2000-2001 as listed below:
Category
Column Days Hours
12-month Custodial/Maintenance/Warehouse
Printer/Automotive Maintenance A 250
8
12-month Administrators*, Confidential Admin. Support* B
245 7 ½*
12-month Technicians, Admin. Support
B 245 7 ½
11-month Selected Admin. Support Staff
C 225 7
11-month Selected Administrators* D
220 7 ½*
10-month Department Heads* E
205 7*
Selected Psychologists F
200 7 ½
Teacher Schedule G
188 7
Instructional Aides/Administrative Support H
185 7
Students/Bus Drivers/Food Service/Security Officers I
180 ---
*
Reflects advertised office hours. These employee schedules are not limited to
office hours.
A.
Approve Work Experience Agreement and Single Point of Contact (SPOC), etc
Agreement with STEP, Inc., 2138 Lincoln Street, Williamsport. These agreements
effective May 1, 2000, through September 30, 2002, provide work experience
opportunities for eligible candidates. (The only change to these agreements is
the process whereby individuals are covered under the District’s
Workers’ Compensation policy and the District is reimbursed for the
premium by Step, Inc.) 9.6*
POSITION CHANGES
The following position changes:
A.
Dean I. Fink, R.R. 3, Box 228, Jersey Shore, from general part-time custodian
to a full-time custodian at the high school, 250 days, 8 hours per day, second
shift, with a base wage rate of $11.10 per hour (annual wage of $22,200),
effective May 8, 2000 (replacing Robert Price, retired).
B.
Clyde L. Myers, 301 Adams St., Williamsport, from a substitute custodian to a
general part-time custodian at Curtin Middle School, 250 days up to 4 hours per
day, second shift, with a base wage rate of $7.78 per hour, effective May 3,
2000 (replacing George Fullmer, transferred).
9.7
AUTHORIZE TO APPROVE SUPPLEMENTARY POSITIONS
Approve the following supplementary position which will be funded through Title
I:
A.
Authorize the position of Librarian for the Curtin Title I Extended School Year
Program, June 26, 2000, through July 21, 2000. The Librarian will work 3.5
hours per day for 20 days (one day prior to the program and the 19 days during
the program; there will be no classes on July 4, 2000) and will be paid at the
rate of $21.36 per hour plus benefits.
Motion to approve personnel items carried by a unanimous roll call.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1
RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Motion made 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 9-0.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following
student/ community activities:
11.1* The following student trips:
11.1*
Approve the following student trips cont’d:
Approximately 14 health occupations students from the Williamsport Area High
School, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to Danville during May 2000
(previously scheduled for April 2000). The students will be visiting
Geisinger Medical Center for a tour of the facilities. District transportation
is requested. AHEC (Northcentral Area Health Education Center) will pay the
cost of transportation and lunch. A substitute will be required for one day.
Thirty (30) Williamsport Area High School Strolling Strings members,
accompanied by their director and Mr. Coulter, to travel to the Holiday Inn
during May 2000 (originally scheduled for February 2000
), to perform for the Rotary Club. District transportation is requested
(101-1100-3-26-160-23-519).
11.1*
Approve the following student trips cont’d:
May 2000. The students will have an opportunity to visit various sites to
further their understanding of United States history. The students will be
transported by contract carrier. All costs will be paid by the Jackson PTO.
11.2
Authorize the donation of twenty (20) unused and unneeded desk and chair units
to the Hepburn Baptist Church as requested in their letter of January 20, 2000.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following
bids/contracts items:
12.1*
Authorize contracts with L.C.C.S./Children’s Development Center to provide
physical therapy and occupational therapy services for eligible students of
the Williamsport Area School District during the 2000-2001 school year.
12.2*
Authorize District administration to pursue the purchase and installation of
one or two blinking sings for the Northbound lanes of Route 220 just South of
the Woodward Township Elementary School. The Woodward Township Supervisors
have agreed to file the permit with the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation. The School District will be responsible for all costs
associated with purchase, installation, maintenance and electricity.
12.3*
Authorize an agreement with Susquehanna Health Systems to provide the services
of a Certified Athletic Trainer at the cost of $18.00 per hour. The period of
the agreement shall be from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2003.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
12.4*
Motion made by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to enter into an Agreement
with the City of Williamsport in the form presented, providing for an exchange
of land with the City in the area of Berger Alley and West Third Street. The
Agreement would permit the City to expand Berger Alley to the west so that the
alley could be widened and improved. The Agreement also provides for certain
improvements to be made to the land being received from the City at no cost to
the District. Approval of the agreement would also authorize the
administration to complete any related applications or paperwork, including the
filing of a subdivision and/or land development plan at no cost to the
District.
The motion carried 8-0-1 with Mr. Stone abstaining.
TAX ITEMS
13.1
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mr.Vollman, to approve the attached
tax summaries.
The motion carried 9-0.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Zimmerman reported that he attended the Battle of the Bands and the
students conducted themselves well and had a good time. The students displayed
a lot of talent.
Mr. Zimmerman also stated that the students who participated in the baseball
and softball tournaments conducted themselves well.
Mrs. Harris stated that the art show at Lycoming Valley Middle School was very
nice and it took a while to see everything.
Mr. Stone stated that the search for a head football coach is continuing and
will hopefully be concluded by the end of the month.
Mr. Zimmerman stated that the status of the girls basketball coach is the same
as the football coach.
Mrs. Williams stated that Cochran’s ham dinner was wonderful and the
portions were large.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC
– None
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.
Upon motion made by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Mrs. Pedersen, and carried the
meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
____________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary