W illiamsport A rea
S chool D istrict
Board of Directors Meeting
August 15, 2006
6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2. OPENING EXERCISES –
Mr. Jay Shultz
SILENT REFLECTION
DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN BELIEF STATEMENT # 5
We believe that learning is a lifelong process that is essential in an
ever-changing world.
PSBA EFFECTIVE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE STANDARD 2 (g)
The Williamsport Area School Board will model responsible governance and
leadership by operating as a collective Board in making decisions.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
4. REPORTS TO THE BOARD
4.1
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A. School Director Resignation
Consider accepting the resignation of Susan A. Mahaffey from the position of
School Director effective August 31, 2006, as per her request.
B. School Director Vacancy
There is a vacancy on the Board of School Directors created by the resignation
of Susan A. Mahaffey. Citizens interested in serving on the Board of School
Directors should send written notice to Mr. Charles E. Peterson, Jr., Board
Secretary, 201 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701. The envelope should
be clearly marked “School Director Application”. The notification
should include your contact information and a brief explanation of why you
would like to serve on the School Board. Applicants must be at least 18 years
old and a resident of the Williamsport Area School District. Applications are
due no later than August 17, 2006.
4.1
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
B. School Director Vacancy
The Board will hold a special meeting on August 22, 2006, to interview selected
applicants. The Board intends to appoint the chosen applicant at the
regularly scheduled meeting on September 5, 2006. The appointed director will
serve on the Board of School Directors until December 31, 2007.
C. Act 1 Tax Study Commission
The Williamsport Area School District Board of School Directors will be
appointing citizens to a Tax Study Commission at the September 5, 2006 Board
Meeting. The Tax Study Commission is required under Act 1. The purpose of the
Tax Study Commission is to study the existing tax structure, including school
district and municipal taxes, to make a recommendation to the Board of School
Directors for a May 2007 Referendum question which would authorize an increase
in the Earned Income Tax rate or a new Personal Income Tax rate to fund
homestead and farmstead tax reductions. Members of the Tax Study Commission
must be resident individuals or taxpayers of the Williamsport Area School
District. Citizens who are interested in serving on the Tax Study Commission
should send a letter of interest to Charles E. Peterson, Jr., Board Secretary,
Williamsport Area School District, 201 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA
17701. The envelope should be clearly marked Tax Study Commission Application.
The deadline for receipt of the letter of interest is Tuesday, August 29,
2006.
4.2
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A.
Introduction of Mark Hannagan – Director of Administrative/Instructional
Technology
B. Calendar of Events
C.
On display in the June B. Baskin Gallery through August is WASD Art from the
Fair. 4.3
Committee Reports by Board Members
4.4 Construction Projects
5. FINANCE REPORT
Questions may be directed to Mr. Peterson
5.1
Consider approving the following financial reports:
A.
Treasurer’s Report for the months of March, April, May and June 2006
5.2*
Consider authorizing payment of invoices and services rendered by the list
submitted marked Order No. 08/15/06 in the amount of $510,236.65, 08/15/06A in
the amount of $45,115.76, 08/15/06B in the amount of $146,673.37, 08/15/06C in
the amount of $419.94 and that the officers of the Board of School Directors be
directed to execute Order Nos. 08/15/06, 08/15/06A, 08/15/06B and 08/15/06C.
6.
BOARD POLICY – James E. Temple
Questions may be directed to Dr. Lowery.
7. CURRICULUM REPORT
Questions may be directed to Mrs. Thomas.
7.1
Consider approving the extension of the I CAN LEARN contract for classroom
services and support at Roosevelt Middle School from August 2006 through August
2010. The cost of the extension is $60,000 and is budgeted under Title I
funds.
7.2
Consider approving October 6, 2006 as an additional Professional Development
Act 80 Day in the school calendar for Lycoming Valley Middle School.
7.3
Consider approving a change in Act 80 authorization from one-half day to a full
day for the Alternative School on December 16, 2005. (Originally approved on
December 2, 2005, item 8.6.)
7.4
Consider approving additional supervision hours for Mick Coffi (9 hours) and
Nancy Hiscock (1.5 hours) in order to operate the elementary summer school
program for 2006. This addition will be compensated at the rate previously
authorized and will be paid form the Sheridan grant. (Originally approved
April 4, 2006 item 8.3 D)
7.5
Consider approving expenditures for career and technical education under the
Williamsport Area School District Perkins Local Plan in the amount of $175,226.
This represents the 2006-2007 Perkins allocation for the School District.
The Williamsport Area School District has received approval for the application
submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The Williamsport Area
School District plan is authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and
Applied Technology Education Act of 1998. These funds must be utilized as
outlined in the local plan according to Pennsylvania Department of Education
regulations.
8. PERSONNEL REPORT
Questions may be directed to Debbra Savage, Esq.
8.1 RESIGNATIONS
Consider accepting the following resignations, effective on the dates and for
the purposes indicated:
A.
Michael S. Smith, full-time Elementary (4th
Grade) teacher at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, for other employment,
effective August 8, 2006.
B.
Brian K. Stugart, full-time Instructional Support Aide for the Water Safety
Program at the Williamsport Area High School, for other employment, effective
August 25, 2006.
8.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Consider approving the following leaves of absence:
A.
Marcy L. Garrison, full-time Elementary (1st
Grade) teacher at Sheridan Elementary School, for an unpaid medical leave,
effective September 18, 2006, through December 10, 2006, possibly to return
sooner.
Mrs. Garrison will utilize sick and/or personal days and will begin her unpaid
leave of absence on September 18, 2006, 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.
8.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Consider the election of the following staff, for the purpose and on the date
indicated:
A.
Miranda J. Dincher, 501 Washington Ave., Jersey Shore, as a long-term
substitute teacher, effective with the 2006-2007 school term (scheduled date is
August 24, 2006) through the end of the first semester of the 2006-2007 school
term (tentative ending date of January 19, 2007), unless terminated sooner, as
a Title I Reading Specialist at Jackson Elementary School, at a salary rate of
Step 1, bachelor’s, $38,750. Ms. Dincher holds a bachelor’s degree
from Penn State University and is certified in Elementary K-6 (replacing Elissa
Koontz, on unpaid child rearing leave). Ms. Dincher will also be scheduled to
participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2006-2007
school term.
B.
The following as Coordinating Teachers at the stipend amounts indicated for
each position for the 2006-2007 school year:
Diane M. Breon
Library Department $2,500
Leslie L. Whitehill
Health & Physical Education Department $2,500
8.3*
ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
C.
The following fall sport coaches at the respective schools for the 2006-2007
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
Golf
Head Coach:
Joseph R. Eaton (5) $2,278
Cheerleading
Coach: Breck Temple (1) *
$ 979
Assistant Coach: Lyndsay Ramin (1) * $ 979
D.
The entire District teaching staff, substitute teachers, teacher aides and
BLaST teachers assigned to our buildings for service in the intramural program,
at the rate of $13.74 per hour for the actual number of hours worked.
E.
The entire District teaching staff, substitute teachers, and BLaST teachers
assigned to our buildings as homebound instructors for the 2006-2007 school
year, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, as the needs of
the service require, at the rate of $26.84 per hour for the actual number of
hours employed.
F.
Any student enrolled at the Williamsport Area High School Designed Education
Program for employment in the Food Service Department and subject to assignment
by Patricia Cioffi, Job Training Coordinator, at the hourly rate of $4.25 per
hour for the actual number of hours worked for the 2006-2007 school year,
effective
August 29, 2006.
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 (pending completion
of all appropriate paperwork*):
Brianne A. Carpenter*
1251 Aubrey Court, Williamsport
Grace A. Hockenberry*
8155 State Route 304, Mifflinburg
H.
Wanda K. Buck, 1462 Hughes Rd., Trout Run, summer school librarian at Cochran
Elementary School for one additional staff development at $90/day. One staff
development day was approved on May 16, 2006. All costs are budgeted under
Sheridan Project Grant.
8.4*
POSITION CHANGES - None at this time
8.5 CONTRACTED SERVICES
A.
James E. Remsnyder, 2042 Greenview Rd., Montoursville, to provide consulting
services to the Williamsport Area School District Vehicle Maintenance Garage at
the rate of $222.31 per day ($29.64 per hour), not to exceed a total of $5,000
for the 2006-2007 school year (unless approved by the Board of Directors),
effective August 16, 2006, through September 30, 2006. (Contract for Mr.
Remsnyder’s services will be prepared and executed.)
9. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Questions may be directed to Mrs. Thomas and Ms. Savage.
9.1
RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Consider approving released time for staff members to participate in
professional develop-ment 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)
10.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Questions may be directed to Dr. Lowery.
10.1*
Consider approving the following student trips:
A.
Approximately 130 Williamsport Area High School marching band students,
accompanied by staff members to travel to downtown Williamsport during August
2006, to participate in the Grand Slam Parade. Students eligible to
participate must be in compliance with the school’s field trip
disciplinary requirements in order to participate.
District transportation is requested and will be billed to the WAHS Band
Association and paid by the parade committee.
10.2
Consider approving the filing of an application for participation in the
National School Lunch and Breakfast Program and the After School Snack Program
for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 2007.
11. BIDS/CONTRACTS
Questions may be directed to Mr. Peterson.
11.1
Consider approving the agreement with YMCA Child Care Services, Inc. for
student supervision assistance of the Breakfast Program for the 2006-2007
school year at a maximum cost of $8,325.00
(5 hours per day at 180 days at $9.25 per hour). YMCA will not be paid on days
when breakfast is not served.
12. TAX ITEMS
Questions may be directed to Mr. Peterson.
13. ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
14. 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
August 21-22
New Teacher Induction
August 24-25
District-wide Professional Development Inservice day
August 28
District-wide Inservice/Building Meetings day
August 29
First Day of School for Grades K-9
August 29
Inservice Day for Grades 10-12
August 30
All Students Report to School
September 4 Labor Day Holiday
September 5 WASD School Board meeting 6:00 pm
