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, March 6, 2001, 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, David B. Stone, Jr.,
James E. Temple (arrived at 8:16 p.m.), Dale L. Vollman, Lois T. Williams,
Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: Kelly R. Pedersen.
INVOCATION – Mr. Wayne Fausnaught provided the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the Regular Meetings of December 5, 2000; January 2 and 16, 2001, and the Special Meeting of December 19, 2000, that the reading of the minutes be omitted and the minutes be approved as presented.
The motion carried 7-0.
Student Representatives’ Report – Erin Cowell and Martin Wade
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A. Outstanding Students
B. Congratulations to the Williamsport Alternative School on their successful Blood Drive on February 22. They exceeded their goal by 8 pints!
C. Overview of Choice Process—Rusty Franzen, Principal – Stevens Elementary School
D. Susquehanna Valley Parent—Sun-Gazette Initiative
E. The Youth Art Month exhibition is on display in the Dr. June Baskin Gallery through
March 29, 2001. There will be an Open House for the exhibit on March 22 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
F. Calendar of Events:
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A. The State Senate passed a resolution designating March “Arts Education Month.” We
celebrate the positive impact and public benefits of the arts, and we honor our students’
achievements in the arts. We also recognize the dedication and achievement of the administrators and faculty who provide quality arts education to students.
B. Presentation by Public Financial Management
Gregg McLanahan and Jamie Doyle reviewed projections of local savings associated with the
possible refinancing of the 1996 and 1999 bond issues. Following the presentation the Board
authorized the refinancing as per items 6.4 and 6.5 on the agenda.
C. Revenue Budget Presentation
Committee Reports by Board Members
Construction Projects
Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Zimmerman, to approve the following construction projects:
A. Approve the execution and submission of PlanCon – I01, I02 and I03 Interim Reporting, to the PA Department of Education in reference to change order E-23 for the Vocational Education Project.
B. Approve change order G-7 to the contract with Lobar, Inc., General Contractor – Cochran Project increasing the contract by $2,186.64 and changing the contract total as follows:
Original Contract $4,564,600.00
Previous Additions 41,880.23
Previous Deductions (2,746.02)
G-7 2,186.64
New Contract Total $4,605,920.85
C. Approve change orders E-14 and E-15 to the contract with Rogers Electric, Inc., Electrical Contractor – Roosevelt Project increasing the contract by $2,437.00 as follows:
Original Contract $650,000.00
Previous Additions 17,617.56
Previous Deductions (3,906.31)
E-14 1,979.00
E-15 458.00
New Contract Total $666,148.25
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
FINANCE REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following financial items except for items 6.4 and 6.5.
6.1 Approve the following financial reports:
A. Payroll Report:
General Fund – Unrestricted $2,425,321.82
General Fund – Restricted (Federal) 144,989.94
General Fund – Restricted (State) 9,006.10
Interscholastic Athletics Fund 24,670.76
Food Service Fund 59,610.82
Data Processing Fund 7,898.61
Maintenance Fund 35,240.39
Williamsport City & School District
Mercantile & Business Privilege Tax Office 3,445.13
Municipal & School Income Tax Office 20,505.38
Student Activities 0.00 TOTAL $2,730,688.95
6.2* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 03/06/01 in the amount of $1,272,708.30 and 03/06/01A in the amount of $208,013.11, and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 03/06/01 and 03/06/01A.
6.3* Approve the following Scholarship Funds
Steven R. Wiser was a class advisor to the Williamsport Area High School Class of 1999, and is honored by the class for his leadership during their senior year.
Joe Muir was a graduate of the Williamsport Area High School in 1995 and was attending Mansfield University when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1996.
The motion carried by the unanimous roll call.
FINANCE REPORT CONT’D:
Motion made by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following items related to Public Financial Management:
6.4* Authorize the administration to work with Public Financial Management, as Financial Advisor, and Saul, Ewing, Remick & Saul, as Bond Counsel in conjunction with the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2001, for the purpose of refunding the School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series of 1999.
6.5* Authorize the administration to work with Public Financial Management, as Financial Advisor, and Saul, Ewing, Remick & Saul, as Bond Counsel in conjunction with the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2001, for the purpose of refunding the School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series of 1996.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD POLICY – James E. Temple - None
CURRICULUM REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following curriculum report:
8.1* Authorize Jennifer Bomboy, mathematics teacher in the Loyalsock Township School District, to present part of an inservice on February 19, 2001, to the entire secondary mathematics staff. Mrs. Bomboy will demonstrate the planning and delivery of a “standards-based” lesson. The cost is $150, budgeted in Title 2, 141-2270-0-00-071-11-323.
8.2* Authorize the following CARE Team Representatives, at their respective schools, to be paid the stipend rate of $748 each (stipend positions were Board approved 5/6/97). Funding is available from the Drug Free Schools grant (141-2120-0-00-063-11-130).
WAHS Lyco Valley Curtin
Marlene Brown Carol Pursell Lynne Girardi
P. Nayo Brown Kimberly Imrisek
Gloria Corson Roosevelt Marjorie Stopper
John Decker Blanetta Akpakip Timothy Thompson
Ann Kahler Randall Laird Christine Wagner
Thomas Montgomery Todd Penman Jennie Wagner-Guffy
Paul McPhail Stephen Radocaj Donald Wolfinger
Phyllis Sieber Susan Ruhl
Sharon Stout
Julie Wiser
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.3* Approve Mr. Craig Wilson, a columnist for USA Today , to work with Mrs. Jeanne Yaggi’s ninth grade classes on April 24, 2001. In a workshop setting, Mr. Wilson will talk with students about their writing as well as his experiences as a writer.
Costs, which will include a rental car for Mr. Wilson and a modest honorarium, will not exceed $300 (101-1100-3-26-080-19-329).
8.4* Approve APL Associates (Jean Anastasio, David Perry, and an associate) to present an Instructional Skills, Level II workshop on July 17-19, 2001, to 50 WASD teachers.
The approximate cost will be $5,700 and is budgeted in 101-2270-0-00-330-17-323.
8.5* Approve APL Associates (Jean Anastasio, David Perry, and an associate) to present an Instructional Skills, Level I workshop on August 13-17, 2001, to 50 WASD teachers.
The approximate cost will be $9,500 and is budgeted in 101-2270-0-00-330-17-323.
8.6 Approve the August 2001 to June 2002 Williamsport Area School District Calendar for teachers and students.
8.7* Approve payment to Mr. Stanley Griggs, science teacher at the Williamsport Area High School, for presenting three (3) planetarium shows to public groups (1/18/01 with 40 in attendance; 2/12/01 with 25 in attendance; and 2/19/01 with 19 in attendance). In accordance with the existing planetarium usage policy, Mr. Griggs is to be paid at the homebound rate of $22.42 per hour for three hours for each show. The total payment for nine (9) hours shall be $201.78 (string #101-3390-0-00-495-07-130).
8.8 Approve the following book titles for Title I instruction:
Pioneer Valley Educational Press:
A Pet for Me, A Birthday Party, Going for a Ride, Going Up and Down, My Dog, My Lunch, The Playground, Playing in the Snow, Splashing Dad
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following personnel report:
9.1 RESIGNATIONS
Accept the following resignations, effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:
A. William G. Beck, Director of Maintenance/Plant Operations for the District, for the purpose of retirement, effective October 27, 2001.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of William G. Beck from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for his 19½ years of dedicated service to our school system as director of maintenance. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
B. Robert E. Williams, regular part-time school bus driver for the District, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the end of the workday on April 27, 2001.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Robert E. Williams from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for his 29 years of dedicated service to our school system as a school bus driver. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
C. Gretchen Hoff Foye, full-time instructional support aide and Homework Club Program Teacher at Curtin Middle School, due to other employment, effective at the end of the workday on March 16, 2001. (Gretchen will continue to provide services to the District as a Homebound and Saturday School Teacher.)
Approve the following leaves of absence:
A. Elizabeth A. Good, full-time third grade teacher at Lose Elementary School, for an unpaid medical leave, effective February 21, 2001, through May 15, 2001.
Ms. Good’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.
B. Gloria J. Jennings, general food service worker at the high school, unpaid leave for the purpose of a planned family vacation, effective April 9, 2001, through April 13, 2001.
C. Judith R. Vanderlin, instructional support aide/LPN at Lycoming Valley Middle School, unpaid leave for the purpose of a planned family vacation, effective April 9, 2001, through April 20, 2001.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. The following coaches at the respective schools for the 2001-2002 school year at the rates (estimated) 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:
Williamsport Area High School
Girls Soccer
Head Coach: Mark F. Lovecchio $3,250
Assistant Varsity Coach: Chris Lovecchio $1,625
Assistant Varsity Coach: Nancy Spagnuolo ** $1,625 Volunteer Assistant Coach/
Administrative Assistant: Victor von Borosini Engel ---
** Booster Club Funded Position – Recoverable Account
B.
Revise the following coaching position for the 2000-01 school year at the 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 (this item was previously approved at the February 20,
2001 board meeting):
Roosevelt Middle School
Track & Field
Girls Coach
Jennifer C. Troutman $1,308
C.
The following substitute custodian/event staff, with a base wage rate of $7.00
per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective March 7, 2001:
Daniel C. Glamp
1507 Mt. Carmel St., Williamsport
D.
The following persons as non-certificated substitute teachers with receipt of
an emergency permit, 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 2000-2001 school year:
William A. Belt
942½ Elizabeth St., Williamsport (eff. 02/19/01)
9.3*
ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
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:
Marla S. Wadsworth
288 Park Ave., Apt. 3, Woolrich
9.4* POSITION CHANGES
Approve the following position changes:
A.
Linda A. Zegarski, 1119 Charles St., Williamsport, from a general food service
worker (3 hours daily) to a general food service worker (4½ hours daily)
at Curtin Middle School, with a base wage rate of $7.88 per hour, effective
March 7, 2001 (replacing Shirley Boatman, transferred).
The motion carried by the unanimous roll call.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1
RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Markle, 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 8-0.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
11.1*
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following
student trips:
B.
Approximately 139 seventh grade students from Roosevelt Middle School,
accompanied by their teachers, to travel to Penn’s Cave during May 2001.
District transportation is requested. All costs will be paid by the Roosevelt
PTO.
11.1*
Approve the following student trips cont’d:
Flute
Alto Saxophone Trombone
Tuba
Brittnee Engel Jason Bellott Silas Conroy
Jason June
Mary Alice Hartsock French Horn
Clarinet String Bass
David Elkin
Meghan Cominskie Joseph Garczynski
Cost to the District would be $552 (101-3212-3-26-160-23-813) for student
registration fees; $120 (101-3212-3-26-160-23-519) for student transportation;
and $200 (101-3212-3-26-160-23-581) for teacher expenses. Paul Kellerman, WAHS
Band Director, will accompany the student. One substitute will be needed for
two days.
11.1*
Approve the following student trips cont’d:
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following
bid/contracts items:
12.1*
Authorize the purchase of Computer Components and Accessories in accordance
with our specifications and the recommended awards. All recommended awards are
based on the lowest bid price meeting specifications.
A schedule of items to be awarded has been provided in lieu of a complete
tabulation. Due to the extensive number of items and participating vendors on
supply bids, it is impractical to provide a complete tabulation. A complete
tabulation is available in the Business Office for viewing by any interested
parties.
BIDS/CONTRACTS CONT’D:
12.1*
Authorize the purchase of Computer Components and Accessories cont’d:
All bids were received by 1:30 p.m. opened publicly in the District Service
Center
at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 6, 2001.
RECOMMENDED AWARDS:
ASI Innovations, Norcadis, CA
$650.74
Compu-Gen Technologies, Williamsport, PA 1,932.00
Custom Computer Specialists, Commack, NY 384.56
Corporate Computer Svcs., Woburn, MA 12,177.00
Premio Computers, Somerset, NJ
4,510.00
RCA Computer Corporation, Lomita, CA 3,382.82
Solutions Technologies, Montoursville, PA 325.00
TOTAL RECOMMENDED AWARDS $23,362.12
12.2*
Authorize a one year membership with NAEIR at a cost of $575.00. NAEIR is a
non-profit corporation that coordinates the donation of supplies and equipment
from business to schools and non-profit organizations. Members have the
opportunity to order from five catalogs per year and average $2,000 worth of
supplies and equipment per catalog. Shipping and handling charges are $99.00
per order.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
TAX ITEMS
13.1
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mr. Zimmerman, to approve the following
tax summaries:
TAX ITEMS CONT’D:
13.1
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mr. Zimmerman, to approve the following
tax summaries cont’d:
The motion carried 8-0.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Markle stated that she is concerned with having school on doe day Monday
next year. In the past we have experienced very low attendance by students and
staff on doe day. Dr. Lowery stated the administration would re-evaluate
this.
Mr. Zimmerman stated that the combined symphonies program was exceptional. The
audience attendance was low and consisted mostly of parents. Mr. Zimmerman
suggested we collaborate with area retirement homes to give residents the
opportunity to attend these events.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC - None
President Stone announced that executive session was held prior to tonight’
;s meeting and there will be another immediately following 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 Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Harris and carried the
meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m.
______________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary
Ronald E. Sahm $1,522