Williamsport Area

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, August 19, 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: Susan A. Mahaffey, Jay B. Shultz, David B. Stone, Jr., James E. Temple,

INVOCATION – Mr. James Temple provided the invocation and read the second district belief statement.

Sean McCann, Jeff Robbins and Stan Smith presented the architectural design of the proposed fitness center. Following the presentation there was a motion made by

Mr.Vollman, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to endorse the concept as presented and authorize the committee to pursue funding opportunities.

B. Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, to approve the Full-Day Kindergarten Action Plan as an addition to the Strategic Plan.

August 20-21 New Teacher Inservice
August 25 District-Wide Inservice Day
August 26 Building Meetings Day
August 27 First day of school for grades K through 9
August 28 All students report to school
September 1 Labor Day Holiday
September 2 WASD School Board meeting 8:00 pm

Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mr. Vollman, to approve the following resolution regarding the Lycoming County Planning Commission:

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA ACCEPTING THE PHASE I TRENDS AND ISSUES REPORT FOR THE GREATER WILLIAMSPORT ALLIANCE MULTI-MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Williamsport Area School District is the policy making body for the Williamsport Area School District; and

WHEREAS, The Lycoming County Planning Commission serves as the official planning agency for Lycoming County; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended) empowers boroughs and townships of the first and second class, individually or jointly, to plan for their development with school district consultation and govern the same by zoning, subdivision and land development ordinances, and

WHEREAS, the Lycoming County Planning Commission, wanted to encourage maximum community input and thereby appointed the Greater Williamsport Alliance Planning Advisory Team composed of elected officials, planning commission members, as well as representatives from municipalities, school districts, authorities, and public and private sector interests, and

WHEREAS, the Planning Advisory Team was organized to oversee the preparation of the Greater Williamsport Alliance Multi-municipal Comprehensive Plan consisting of Old Lycoming Township, Loyalsock Township, Armstrong Township, Duboistown Borough, South Williamsport Borough, and the City of Williamsport; and

WHEREAS, the Lycoming County Planning Commission has vigorously embraced the concept of multi-municipal comprehensive planning and has taken the lead in coordinating the preparation of the Multi-municipal Comprehensive Plan and will ensure that general consistency is achieved between the Multi-municipal Comprehensive Plan and Lycoming County Comprehensive Plan, as required by the MPC; and

WHEREAS, the Lycoming County Planning Commission is the administering agency of a Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance (LUPTAP) grant used to support the development of the Multi-municipal Comprehensive Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Lycoming County Board of Commissioners is providing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and staff support to the Multi-municipal Comprehensive Planning effort; and

WHEREAS, the Planning Advisory Team has conducted bi-monthly meetings to develop the Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan; and

Approve the following resolution regarding the Lycoming County Planning Commission Cont’d:

WHEREAS, the Lycoming County Planning Commission and the Planning Advisory Team undertook a public involvement process by conducting a Key Person Focus Group Workshop to gain insights on existing conditions and issues concerning the functional planning areas of Community Development, Community Infrastructure, Transportation Infrastructure, Economic Development, Education, Natural/Cultural Resource Protection & Management, and Local Government; and

WHEREAS, the Phase I Trends and Issues Report addresses many critical issues facing the Multi-municipal Comprehensive Planning Area, including land use, population, housing, economic development, transportation, community facilities and services, public utilities, and natural and cultural resources; and

WHEREAS, the Phase I Trends and Issues Report and any necessary updates will serve as the basis for the development of the Phase II, Phase III, and Phase IV planning processes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the Williamsport School District, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED:

That the Board of Directors of the Williamsport Area School District recognizes the Lycoming County Planning Commission as the official planning commission for Lycoming County and that such agency promotes public interest in, and understanding of, the Multi-municipal Comprehensive Plan; and

That the Phase I Trends and Issues Report submitted by the Planning Commission is hereby accepted by the Williamsport School District Board of Directors.

Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to approve the following financial items:

6.2* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 08/19/03 in the amount of $717,363.32, 08/19/03A in the amount of $54,544.92, 08/19/03B in the amount of $2,798.39, 08/19/03C in the amount of $142,184.58 and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 08/19/03, 08/19/03A, 08/19/03B and 08/19/03C.

7.1 Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, to approve the second reading and adoption of Policy #412, “Evaluation of Professional Employees”

Motion made by Mr. Shultz, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to approve the following curriculum items:

8.1 Approve a contract between the Williamsport Area School District and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation authorizing the school district to operate a Safety Inspection Mechanic Training Program (State Inspection) for students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program. The Automotive Technology program is a PDE approved Career and Technical Education program offered at the Williamsport Area High School. Students completing the Safety Inspection Mechanic Training Program are eligible to participate in the certification testing program. Students who are successful on the test will receive certification as a Safety Inspection Mechanic.

8.2* Approve Douglass Knapsack, a second grade teacher in Montgomery Area School District, to provide 1 day of Everyday Math training on August 19 to second grade teachers who missed the training earlier this summer. The approximate cost of the training is $250 and is funded through Title II.

8.3* Approve the participation of Cochran Elementary School and Jackson Elementary School in the Ohio State University Literacy Collaborative for 2003-04. The approximate cost will be $3,600 per school for School Support Fees, registration fees for the Literacy Coordinators to attend six days of professional development, Site Visit Fees, Data Analysis, and travel expenses for the Site Visits. All funds are budgeted under Title I and Comprehensive School Reform Grants.

8.4 Approve a letter of agreement with West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission for the Commission’s provision of liaison services between service providers and the District’s Student Assistance Program Teams and for the provision of drug and alcohol assessments and referrals to students identified by the SAP Teams. There is no cost accruing to the District in relation to this letter of agreement.

8.5* Approve a letter of agreement with the Lycoming-Clinton MH/MR Program and the Lycoming Children & Youth Services for the provision of school based outreach services and Day Treatment transition services. Outreach service is to be provided to the high school Student Assistance Program Team and transition services are to assist all District students reintegrating from the Lycoming County Day Treatment Program. The $20,000 cost is offset by an item in the District’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools 2003-04 grant.

8.6* Approve the federal IDEA contract in the amount of $942,875 from BLaST Intermediate Unit to supplement the provision of special education and related services for eligible school age children as set forth and incorporated in the contract.

Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the following personnel items:

Accept the following resignations, effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:

A. Linda M. Shimp, full-time instructional support aide (hearing impaired) at Round Hills Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective July 30, 2003.

RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Linda M. Shimp from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 12 years of dedicated service to our school system as an instructional aide. It further expresses the hope that her years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.

B. Kurt W. Harris, full-time health & physical education teacher at Curtin Middle School, for other employment, effective August 6, 2003.

C. Beth A. Ecker, full-time computer lab aide at the elementary school level, for other employment, effective August 12, 2003.

D. Leonard P. Lavelle, full-time instrumental music teacher at Curtin Middle School, for other employment, effective August 14, 2003.

E. Mitchel W. Trice, full-time instructional support aide for the Alternative Education Program, for personal reasons, effective August 14, 2003.

F. Stephen Hensler, full-time social studies teacher at Lycoming Valley Middle School, for the purpose of retirement as per his letter dated August 10, 2003, effective at the completion of the first semester of the 2003-2004 school year (tentative date of January 16, 2004).

RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Stephen Hensler 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 teacher. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.

A. Kathi E. Kelley, Reading Specialist at Jackson Elementary School, for an unpaid medical leave, effective August 25, 2003, through the end of the first semester of the 2003-04 school term (tentative date of January 16, 2004).

B. Curtis E. Haldeman, full-time custodian at Stevens Elementary School, extension of an unpaid medical leave, effective through the end of the 2003-2004 school year (tentative date of June 30, 2004).

C. Julie A. Entz, full-time computer lab aide at the secondary level, for an unpaid medical leave, effective August 28, 2003, through October 1, 2003, possibly to return sooner.

Mrs. Entz'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.

A. The following winter sport coaches at the respective schools for the 2003-2004 school year at the salary rate in accordance with the 2002-2007 agreement by and between the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District and the Williamsport Education Association (pending completion of all appropriate paperwork*):

B. The following fall sport coaches at the respective schools for the 2003-2004 school year at the salary rate in accordance with the 2002-2007 agreement by and between the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District and the Williamsport Education Association (pending completion of all appropriate paperwork*):

C. Joan S. Heck, 273 Grimesville Rd., Williamsport, as Substitute Elementary Principal (as necessary), at the rate of $332.00 per day, not to exceed a total of $15,000 for the 2003-2004 school year (unless approved by the Board of Directors), effective September 2, 2003, through June 30, 2004.

D. Jared D. Lehman, 9702 S. Route 220 Highway, Jersey Shore, as a paid intern in the Business Office/Tax Office, for an additional duration of up to 480 hours, at the rate of $8.00 per hour (no benefits; original approval was effective June 19, 2002; prior extension was on 11/19/02 Addendum and 06/03/03 Addendum).

E. Approve hours for additional work at Cochran Elementary School for the following persons for up to 7 hours per day each at their regular hourly rate on August 5, 6, and 8, 2003. Work was required to prepare library for reading programs:

F. 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:

G. 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:

H. Judith R. Vanderlin, 2820 Lincoln Drive Ext., Montoursville, as a substitute health room technician, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the hourly rates established by Board policy, and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked.

I. 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 2003-2004 school year:

I. The following persons as non-certificated substitute teacher with receipt of an emergency permit cont’d:

J. Kristiann McQuown, 53 Wynwood Dr., Cogan Station, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2003-2004 school term (scheduled date is August 25, 2003), to teach fifth grade at Cochran Elementary Middle School, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor's, $37,500. Miss McQuown holds a bachelor's degree from Penn State University and is certified in Elementary (replacing Dianne Masten, resigned). [Ms. McQuown was previously elected as a ½ temporary professional employee - see 06/17/03 Board Agenda]. Ms. McQuown will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2003-2004 school term.

K. The following fall sport coaches at the respective schools for the 2003-2004 school year at the salary rate in accordance with the 2002-2007 agreement by and between the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District and the Williamsport Education Association (pending completion of all appropriate paperwork*):

L. Christopher R. Zawacki, 105 West Hutchinson Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2003-2004 school term (scheduled date is August 25, 2003), as a part-time Social Studies teacher and part-time Guidance Counselor (combined positions for full time) at Lycoming Valley Middle School, at a salary of Step 1, master’s, $40,500. Mr. Zawacki holds a bachelor’s and a master’s from Slippery Rock University and is certified in social studies and as a guidance counselor. Mr. Zawacki may be scheduled to participate in part or all of Induction Program activities before the start of the 2003-2004 school term. (Replace Steve Hensler – retirement effective at the end of the first semester of the 2003-2004 school year).

M. Kathy J. Tonkins, 27 Banyan Street, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, as a professional employee, effective with the 2003-2004 school year (subject to release by her current employer), as a music teacher (band) at Curtin Middle School, at a salary of Step 1, bachelor’s $37,500. Ms. Tonkins holds a bachelor’s from Susquehanna University and is certified in music. (Replace Len Lavelle, resigned).

A. Gerald D. Zapola, 62 Cornwall Ave., Trout Run, from general full-time head custodian at Sheridan to a general full-time head custodian at Curtin Middle School, 250 days, 8 hours per day, with a base wage rate $30,480, prorated, pending negotiations, effective August 20, 2003 (replacing Don Engel, retired).

B. Daniel C. Phillips, 423 Germania St., Williamsport, from a general full-time custodian at Stevens to a general full-time head custodian at Stevens Elementary School, 250 days, 8 hours per day, with a base wage rate of $29,680, prorated, pending negotiations, effective August 20, 2003 (replacing Curt Haldeman, on leave).

C. Russell K. Stout IV, P.O. Box 176G Road, Trout Run, from a regular part-time custodian at the high school to full-time security officer (180 days, up to 8 hours per day) at the high school, with a base wage rate of $16,906, pending negotiations, effective August 27, 2003 (replacing Danny Montalvo, resigned). Mr. Stout will attend the Security Office/Event Staff training sessions conducted by Mark Lusk, Chief of Police, Old Lycoming Township.

D. Anne L. Crowell, 832 Race St., Williamsport, from an instructional support aide (regular education; 185-day, 7 hours per day) at the high school to an instructional support aide (185-day, 7 hours per day) at Jackson Elementary School, at an annual rate of $16,628, pending negotiations, effective August 26, 2003 (new position approved by the Board).

E. Dolly M. Cupp, 427 Brandon Ave., Williamsport, from an instructional support aide at Curtin to an instructional support aide (185-day, 7 hours per day) at Stevens Elementary School, at the annual rate of $14,362, pending negotiations, effective August 26, 2003 (replacing Lori Reitmeyer, transferred).

A. Approve a contract with Lawrence F. Bassett, 716 Walnut St., Williamsport, to provide public address announcer services for the following athletic events: varsity football, junior varsity football, 9^th grade football, middle school football, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, and varsity wrestling during the 2003-2004 school year at the rate of $28.00 - $35.00 per event. Mr. Bassett has been the "Voice of the Millionaires" for the past 13 years. A contract for Mr. Bassett's services will be prepared.

B. Contract with Sentry Security, 241 Millers Lane, Williamsport, to provide security services on selected school buses, the WAHS parking lot, and special events as needed throughout the District during the 2003-2004 school term, at the rate of $13.00 per hour (same rate as 2002-2003).

C. Consider correction to Stop/Loss Insurance agreement with Highmark Life & Casualty Group, 5^th Avenue Place, Suite P6402, 120 5^th Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, to provide specific Stop/Loss insurance (at rate of $9.53 per month/individual and $26.54 per month/family per eligible employee) on an aggregated specific basis (composite rate of $17.46) at a level not to exceed $150,000 per claim (correction to July 15, 2003 motion).

Approve the Administrative Compensation Plan (Act 93) and Confidential Secretaries Compensation Plan for July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2006.

A. Authorize Liping Zhang, 150 Ridgeway Drive, Lewisburg, to provide interpreter services for Chinese student(s) who will be attending Williamsport Area High School during the first semester of the 2003-2004 school year at the contracted rate of $15.00 per hour (no benefits), not to exceed seven (7) hours per day, effective August 27, 2003, pending submission of all appropriate paperwork. The status of this contract will be reviewed at the end of the first semester.

Liping Zhang will also be eligible to receive 15¢ per mile for travel to and from this position during the first semester of the 2003-2004 school year.

B. Authorize Eleonora Shugol, 900 Walnut St., Montoursville, to provide interpreter services for Russian student(s) who will be attending Williamsport Area High School during the first semester of the 2003-2004 school year at the rate of $15.00 per hour (no benefits), not to exceed seven (7) hours per day (unless authorized by the school), effective August 27, 2003, pending submission of all appropriate paperwork. The status of this contract will be reviewed at the end of the first semester.

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.

11.1 Motion made by Mr. Shultz, seconded by Mr. Vollman, to approve the following request for facility use:

A. Hemlock Girl Scout Council and the Susquehanna Council of Boy Scouts of America to use the multi-purpose room and/or cafeteria at all of the district’s elementary schools on September 8, 2003, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. to hold a recruitment night on scouting. The Girl Scout and Boy Scout Council is requesting relief of the occupancy fees estimated at $200.00. Certificate of Insurance on file. Hemlock Girl Scout Council would also like to request that whenever a school building is used for regular meetings throughout the year those fees also be waived.

Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the following bid/contract items:

12.1* Award a contract to the following for coal deliveries in accordance with our specifications and their bid. This bid was received at 1:30 p.m. and opened publicly in the District Service Center at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 29, 2003. Nine bids were mailed to various companies, only one bid was received.

Pickelner Fuel Company, Williamsport, PA to furnish and deliver rice coal from now until June 30, 2004 in accordance with our specifications and their bid of $95.80/per ton.

12.2* Authorize the purchase of a new student management information system from Pearson Education Technologies. The cost of the software, data conversion, training and consultation will be $202,537 plus travel and lodging for the consultants. Additional hardware will be required but will not be purchased until a network assessment is completed by Pearson. The estimated cost of the additional hardware is $85,000. This purchase is supported by the Education Through Technology Enhancing grant in the amount of $110,000.

12.3* Approve an agreement with the BLaST Intermediate Unit to provide classroom space at the Woodward Township School for alternative and special education.

12.4* Approve an agreement with the YMCA Child Care Services, Inc. for student supervision assistance of the Morning Magic Breakfast Program for the 2003-04 school year at a cost not to exceed $7,076.25 (3.75 hours/day, 180 days, $9.25/hr). The YMCA will not be paid for days when the breakfast program is not operated.

12.5* Authorize the purchase of bakery products from Butter-Krust Baking Company, Inc. and Stroehmann Bakeries L.C. as per the pricing in their bids of June 18, 2003.

12.6* Authorize an agreement with Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company, Inc. to provide a WASD alumni directory at no cost to the District. Optional features are available at a minimal cost and may be considered at a later date.

13.1 Motion made by Mr. Shultz, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to approve the following tax summaries:

Mr. Temple recommended that we include past teachers and administrators on our alumni list for fund raising opportunities.

President Stone announced that the Board met in executive session prior to this evenings meeting to discuss terms and conditions of employment for one or more District employees and to receive legal advice from an attorney.

Upon motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Temple and carried the meeting adjourned at 9:49 p.m.