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, February 4, 2003, 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: 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
INVOCATION – Mrs. Pamela Markle provided the invocation and read the ninth district belief statement.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
Student Representatives’ Report – Stefanie Steele
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A. Pennsylvania State University Music Partnership
B. Elementary and Secondary Class Size Reports – First Semester 2002-03
C. Mr. Fausnaught presented the following recommendations for changes to the elementary boundaries. Following the presentation, motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to authorize the following elementary boundary changes: Noting that these changes only affect students new to district for the 2003-04 school year.
1. Stevens Elementary School’s boundaries will run from the west side of Campbell Street north to the south side of Vallamont Drive north west and south to the beltway. The western boundary will be Oliver Street.
2. Jackson Elementary School’s boundary will include all of Oliver Street on the east from Third Street to the south side of High Street.
3. Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School’s boundaries will be expanded to include the Garden View section of Old Lycoming Township from the east side of Old Route 15 to Lycoming Creek (previously Jackson).
4. Cochran Elementary School’s boundaries will run from the north side of Vallamont Drive north west to the east side of Campbell Street south to the beltway.
5. Sheridan Elementary School’s boundaries will extend from the south side of Little League Boulevard to the east side of Hepburn Street to the beltway.
The motion carried 9-0.
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A. Incident at Basketball Game.
Dr. Lowery updated the Board and spoke of the two press releases that were held on Monday and today. Mr. Zimmerman indicated his disappointment in the reporting by the Sun-Gazette staff. He felt that they magnified the basketball game incident over the national and local tragedies that occurred this weekend. He also stated that they were attempting to create news rather than report it.
Mr. Benton Colvin also addressed the Board concerning this incident.
B. Congratulations to Walter Straiton, Williamsport Area High School orchestra director, for being selected to conduct one of the Florida All-State Orchestras on January 11, 2003, as part of the annual conference of the Florida Music Educator’s Annual Conference.
C. Congratulations to Walter Straiton, Williamsport Area High School orchestra director, for authoring a chapter on instrumental techniques for publication in the new “School Symphony Orchestra Experience” book that has been released nationally through the American String Teachers Association and the National School Orchestra Association.
D. Congratulations to Tom Kelchner, Art Department Chair, for being invited to serve as a judge in the regional judging of the Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Art Competition in Harrisburg, where work is selected to go on to national competition.
Committee Reports by Board Members
Mr. Vollman reported that the Athletic Advisory Committee met on Monday. They spent most of the meeting discussing the logistics of a middle school soccer program and the spring sports schedules.
Mr. Vollman also reported on the Baseball Complex Committee indicating that the new field should be finished during April. He stated that the complex is very nice. Contingency plans are in place to use Bowman Field until the new field is ready for use. Our vocational students as well as Pennsylvania College of Technology students are assisting in the project.
Mrs. Williams report that the Diversity Committee met and is working on plans for the Diversity Festival to be held on May 9th . The committee has some new members but additional volunteers are needed and welcome.
Construction Projects - None
FINANCE REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, to approve the following financial items:
6.1 Approve the following financial reports:
A. Payroll Report:
General Fund – Unrestricted $2,548,751.91
General Fund – Restricted 209,712.79
Athletics and Extra Curricular 42,610.78
Food Service Fund 45,670.73
Data Processing Fund 7,141.05
Maintenance Fund 38,869.18
Mercantile & Privilege 2,327.15
Earned Income Tax 27,487.66
Student Activities 2,709.60
TOTAL 2,925,280.85
6.2* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 02/04/03 in the amount of $343,765.58, 02/04/03A in the amount of $7,345.71, 02/04/03B in the amount of $203,908.55 and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 02/04/03, 02/04/03A, and 02/04/03B.
6.3* Approve budget changes for FY03, dated January 28, 2003 as presented in accordance with Section 609 of the Public School Code of 1949, as amended:
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD POLICY – James E. Temple
7.1 Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve at the second reading, Policy #716, Integrated Pest Management.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
CURRICULUM REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Shultz, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following curriculum items:
8.1 Approve a service contract with Mansfield University to reimburse WASD for substitute teachers (secondary librarians) and mileage costs for K-12 librarians to participate in advanced training for preparing an Information Literacy Plan for the district.
8.2* Approve Bruce VanPatter, storyteller, author and illustrator to present a family story hour at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 29th. The $200 fee for the event will be paid from the Read to Succeed grant.
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.3* Approve author Susan Wojciechowski, York, to present three student performances and one parent presentation at Cochran Elementary School on March 3, 2003. The total cost for the visit will be $1,320 ($1,275 fee plus $70 travel) and is budgeted under Cochran Title I funds.
8.4 The following CARE Team Representatives at the respective schools for the 2002-03 school year to be paid the stipend rate of $792 each (stipend positions were board approved 5/6/97); funding available from Drug Free Schools grant, account number 10-2120-122-870-00-000-000-009-0003
Marlene Brown, WAHS Gloria Corson, WAHS
John Decker, WAHS David Ferry, WAHS
Carole Heckel, WAHS Ann M. Kahler, WAHS
Craig Mutchler, WAHS Kathy Otzel, WAHS
Vera Prough, WAHS Phyllis J. Sieber, WAHS
Julie K. Wiser, WAHS
Carol Pursell, Lycoming Valley
Kimberly A. Imrisek, Curtin (pro-rated) Marjorie F. Stopper, Curtin
Timothy T. Thompson, Curtin Christine R. Wagner, Curtin
Jennie Wagner-Guffy, Curtin Stephanie Wolfanger, Curtin
Carol DeSilva, Roosevelt Randall G. Laird, Roosevelt
Kevin Mumbauer, Roosevelt Todd R. Penman, Roosevelt
Jennifer Redmon, Roosevelt Susan B. Ruhl, Roosevelt
Tamra Springman, Roosevelt
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Vollman, 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. Peggy A. Bross, full-time classroom music teacher at Curtin Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Peggy A. Bross from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 32 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.
9.1 RESIGNATIONS CONT’D:
B. George E. Cook, full-time biology teacher at the high school, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of George E. Cook from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for his 33 years of dedicated service to our school system as a teacher. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
C. Kay Y. Creveling, full-time Title I Reading teacher at Curtin Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Kay Y. Creveling from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her over 32 part-time and full-time 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.
D. Stephanie Green, full-time fourth grade teacher at Round Hills Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Stephanie Green from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 34 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.
E. John W. Guild, full-time fifth grade teacher at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of John W. Guild from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for his 28.8 years of dedicated service to our school system as a teacher. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
9.1 RESIGNATIONS CONT’D:
F. Margaret A. Lowmiller, full-time fifth grade teacher at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Margaret A. Lowmiller from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 33 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.
G. Kathryn A. McQuown, full-time family and consumer science teacher at the high school, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Kathryn A. McQuown from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 32 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.
H. James M. Pagana, full-time social studies teacher at Curtin Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of James M. Pagana from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for his 32 years of dedicated service to our school system as a teacher. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
I. Alfred L. Poff, full-time science teacher at the high school, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Alfred L. Poff from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for his 33 years of dedicated service to our school system as a teacher. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
9.1 RESIGNATIONS CONT’D:
J. Margaret A. Smith, full-time third grade teacher at Jackson Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Margaret A. Smith from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 33 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.
K. Patricia E. Snyder, part-time kindergarten teacher at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative date of June 13, 2003).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Patricia E. Snyder from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 30 part-time and full-time 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.
L. Billie J. Nogle, resigning from position as teacher for the Title I Homework Club Program at Curtin Middle School, for personal reasons, effective January 16, 2003 (Ms. Nogle will continue as special education teacher at Curtin Middle School).
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE - Approve the following leaves of absence:
A. Linda S. Hart, full-time first grade teacher at Round Hills Elementary School, for a sabbatical leave effective for the second semester of the 2002-2003 school year (tentative dates of January 27, 2003, through June 13, 2003), for the purpose of health restoration.
Mrs. Hart has been a teacher in the District since September 3, 1985, and has not taken a previous sabbatical.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF - Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. Ami L. McChesney, 111 West Beaver St., Bellefonte, as a long-term substitute teacher, effective January 27, 2003, through the end of the second semester of the 2002-2003 school term (tentative ending date of June 13, 2003), unless terminated sooner, to teach first grade at Round Hills Elementary School, at a salary of Level 1, Step 1, bachelor's, $37,100, prorated. Ms. McChesney holds a bachelor's degree from Lycoming College and is certified in Elementary (replacing Linda Hart, on sabbatical leave).
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
B. Thomas W. Rinker, 140 Bower Lane, Jersey Shore, as a long-term substitute teacher, effective January 27, 2003, through the end of the second semester of the 2002-2003 school term (tentative ending date of June 13, 2003), unless terminated sooner, to teach social studies at the high school, at a salary of Level 1, Step 1, master's, $40,100, prorated. Mr. Rinker holds a bachelor's degree from Penn State University and a master's degree from Lock Haven University and is certified in Social Studies (replacing Roger May, on leave).
C. Lenora G. Georges, 729 Woodland Ave., Williamsport, as a full-time Tax Examiner (245 days, 7½ hours per day) in the Tax Office at the District Service Center, with a base wage rate of $27,085, prorated, ($14.74 per hour), effective February 6, 2003, plus applicable benefits as provided under the collective bargaining agreement between WASD and WASP (replacing Tia Margargle, transferred).
D. The following substitute food service workers, at the salary rate of $6.00 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective February 5, 2003:
Shannon M. Bartron 2611 Highland Ave., Duboistown
Linda M. Wolfe 2314 Spring Garden St., Williamsport
E. 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:
Adam J. Allison 335 Woodland Ave., Williamsport
Carol M. Bresticker 908 Hollywood Circle, Williamsport
Louis A. Cupiccia 1075 St. Davids Rd., Williamsport
Cody L. Marquette R.R. #1 Box 494, Paxinos 17860
Megan L. Mickey 120 Pine Road, Morris 16938
Tiffany K. DeRemer 749 Eckard Rd., Cogan Station
Matthew A. Jenkins 350 Percy St., South Williamsport
F. 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:
Linda M. Wolfe 2314 Spring Garden St., Williamsport
G. 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:
Jamie M. Rode 323 South Alley St., Montoursville
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
H. Lisa A. Wagner, 835 German Rd., Lock Haven, as a teacher for the Title I Extended Day Homework Club at Curtin Middle School for the 2002-2003 school year, from January 20, 2003, through June 5, 2003, at the rate of $23.16 per hour plus appropriate benefits. All funds are budgeted under Title I (replacing Billie Jean Nogle, resigned).
9.4* POSITION CHANGES - Approve the following position changes:
A. Melvin C. Lambert, 1423 Elmira St., Williamsport, from a substitute food service worker to a general food service worker (3 hours daily) at the Stevens Elementary School, with a base wage rate of $8.59 per hour, effective February 5, 2003 (replacing Michele Peterson, resigned).
9.5 ADJUSTMENTS TO SALARY
A. Adjust salaries for the following long-term substitute teachers previously elected for the second semester of the 2002-2003 school year (on the 01/21/03 Board Agenda):
NAME CORRECTED SALARY
Kathryn A. Boerckel Step 1, bachelor's, $37,100, prorated
Jacquelyn L. Boyer Step 1, bachelor's, $37,100, prorated
Christina M. Butler Step 1, bachelor's, $37,100, prorated
Walter E. Krushinski Step 1, bachelor's, $37,100, prorated
Charles C. Masters Step 1, bachelor's, $37,100, prorated
Maria N. Pulizzi Step 1, bachelor's, $37,100, prorated
Heather M. Zimmerman Step 1, master's, $40,100, prorated
9.6 CONTRACTED SERVICES
A. Approve a contract with the firm EBDS, Pennsylvania Public Schools Health Care Trust (PPSHCT), One Gateway Center, Suite 1250, 420 Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1437, to administer COBRA benefits for eligible employees and dependents of the Williamsport Area School District for a fee of $0.25 per employee per month plus applicable 2% COBRA fee, effective April 1, 2003. The $0.25 per employee per month fee applies to employees who are not covered under the PPSHCT program.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1 RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Motion made by Mrs. Mahaffey, seconded by Mr.Vollman, 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 by a unanimous roll call.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Motion made by Mr. Shultz, seconded by Mr. Vollman, to approve the following student/community
activities:
11.1* Approve the following student trips:
A. Six (6) Williamsport Area High School Students, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to the District Service Center during February 2003 to participate in a Multicultural Concerns Committee Meeting. 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. Transportation will be provided by the students’ teacher. There will be no cost to the District.
B. Approximately 125 fifth grade students from Jackson Elementary School, accompanied by their teachers and parent chaperones, to travel to Washington, DC during May 2003. The students will have the opportunity to explore our nation’s capitol. Students who have not been suspended from school or have not been assigned to Saturday School for disciplinary reasons within 60 calendar days prior to the trip will be eligible to participate. Transportation will be provided by contract carrier. All costs will be paid by the Jackson PTO.
C. Six (6) members of the Roosevelt Middle School’s MathCounts team, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to the Little League Complex in South Williamsport during February 2003 to participate in the regional MathCounts competition. There will be no cost to the District. The students will be transported by their teacher.
D. Twenty-eight (28) band students from Curtin, Lycoming Valley, and Roosevelt Middle Schools, accompanied by their teachers to travel to Hughesville High School on four dates in February and March 2003 to participate in the Junior County Band Festival. Students eligible to participate must be in compliance with their school’s field trip disciplinary policies. District transportation is requested (10-1100-519-000-210-(550/600/650)-121-023-0000 (split evenly) as well as registration expenses.
11.1* Approve the following student trips cont’d:
E. Six (6) Williamsport Area High School band students, accepted by competitive audition, to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association Region IV Band Festival to be held at Line Mountain/Shamokin Area High Schools during March 2003.
Geneka Lynch, Clarinet II Shane Kozen, Trombone II
Matthew Seeley, Bassoon II Mitchell Marcello, French Horn II
Cong Ma, Baritone Matthew Whitney, Tuba
Cost to the District would be $44 (10-3211-813-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for student registration fees; $100 (10-3200-519-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for student transportation; and approximately $350 (10-3211-581-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for teacher expenses. Ed Richards and Todd Kendall, WAHS band directors, will accom-pany the students on a rotating schedule. One substitute will be needed for two days.
F. Ten (10) eighth grade gifted education students from Curtin Middle School, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to Lycoming College on four dates during March and April 2003 to attend performances of the Concerts at Noon series. The students will have the opportunity to enrich their appreciation of music. There will be no cost to the District. The students will walk to and from the college.
G. Four (4) Williamsport Area High School choral students, accepted by competitive audition, to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association Region 9 Chorus Festival to be held at Milton Area High School during February 2003.
Anna Douthat, Soprano I Kacie Weaver, Alto I
Jessica Owens, Alto II Cassie Bertrand, Alto II
Cost to the District would be $75 (10-3212-519-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for transportation fees; $288 (10-3212-813-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for student registration fees; $100 (10-3212-642-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for music; and $250 (10-3212-851-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for teacher expenses. Anna Radspinner or Kent Weaver will accompany the students. One substitute will be needed for two days.
H. Seven (7) Williamsport Area High School students, accompanied by their teacher/
advisor, to travel to the Lycoming County Courthouse on two days during February 2003 to participate in a mock trial 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. The students will be transported by their teacher and parent volunteers. The only cost to the district will be a substitute for two days.
11.2 Approve the Spring Sport schedules.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, to approve the following items related to bids/contracts:
12.1* Approve updated Memorandums of Understanding with the three local law enforcement authorities (Pennsylvania State Police, Old Lycoming Township Police and Williamsport City of Police) as required by the Safe Schools Act, 24 P.S. Sections 13-1317.2
12.2* Approve an agreement with Rowe Sprinkler Systems, Inc. to conduct an annual inspection of all district sprinkler systems at an estimated cost of $2,000.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
TAX ITEMS
13.1 Motion made by Mrs. Mahaffey, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following tax summaries:
The motion carried 9-0.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Markle reported that they enjoyed accompanying the FBLA students to a competition in Bloomsburg. Some of our students placed and will be moving on to state competition.
President Stone announced that the annual MathCounts competition will be held at the Little League Complex this Thursday. All three of our middle schools are represented.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC – None
President Stone announced that an executive session was held prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss terms and conditions of employment for one or more District employees and to receive legal advice from an attorney.
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mr. Vollman and carried, the meeting adjourned at
8:45 p.m.
_________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary