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 18, 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. Lois Williams provided the invocation and read the eighth district belief statement.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
Student Representatives’ Report – Mitchell Marcello and Molly Townsend-Ness
President Stone recognized Brad Renninger and Jenna Gilson from the WAHS Band to speak to the Board about the upcoming band trip to Disney World. They thanked the Board and community for their support. They also talked about the recent Atlantic Coast Competition in which they placed 6th.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A. Special Education Update—Dr. Gina MacFalls, Supervisor of Special Education, and Marie Cummings, Assistive Technology Coordinator
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
Mr. Huddy reviewed the following student dress code policy and requested a December 2nd
implementation date. This policy was amended from the one tabled on the October 7th
agenda.
A. Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mr. Vollman to approve the above amendment to the Williamsport Area High School student dress code:
“Outerwear worn by students to the Williamsport Area High School will be deposited in a student’s locker immediately upon arrival at school, and will not be worn or carried in hallways, classrooms, cafeterias, locker rooms or other indoor public spaces at the Williamsport Area High School. Outerwear which must be deposited in lockers prior to a student circulating about the building includes, but is not limited to: trench coats, dusters and multi-layered or insulated coats, jackets or vests. Sweatshirts, both regular and hooded, are acceptable, as long as the hood is not worn up in school. Also prohibited from the same areas of the building are all forms of non-religious head covering or headgear, and any form of non-prescription hand wear. All of these items
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A. Approve the following amendment to the Williamsport Area High School student dress code cont’d:
of apparel must be placed in student lockers immediately after arrival in school – before appearing in the cafeteria for breakfast, or before being counted for attendance in homeroom in the morning. Students engaging in outdoor winter physical education classes will, of course, be encouraged to retrieve outerwear from their lockers prior to class.”
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
B. Congratulations to James Temple, Vice President Williamsport Area School District Board of Education, for being recognized by the Pennsylvania School Board Association for his 10 years of school board service. Mr. Temple brings his energy, talent, and values to help in the guidance of youth and public education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
C. Congratulations to the Alternative Education Students and Scott McNeill for sponsoring the Bloodmobile held on October 30, 2003. Fifty-two pints of blood were collected. The target was 50, which was higher than ever, was exceeded by 2 units of blood!
D. Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to ratify the adjudication of student 03/04–02 resulting from a quasi-judicial hearing held earlier this evening.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
E. The Board thanked Mr. Vollman for his dedication and commitment as a board member and gave him a small token of their appreciation.
Committee Reports by Board Members
Mr. Zimmerman reported on the Gifted Advisory Committee. Last Wednesday the committee planned the first of a two-day evaluation of the Gifted Program. A team of forty-one people are doing the evaluation. The plan and agenda for the evaluation is complete.
Mrs. Markle reported on the last meeting of the Executive Board of PSBA. She stated that PSBA is at 100% membership with 501 school districts and 106 other educational entities. There was an affirmative vote to acquire a new location in Mechanicsburg directly off of Route 81. The focus of PSBA next year will be student attendance and graduation rates.
Mr. Stone reported on the annual meeting of the booster clubs and parent organizations. It was one of the best meetings of this committee ever. The organizations were excited about assisting the district with improvements to our student attendance and the appearance of our buildings. They were also invited to attend more board meetings to share their goals and achievements with the board and community.
Committee Reports by Board Members cont’d:
Mr. Stone also reported on the Multi-Cultural Committee. The committee continues to discuss ways to do a better job attracting minorities to our work force. However, we are making progress.
Mrs. Markle indicated that the Multi-Cultural Committee also talked about cooperative tutoring programs with area churches.
Mr. Vollman stated that the Athletic Advisory Committee met last week. They had a brief review of the fall sports and a preview of the winter sports. They are waiting for the senior evaluations of the coaches.
Construction Projects - None
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 months of August and September 2003.
6.2* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 11/18/03 in the amount of $585,467.05, 11/18/03A in the amount of $156,467.70, 11/18/03B in the amount of $500.00, 11/18/03C in the amount of $55,500.93 and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 11/18/03, 11/18/03A, 11/18/03B and 11/18/03C.
6.3* Authorize a transfer of $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Capital Reserve Fund pursuant to Section 2932 of the Municipal Code, 53 P.S. §1432 for the purpose of facility improvements.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD POLICY – James E. Temple
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following board policies:
7.1 Approve the first reading of the Administrative Employees Section of the Policy Manual.
7.2 Approve the first reading of the Professional Employees Section of the Policy Manual.
7.3 Approve the first reading of the Classified Employees Section of the Policy Manual.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
CURRICULUM REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Markle, seconded by Mr. Vollman, to approve the following curriculum items:
8.1 Approve a contract with Oklahoma Scoring Service, Inc., for the electronic scoring of General Education Diploma (GED) tests. The cost, $5.00 per examinee, is recovered as a portion of the fee charged for GED classes.
8.2 Approve the participation of Curtin, Lycoming Valley, and Roosevelt Middle Schools and Williamsport Area High School in the Scholastic Art Region at Large Program for 2004. Entry fees are based on the number of items submitted and are budgeted in string number 10-3219-813-000-00-050-122-015-0000.
8.3* Approve Renaissance Learning, Inc. to provide in-service training and consulting to the intermediate staff of Jackson Elementary School on Wednesday, November 26, 2003. The approximate cost of the training, consulting and materials will be $3,550. All costs are covered by the Jackson Comprehensive School Reform grant.
8.4* Approve a contract in the amount of $500.00 with Storm Entertainment to provide music and video entertainment for the Class of 2004 Winter Formal to be held at the Williamsport Area High School on December 12, 2003. Funding for payment is found in string number 80321089000000000824084000 (Class of 2004 account).
8.5* Approve author and illustrator Bruce Van Patter, Lewisburg, to present two student performances along with a parent workshop at Cochran Elementary School on January 16, 2004. The total cost for the visit will be $600 to be split equally between Cochran's Title I Parent budget and the Cochran School Association.
8.6 Approve Barbara Herr, elementary emotional support teacher at Cochran Elementary School, to conduct behavioral research on one student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) via the use of a fixed interval token economy behavior management system. Barbara would obtain parental consent to implement a strategy designed to reduce inappropriate behavior for a student with challenging behaviors. Barbara would train the full-time paraprofessionals in her classroom to take data on the student. She will determine if the intervention is effective by comparing pre and post intervention data. Her results will be published in a research paper. Confidentiality would be maintained by using pseudonyms in the paper.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Mahaffey to approve the following personnel items:
9.1 RESIGNATIONS
Accept the following resignations, effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:
A. Curtis C. Chilson, Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Baseball Coach, for other employment, effective November 11, 2003.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Approve the following leaves of absence:
A. Joan L. Hauser, Counselor Aide/Health Room Technician at Curtin Middle School, for an unpaid leave on an intermittent basis (as needed), effective November 12, 2003, to care for a family member (medical needs as verified by physician's statement).
Mrs. Hauser will attempt to schedule absences in advance (when possible). Mrs. Hauser will be entitled to health insurance for a maximum period of time equivalent to 12 weeks under the Family Medical Leave Act, but is without pay or any other benefits.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. Georgene A. Gardner, 1735 Almond St., Williamsport, for the temporary Administrative Support I position at the high school (for the remainder of the 2003-2004 school term only) at the rate of $11.54 per hour (no benefits except social security, worker's compensation, and retirement-if eligible). This position will complete responsibilities related to homebound requests, college visits, graduation projects, PSSA scheduling and accounting for 9th and 11th grades, special education "opt-outs" for assessment, schedule for armed forces recruiters, and scholarship information. The administration will review staffing requirements related to these responsibilities for the 2004-2005 school term.
B. The following substitute food service truck drivers, at the salary rate of $7.50 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective dates as indicated:
Michelle Holder 1521 Memorial Ave., Williamsport (eff. 11/19/03)
Timothy J. Bodewes 412 Grant St., Williamsport (effective 11/19/03)
Jose L. Huertas 929 Prospect Ave., #2, Williamsport (effective 11/19/03)
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
the actual number of hours worked, effective dates as indicated:
Michelle Holder 1521 Memorial Ave., Williamsport (effective 11/19/03)
Debra J. Neyhart 445 Mill Hill Rd., Cogan Station (effective 11/10/03)
Carol M. Pittenger 1111 Market St., Williamsport (effective 11/10/03)
Diane M. Andrus 4350 Bloomingrove Rd., Williamsport (effective 11/09/03)
Jodi L. Fox 4536 Bloomingrove Rd., Williamsport (effective 11/19/03)
Jose L. Huertas 929 Prospect Ave., #2, Williamsport (eff. 11/19/03)
Susan N. Sharar 3127 Bottle Run Rd., Williamsport (effective 11/19/03)
D. The following homebound teacher(s), subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the salary and/or daily rates as established by the collective bargaining agreement, and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked:
Lene M. Persun 1380 Yerger Rd., Linden
E. 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:
Robert W. Matz 47 Cliffside Drive, Williamsport (effective 11/05/03)
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:
Ronald L. Ott, Jr. 3565 Elimsport Rd., Montgomery
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:
Stephanie N. Roles 2600 Riverside Dr., S. Williamsport
Jodi L. Fox 4536 Bloomingrove Rd., Williamsport
Tina L. Jedrziewski 2776 Bottle Run Rd., Williamsport
H. Paula S. McGonigal, 15 Douglas Lane, Morrisdale 16858, as a temporary professional employee, effective January 12, 2004, to teach art at Roosevelt and Lycoming Valley Middle Schools, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor’ s, $37,500, prorated. Ms. McGonigal holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and is certified in Art (replacing Michelle Mapstone, transferred to replace Nancy Renninger, retired). Ms. McGonigal will be a day-to-day substitute teacher for the District effective November 19, 2003 through January 9, 2004.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
9.4* POSITION CHANGES
Approve the following position changes:
A. Vickie M. Overdorff, 2346 Roosevelt Ave., Williamsport, from a general food service worker at Lycoming Valley Middle School to a full-time Instructional Support Aide/LSS (185 day, 7 hours per day) at Lycoming Valley Middle School, with a base wage rate of $13,067, prorated ($10.09 per hour) or contract rate, effective December 2, 2003 (replacing Robert Turner, transferred).
B. Bonnie M. Maddox, 39 Horseshoe Lane, Cogan Station, from a regular part-time school bus driver (bargaining unit employee) to a full-time Instructional Support Aide/LS (185 day, 7 hours per day) at the high school, at the salary rate of $13,067, prorated ($10.09 per hour) or contract rate, effective December 2, 2003 (replacing Barbara Nowlin, transferred).
Continue contract with the Pennsylvania Teacher Clearinghouse ( www.PA-Educator.net ), 425 Sixth Ave., Suite 1660, Pittsburgh, to utilize its online employee candidate application services (for professional applications) for an annual fee of $2,700 (original contract approved 12/05/2000). The services provided by PA-Educator.net will be coordinated through the BLaST Intermediate Unit.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1 RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Motion made by Mr. Shultz, seconded by Mrs. Harris 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. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following items related to
student/community activities:
11.1* Approve the following student trips:
A. Approximately 50 members of the Williamsport Area High School’s ski club, accompanied by staff members and parents, to travel to Montage Mountain, Elk Mountain, and Jack Frost on four or five dates during January and February 2004. 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 contract carrier. The participating students will pay the cost of transportation, rentals, etc.
B. Forty (40) fourth grade students from Sheridan Elementary School, accompanied by their teachers, to travel to the Lycoming County Historical Museum during November 2003. Students eligible to participate will not have more than two pink slips, no detention, or no Saturday School assignments between November 1 and the date of the trip. The students will be transported by City Bus. All costs will be paid by the Sheridan PTO.
C. Thirty (30) members of the Stevens Elementary School chorus, accompanied by their teacher and an aide, to travel to Rose View Center during December 2003 to perform. Students eligible to participate must be in compliance with the school’s field trip disciplinary requirements. There will be no cost to the District. The students will walk.
D. Eleven (11) Williamsport Area High School choral students, accepted by competitive audition, to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association District 8 Chorus Festival to be held over a four-day period during January 2004 at Mifflinburg Area High School.
Soprano I Bass I Alto II
Anna Douthat Stefan June Allison Nick
Alicia Bigelow Chris Hess
Zach Howes Tenor I
Soprano II Christopher Ecker
Mallory Scoppa Bass II
Meghan Mahoney Seth Boehret Tenor II
Cole Myers
The cost to the District would be $725 (10-3212-813-000-30-850-023-121-0000) for student registration fees; $194.95 (101-3212-642-000-30-850-023-121-0000) for music; $150 (101-3212-519-000-30-850-023-121-0000) for student transportation; and $200 (101-3212-581-000-30-850-023-121-0000) for teacher expenses. Either Kent Weaver or Anna Radspinner, WAHS choral directors, will accompany the students. One substitute will be needed for two days.
11.1* Approve the following student trips:
E. Two (2) Williamsport Area High School students, supervised by the Department Chair for Music and Gifted Education, to visit the District Service Center during November 2003 to participate in the gifted education program review. There will be no cost to the District. The students will transport themselves to the District Service Center in the morning and remain there for the school day.
A. Child Evangelism Fellowship to use a classroom at Cochran, Jackson and Round Hills Elementary Schools on either a Tuesday or Thursday beginning in December 2003 through April 2004 from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. to hold a children’ s religious education program. Child Evangelism Fellowship is requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $810.00. Certificate of Insurance to be received.
B. Child Evangelism Fellowship to use the gymnasium at Hepburn Lycoming Elementary School on either a Tuesday or Thursday beginning in February 2004 through April 2004 from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. to hold a children’s religious education program. Child Evangelism Fellowship is requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $180.00. Certificate of Insurance to be received
C. State Road United Methodist to use the multi-purpose room at Round Hills Elementary School on various dates beginning November 5, 2003 through January 22, 2004, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. to hold basketball practice (part of John Bower Basketball League). State Road United Methodist is requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $180.00. Certificate of Insurance to be received.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
12.1* Motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Williams, to authorize an agreement with Slingerland’s Lawn and Landscape Service to install a little league style baseball field at the Cochran Elementary School at an approximate cost of $6,300.00.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
TAX ITEMS - None
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Markle initiated a discussion of requiring board members to have Act 34 clearances. Mr. Holland indicated that the Board probably could not require clearances as a requirement of being a board member but they could restrict access to students.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS CONT’D:
President Stone announced that the next board meeting, December 2, 2003 would not be televised in lieu of using the television time for the annual Holiday Concert.
Mr. Zimmerman reminded everyone that the soccer banquet would be held on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Genetti.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC – None
President Stone announced that the Board met in executive session prior to this evenings meeting for the purpose of conducting a quasi-judicial hearing and to receive legal advice from an attorney.
Upon motion made by Mr. Vollman, seconded by Mrs. Williams and carried the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
_________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary