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 17, 2004, 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: David A. Huffman, Susan A. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Markle,
Jay B. Shultz, David B. Stone, Jr., Lois T. Williams, Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: Karen V. Harris, James E. Temple.
INVOCATION – Mrs. Pamela Markle provided the invocation and read the fourth district belief statement.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
Student Representatives’ Report – Mitchell Marcello
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A. Musical Theater Group Performance – Todd Kendall, WAHS Band Teacher and students.
B. Welding Presentation—David Gephart, Williamsport Area High School Welding Instructor, and students Jonathan Bower (12th ), Jordan Grassmyer (12th), Brendan Leise (11th ), and Andrew Ludwig (12th).
5.2 SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A. Congratulations to Kevin Choate, Williamsport Area High School teacher, for being named Lycoming County Humanitarian of the Year.
B. Budget Presentation – Request for a Director of Educational Data Analysis
Jackie Thomas, Assistant Superintendent and David Wright, Director of Student Services.
The Board indicated support for advertising for candidates for this new position.
C. Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the District Calendar for the 2004-05 school year.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
D. Calendar of Events:
February 17 Curriculum & Instruction Steering Committee Meeting, 2:00 p.m.
February 17 WASD School Board Meeting, 8:00 p.m.
February 19 Educational Technology Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Motion made by Mrs. Mahaffey, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the balance of the agenda and addendum items.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
FINANCE REPORT
6.1* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 02/17/04 in the amount of $771,794.91, 02/17/04A in the amount of $439.69, 02/17/04B in the amount of $154,708.63, 02/17/04C in the amount of $4,706.00 and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 02/17/04, 02/17/04A, 02/17/04B and 02/17/04C.
6.2 Approve the following student activities report for the period of July 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.
BOARD POLICY
7.1 Approve the second reading and adoption of Policy #239, “Foreign Exchange Students.” This is a revision to an already existing policy.
CURRICULUM REPORT
8.1 Approve schedules for Spring Sports.
8.2* Accept a grant from the Northern Tier Partnership for Arts in Education for $1,250.00. This grant will be used for an Artist in Residence program at Williamsport Area High School scheduled for May 3-14, 2004. The Artist in Residence will be Ben Sherman, sculptor working with students in the visual arts department. The grant will be matched with $500.00 in district funding budgeted in the art department's budget string #10-1100-329-106-00-000-122-015-0000.
8.3* Approve a Letter of Agreement with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, IU 16, for the release to the District of a $40,000 Safe Schools grant. IU 16 acts as the administrator of Safe Schools grants for the Bureau of Community and Student Services of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
8.4 Approve the list of standardized tests, assessment measures and inventories to be used by the District throughout the 2003-2004 school year.
8.5* Retroactive approval, beginning November 17, 2003, of an agreement with Susquehanna House, 8664 Route 220 South, Jersey Shore, to provide alternative education services to students referred there by the District.
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.6 Approve Lynn James from the County Extension Service to provide a nutrition update and a review of nutrition materials to the elementary teaching staff. The presentations will occur during two half-hour morning meetings at the Cochran, Jackson, and Stevens Elementary Schools. There is no cost for the presentation or the materials.
PERSONNEL REPORT
9.1 RESIGNATIONS
Accept the following resignations, effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:
A. R. W. (Rusty) Franzen, Jr., full-time Elementary Principal at Stevens Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective August 20, 2004.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of R. W. (Rusty) Franzen, Jr., 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 principal and a teacher. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
B. Mary L. Landis, general food service worker at Round Hills Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2003-2004 school year (tentative date of June 4, 2004).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Mary L. Landis from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 25 years of dedicated service to our school system as a general food service worker. It further expresses the hope that her years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Approve the following leaves of absence:
A. Marie E. Fox, Drama teacher at the high school, for an unpaid child rearing leave, effective January 27, 2004, through the end of the 2003-04 school term (tentative date of June 7, 2004).
B. Catherine M. Daugherty, part-time custodian at Lycoming Valley Middle School, for an unpaid medical leave, effective December 22, 2003, through March 1, 2004.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE CONT’D:
C. Michael B. Lundy, Jr., mathematics teacher at Roosevelt Middle School, extension of leave of absence effective February 16, 2004, through February 27, 2004, possibly to be extended at a later date.
D. Judith I. Mace, general food service worker at Lycoming Valley Middle School, unpaid leave for the purpose of travel, effective February 23, 2004, through
March 5, 2004.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. Spring M. Moore, 1100 Mulberry St., Williamsport, as a long-term substitute teacher, effective February 18, 2004, through the end of the second semester of the 2003-2004 school term (tentative ending date of June 7, 2004), unless terminated sooner, to teach Drama at the high school, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor’s, $37,500, prorated. Ms. Moore holds a bachelor’s degree from Lycoming College and is certified in English (replacing Marie Fox, on child rearing leave).
B. Michael B. Lundy, Jr., 23 Roseville Rd., Williamsport, as Acting Dean of Students at Roosevelt Middle School, effective date February 16, 2004, through February 27, 2004, possibly to be extended. Mr. Lundy will be paid at the rate of $270.94 for each day of service as Dean of Students. Mr. Lundy will maintain the benefits as provided under the agreement with the Williamsport Education Association (to provide services during Mrs. Fausnaught’s absence).
C. The following spring 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*):
Williamsport Area High School
Baseball
Varsity Assistants: David Heller* *** $1,616
(replacing Curtis C. Chilson, resigned)
Lycoming Valley Middle School
Girls Basketball
MS Lead Assistant Ronald E. Sahm $2,407 MS Assistant John M. Dick $2,063
*** Booster Club Funded Positions
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:
Dana C. Habecker 1100 Four Mile Dr., Williamsport
Nicholas L. Koletar 112 Church St., South Williamsport
Daniel A. Mayers 435 W. Highland Ave., S. Williamsport
Lisa M. Palermo 217 Washington Blvd., Floor 2, Williamsport
Ali M. Taylor 521 North Montour St., Montoursville
Amanda M. Woleslagle 58 Ten Acre Lane, Montoursville
E. The following person(s) as a 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:
Marguerite A. Fleming 397 Katy’s Church Rd., Muncy
F. The following substitute administrative support/aide(s), 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:
Kathy M. Shirey 503 Eden St., Jersey Shore
9.4* POSITION CHANGES
Approve the following position changes:
A. Kirk C. Felix, 25 Roseville Rd., Williamsport, from Dean of Students to Assistant Principal at Stevens Elementary School, beginning February 16, 2004, at a salary of $65,510 (prorated for the remainder of 2003-2004 school year) and benefits as provided in the Act 93 Meet and Discuss Compensation Plan, effective July 1, 2003. Mr. Felix has received principal certification from the Department of Education.
9.5 CONTRACTED SERVICES
A. Authorize the Administration to contract with DePasquale Staffing Services, 454 Pine St., Williamsport, to provide temporary Administrative Accounting Services at the rate of $22.80 per hour, effective February 16, 2004, through the remainder of the 2003-2004 school year (administrative employee utilizing leave).
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1 RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
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.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
11.1* Approve the following student trips:
A. Ten (10) life skills students from the Williamsport Area High School, accompanied by their teacher, student teacher, and support staff, to travel to TGI Friday’s on two dates during February 2004. The students will have the opportunity to practice their choice making, manners, and money skills. They will also be able to practice their map skills to utilize public transportation. 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 aboard City Bus. All costs will be paid through the Life Skills budget.
B. Twelve (12) food service students from the Williamsport Area High School, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to D&L Catering (Lycoming Creek Road) on two dates during March 2004 to practice their culinary skills. 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 in the school van.
C. Eleven (11) Williamsport Area High School students, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to the Ichiban Japanese Restaurant during March 2004. The students will have the opportunity to observe Japanese table-side cooking. 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 in the school van.
D. Twelve (12) members of the Williamsport Area High School’s performing group Les Chanteuses, accompanied by their director, to travel to the Genetti Hotel during April 2004 to perform at a luncheon. 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. District transportation is requested. A substitute will be required for ½ day.
11.1* Approve the following student trips cont’d:
E. Three (3) Williamsport Area High School choral students, accepted by competitive audition, to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association Regional Chorus Festival to be held at the Dallas Area High School during March 2004.
Soprano I Bass I Alto II
Anna Douthat Stefan June Allison Nick
Cost to the District would be $195 (10-3212-813-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for student registration fees; $32 (101-3212-642-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for music ; and $400 (101-3212-581-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for teacher expenses. Either Kent Weaver or Anna Radspinner, WAHS choral directors, will accompany the students. One substitute will be needed for two days.
F. Five (5) Williamsport Area High School orchestra students, accepted by competitive audition, to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association Regional Orchestra Festival to be held at the Williamsport Area High School during February 2004.
Callah Antonetti – Cello Seth Boehret – Violin
Andrew Giordano – Violin Jeremy Hurwitz - Cello
Kassy Shenberger – Viola
Cost to the District would be $375 (10-3214-813-000-30-850-121-023-0000) for student registration. There will be no other expenses. Jeffrey Tedford, WAHS orchestra director, will supervise the students. One substitute will be needed for two days.
G. Fifteen (15) members of the Williamsport Area High School’s FBLA club, accompanied by their two advisors and a parent, to travel to Seven Springs Resort (Champion) for three days during March 2004 to attend the FBLA state 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 vans (donated by Kinley Subaru) and in Mrs. Meyers’ personal vehicle. All costs will be paid with FBLA funds.
11.2* Approve the following request for facility use:
A. Newberry Little League to use the gymnasium at Roosevelt Middle School on February 18, 19 and 20, 2004, from 5:45 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. to hold tryouts. Newberry Little League is requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $120.00. Certificate of Insurance to be received.
11.2* Approve the following request for facility use cont’d:
B. PA Game Commission to use the cafeteria at Lycoming Valley Middle School on the following dates March 20 and 21; May 22 and May 23, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. to conduct Hunter-Trapper Education Programs. The Game Commission is requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $160.00. Certificate of Insurance waived.
C. Saint John’s School of the Arts to use the auditorium at the Williamsport Area
High School on April 28, 29, 30 and May 1, 2004 to hold three days of rehearsal
and a dance ensemble Spring performance. St. John’s is requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $200.00. Certificate of Insurance on file.
D. Special Olympics of Lycoming County to use the swimming pool at the Williamsport High School on Thursdays, beginning March 18 through May 27, 2004 from 7:15 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. to work on swimming skills. The Special Olympics is requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $550.00. Certificate of Insurance to be received.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
12.1* Approve an agreement with the Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC) and the Bencor National Plan to implement an IRS Section 401(a) Special Pay Plan at no cost to the District. The leadership of WEA, WASP and WASA have all requested that their respective group be included in this plan.
12.2* Approve the installation and configuration of the Williamsport Area School District’s new server infrastructure to prepare for the installation of the new student management software SASIxp developed by NCS Pearson. The installation and configuration services provided by Pearson Digital Learning are specific to the SASIxp installation and will be provided at a cost of $18,450.00.
TAX ITEMS - None
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Williams stated that she enjoyed the presentations this evening.
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.
Motion made by Mr. Shultz, seconded by Mrs. Williams and carried, the meeting adjourned at
_________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary