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, March 1, 2005, beginning at 6:00 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, Pamela J. Markle, Jay B. Shultz, David B. Stone, Jr.,
James E. Temple Lois T. Williams, Thomas A. Zimmerman
ABSENT: Karen V. Harris, Susan A. Mahaffey (arrived at 8:25 PM)
INVOCATION – Mr. David Stone provided the invocation and read the first district belief statement.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
Student Representatives’ Report – None
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A. Outstanding Student Presentations:
Brandon Pardoe, Principal
Robert Eichensehr, Principal
B. Congratulations to Erin Lyle, daughter of Laura and Thomas Lyle, for being named the Williamsport Area High School’s Outstanding Student.
Congratulations also to Jeanne Yaggi, Williamsport Area High School English teacher, for being named the Williamsport Area High School’s Outstanding Teacher.
Both Ms. Lyle and Ms. Yaggi were honored at the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce’s Education Celebration on March 3 at the Genetti Hotel.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A. Ninth Grade Academy & Project 720 Presentation - Mr. Steve Huddy, Principal – Williamsport Area High School
B. Data Warehousing Report—Presented by Jodi Harris, Director of Educational Data Analysis, and Eric Gee, Director of Instructional/Administrative Technology.
Additional committee members are: Kirk Felix – Principal, Stevens Elementary School;
Kevin Harris – Assistant Principal, Curtin Middle School; Clay Weaver – Network Systems
Administrators; and David Wright – Director of Student Services.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT CONT’D: – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
C. Calendar of Events
March 17 ETAC/ATAC Meeting 6:30 pm
March 21 Secondary Alternative Education Meeting 4:00 pm
March 24
Inservice Day at Cochran, Hepburn-Lycoming, Jackson, Round Hills,
and Stevens Elementary Schools
March 25 Holiday
March 28 Holiday (possible snow make-up day)
April 1
End of Third Marking Period
April 4
Elementary Alternative Education Meeting 4:00 pm
April 3-15 PSSA Testing in Math and Reading (Grades 3,4,5,6,7,8 &11)
April 5 WASD School Board Meeting 6:00 pm
D. Budget Presentations
Robert Hitzeman - Supervisor of Maintenance/Facility Operations
Sean McCann - Athletic Director
Dr. Gina MacFalls - Supervisor of Special Education
Theodore Piwowar - Director of Career and Technical Education
Committee Reports by Board Members - None
President Stone called an executive session to receive advice from the solicitor at 8:45 PM. The meeting reconvened at 8:53 PM.
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the balance of the agenda including the addendum.
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. 03/15/05 in the amount of $1,212,743.74, 03/15/05A in the amount of $2,424.23, 03/15/05B in the amount of $13,992.00, 03/15/05C in the amount of $230,443.42, 03/15/05D in the amount of $52,101.55, 03/15/05E in the amount of 176,014.72 and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 03/15/05, 03/15/05A, 03/15/05B, 03/15/05C, 03/15/05D and 03/15/05E.
CURRICULUM REPORT
8.1 Approve a letter of agreement with the Community Alliance for Progressive Positive Action (CAPPA) to facilitate the first Every Child Counts Young Performing Artists Showcase. Funding for the showcase is included in the Sheridan Project grant.
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.2 Payment of Student Assistance stipends to the following CARE Team representatives at the respective schools for the 2004-05 school year, at the stipend rate of $842.84 each (stipend positions were board approved 5/6/97); funding available from the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities grant, account number 10-2120-131-870-00-000-000-009-0005
Marlene Brown, WAHS Carole Heckel, WAHS
Gloria Corson, WAHS Ann M. Kahler, WAHS
John Decker, WAHS Stuart Roe, WAHS
Phyllis J. Sieber, WAHS David Ferry, WAHS
Julie K. Kelly, WAHS
Sarah Bohnert, Lycoming Valley Mary K. Skipper, Lycoming Valley
Peggy Crawley, Lycoming Valley Angela Steele, Lycoming Valley
Robert Kreger, Lycoming Valley Deborah Shellman, Lycoming Valley
Kimberly A. Imrisek, Curtin Christine R. Wagner, Curtin
Kerri Sokolowski, Curtin Jennie Wagner-Guffy, Curtin
Marjorie F. Stopper, Curtin Stephanie Wolfanger, Curtin
Timothy T. Thompson, Curtin
Blanetta Akpakip, Roosevelt Jennifer Redmon, Roosevelt
Carol DeSilva, Roosevelt Susan B. Ruhl, Roosevelt
Kevin Mumbauer, Roosevelt Tamra Springman, Roosevelt
Todd R. Penman, Roosevelt
8.3 The submission of 2005-06 adult education grants for state and federal consideration. The Pennsylvania State Act 143 grant is in the amount of $32,167, and the Federal Section 231 grant is in the amount of $71,085. In conjunction with these grants, consider also entering into a subcontract with The Lycoming County Literacy Program to provide adult education instruction to their Family Literacy participants in the amount of $16,639.
PERSONNEL REPORT
9.1 RESIGNATIONS - Accept the following resignations, effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:
A. Donna M. McCarty, full-time Elementary (2nd Grade) teacher at Cochran Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective October 2005, exact date to be determined.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Donna M. McCarty from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 35 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.
9.1 RESIGNATIONS CONT’D:
B. Nancy P. Sargent, full-time Administrative Support I (205-day) at Lycoming Valley Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, effective June 23, 2005.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Nancy P. Sargent from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for her 35 years of dedicated service to our school system as Administrative Support. It further expresses the hope that her years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
C. Colleen L. Klinger, temporary part-time (up to 2 hours per day) Hall/Cafeteria Monitor at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, for other employment, effective March 18, 2005.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE - The following leaves of absence:
A. Angela W. Medo, school bus driver for the District, extension of an unpaid leave of absence (documentation on file), effective February 11, 2005, through March 4, 2005.
Mrs. Medo began her intermittent unpaid leave of absence on January 20, 2005, 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.
B. Wendy A. Armes, general food service worker at Curtin Middle School, unpaid leave for personal reasons (documentation on file), effective March 2, 2005, through March 11, 2005.
C. Estella R. DeClerck, general food service worker at Cochran Elementary School, unpaid leave for personal reasons, effective for one day only on March 24, 2005.
D. Mary D. Masden, general food service worker at Curtin Middle School, unpaid leave for personal reasons, effective for one day only on February 22, 2005.
E. Susan S. Naculich, general food service worker at the high school, unpaid leave for personal reasons (documentation on file), effective for one day only on March 4, 2005.
F. Kimberly A. Whittington, general food service worker at the high school, unpaid leave for personal reasons (documentation on file), effective February 22-23 (full days), March 2 (½ day), and March 3, 2005 (full day).
G. Wendy A. Armes, general food service worker at Curtin Middle School, extension of her unpaid leave for personal reasons (documentation on file), effective
March 12, 2005, through March 24, 2005.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE CONT’D:
H. Susan S. Naculich, general food service worker at the high school, unpaid leave for personal reasons, effective for one day only on March 10, 2005.
I. Marisa S. Hickey, full-time Music teacher at Curtin Middle School, for an unpaid medical leave, effective April 7, 2005, through June 3, 2005.
Mrs. Hickey is currently utilizing sick and/or personal days and will begin her unpaid leave of absence on April 7, 2005, 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.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. Sara M. Hart, 4040 Route 973W, Cogan Station, as a full-time (185 days, 7 hours per day) instructional support aide at the high school, with a base wage rate of $15,203, prorated ($11.74 per hour), effective March 21, 2005, plus applicable benefits as provided under the collective bargaining agreement between WASD and WASP (replacing Debra Hammond, resigned).
B. Bobbi J. Gallagher, 1000 Park Ave., Woolrich, to replace Ann L. Potter (originally elected to this position on the 08/03/04 Board Agenda) as Coordinator for the Accelerated Reader Program at Stevens Elementary School for the 2004-2005 school term, at a total annual stipend amount of $200, funded through Title I.
C. Brett A. Leinbach, 75 Fisher Circle, Cogan Station, as a paid intern in the Tax Office, effective May 9, 2005, for the duration of 480 hours, at the rate of $8.00 per hour (no benefits).
D. The following substitute school bus drivers (non-bargaining unit personnel), with a base wage rate of $11.00 per hour, effective March 16, 2005:
Laura A. Bowman 2498 Heshbon Rd., Williamsport
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 2004-2005 school year:
Rebecca B. Kinzie-Bastian 138 Dunwoody Rd., Williamsport
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
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:
Heather G. Kaplan 300 Lower Barbours Rd., Williamsport
G. The following spring sport coaches at the respective schools for the 2004-2005 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:
Williamsport Area High School
Baseball
Varsity Assistant: Randy J. Zangara (5) $1,786
H. April J. Gardner, 1305 Louisa St., Williamsport, as a part-time (up to 180 days, prorated; up to 4½ hours per day) Parent Involvement Coordinator at Cochran Elementary School, effective for the 2004-2005 school year, with a base wage rate of $10.14 per hour, FICA, Worker’s Compensation, Retirement (if eligible), and sick leave (per the Agreement between the Board and the Williamsport Area Support Personnel) are the only fringe benefits, effective March 21, 2005, pending receipt of all appropriate paperwork (funded through Title I; position to be determined annually; replacing Donna Fox, transferred).
9.4* POSITION CHANGES - The following position changes:
A. Louis H. Gatti, 2305 West Mountain Ave., South Williamsport, from a substitute school bus driver to a regular part-time school bus driver (bargaining unit employee), at the salary rate of $11.72 per hour, effective March 16, 2005 (replacing Mary Baker, deceased).
B. Michael J. Shebest, 1899 Blair St., Williamsport, from Stock Clerk at the Warehouse Complex to a full-time Head Custodian-Class IV (250 day, 8 hours per day) at the high school, with a base wage rate of $31,280, prorated ($15.64 per hour), effective April 25, 2005 (replacing Joseph Harmon, retired).
9.5 OTHER
A. Authorize payment to Michael R. Millward, 922 Runville Rd., Bellefonte, to provide special education services in the home for a high school student with behavioral issues that interfere with his learning and that of others. Mr. Millward will be paid at the rate of $24.67 per hour, effective March 4, 2005 (funded through ACCESS 10-1200-131-891-30-850-000-004-0005).
9.5 OTHER CONT’D:
B. Authorize the Director of Human Resources to sign the application (Internet User Application/Licensing Agreement) with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to obtain driver histories for employees who drive WASD vehicles. (Employees who drive WASD vehicles will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging and authorizing the District to complete driver history checks.)
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. Approximately 173 eighth grade students from Roosevelt Middle School, accompanied by the staff, to travel to Knoebel’s Amusement Resort during May 2005. Students eligible to participate must be in compliance with the school’s guidelines for the eighth grade class trip. District transportation is requested. All costs will be paid by the Roosevelt PTO.
B. Approximately 150 students from Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, accompanied by their teachers, to travel to Faxon Bowling Lanes during April 2005 as a reward for meeting their AR goal for the third marking period. District transportation is requested. All costs will be paid by the Hepburn-Lycoming PTO.
C. Approximately 25 Williamsport Area High School students, accompanied by their teachers, to travel to Lock Haven University on two dates during April 2005 to participate in the Model United Nations. 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 (10-1100-519-000-30-850-190-029-0000). Two substitutes will be required for two days.
D. Eleven (11) Williamsport Area High School students, accompanied by their teacher, to travel to the Ichiban Restaurant during March 2005 to experience Japanese cooking and cuisine. 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 in the school van. Luncheon expenses will be paid from proceeds collected from the tip box in the Millionaire Café.
11.1* Approve the following student trips cont’d:
E. Approximately 85 eighth grade students from Lycoming Valley Middle School, accompanied by their teachers, two aides, and the school nurse, to travel to the Montour Preserve during April 2005. Students must be in compliance with the school’s field trip disciplinary requirements in order to participate. District transportation is requested. All funding will be provided through the student activities account.
F. Approximately 102 fifth grade students from Cochran Elementary School, accompanied by their teachers, to travel to Penn’s Cave during May 2005 as part of their earth science unit. Students eligible to participate must be in compliance with the school’s field trip disciplinary requirements. District transportation is requested. All costs will be paid by the Cochran School Association.
G. Twenty-five (25) Williamsport Area High school students from Spanish and Latin classes, accompanied by their teachers, to travel to New York City during April 2005. The students will have the opportunity to view the works by various artists that they have studied. They will also have the opportunity to dine in an authentic Spanish restaurant. 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 by contract carrier. All costs will be paid through the foreign language budget. Two substitutes will be required for the day.
H. Seventy-nine (79) gifted education students the district’s elementary schools, accompanied by their teachers and a parent volunteer, to travel to Camp Susque in Trout Run to participate in geography and mapping activities. Students must be in compliance with their school’s field trip disciplinary requirements in order to participate. Cost to the District would be $553 for student registration fees (10-1243-813-000-30-850-000-023-0000) and approximately $600 for transportation (10-1243-519-000-30-850-000-023-0000).
I. Revision to 11.1.J from the March 1, 2005, Addendum: Consider approving an additional two staff members to participate in the trip to Harrisburg funded by CAPPA. Substitutes will be required for both staff members.
J. Forty-six (46) second grade students from Sheridan Elementary School, accompanied by their teachers and three parent volunteers, to travel to the Lycoming County Historical Museum during March 2005. Students eligible to participate will not have received more than two pink slips, no detentions, no Saturday School assignments, or any suspensions within 30 days prior to the trip. Transportation will be aboard City Bus. All costs will be paid by the Sheridan PTO.
11.1* Approve the following student trips cont’d:
K. Eight (8) Round Hills students, accompanied by their principal and parent organization board members, to travel to Hoss’s Steak and Sea House during March 2005 as a reward for their participation in the Wolfgang fundraiser. Transportation will be provided in a limousine provided by Wolfgang Candy. The cost of lunch will be funded by the Round Hills PTO.
11.2 Approve the following request for facility use:
A. Williamsport AYSO to use the cafetorium at Roosevelt Middle School on Thursday, June 2 and Friday, June 3, 2005 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. to hold soccer registration. Williamsport AYSO is requesting relief from the occupancy fee estimated at $80.00. Certificate of Insurance on file.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
12.1 Approve a contract with Analytical Laboratory Services, Inc. to provide compliance services with the Right-to-Know Act. Analytical Laboratory Services will provide environmental technicians to perform the annual Right-to-Know inventory, supply a Right-to-Know manual which includes the inventory list, the MSDS sheets and the Hazardous Substance Survey Forms, provide a training manual and provide a maximum of three on-site training sessions. The cost of this service will be $7,000.
TAX ITEMS - None
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Williams stated that the Curtin Middle School Musical, Once on this Island , was wonderful! A lot of students were involved. Mr. Zimmerman stated that he also was very impressed with the musical.
Mr. Stone stated that he participated in one of the PTO visitations. He enjoyed the experience and stated that the parents and teachers appreciated his attendance.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC - None
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mrs. Markle and carried, the meeting adjourned at
9:02 p.m.
_________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary