W illiamsport A rea
S chool D istrict
Board of Directors Meeting
October 18, 2005
6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION –
Silent Reflection
DISTRICT BELIEF STATEMENTS -
James E. Temple STATEMENT # 5
We believe that learning is a lifelong process that is essential in an
ever-changing world. 3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
5. REPORTS TO THE BOARD
5.1
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A.
2005 Governor’s School Graduates—Presented by Lydia Comerford, WAHS
Guidance Counselor
Elyse Burzynski
Governor’s School for the Sciences
Sara Esaa
Governor’s School for Health Care
Haley Lorson
Governor’s School for International Studies
Rachel Smith
Governor’s School for the Arts
Alexandra Tobiasz
Governor’s School for the Sciences
These five students were among only seventeen students selected for the entire
four-county area to attend the Governor’s Schools.
B.
2005 National Merit Semi-Finalists—Presented by Carole Heckel, WAHS
Guidance Counselor
Takeha Harrison – Senior
Alexandra Tobiasz – Senior
C.
2005 National Merit Commended Students—Presented by Carole Heckel, WAHS
Guidance Counselor
Sara Esaa – Senior
Daniel Opdahl – Senior
Molly Pritz – Senior
5.1
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT CONT’D: – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
D.
2005 National Merit Achievement Scholarship Program—Presented by Carole
Heckel, WAHS Guidance Counselor
Alycia Haynes – Senior
E.
Congratulations to Dave Thomas, a senior at the Williamsport Area High School,
for being honored by the College Board as a scholar in the National Hispanic
Recognition Program.
F.
The Williamsport Area School District would like to thank the Rotary Club of
Williamsport for the gift of dictionaries for all of our third grade students.
The dictionaries will enhance and promote the district’s literacy
initiatives, as well as facilitate active reading and writing skills among our
students.
G.
Consider approving the adjudication of student 05/06–03 resulting from a
quasi- judicial hearing held this evening.
5.2
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A.
Blended Schools Update—David Wright, Director of Student Services
B. Calendar of Events
October 19
Williamsport Education Foundation Meeting--5:30 p.m.
October 20
ETAC Meeting --6:30 p.m.
October 24-
12th grade PSSA retest for Math, Reading & Writing
November 4
October 26
Project 720 Leadership Team Meeting --3:00 p.m.
October 27
Employment Steering Committee Meeting-- 4:00 p.m.
October 28
Professional Development Inservice Day at Roosevelt Middle School
October 28
End of First Marking Period
November 1 WASD School Board Meeting-- 6:00 p.m.
C.
On display in the June B. Baskin Gallery through October is Art From the Fair.
This is
an exhibition of ribbon winning pieces that were on display at the Lycoming
County
Fair in July. There are numerous ribbon winners, and 3 works were identified
as Best of Show. 5.3
Committee Reports by Board Members
5.4 Construction Projects
A.
Consider approving change order G-HL-27 to the contract with the Robert Feaster
Corporation, to furnish and install additional library shelving at the Hepburn
Lycoming Elementary School. This change order will increase the contract by
$___________ adjusting the contract total to $_______________.
6. FINANCE REPORT
Questions may be directed to Mr. Peterson
6.1*
Consider authorizing payment of invoices and services rendered by the list
submitted marked Order No.10/18/05 in the amount of $1,286,539.24, 10/18/05A in
the amount of $151,655.71, 10/18/05B in the amount of
$2,897,897.76,10/18/05C in the amount of $589,975.97,
10/18/05D in the amount of $296,518.38, 10/18/05E in the amount of
$28,387.97, 10/18/05F in the amount of $100.00 and that the officers of the
Board of School Directors be directed to
execute Order Nos. 10/18/05, 10/18/05A, 10/18/05B, 10/18/05C, 10/18/05D,
10/18/05E, and 10/18/05F.
6.2
Consider approving the Schedule of Short-Term Investments through September 30,
2005.
7.
BOARD POLICY – James E. Temple
Questions may be directed to Dr. Lowery.
8. CURRICULUM REPORT
Questions may be directed to Mrs. Thomas.
8.1
Consider approving the following premise as required by our recent English as a
Second Language (ESL) audit:
The ESL Program is part of the core curriculum; it replaces the English planned
instruction required under Chapter 4 for ESL students. The budget includes
funding to support the program. The student shall receive sufficient
instructional time from a Pennsylvania certified teacher (hired as a teacher
not an aide) with appropriate resource materials. The teacher shall use an
assessment system that monitors student progress in learning English. The
classroom teacher shall provide assistance and accommodations so the ESL
student has academic success while learning English. The ESL Program shall be
evaluated annually to determine if the ESL students are achieving success in
learning English. If they are not, the program will be adapted to meet their
needs.
8.2
Consider a Letter of Agreement with Lycoming-Clinton MH/MR Program and Lycoming
Children & Youth Services (The Joinder) for the provision of Student
Assistance mental health liaison services at the middle school and high school
levels. The agreement provides for 1.6 full-time-equivalent positions to be
staffed by the Joinder to assist our SAP teams, with the District's
contribution totaling $20,000, all from Safe and Drug-Free Schools and
Communities grant funding. This is a continuing agreement with unchanged
terms.
8.3
Consider approving an additional Act 80 professional development day for Round
Hills Elementary School on Thursday, December 22, 2005. This day is being
requested to facilitate rescheduling a previously approved inservice to
facilitate training in inclusion strategies (9/6/05 Board Agenda item #8.4)
8.4
Consider approving the Title I Parent Mini-grant awarded to Jackson, Sheridan
and Stevens Elementary Schools. Each school will receive $500 for parent
training workshops. The schools will implement the following projects: "
Paws for Reading" at Jackson, creating first grade student picture books
at Sheridan, and "Nonfiction Fun!" at Stevens Elementary School.
8.
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
8.5
Consider approving a proposal to offer the equivalent of English 11 summer
school as a
Blended Schools course to 12 students who are either one or two credits short
of meeting the
graduation requirement and who are currently repeating English 11 this year
(2005-06).
Allowing these seniors who are currently repeating English 11 a chance for
credit recovery
during the school year may encourage and permit these students to graduate on
time next
June. Utilizing the Blended Schools course, these seniors will be permitted to
take two Language Arts courses in the same year.
The Blended Schools Language Arts teacher will be paid $150 for each student
who enrolls in
the course (two marking periods = 1/2 year). The cost of the online course for
students will
be $300. This fee will cover all costs of the program (instructor fees,
textbooks and
materials). Students who enroll in the course must pay the fee before the
course begins on
November 1, 2005 and will immediately be rescheduled into an available section
of English
12 at the high school. No refunds will be made for students who drop the course
or do not earn a passing grade.
9. PERSONNEL REPORT
Questions may be directed to Mr. Dugan.
9.1 RESIGNATIONS
Consider accepting the following resignations, effective on the dates and for
the purposes indicated:
A.
Daniel C. Walz, school bus driver for the District, for the purpose of
retirement, effective October 10, 2005.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School
District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Daniel C. Walz
from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere
appreciation for his 10½ years of dedicated service to our school system
as a school bus driver. It further expresses the hope that his years of
retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
9.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Consider approving the following leaves of absence:
A.
Gina M. MacFalls, Supervisor of Special Education for the District, for a
sabbatical leave effective January 1, 2006, through June 30, 2006, for the
purpose of study.
Mrs. MacFalls has been an administrator in the District since August 9, 1999,
and has not taken a previous sabbatical.
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Consider the election of the following staff, for the purpose and on the date
indicated:
A.
Bobbi J. Gallagher, 1000 Park Ave., Woolrich 17779, fourth grade teacher at
Stevens Elementary School, as Coordinator for the Accelerated Reader (AR)
Program at Stevens Elementary School for the 2005-2006 school term, at a total
annual stipend of $400, funded through Title I (availability of position and
funds to be reviewed annually).
B.
Carol S. Fischer, 431 Woodland Ave., Williamsport, Kindergarten teacher at
Stevens Elementary School, as the Volunteer Coordinator at Stevens Elementary
School for the 2005-2006 school term, at a total annual stipend of $400, funded
through Title I (availability of position and funds to be reviewed annually).
C.
Deborah E. Briel, 582 Bruce Rd., Cogan Station, library aide at Sheridan
Elementary School, to serve as the Parent Program Coordinator at Sheridan
Elementary School for the 2005-2006 school term, at a total annual stipend of
$600, funded through Title I (availability of position and funds to be reviewed
annually).
D.
Michael R. Millward, 922 Runville Rd., Bellefonte, special education teacher at
the high school, to provide special education services to a special education
student in the after hours program not to exceed five (5) hours per week, to be
paid at the rate of $25.43 per hour plus appropriate benefits (to be funded
through ACCESS, string #10-1200-131-891-30-850-000-004-0006).
E.
The following substitute food service workers, at the salary rate of $6.25 per
hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective October 19, 2005:
Ranay Hennessy
126 Harvest Moon Park, Linden
F.
The following substitute custodian/event staff, with a base wage rate of $7.50
per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective October 19, 2005:
Gifford Howard Tebbs, Jr.
7500 Daughertys Run Rd., Cogan Station
G.
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 R. Carlin
11 Price Drive, Hughesville
Krisann E. Harlacher
216 Woodland Court, Montoursville
Laurie M. Lott
902 W. Village Dr., Williamsport
9.4* POSITION CHANGES
Consider approving the following position changes:
A.
Kimberly A. Rowland, 1109 Charles St., Williamsport, from a general food
service worker (3½ hours daily) at Lycoming Valley Middle School, to a
general food service worker (4 hours daily) at Lycoming Valley Middle School,
with a base wage rate of $10.29 per hour, effective October 19, 2005 (replacing
Elena Matty, transferred).
B.
Sandra L. Edler, 3107 Rauchtown Rd., Linden, from a substitute food service
worker to a general food service worker (3 hours daily) at Curtin Middle
School, with a base wage rate of $9.79 per hour, effective October 19, 2005
(replacing Kim Starr, transferred).
C.
Darlene R. Wesneski, 717 Wilson St., Williamsport, from a substitute food
service worker to a general food service worker (2 hours daily) at Round Hills
Elementary School, with a base wage rate of $9.79 per hour, effective October
19, 2005 (replacing Catherine Hess, transferred).
9.5 ATTAINMENT OF TENURE STATUS
Consider acknowledging 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 January 2005:
Nicole R. Carman
Ardis J. P. Mason
Earned June 2005:
Amy Hopkins Bolt Tracy M. Mitstifer
Michele L. Brobst Amy C. Neylon
Jason P. Drapeau Robert C. Niklaus
Beth L. Fausnaught Anna L. Radspinner
Denay M. Gair Elizabeth A. Rager
Charles F. Greevy IV Bruce C. Sacavage
Robert L. Hickey, Jr. Charisse R. Sick
Lisa D. Jacobs Tammy L. Snyder
Amy R. Mahon Jacqueline K. Whiteman
Patricia A. Miller
Melissa J. Becker (resigned 06/10/05)
Melissa A. Ellis (resigned 06/10/05)
9.6 ADJUSTMENTS TO SALARY
A.
Consider approving salary adjustments to the master’s level, effective for
the 2005-2006 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 2005-2006 school term:
Thomas P. Bartholomew
Master’s Degree
Amy Hopkins Bolt
Master’s Degree
Terrie M. Campana
Master’s Degree
Julie Best Chilson
Master’s Degree
Martha B. Huddy
Equivalency Certificate
Carol B. Metzger
Equivalency Certificate
Patricia A. Miller
Master’s Degree
Todd R. Penman
Master’s Degree
Elizabeth A. Rager
Master’s Degree
Lisa A. Wagner
Master’s Degree
Crissy M. Walker
Master’s Degree
Kevin C. Werner
Master’s Degree
Morgan K. Williams
Master’s Degree
Erin F. Winter
Master’s Degree
Randy J. Zangara
Master’s Degree
B.
Consider approving salary adjustments for the following staff members for
credits earned beyond the Master’s Degree or Equivalency Certificate,
prior to the beginning of the 2005-2006 school term:
TOTAL
NEW CREDITS CURRENT NEW
CREDITS TO DATE SALARY
SALARY
Sherri K. Buckwalter 9 9
$65,200 $65,500
Kyle D. Hunter 9 18
$65,500 $65,800
Faith A. Leonard
9 27 $42,500 $42,800
Ardis J. P. Mason 9 9
$47,050 $47,350
Ann L. Potter 9 9
$41,900 $42,200
10. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Questions may be directed to Mrs. Thomas and Mr. Dugan.
10.1
RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Consider approving 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. (See attachment)
11.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Questions may be directed to Dr. Lowery.
11.1*
Consider approving the following student trips:
A.
Forty-five (45) Curtin Middle School students, accompanied by a teacher and
four parents, to travel to the Community Arts Center during December 2005 to
attend a performance. 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
Williamsport Symphony Orchestra.
B.
Consider authorizing the participation of the Williamsport Area High
School’s varsity softball team in the Azalea Invitation Softball
Tournament in Summerville, South Carolina, during April 2006. This would be
the seventh consecutive year of participation. The team will play 5-6 games in
this tournament. There will be approximately 16 students representing the
District in this tournament. The team will be accompanied by all four
coaches—Robert Loudenslager, Miranda Regan, Jeff Wagner and Steve Reed.
The only cost to the District would be the $200 entry fee. The softball
booster club and the individual student-athletes will cover the other costs.
C.
Consider authorizing the participation of the Williamsport Area High
School’s varsity baseball team in the Hawaiian Tropic Classic Baseball
Tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, during April 2006. The team will
play 5-6 games in this tournament. There will be approximately 20 students
representing the District in this tournament. The team will be accompanied by
the coaches, two of whom are set as of now—G. Scott Grove and David
Cipriani.
The only costs to the District would be the $250 entry fee and the cost of a
substitute teacher for Scott Grove. The baseball booster club and the
individual student-athletes will cover the other costs.
All student-athletes will travel with the coaches and team members to the
tournament
as well as return with the coaches and team members from South Carolina. This
goes
for both teams.
11.2
Consider approving the following request for facility use:
A.
Hemlock Girl Scout Council (HGSC) to use the auditorium, cafeteria and 15
classrooms at the Williamsport Area High School on April 28 and 29, 2006 to
hold
an annual meeting of all troop leaders and assistant leaders in the Hemlock
Council. HGSC is requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $630.00.
Certificate of Insurance on file.
11.2
Consider approving the following request for facility use cont’d:
B.
Lycoming County Bureau of Elections to use space at Curtin and Roosevelt Middle
Schools on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. as General
Election polling places. The Lycoming County Bureau of Elections is
requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $30.00. They are
responsible for the cost of a security person at each site. Certificate of
Insurance waived. 12. BIDS/CONTRACTS
Questions may be directed to Mr. Peterson.
12.1
Consider approving an agreement with Susquehanna Health Systems relating to
payment in lieu of taxes.
12.2
Consider approving 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 Muncy at the rate of
$975 per child. 13. TAX ITEMS - None
Questions may be directed to Mr. Peterson.
14. ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
15. ITEMS FROM PUBLIC
Board Policy #902, “Public Participation in Board Meetings”:
A.
There will be two public comment sections: one during the first two hours of
the meeting at a time to be determined by the presiding officer; and the other
at the end of the meeting. This gives the presiding officer some flexibility
to fit the first public comment section into the agenda at a convenient time.
B.
Persons submitting a formal request to speak during the first public comments
section should be present promptly at the beginning of the meeting in the event
that they are invited to speak prior to commencement of the scheduled business
that is outlined in the agenda. Persons who have submitted a written request
will be given an opportunity to make a presentation about an issue that is on
the agenda when the issue is scheduled for discussion or about an issue that is
not on the agenda during the first two hours of the Board meeting, at a time
to be determined by the presiding officer.
C.
Each public comment section will be limited to a maximum of 20 minutes. Each
speaker will be limited to a maximum of five minutes.
D.
Those wishing to speak during the first public comments section must submit a
formal request in writing to the business administrator no later that 9:00 a.m.
on the day of the Board meeting. This gives people an opportunity to come to
the District Service Center on Monday before the Board meeting to read the
posted agenda.
PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES FOR OBTAINING AUXILIARY AIDES & SERVICES
The Williamsport Area School District does not discriminate against individuals
on the basis of disability. If you are disabled and wish to attend and/or
participate in any public meeting of the Williamsport Area School Board of
Directors or event of the School District, the District will make reasonable
accommodations to allow your full involvement. If you require specific
auxiliary aids or services you must notify the Board Secretary (327-5500), 201
West Third Street, Williamsport, PA of your needs at least five (5) working
days prior to the event.
6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
