The organizational 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, December 3, 2002, beginning at 8:00 p.m. in the Board of Directors Room, District Service Center, 201 West Third Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
1. The Board President called the meeting to order with the following members:
PRESENT: Karen V. Harris, Susan A. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Markle, Jay B. Shultz,
David B. Stone, Jr., James E. Temple, Lois T. Williams, Thomas A. Zimmerman
ABSENT: Dale L. Vollman
This meeting is called to order for the purpose of organization under appropriate sections of Article IV of the School Laws of Pennsylvania, as amended.
2. Mrs. Lois T. Williams provided the invocation and read the sixth District Belief Statement.
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to elect James A. Dugan as secretary pro tempore for the December 3, 2002 organizational and regular meetings only due to the absence of Board Secretary Charles E. Peterson, Jr.
The motion carried 8-0.
4. Election of a Temporary President:
a. President Stone opened nominations for a temporary president.
b. Mrs. Harris nominated Mr. Temple.
c. Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve Mr. Temple as temporary president.
The motion carried 8-0.
5. Election of President
a. Temporary President Mr. Temple opens nominations.
6. Election of Vice President.
Mr. Vollman arrived 8:09 p.m.
7. President Stone appointed delegates to Boards and Commissions for the Ensuing Year:
Mrs. Pamela Markle
Mrs. Pamela Markle
Mr. Jay Shultz
Mr. Jay Shultz, Mrs. Lois Williams and Mr. Thomas Zimmerman
Mrs. Pamela Markle, Mrs. Susan Mahaffey and Mrs. Lois Williams
Mr. James Temple
Mr. Thomas Zimmerman and Mr. Jay Shultz
Mrs. Karen Harris and Mrs. Susan Mahaffey
Mr. Thomas Zimmerman
Mrs. Pamela Markle
Mr. Thomas Zimmerman
Mrs. Karen Harris, Mr. James Temple, Mr. Dale Vollman and Mr. Thomas Zimmerman
m. Williamsport Area Tax Advisory Committee
Mrs. Susan Mahaffey
n. Weight Room Committee
Mrs. Karen Harris, Mr. David Stone and Mr. Dale Vollman.
7. President Stone appointed delegates to Boards and Commissions for the Ensuing Year cont’d:
Mrs. Karen Harris, Mrs. Pamela Markle, Mr. David Stone and
Mr. Dale Vollman
(due to a potential conflict of interest, Mr. Vollman was replaced by
Mr. Jay Shultz)
Mrs. Susan Mahaffey and Mrs. Lois Williams.
q. Governance Committees
the Board of School Directors.
Mr. David Stone, Mr. Jay Shultz and Mr. Dale Vollman.
Board of School Directors and by another School Director appointed by the
President.
Mr. David Stone and Mr. James Temple
iii. Site-Based Management Coordinating Council--Representation by the President of the Board of School Directors or by the President’s Designee.
Mrs. Karen Harris and Mrs. Susan Mahaffey
Mr. Jay Shultz and Mrs. Lois Williams
r. School Liaisons
Mr. Jay Shultz, Mrs. Susan Mahaffey and Mr. David Stone
Mrs. Karen Harris, Mr. James Temple and Mr. Thomas Zimmerman
Mrs. Pamela Markle, Mr. Dale Vollman and Mrs. Lois Williams
8. Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, to schedule Voting Meetings during 2003 to begin at 8:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) in the Baskin Gallery of the District Service Center on the following dates. Adoption of the Preliminary Budget is tentatively scheduled for May 6, 2003. Adoption of the Final Budget is tentatively scheduled for June 17, 2003. The annual Organization Meeting will be held on December 2, 2003 and will be followed by a regular voting meeting. Special Meetings will start at either 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
January 7, 21 February 4, 18, 251
March 4, 111 April 12, 15
May 6, 20 June 3, 17
July 15 August 5, 19
September 2, 16 October 7, 21
November 4, 18 December 2
1 Start time 6:00 p.m.
2 Start time 7:00 p.m.
Please note there is only one regular meeting in March. Also the first meeting in April which is a regular voting meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The motion carried 9-0.
9. Motion by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mr. Shultz, and carried the meeting adjourned at
8:17 p.m.
_________________________________
James A. Dugan, Secretary Pro Tempore
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, December 3, 2002, following the reorganizational meeting.
The President, David B. Stone, Jr., called the meeting to order at 8:18 p.m. with the following members:
PRESENT: Karen V. Harris, Susan A. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Markle, Jay B. Shultz,
David B. Stone, Jr., James E. Temple, Dale L. Vollman, Lois T. Williams,
Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: NONE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the minutes from the regular Meetings of October 15 and November 5, 2002, that the reading of the minutes be omitted and the minutes be approved as presented.
The motion carried 9-0.
Student Representatives’ Report – Jamal Barone and Stephanie Steele
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A. Calendar of Events:
December 9 Community Relations Committee meeting, 4:00 p.m.
December 16 Alternative Education Oversight Committee meeting, 4:00 p.m.
December 15 High School Holiday Concert, 3:00 p.m.
December 17 Holiday Concert Replay, 3:00 p.m.
December 18 Holiday Concert Replay, 2:00 p.m.
December 24 Holiday Concert Replay, 8:00 p.m.
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A. Congratulations to the Williamsport Area High students who participated in the recent Bloomsburg Math Contest, a competition with over 40 teams from various Pennsylvania high schools. The Williamsport Area High School's team of Brian Coulter, Zack Howes, Jeremy Hurwitz, and Carl Ma placed in all three events. They finished second in both the Brainteasers and the QuizBowl contests, and third in the 24-game contest.
B. Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to authorize the President and Secretary of the Board to execute and deliver a deed for the Lose property building and grounds from the School District to the City of Williamsport for the sum of $1.00. Execution and delivery of the deed will complete the transaction contemplated by the Board's motion of August 20, 2002.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
Committee Reports by Board Members
Mrs. Markle stated that BLaST IU building proposals options are still open.
President Stone stated that the weight room committee meeting will be held on December 16, 2002.
FINANCE REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, to approve the following financial items:
6.1* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 12/03/02 in the amount of $300,916.34, 12/03/02A in the amount of $81,801.97, 12/03/02B in the amount of $3,235.00 and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 12/03/02, 12/03/02A and 12/03/02B.
6.2 Approve the 2003-2004 Budget Development Calendar.
6.3 Authorize a December 20, 2002 order for the payment of bills with retroactive Board
approval to occur on January 7, 2003.
6.4 Approve the following response and corrective action plan for the Auditor General’s Audit Report for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1999 and 2000.
Finding No. 1 – Pupil Transportation Errors Resulted in Underpayments of $104,324.
Description:
A review of the district’s transportation reports and related financial data, as submitted to the Department of Education (DE) for the 1999-2000 and 1998-99 school years, disclosed errors which resulted in reimbursement underpayments of $66,084 and $38,240, respectively.
Concurrence or Disagreement:
The Board and Administration concurs with the finding and recommendations.
Correction Action:
The District has purchased student transportation software from the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit. The software was fully implemented with the beginning of the 2002-2003 fiscal year. The software will be a valuable tool for increasing the accuracy of reporting to DE.
FINANCE REPORT CONT’D:
6.4 Approve the following response and corrective action plan for the Auditor General’s Audit Report for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1999 and 2000 cont’d:
Correction Action Cont’d:
The previous transportation director retired at the end of the 2001-2002 fiscal year. We are providing professional development opportunities to the new director.
The business office staff has been instructed on the correct way to report capital reserve school bus purchases in the annual financial report.
Corrective Action Timetable:
The corrective action plan is currently implemented.
Monitoring:
The Student Transportation Director will be responsible for monitoring the accuracy of transportation reports.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD POLICY – James E. Temple
7.1 Motion made by Mr. Temple, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve at the First Reading of the “Programs” Section (100) of the Board Policy Manual.
The motion carried 9-0.
CURRICULUM REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following curriculum items:
8.1 Approve the Susquehanna Health System to provide an after school Certified Nursing Assistant program to qualified Williamsport Area High School students. The program will begin on January 14, 2003 and meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until April 3, 2003. There is no cost to the School District for this program.
8.2* Implement a $5,202.30 mini grant from the Bureau of Special Education to promote self-determination and self-advocacy skills in special education students at the Williamsport Area High School. Monies will be used to support 2 high school teachers for curriculum development, textbook purchase, assessment, and exploration of factors promoting self-determination and self-advocacy skills in high school special education students. This grant will be implemented from February to May 2003.
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.3* Approve the purchase of a Transitions to High School textbook package that includes three books: Self-Advocacy Handbook, Student Work Guide, and Transition Booklet. All are published by Eaton Coull Learning Group (ECLG) with a 2000 copyright. The books will be used to teach ninth grade students with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) who are receiving special education in the Learning Support/Itinerant program at the high school. Self-determination skills will help students set realistic post-secondary goals, select courses that will match their goals, and actively participate in their IEP meeting. Approximate cost for the books and supplemental program is $2,100 to be paid out of a Bureau of Special Education mini grant.
8.4 Grant permission for Karen Moser, Lead Teacher for Secondary Special Education, to conduct a research study through Lock Haven University for the purpose of completing Master of Education requirements. This study will assist the district in the implementation of the Transition mini grant to promote self-determination and self-advocacy skills in high school special education students. The study will be conducted from February to May 2003.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Motion made Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the following personnel items:
9.1 RESIGNATIONS
Accept the following resignations, effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:
A. John A. Lowmiller, full-time custodian at Woodward Alternative Education School, for the purpose of retirement, effective October 3, 2002.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of John A. Lowmiller from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for his 27½ years of dedicated service to our school system as a custodian. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
B. James L. Weaver, full-time custodian at Round Hills Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective January 31, 2003.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of James L. Weaver from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for his 11 years of dedicated service to our school system as a custodian. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Approve the following leaves of absence:
A. Kathy L. LaLota, full-time special education teacher at Stevens Elementary School, for an unpaid medical leave, effective December 19, 2002, through January 20, 2003, after which time she will be on a sabbatical leave effective for the second semester of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative dates of January 21, 2003, through June 13, 2003), for the purpose of health restoration.
Mrs. LaLota is currently utilizing sick and/or personal days and will begin her unpaid leave of absence on December 19, 2002, which will be 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.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. The following substitute food service workers, at the salary rate of $6.00 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective November 20, 2002:
Dorothy E. Thomas 637 Walnut St., Williamsport
B. The following substitute custodian/event staff, with a base wage rate of $7.25 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective November 20, 2002:
Dennis E. Conner 415 Clayton Ave., Williamsport
Curtis P. Fink 1089 Kinley Rd., Williamsport
Darryl Emery Wilson 922 Penn St., Williamsport
C. The following persons as non-certificated substitute teacher with receipt of an emergency permit, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the salary and/or rates as established by Board policy, and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked during the 2002-2003 school year:
Justin A. Lutz 612 Campbell St., Williamsport (effective 12/03/02)
D. 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:
Gwendolyn Gindraw 808 Cherry St., Williamsport
Luther P. Kreitz 42 Black Bear Rd., Trout Run
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
E. The following coaches at the respective schools for the 2002-2003 school year at the salary rate 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 (all stipends at contracted rates, pending negotiations):
Williamsport Area High School
Boys Basketball
Varsity Assistant: Elizabeth A. Rager $2,534
F. Edward E. Jonasen, 927 Hepburn St., Williamsport, as a temporary professional employee, to teach art (initial assignment at Roosevelt Middle School), effective January 21, 2003, at a salary of Level 1, Step 3, bachelor's, $36,693, per the agreement between WASD and WEA (pending salary arbitration). Mr. Jonasen holds a bachelor's degree from Mercyhurst College and is certified in Art (replacing Valerie Foucart Vincenti, retired).
G. Elaine W. Baney, 25 North Hanna St., Lock Haven, as a half-time temporary professional employee, effective January 21, 2003, to teach art at Jackson and Sheridan Elementary Schools, at a salary of Level 1, Step 1, bachelor's, $36,693, prorated, pending negotiations. Ms. Baney holds a bachelor's degree from Lock Haven University and is certified in Art (replacing Amanda Holmes, transferred).
H. Deborah E. Briel, 582 Bruce Rd., Cogan Station, library aide at Sheridan Elementary School, to serve as the Family Read-In Coordinator at Sheridan Elementary School for the 2002-2003 school year. This is a stipend position paid at the rate of $100 annually, funded through Title I Parent/Community Services budget (availability of positions and funds to be reviewed annually).
9.4* POSITION CHANGES - Approve the following position changes:
A. Karen L. Haywood, 829 Elmira St., Williamsport, from a part-time custodian at the warehouse to a full-time Administrative Support I (225 day, 7½ hours per day) in the Special Education Department at the District Service Center, with a base wage rate of $19,474, prorated ($11.54 per hour), plus applicable benefits as provided under the collective bargaining agreement between WASD and WASP, effective January 2, 2003 (replacing Shelly McKernan, transferred).
B. Amanda M. Holmes, 413 Jordan Ave., Montoursville, from a half-time art position at Jackson to a long-term substitute teacher position (pending administrative candidate's certification) to teach art at Curtin Middle School, effective January 21, 2003, at a salary rate salary of Level 1, Step 2, bachelor's, $36,693, per the agreement between WASD and WEA (pending salary arbitration). Upon receipt of administrative certification, the position will become a permanent professional position (WEA will sign a Memorandum of Understanding for transfer).
9.5* ADJUSTMENTS TO SALARY
A. Approve salary adjustments to the doctorate level, effective for the 2002-2003 term, as stipulated in the Agreement between the Board of School Directors and the Williamsport Education Association, for those having earned a Doctorate Degree prior to the beginning of the 2002-2003 school term:
Shelley L. Litz Doctorate Degree
Carol J. Watson Doctorate Degree
B. Approve salary adjustments to the master’s level, effective for the 2002-2003 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 2002-2003 school term:
Janelle A. Boerckel Equivalency Certificate
Joseph R. Eaton Master’s Degree
Lawrence J. Flint Master’s Degree
Jeanne A. Goodell Equivalency Certificate
Cynthia A. Hamm Equivalency Certificate
Joseph T. Marzzacco Equivalency Certificate
Susan E. McGehean Equivalency Certificate
Richard J. Poole Master’s Degree
Jennifer C. Redmon Equivalency Certificate
Barbara J. Rizzo Master’s Degree
Brenda C. Watkins Master’s Degree
Sandra L. Young Equivalency Certificate
C. 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 2002-2003 school term:
TOTAL
NEW CREDITS CURRENT NEW
CREDITS TO DATE SALARY SALARY Barbara J. Adair 9 18 $45,162 $45,481
K. Coleen Good 9 9 $59,228 $59,548
Wendy L. Kelsey 9 27 $55,844 $56,165
Susan K. Nelson 9 9 $49,867 $50,188
Stephen C. Pfirman 9 18 $59,548 $59,870
Eugene F. Ramin, Jr. 9 18 $59,548 $59,870
D. Adjust step placement (for the 2002-2003 school year) for the follow staff members to reflect credit for each full year of Long-Term Substitute assignments to WASD (reflects Mifflinburg and Penns Manor decisions):
Amy Lampman Twist Step 4
Erica M. Bacon Step 4
Angela M. Steele Step 4
Laura L. Tripoli Step 4
9.5* ADJUSTMENTS TO SALARY CONT’D:
D. Adjust step placement (for the 2002-2003 school year) for the follow staff members cont’d:
Deborah D. Antonetti Step 4
Rhonda L. Getgen Step 4
Billie Jean Nogle Step 4
Brenda E. Pennella Step 4
Brenda C. Watkins Step 4
Charles F. Greevy IV Step 3
Jennifer A. Robertson Step 3
Kimberly A. Springman Step 3
Brenda Dee Taylor Step 3
Eric S. Weaver Step 3
Michelle L. Keiser Step 3
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1 RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, 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. Williams, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the following student trips:
A. Thirty-two (32) members of the Williamsport Area High School’s Les Chanteuses and GQ musical groups, accompanied by their directors, to travel to Roosevelt Middle School during December 2002. Students eligible to participate are limited to those who are in compliance with their school’s field trip disciplinary requirements. District transportation is requested (10-1100-519-000-30-850-121-023-0000). There will be no other costs to the District.
11.1* Approve the following student trips cont’d:
B. Eight (8) Williamsport Area High School students, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to Harrisburg Area Community College during December 2002 to participate in the Third Annual PAA Automotive Technology Competition. Students eligible to participate will not have been suspended from school more than five days; will have no bus disciplinary record; will be passing all major courses; and are not, in the judgment of their house principal, experiencing attendance difficulties. District transportation is requested (10-1390-519-000-30-850-280-033-0000). A substitute will be required for the day. There is no participation fee.
C. Nine (9) Williamsport Area High School choral students, accepted by competitive audition, to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association District 8 Chorus Festival to be held at Southern Columbia High School (Catawissa) during February 2003.
Soprano I Alto I Tenor I
Anna Douthat Kacie Weaver Joshua Beadle
Anna Hefner Rachel Druckenmiller
Soprano II Alto II
Rebecca Albert Jessica Owens
Mallory Scoppa Cassie Bertrand
Cost to the District would be $585 (101-3212-813-000-30-850-023-121-0000) for student registration fees; $156 (101-3212-642-000-30-850-023-121-0000) for music folders; $100 (101-3212-519-000-30-850-023-121-0000) for student transportation; and $400 (101-3212-581-000-30-850-023-121-0000) for teacher expenses. Either Kent Weaver or Anna Shellenberger, WAHS choral directors, will accompany the students. One substitute will be needed for two days.
D. Twenty (20) members of the Roosevelt Middle School’s Select String Ensemble, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to several local nursing homes during December 2002 to perform for the residents. District transportation is requested (10-1100-519-000-20-650-121-023-0000. There will be no other cost to the District.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the following bids/contracts:
12.1* Approve an intradistrict agreement for the Williamsport Area School District to provide Title I services at St. Boniface and St. Joseph's Elementary Schools to children from Montoursville Area, Muncy and South Williamsport Area School Districts at the rate of $1,025 per child.
12.2* Authorize a sealed bid sale of the following unneeded District vehicles: 1986 Chevrolet ¾ ton pickup, 1986 GMC 1 ton dump truck, 1983 Dodge window van and 1990 GMC window van.
12.3* Authorize a transportation contract with Patricia and Charles Feaster, 1836 Vesta Avenue, to provide transportation for two students. The Feaster’s will be paid 36.5¢ per mile. One student attends Cochran and the other attends Hepburn Lycoming.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
TAX ITEMS
13.1 Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the following tax summaries:
The motion carried 9-0.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Vollman commented on the holiday items displayed throughout the District.
Mr. Temple commented on the fine story of three WASD students who competed in the Run for the Diamonds in Berwick. Two seniors and one sophomore competed for the District.
Mr. Stone announced the marathon schedule for December 8, 2002.
Mr. Zimmerman reported that there was a meeting on November 25, 2002 to discuss student interest in starting a middle school soccer program.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC - None
President Stone announced that an executive session was held prior to this evening’s meetings to discuss terms and conditions of employment for one or more District employees and to receive legal advice from an attorney.
Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Markle and carried, the meeting adjourned at
9:00 p.m.
_________________________________
James A. Dugan, Secretary Pro Tempore