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, November 4, 2003, beginning at 8:25 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, Pamela J. Markle, Jay B. Shultz, David B. Stone, Jr.,
Dale L. Vollman, Lois T. Williams, Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: Karen V. Harris, James E. Temple.
INVOCATION – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr. provided the invocation and read the seventh district belief statement.
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, to elect James A. Dugan as secretary
pro tempore for this meeting only due to the absence of Board Secretary Charles E. Peterson, Jr.
The motion carried 7-0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
Student Representatives’ Report – Molly Townsend-Ness
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A. The Important of Parent/Teacher Conferences—Gerry Fausnaught, Principal of Roosevelt Middle School, and the Roosevelt Rappers
B. Helping parents prepare for Parent Teacher Conferences: Tracey Tillett and student Denise Crawford.
C. Dialogue with Board on Strategic Plan Initiative: Middle Level Curriculum Plan—Bernadette Strong
D. Calendar of Events:
November 4-7
Kindergarten Parent Teacher Conferences
November 6-7
Grades 1-5 Parent Conferences
November 6-7
Roosevelt Middle School Parent Conferences
November 10
Community Relations Committee Meeting, 4:00 p.m.
November 12
Parent/Booster Meeting with Board President, 6:00 p.m.
November 12
Gifted Education Advisory Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
November 17
Multicultural Concerns Committee Meeting, 12:00 p.m.
November 18
WASD School Board Meeting, 8:00 p.m.
November 19
Administrative Staff Meeting, 4:00 p.m.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
D. Calendar of Events cont’d:
November 24
Alternative Education Oversight Committee Meeting 4:00 p.m.
November 25
PM Inservice at Cochran Elementary School
November 26 District-wide Inservice Day
November 27- Thanksgiving Holiday
December 1
December 2 WASD School Board Meeting 8:00 p.m.
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A. Congratulations to Mrs. Sandy Young, art teacher at Jackson Elementary School, for being named PAEA Outstanding Elementary Art Educator 2003. Mrs. Young received her award at the PAEA conference in Hershey during October 2003.
B. Congratulations to the Williamsport Area High School Strolling Strings and their director, Jeff Tedford, for being commended by the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition for their performance at the Keystone Breast Cancer Conference. The students played in front of an audience of approximately 800, and have received many positive comments.
C. On display in the Baskin Gallery from November 3 through December 19: The Creative Spirit: A Williamsport Area School District K-12 Visual Art Department Faculty Exhibition.
Mr. Stone invited Mr. Kelchner, Art Chairman to comment.
Committee Reports by Board Members - None
Construction Projects
Motion made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following construction project items:
A. Authorize an agreement with Analytical Laboratory Services, Inc. for asbestos management services for the Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary Project. There will be a flat fee of $6,000 for contract documents and specifications and other pre-construction services. Construction phase services will be billed at the following hourly rates specified in the agreement: Asbestos Project Manager $85.00; Industrial Hygiene Technician $450.00 per eight hour shift and air sample analysis at $100.00 per sample.
B. Acknowledge receipt of PlanCon Part A and B approval for the Hepburn Lycoming Elementary Project and the Lycoming Valley Middle School Project from the Department of Education. The cover letters of these documents will be appended into the minutes.
C. Authorize an agreement with McKissick Associates, P.C. for design and DEP permitting work for a new on-site wastewater treatment plant for the Hepburn Lycoming Elementary School at a time card fee not to exceed $24,000.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
FINANCE REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Shultz, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey to approve the following financial items:
6.1 Approve the following financial reports:
A. Treasurer’s Report for the month of July 2003.
B. Payroll Report:
General Fund – Unrestricted $3,964,915.17
General Fund – Restricted 344,520.91
Athletics and Extra Curricular 47,691.48
Food Service Fund 98,331.49
Data Processing Fund 12,225.12
Maintenance Fund 57,446.40
Mercantile & Privilege 68.00
Earned Income Tax 45,719.66
Student Activities 2,843.20
TOTAL $4,573,761.43
6.2* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 11/04/03 in the amount of $407,016.84, 11/04/03A in the amount of $127,615.66, 11/04/03B in the amount of $8,547.12,11/04/03C in the amount of $2,500.00 and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 11/04/03, 11/04/03A, 11/04/03B and 11/04/03C.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD POLICY – None
CURRICULUM REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey, to approve the following curriculum items:
8.1 Approve participation during the 2003-04 school year in an action research project focusing on resource officers in our secondary schools to be conducted by Shelley Helm, a graduate student at Lock Haven University. The project will involve administration of voluntary surveys to students, faculty/staff, principals, the Superintendent, the Resource Officers, and the two Chiefs of Police who support the Resource Officers in our schools. Participants will neither be identified on surveys nor identified in the written findings of the research. Data gathered will describe the effects of incorporating resource officers in the daily school day in our secondary schools and what impact they may have in the overall discipline structure, procedures, positive/negative incidents, and statistics in and out of individual classrooms as compared to previous years. This data will be of interest and useful in tracking the impact of resource officers in our schools.
8. CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.2 Approve two letters of agreement with Tressler Counseling Services of Williamsport establishing the operational parameters for two programs in which that agency supplies supplemental professional staff to assist students in district schools. The Primary Grades Initiative provides elementary children and their families’ access to a mental health professional and the Teen Life Therapist serves as the mental health ad hoc member of the high school Student Assistance Team. Funding for these programs is supplied by the county and through the assignment of grant funds previously approved by the Board (Aug. 19, 2003).
8.3* Authorize payment to Jennifer DiNallo for in-service seminar given to the Elementary Physical Education teachers on October 10, 2003. Seminar was on Childhood Obesity and the After School Program at YMCA for Overweight Elementary Children. Cost is $105.00, budgeted in account #10-2271-329-000-00-050-140-025-0000.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to approve the following personnel items:
9.1 RESIGNATIONS
Accept the following resignations, effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:
A. Teri H. Heinbach, resigning from position as assistant coach for girls basketball at the high school, effective for the 2003-2004 school term.
B. Janice L. Sholder, instructional support aide at the high school, for personal reasons, effective November 14, 2003.
Approve the following leaves of absence:
A. Danielle L. Sowers, elementary school counselor at Stevens Elementary School, for the purpose of maternity leave, effective October 29, 2003, through the end of the 2003-2004 school term (tentative ending date of June 4, 2004).
Mrs. Sowers is currently utilizing sick and/or personal days and on December 3, 2003, will make use of leave available 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, until February 25, 2004, at which time she will be on unpaid maternity leave.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE CONT’D:
B. Rachael L. Cohick, administrative support for Pupil Transportation, for an unpaid medical leave, effective November 4, 2003, through January 26, 2004, possibly to return sooner.
Ms. Cohick is currently utilizing sick and/or personal days and will begin her unpaid leave of absence on November 4, 2003, 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.
C. Deborah K. Lee, instructional support aide at Lycoming Valley Middle School, for an unpaid medical leave, effective November 4, 2003, through December 5, 2003.
Ms. Lee is currently utilizing sick and/or personal days and will begin her unpaid leave of absence on November 4, 2003, 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.
D. Marie E. Fox, Drama teacher at the high school, for an unpaid medical leave, effective November 4, 2003, through January 26, 2004, possibly to return sooner.
Mrs. Fox is currently utilizing sick and/or personal days and will begin her unpaid leave of absence on November 4, 2003, 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.
E. Kimberly A. Whittington, general food service worker at the high school, for an unpaid medical leave, effective October 29, 2003, through November 14, 2003.
F. Deborah J. Keller, Library Aide at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, unpaid leave for a planned family vacation, effective January 5, 2004, through January 9, 2004.
G. Lawrence W. Allgeier, 1380 Palmer Hill Rd., Williamsport, full-time technology support teacher at Roosevelt Middle School, for a sabbatical leave effective for the second semester of the 2003-2004 school year (tentative dates of January 19, 2004, through June 4, 2004), for the purpose of study.
Mr. Allgeier has been a teacher in the District since September 4, 1979, and had a prior sabbatical leave during the 1990-1991 school year.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. Elect the following 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*):
Girls Basketball
Assistant Coaches: Tim M. Tyson (5) $2,239
(replacing Teri H. Heinbach, resigned)
Wrestling
Assistant Coach: Wally Spotts (0)* $2,681
Ninth Grade Coach: David A. Becker (5) $2,751
Lead Assistant Coaches: Frank Novellio (2)* $2,070
Marco D. Newman (5) $2,407
Boys & Girls Swimming & Diving
Head Coach: William D. Keiser (5) $2,751
Assistant Coaches: Rachel E. Bryant (1) $1,183
Girls Track & Field
Head Coach: Lisa Godin (5)* $4,126
Varsity Assistants: Stephen M. Radocaj (5) $2,063 Dana J. Schenck-Welshans (3) $1,939
Elementary Wrestling Coordinators:
Volunteer Positions: Keith Segraves
Robert Hill
B. The following substitute food service workers, at the salary rate of $6.25 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective date as indicated:
Kimberly A. Starr 1732 Memorial Ave., Williamsport (eff. 10/23/03)
Valorie L. Singleton 664 Fifth Ave., Williamsport (eff. 11/05/03)
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 2003-2004 school year:
Andrea L. Doebler 49 Doebler Lane, Williamsport (effective 11/03/03)
Nancy A. King 219 Grove St., Box 514, Avis (effective 11/03/03)
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
D. The following substitute teachers, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the salary and/or daily rates as established by Board policy, and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked:
Donna E. DeCerchio 445 Country Rd., Lewisburg
Terrence E. Clark 826 Second Ave., Williamsport
E. The following substitute administrative support/aides, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the hourly rates as established by Board policy, and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked:
JoAnn M. Otto 1702 Alexander Ave., Williamsport
9.4* POSITION CHANGES
Approve the following position changes:
A. Harriet S. Fluke, 1969 Quaker Hill Rd., Cogan Station, from a substitute food service worker to a general food service worker (3 hours daily) at Roosevelt Middle School, with a base wage rate of $8.59 per hour or contract rate, effective November 5, 2003 (replacing Janet Irvin, resigned; back on substitute list).
B. James R. Lakes, 1020 Tucker St., Williamsport, from a substitute custodian to a regular part-time custodian at Curtin Middle School, 250 days up to 4 hours per day, with a base wage rate of $8.84 per hour or contract rate, effective November 5, 2003 (replacing Irvin Zechman, retired).
C. Kevin J. Brown, 29 Casey Drive, Williamsport, from a substitute custodian to a regular part-time custodian at the high school, 250 days up to 4 hours per day, with a base wage rate of $8.84 per hour or contract rate, effective November 5, 2003 (replacing David Hamilton, transferred).
D. Richard L. Fox, 4536 Bloomingrove Rd., Williamsport, from a substitute custodian to a regular part-time custodian at the high school, 250 days up to 4 hours per day, with a base wage rate of $8.84 per hour or contract rate, effective November 5, 2003 (replacing Ton Fink, transferred).
E. Robert J. Deitrick, 1215 Fourth Gap Rd., Loganton, from a substitute custodian to a regular part-time custodian at the high school, 250 days up to 4 hours per day, with a base wage rate of $8.84 per hour or contract rate, effective November 5, 2003 (replacing Rich McDonald, transferred).
9.4* POSITION CHANGES CONT’D:
F. James A. Watson, 246 Arlington St., S. Williamsport, from a substitute custodian to a regular part-time custodian at the high school, 250 days up to 4 hours per day, with a base wage rate of $8.84 per hour or contract rate, effective November 5, 2003 (replacing John Springman III, transferred).
9.5 ATTAINMENT OF TENURE STATUS
Acknowledge the attainment of tenure status of the following teachers, who have successfully completed a three-year probationary period as temporary professional employees with a satisfactory sixth rating, and extending professional employee contracts to them:
Earned June 2003: Ann M. Bidelspacker Michelle S. McClain
Rhonda L. Getgen Billie J. Nogle
Ami D. Heller Brenda E. Pennella
Deborah Antonetti Hill Kathy J. Piaskowski
James M. Hockenberry Brenda C. Watkins
David A. Becker (resigned August 2003)
Kate E. Kreger (revise status from TPE to PE; tenure awarded
by previous employer Wellsboro Area S.D.)
A. Approve payment of an annual stipend in the amount of $1,000 to Mark S. Hess, 311 Benjamin Road, Cogan Station, PA, as senior Tax Examiner, School and Municipal Tax Office to coordinate and monitor Tax Office operations and personnel during periods when the Tax Office Manager is out of the office, effective with the 2003-2004 school year.
B. Fund three special education positions at Roosevelt Middle School for four (4) hours a week during their after-school program. Positions will be paid out of ACCESS funding. The positions will continue throughout the 2003-04 school year (previously funded under Title I). Authorize the administration to post up to three additional teaching positions for Roosevelt Middle School Extended Day Program funded through Title I - four (4) days per week at 45 minutes per day at the rate of $23.91 per hour, effective November 17, 2003, through May 27, 2004. Program expanded from 10 teaching positions to 13 positions.
9.7 ADJUSTMENTS TO SALARY
A. Approve salary adjustments to the master’s level, effective for the 2003-2004 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 2003-2004 school term:
Tiffani A. Ault Equivalency Certificate
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Dugan advised the Board that the substitute rate should reflect $90.00 a day.
10.1 RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Motion made by Mrs. Mahaffey, seconded by Mr. Shultz, 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 Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Markle to approve the following items related to student/community activities:
11.1* Approve the following student trips:
A. Fifty-two (52) fifth grade students from Sheridan Elementary School, accompanied by their teachers and at least four parent chaperones, to travel to the Corning Glass Works during November 2003. The trip ties in directly to both science and social studies benchmarks. Students eligible to participate will have less than three pink slips, two detentions, or one suspension during the months of October and up to the date of the trip in November. District transportation is requested. All costs will be paid by the Sheridan PTO.
B. Twenty-one (21) ninth grade students from the Williamsport Area High School, accompanied by three teachers, to travel to Washington, DC, during November 2003. The students will be visiting the National Holocaust Museum. Students eligible to participate must 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. All costs, including transportation provided, will be paid by the Lycoming County “Brotherhood County” USA, Inc. Three substitutes will be required for the day.
C. Between five and eight students from the Williamsport Area High School, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to the Old Lycoming Township Fire Company during November 2003 to attend a workshop on antismoking. Students eligible to participate must 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. The workshop is free and is provided by the American Cancer Society. One substitute will be required for the day.
11.1* Approve the following student trips:
D. Thirty (30) students from Curtin, Lycoming Valley, and Roosevelt Middle Schools, accompanied by their directors, to travel to Berwick during November 2003 to participate in the PMEA Middle School Orchestra Festival. Students eligible to participate must be in compliance with their school’s field trip disciplinary requirements. District transportation is requested at an approximate cost of $120 and will be billed to 10-3214-519-00020-550/600/650-121-023-0000. Three substitutes will be required. Registration fees in the approximate amount of $360 will be split between 10-3214-813-000-20-550/600/650-121-023-0000. Teacher expenses not to exceed $150 will be split between 10-3214-581-000-20-550/600/650-121-023-0000.
E. Eight (8) Williamsport Area High School students, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to the Harrisburg Area Community College during December 2003 to participate in the PAA Automotive Technology Competition. Students eligible to participate must 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 in the high school van. A substitute will be required for the day.
F. Eight (8) Williamsport Area High School students, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to the Pennsylvania College of Technology during a date in February or March 2004 to participate in the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition. Students eligible to participate must 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 transport themselves to the college in the morning instead of to school. A substitute will be required for the day.
G. Fifteen (15) choir students, five each from Curtin and Roosevelt Middle Schools and the Williamsport Area High School, to travel to Mansfield University during November 2003 to participate in the Young Men’s Choral Festival. District transportation is requested at a cost of approximately $375 from 10-3212-519-000-20/30-550/650/850-121-023-0000. Registration fees are $15 each for 17 participants (15 students and 2 teacher chaperones) at $255 to be paid from 10-3212-813-000-20/30/-550/650/850-121-023-0000. Two substitutes will be needed for the day.
H. Fourteen members of the Williamsport Area High School’s GQ music group, accompanied by their director, principal, and a staff member, to travel to Washington, DC, on two dates during December 2003. The students will have the opportunity to perform at the White House and to visit various local museums. Students eligible to participate must 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 a contract carrier (10-1100-519-000-30-850-121-023-0000). The remaining expenses will be paid through the choral student activity fund. A substitute will be required for one day.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following bid/contract items:
12.1* Authorize the purchase of a Risograph CR-1610 duplicators for the Lycoming Valley Middle School from Phillips Supply House, at the state contract price of $4,578.05 less a 15% discount for a net price of $3,891.00. This duplicator will replace the existing duplicator purchased in October 1998.
12.2* 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 South Williamsport and Canton at the rate of $816 per child.
12.3* Approve an intradistrict agreement for the Williamsport Area School District to provide Title I services at St. Boniface Elementary School to children from Muncy at the rate of $816 per child.
12.4* Retroactive approval for the purchase of a Sharp AR-157EN desktop copier for the Tax Office at a purchase price of $908.00. The copier is on the Pennsylvania State contract and was purchased through Phillips Supply Company.
12.5* Authorize a five year lease/purchase agreement of a Sharp AR-M280N copier to replace the copier in the Business Office. The lease/purchase agreement is under the terms and conditions of State Contract pricing for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and was purchased through Phillips Supply Company. The monthly lease will be $136.46 and includes service and supplies (except paper).
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
TAX ITEMS
13.1 Motion made by Mrs. Mahaffey, seconded by Mr. Vollman, to approve the following tax summaries.
The motion carried 7-0.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Williams reminded everyone of the Chicken and Biscuit dinner being held next week at Curtin Middle School beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Mrs. Mahaffey attended a PSBA Conference session on full day kindergarten and has information to share regarding positive results of a full day kindergarten program.
Mr. Stone attended a conference session on statistics and data: How are you doing with your District’s curriculum? indicated that Williamsport School District is on the right track. Some districts referenced the Tennessee Model, but that data is still questionable. Rigid data analysis may be inflexible.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Zimmerman attended a session on school presentations and noted that we could do more to publicize our music program (as one example).
Mrs. Markle was a PSBA moderator for Dubois Area School District presentation “Get on the Bus” a business/educator partnership. Business people spend time with teachers and teachers spend time with business people.
Mrs. Markle stated that the Marching Millionaires participated in a competition on November 1st and looked very good. They placed 6th in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Mr. Stone noted that he received feedback requesting that he state specifically what the agenda item is rather than just referencing an agenda number.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC – None
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 Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Markle and carried the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
_________________________________
James A. Dugan, Secretary Pro Tempore