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, December 5, 2000, following the reorganizational meeting.
The President, David B. Stone, Jr., called the meeting to order at 8:24 p.m. with the following members:
PRESENT: Shirley L. Canada, Karen V. Harris, Pamela J. Markle, Kelly Pedersen,
David B. Stone, Jr., James E. Temple, Dale L. Vollman, Lois T. Williams,
Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: NONE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
Student Representatives’ Report – Annie Kindon and Wayne Staib
President Stone recognized Mr. Harry Bigelow, Jr., who spoke to the Board concerning the Woodward Township succession issue. He requested that the Board does everything possible to keep Woodward Township in the Williamsport Area School District.
President Stone announced that an executive session was held prior to this evening’s meeting and another is to immediately follow this meeting. The purpose of the executive sessions are to discuss terms and conditions of employment for one or more District employees and to receive confidential legal advice from an attorney.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A. Appointment to Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition Board of Directors.
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Pedersen to appoint Dr. Patricia Lowery to the Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition Board of Directors.
The motion carried 9-0.
B. Calendar of Events
C. International Internship Program – Mr. Eichensehr
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – David B. Stone, Jr.
A. Congratulations to the Williamsport Area High School’s “La Memoire” staff for receiving a rating in the 1999-2000 Pennsylvania School Press Association’s annual evaluation service.
B. Congratulations to Lori Nelson, music teacher at Curtin Middle School, and Doug Gordon, music teacher at Lycoming Valley Middle School, for being recognized as outstanding teachers in the October 2000 issue of Teaching Music magazine.
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT CONT’D – David B. Stone, Jr.
C. Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve an adjudication from a quasi-judicial hearing that was held earlier this evening.
The motion carried 9-0.
D. This evenings agenda is available on line at www.wasd.org
E. Three seniors from the Williamsport Area High School have been invited to apply for National Merit Corporation Special Scholarships, based on their performance on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last year:
Name Sponsor
Spencer Sweeting PepsiCo Foundation
Christopher Jones Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company
Robert Roedts II PepsiCo Foundation
F. Photographs of the Williamsport Area High School Dedication are available on the PDE website at www.pde.psu.edu/voced/williamsport.ppt (PowerPoint is required for viewing).
G. Congratulations to GQ (Gentleman’s Quartet), an eight-person double quartet from the Williamsport Area High School, who have been asked, for the second year in a row, to perform for invited groups of citizens and government officials at the White House. The group is headed by Mr. Kent Weaver and Mr. Paul McPhail, WAHS choral directors. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Huddy will also be serving as chaperones for this event, which will take place December 10-11, 2000.
Committee Reports by Board Members
Mr. Zimmerman reported that the Gifted Advisory Committee met last Wednesday and all departments were represented except Science. The committee reviewed the Advanced Placement (AP) Course offerings. The AP courses are identified in the student handbook and parents can work with the advisors to schedule. The meeting was productive.
Mr. Zimmerman also spoke about the Alternative Education Committee that was held on December 4, 2000. The discussion of an after hours Alternative Education Program was well received. The committee plans to make a recommendation to the Board on January 16, 2001. The committee is also going to evaluate Norristown’s Elementary Program.
Mrs. Markle provided a legislative update indicating that 30 and out is not going to pass and that a new bill was passed with additional restrictions concerning smoking on school grounds.
Mrs. Markle also reported that the Intermediate Unit is planning on two new teachers for the Partial Hospitalization Program for the 2001-02 budget.
Construction Projects - None
FINANCE REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Harris, to approve the following financial items:
6.1 The 2001-2002 Budget Development Calendar.
6.2* Authorizing payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order No. 12/05/00 in the amount of $1,285,251.06, 12/05/00A in the amount of $187,092.43, and 12/05/00B in the amount of $157,745.57, and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 12/05/00, 12/05/00A, and 12/05/00B.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD POLICY
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mr. Vollman, to approve the following board policies:
7.1 Approve at the second reading the “Harassment of/by Employees” policy, which will replace Policy #308, 408, 508 entitled “Sexual Harassment of/by Staff.”
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
CURRICULUM REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following curriculum items:
8.1 Revision: Approve Ron Hunsicker, owner of Ron’s Saltwater Heaven (Loyalsock), to assist Dr. Mitchell in installing the donated marine reef tank at the Williamsport Area High School. Mr. Hunsicker is presently in possession of all the live specimens which shall accompany the aquarium and agreed to transport and transfer the animals into the marine environment once the water quality is stabilized. Additionally, Mr. Hunsicker is regarded as an expert in this area and has agreed to instruct the science teachers in maintaining the tank. It is expected that this may take one or two afternoons in October 2000.
Total costs exceeded $300, which was approved October 17, 2000. Please consider approving $50 in additional costs.
8.2* Approve the adoption of Countries and Concepts, Politics, Geography, Culture by Michael G. Roskin for use as a reference text in Global Economics and Political Living classes. The 7th Edition is published by Prentice Hall with a 2001 copyright.
The cost for 40 copies is $1,800 and is budgeted in string #101-1100-3-26-196-29-640.
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.3* Approve district support of Donald J. Fisher, instrumental music teacher, to serve as First Vice President of the Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association (PMEA) District 8 during the 2000-01 school year. Total cost to the district would be for substitutes one for nine (9) days, two of which would be approved as professional development days (PDC), and additional days with administrative approval. This will be Mr. Fisher’s second year serving as First Vice President, but the first year he will require release time.
8.4* Approve Barbara Thomas, Tressler Services, to provide an inservice program to the high school CARE team on December 12, 2000. The approximate total expense to the District is $250, budgeted in the Drug and Safe Schools Grant.
8.5* Approve Dr. Edward Jacobs, Impact Therapy Associates, West Virginia University, to present a 6-hour inservice workshop on February 19, 2001, for all school counselors and school psychologists about a practical counseling approach, Impact Therapy, for counselors with limited amounts of time with students.
The approximate cost of $1,900 will be paid with Drug Free and Safe Schools grant money.
8.6* Approve an agreement between Mr. Steve Hensler and Edie Ferguson, karaoke disc jockey. Ms. Ferguson has agreed to provide two (2) hours of service at Lycoming Valley Middle School from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2000. Enumeration for services will be $200, and is to be funded from Student Activity Account #808-3215-2-22-175-84-340.
8.7* Authorize Steven Herb, Penn State children’s librarian, to present an inservice to the staff of Jackson Elementary School on December 22, 2000. The presentation will focus on selecting appropriate children’s literature. The approximate cost of the inservice will be $539 and will be funded by the Read to Succeed Grant.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following personnel items:
9.1 RESIGNATIONS
Accept the following resignations, effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:
A. Josette V. Flannery, full-time family and consumer science teacher at Lycoming Valley Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the 2000-2001 school year.
A. RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Josette V. Flannery from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 32 years of dedicated service to our school system as a teacher. It further expresses the hope that her years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
Approve the following leaves of absence:
A. Sharon D. Deckard, fifth grade teacher at Sheridan Elementary School, for the purpose of unpaid medical leave, effective December 19, 2000, through March 12, 2001, possibly to return sooner.
Mrs. Deckard is presently on sick leave and on December 19, 2000, 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.
B. Michelle L. Bitner, special education (learning support) teacher at Lose Elementary School, for the purpose of unpaid medical leave, effective December 12, 2000, through December 18, 2000, possibly to return sooner.
Mrs. Bitner is presently on sick leave and on December 12, 2000, 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.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. The following substitute food service workers, at the salary rate of $5.75 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective December 6, 2000:
Carolyn J. Bower 4712 Rt. 654 Highway, Williamsport
B. The following substitute custodian/event staff, with a base wage rate of $7.00 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective December 6, 2000:
Jeffrey L. Hammond 842 Memorial Ave., Williamsport
Greg N. Winters 231 Whyne Rd., Jersey Shore
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
C. 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:
Elementary
Terrie M. Campana 774 Picnic Woods Rd., Jersey Shore
Rebecca K. Fry 1604 E. Third St., 2nd Floor Apt., Williamsport
Crissy M. Stetts 1035 Coldwatertown Rd., Jersey Shore
Secondary
Garret L. Graff 111 Maple St., Jersey Shore
K-12
Crissy M. Stetts 1035 Coldwatertown Rd., Jersey Shore
D. The following persons as substitute school bus drivers (non-bargaining unit personnel), with a base wage rate of $10.50 per hour, effective December 6, 2000:
Maryalice Crist 2003 Carlton Terrace, Williamsport
James M. Moyer 415 Baxter Rd., Montoursville (eff. 11/20/00)
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:
Matthew A. Mapes 2602 W. Fourth St., Williamsport
Lucas J. Wesneski 372 Lyons Ave., Williamsport
9.4* POSITION CHANGES
Approve the following position changes:
A. Approve change in position title for Theodore R. Piwowar (from Director of Career Education) to Director of Career and Technical Education. No change in salary and benefits as provided under the Act 93 Compensation Plan.
B. Change classification for John A. Lowmiller from Head Custodian-Class III ($27,560 annually) to Head Custodian-Class IV ($28,260 annually) for the 2000-2001 school year (beginning July 1, 2000) only. This change is recommended due to increased responsibilities associated with performing water quality tests and sewage treatment plant operations and maintaining appropriate standards. The status of this position will be reviewed at the end of the 2000-2001 school year.
9.5 CONTRACTS
A. 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 $2,500, and authorize the Board President and Secretary to sign this contract. The services provided by PA-Educator.net will be coordinated through the BLaST Intermediate Unit (information sheet included in packet).
9.6 AUTHORIZE TO POST/ADVERTISE NEW POSITIONS
Authorize the administration to post/advertise the following positions:
A. Title I Extended Day Program at Lose Elementary School, from January 23, 2001, through May 17, 2001. The program will be held three days per week for one hour per day. The program will require four teaching positions; teachers will be paid $21.89 plus appropriate benefits for up to four hours per week (up to one hour of teaching per day plus one hour of preparation time per week). Student transportation will be provided where appropriate. All funds are budgeted under Title I Extended Day Programs.
9.7 SALARY REVISION
Authorize revision of previous election as follows:
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1 RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Motion made by Mrs. Harris, 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 by a unanimous roll call.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Motion made by Mrs. Pedersen, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approve the following student/
community activities:
11.1* Approve the following student trips:
D. Thirty-five (35) members of the Williamsport Area High School’s Strolling Strings, accompanied by their director, to travel to the St. Anthony Center during December 2000 to perform. District transportation is requested (101-1100-3-26-160-23-519). There will be no additional costs.
E. Thirty-five (35) members of the Williamsport Area High School’s Strolling Strings, accompanied by their director, to travel to the Genetti Hotel during December 2000 to perform at the Kiwanis Club luncheon. District transportation is requested (101-1100-3-26-160-23-519). There will be no additional costs.
Violin
Viola Cello Cassandra Bertrand
Amber Bilbay Sarah Boyle Seth Boehret
Michelle Cappa Justin Demi Anna Douthat
Michelle Hornberger David Giordano
Karl Fisher Melissa Janson Jeremy Hurwitz
Maggie Furst Michelle Leathers Pangri Mehta
Sarah Hamm Ann Mahoney
Keirsten Schwanbeck
11.1*
Approve the following student trips cont’d:
Violin
Viola Cello Jason Hurwitz
Lamise Rajjoub Emma Somers Tia Kinney
Martin Wade Kathryn Somers Megan Mahoney
Claire Zimmerman
Ashley Marchesi Stephanie Reissner
Bass French Horn
Chrissie Tilburg Andrew Cajka David Elkin
Joseph Garczynski
Amy Schanbacher
Omar Tuffaha
Cost to the District would be $2,550 (101-3214-3-26-160-23-813) for student
registration fees; $35 (101-3214-3-26-160-23-519) for student transportation;
and $150 (101-3214-3-26-160-23-581) for teacher expenses. Walt Straiton, WAHS
Orchestra Director, will accompany the students. One substitute will be needed
for two days.
G.
Approximately 47 students from Roosevelt Middle School, accompanied by one
adult chaperone for every 15 students, to travel to Ski Sawmill on four dates
during January 2001. There will be no cost to the District. The trip,
including contract transportation, will be funded by the students.
11.2
Approve the following request for facility use:
A.
Retroactively approve Old Lycoming Little League to use the gymnasium at
Lycoming Valley Middle School on February 10 and 11, 2000 from 5:15 p.m. until
7:00 p.m. to hold baseball and softball tryouts. Sean McCann is requesting
relief for Old Lycoming Little League of the occupancy fee estimated at $80.00,
since the Lycoming Valley Softball Team utilizes Old Lycoming’s fields
for games. Certificate of Insurance received.
B.
Hepburn Lycoming Little League to use the gymnasium at Lycoming Valley Middle
School on February 7 and 8, 2001 from 6:15 p.m. until 9:15 p.m. to hold
baseball and softball tryouts. Hepburn Lycoming Little League is requesting
relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $80.00. Certificate of Insurance to
be received.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BIDS/CONTRACTS - None
TAX ITEMS
13.1
Motion made by Mrs. Pedersen, seconded by Mrs. Markle, to approving the
following tax summaries:
The motion carried 9-0.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
President Stone reported that the Christmas Concert would start at 3:00.
Mrs. Markle reminded everyone to come to the Millionaire Basketball Spaghetti
Dinner on December 10, 2000.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC - None
Upon motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Pedersen and carried the
meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
_____________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary