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, August 21, 2007, 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: Lori A. Baer, Karen V. Harris, David A. Huffman, Pamela J. Markle,
Jay B. Shultz, David B. Stone, Jr., James E. Temple, Lois T. Williams
Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: None
OPENING EXERCISES – were provided by Ms. Karen Harris.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting - August 7, 2007 (Approved with the omnibus motion)
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – None
Committee Reports by Board Members
Ms. Markle reported that she just returned from the PSBA President’s retreat in Alaska. Forty-five states were represented. There were two main themes this year: Alaskan Ice Program which measures a student’s assets and the Good to Great Program. Pam did a presentation on the PSBA Governance Standards and the attendees were really impressed.
Ms. Markle also reported on the Cost Reduction Task Force. The Committee is having another meeting tomorrow. One problem she is having is documenting the true cost of prevailing wage.
Construction Projects
Motion made by Ms. Markle, seconded by Ms. Harris to approve the following
construction items:
A. Authorize the following architectural services from Larson Design Group. All fees will be paid from Capital Reserve:
Project School Est. Cost
Hydro-pneumatic Tank Replacement Woodward $ 3,000
Distressed Brick and Stonework Cochran $10,500
Handicapped Accessible Ramp WAHS $ 3,700
B. Approve change orders G-LV-11R and G-LV-13 to the contract with The Robert Feaster Corporation, increasing the contract by $9,140 and increasing the contract total to $6,388,700.50.
Construction Projects Cont’d:
C.
Approve change order H-LV-15 to the contract with R& J Ertel decreasing the
contract by $9,300 and decreasing the contract total to $1,992,772.83.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
Motion made by Ms. Markle, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the balance of the agenda including the minutes and addendum. Mrs. Baer announced that she was abstaining from item 8.3B.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
FINANCE REPORT
5.1* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted and direct the officers of the Board of School Directors to execute the same:
Order Number Amount Order Number Amount
08/21/07 $820,789.88 08/21/07A 117,253.24
08/21/07B 865,911.25 08/21/07C 117,847.05
08/21/07D 14,900.00 08/21/07E 8,909.12
08/21/07F 45.50 08/21/07G 265.00
08/21/07H 159.00 08/21/07I 10,030.27
08/21/07J 238.50 08/21/07K 185.50
BOARD POLICY
6.1 Approve the first reading of Policy #618, “Student Activity Funds.”
CURRICULUM REPORT
7.1 Authorize payment of $516.75 including benefits to the following teachers for their attendance at the Governor’s Institute for Career Education and Work Standards which occurred from June 18 through June 22, 2007. This payment is being reimbursed by The Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and there will be no cost to the district.
Jessica Becker S. Jean Cohick
Peggy Crawley Jennifer Youmans
7.2 Pay Karen Horn, IU special education teacher to provide ESY services to a high school student, per her IEP during the weeks of July 23, July 30, and August 6 for 5-10 hours per week at a rate of $27.03 per hour. The salary will be paid out of general fund to be reimbursed via the IU through IDEA ESY funding. The incorrect name (Karen Fry) was provided for board approval on August 7, 2007.
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
7.3 Approval of an addendum to the 2007-08 contract with Bethesda Day Treatment Services for alternative education services provided to the district on a per student, per day basis. The addendum establishes the daily tuition rate at $45.43 per student. The addendum is to the contract approved by the Board on May 15, 2007.
7.4 Pay Margaret Harpster, life skills support teacher, $27.03 per hour to develop IEPs for incoming early intervention students. Time to write IEPs should not exceed 15 hours, maximum.
7.4 Retroactively paying Linda Runnels, to provide speech therapy services to a student with autism. This will be paid out of the general fund and then reimbursed through IDEA for ESY. The rate is $26.22 prior to July 1, 2007 and then $27.03 after July 1, 2007. Hours not to exceed 10 hours for the entire summer.
PERSONNEL REPORT
8.1 RESIGNATIONS
Accept the following resignation(s), effective on the dates and for the purposes indicated:
A. Gina M. MacFalls, Supervisor of Special Education, for other employment, effective date to be determined, but not longer than 60 days from August 8, 2007.
B. Robin E. Finn, full-time Instructional Support Aide/Computer Lab Aide for the District, for personal reasons, effective August 27, 2007.
C. Richard L. Weaver, full-time Head Custodian at Jackson Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective September 1, 2007.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Richard L. Weaver from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation for his 32 years of dedicated service to our school system as a custodian. It further expresses the hope that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
8.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Approve the following leave(s) of absence:
A. Ami D. Heller, full-time first grade teacher at Jackson Elementary School, for an unpaid leave, effective August 23, 2007, through the end of the first semester of the 2007-2008 school term (tentative ending date of January 18, 2008).
8.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE CONT’D:
B. Jennifer C. Redmon, full-time Social Studies teacher at Roosevelt Middle School, for an unpaid leave of absence, effective September 18, 2007 through the end of the 2007-2008 school year (tentative ending date of June 6, 2008).
8.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. Marc W. Abels, 356 Ferry Street Rear, Danville 17821, as a professional employee, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007), to teach English for Alternative Education at the high school, at a salary rate of Step 1, master's, $42,000, pending receipt of all necessary paperwork (new position approved by the Board). Mr. Abels will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
B. Dana L. Baer, 3478 Route 973 East, Cogan Station, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007), to teach Social Studies for Alternative Education at the high school, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor's, $39,000 (new position approved by the Board). Ms. Baer will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
C. Michael L. Manning, 1706 Route 654 Highway, South Williamsport, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007), to teach Science for Alternative Education at the high school, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor's, $39,000 (new position approved by the Board). Mr. Manning will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
D. Shawna L. Weaver, P.O. Box 62, Hyner 17738, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007), to teach Elementary Alternative Education at Round Hills Elementary School, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor's, $39,000 (replacing Justin Ross, transferred to Curtin to replace Kerry Sokolowski, resigned). Ms. Weaver will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
E. Christopher P. Yoder, 921½ Arch St., Williamsport, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007), to teach Mathematics for Alternative Education at the high school, at a salary rate of Step 2, bachelor's, $40,100 (new position approved by the Board). Mr. Yoder will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
8.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
F. Robert L. Emerick, 1506 Princeton Ave., Williamsport, as a regular part-time custodian (2nd shift) at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, 250 days, up to 4 hours per day, with a base wage rate of $10.81 per hour, effective July 23, 2007 (Mr. Emerick chose to return to this position; he resigned on June 9, 2007).
G. The following fall sport coaches at the respective schools for the 2007-2008 school year at the salary rate in accordance with the 2007-2010 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
Football
Junior Varsity Assistants: Travis Diehl (2) * $3,029
Jared M. Mahon (2) $3,029
Ninth Grade Coaches: Anthony Cipriani (2) * $2,692
H. 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 ($90 per day for first 45 days; $110 per day for days beyond the 45th day; up to a maximum of 180 days/year) and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked during the 2007-2008 school year:
Susan R. Benjamin 440 Sylvan Dell Park Rd., Williamsport
Jason M. Hurwitz 161 West Hills Dr., Williamsport
Robert A. Jacques 1405 Walnut St., Williamsport
Tracy A. Kahn 255 Phillips Hill Dr., Williamsport
Bernard R. Katz 1014 Walnut St., Williamsport
Nancy A. King Box 514, Avis
Justin T. Marnon 2312 Spring Garden St., Williamsport
Michael L. McLaughlin 309 Susquehanna Ave., Lock Haven
Jason L. Paulhamus 3325 W. Route 973 Hwy., Cogan Station
Kristen N. Pulizzi 1109 Tule St., Montoursville
Leigh M. Rosenow 1327 Walnut St., Williamsport
Martin L. Wade 693 S. Shaffer Hill Rd., Cogan Station
Tonya R. Anderson P.O. Box 452, Williamsport
Gretchen P. Carpenter 441 Elm St., Montoursville
Mary E. Pearce 860 Rural Ave., Williamsport
Mary D. Sumpter 416 Brentwood Dr., Cogan Station
8.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
I. The following substitute teachers, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the salary and/or daily rates as established by Board policy ($90 per day for first 45 days; $110 per day for days beyond the 45th day; up to a maximum of 180 days/year), and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked:
Tiffany M. Fitzgerald 203 Wilson St., Apt. 2, Jersey Shore
Joella M. Harvey 1938 Lacomic St., Williamsport
Betty R. Hill 70 Musser Lane, Muncy
Jessica N. Redmond 333 Lundy Drive, Williamsport
Gretchen A. Hoff 1521 Alvin Ave., Williamsport
J. The following substitute administrative support/aides, subject to assignment by the Superintendent of Schools, at the hourly rates as established by Board policy (Administrative Support - $7.50/hr., Instructional Aide - $7.15/hr.; up to a maximum of 180 days/year) and only for the actual number of hours assigned and worked:
Leigh M. Rosenow 1327 Walnut St., Williamsport
K. The following substitute custodian/event staff, with a base wage rate of $7.50 per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective as indicated:
Paul Scott Carpenter, Jr. 1033 Dewey Ave., Williamsport (effective 08/21/07)
L. Christi L. Babb, 5204 Moreland Baptist Rd., Unityville, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007), to teach English (7th Grade) at Roosevelt Middle School, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor’s, $39,000 (replacing Andrew Otto, resigned). Ms. Babb will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
M. Nathan A. Reed, 131 W. Fairmount Ave., State College, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007), to teach Classroom Music at Roosevelt Middle School, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor’s, $39,000 (replacing Robert Hickey, resigned). Mr. Reed will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
N. Kelli S. Vassallo, 1209 Bonair Dr., Williamsport, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007), to teach Language Arts (6th Grade) at Roosevelt Middle School, at a salary rate of Step 2, bachelor’s, $40,100 (replacing Amanda Taylor, resigned). Ms. Vassallo will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
8.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
O. Mary E. Rider-Dincher, 2845 Four Mile Drive, Montoursville, as a long-term sub-stitute teacher, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007) through the end of the first semester of the 2007-2008 school term (tentative ending date of January 18, 2008), unless terminated sooner, to teach Language Arts (6th Grade) at Roosevelt Middle School, at a salary rate of Step 1, master’s, $42,000, prorated (replacing Jennifer Redmon, on unpaid leave). Ms. Rider-Dincher will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
P. Kimberly M. Wasp, 1877 Beauty Ave., Williamsport, as a long-term substitute teacher, effective with the 2007-2008 school term (scheduled date is August 23, 2007) through the end of the first semester of the 2007-2008 school term (tentative ending date of January 18, 2008), unless terminated sooner, to teach Elementary (1st Grade) at Jackson Elementary School, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor’ ;s, $39,000, prorated (replacing Ami Heller, on unpaid leave). Ms. Wasp will also be scheduled to partici-pate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2007-2008 school term.
8.4* POSITION CHANGES - Approve the following position change(s):
A. WITHDRAWN BY ADMINISTRATION Steven R. Deitrick, 1403 Almond St., Williamsport, has requested to return to his position as a school bus driver, effective August 28, 2007. Mr. Deitrick was recently approved for a position change from regular part-time school bus driver to a full-time Temporary Head Custodian (1 st shift) at the high school, effective August 6, 2007 (temporary position; originally approved on 08/07/07 Agenda).
8.5* SALARY ADJUSTMENTS - Approve the following item(s):
A. Please approve a wage increase to $7.15 per hour for all food service and instructional aide substitutes and college interns currently working for the District due to the minimum wage revision effective July 1, 2007.
8.6 OTHER
A. The following teacher transfers will be effective with start of the 2007-2008 school year:
STAFF PREVIOUS NEW NEW
MEMBER LOCATION LOCATION ASSIGNMENT
Marc P. Berry WAHS Lyco Valley Technology Educ.
Judith J. Bower Roosevelt Roosevelt IST
Paula E. Bower Lyco Valley WAHS Special Education
Gabriel J. Campana Stevens Stevens Elementary (3rd Grade)
Kimberly A. Cassidy Sheridan Itinerant Gifted Education
Barbara A. Davis Cochran Cochran Elementary (2 nd Grade)
8.6 OTHER CONT’D:
A. The following teacher transfers will be effective with start of the 2007-2008 school year:
STAFF PREVIOUS NEW NEW
MEMBER LOCATION LOCATION ASSIGNMENT
Matthew J. Foote Curtin/Roos. Stevens Health & Physical Ed.
Elizabeth R. Fronk Jackson Jackson Elementary (2nd Grade)
Bobbi J. Gallagher Stevens Stevens Elementary (5th Grade)
Jennifer J. Griswold Roosevelt Hep.-Lyc. Health & Physical Ed.
Erin M. Hamilton Cochran Cochran Elementary (2nd Grade)
Christine S. Hanna Lyco Valley Roosevelt Guidance Counselor
Kevin J. Harris Curtin Lyco Valley Science
David R. Heller Lyco Valley WAHS Social Studies
Veronica R. Hine Jackson Jackson Guided Rdg./4th Grade
Kate E. Kreger Jackson Lyco Valley English/Reading
Elizabeth A. Lyons Sheridan Sheridan Elementary (5th Grade)
Susan E. McGehean DSC Sheridan Special Education
Sally L. O’Neill Curtin WAHS Health & Physical Ed.
Brenda E. Pennella Sheridan Roosevelt Mathematics (6th Grade)
Ann L. Potter Cochran Cochran Elementary (3rd Grade)
Jill P. Robbins Jackson Jackson Elementary (1st Grade)
Justin D. Ross Round Hills Curtin IST
Laura B. Schmack Stevens Stevens Elementary (IST)
Ruth Sklar WAHS WAHS French
Deborah A. Smith Cochran Sheridan Elementary (2nd Grade)
Timothy T. Thompson Curtin Lyco Valley Science
Cynthia A. Ulmer Curtin WAHS Special Education
Keith W. Veldhuis Curtin Cochran Health & Physical Ed.
Carol J. Watson WAHS Roosevelt Family & Con. Science
Morgan K. Williams Stevens Stevens Elementary (1st Grade)
Lisa A. Zerbe Sheridan Sheridan Elementary (3rd Grade)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
9.1 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
10.1* Approve the following student trips:
All students must be in compliance with the school’s field trip disciplinary requirements
in order to participate.
A. Retroactive Approval: Approximately 130 members of the Williamsport Area High School’s Marching Millionaires, accompanied by their director and other adult chaperones, to participate in the Little League World Series Parade during August 2007.
District transportation is requested and will be paid by the WAHS Band Association.
10.2 Approve 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, 2008.
BIDS/CONTRACTS - None
TAX ITEMS
12.1
Authorize the Municipal and School Income Tax Office to obtain income
information from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue for the purpose of
verifying income taxes reported to this local office.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Kathleen R. Kelley, Ph.D.
Dr. Kelley reported:
We had a successful administrative retreat at Lycoming College last week.
Teacher induction is complete for our new teachers.
We are having a district-wide in-service at the high school on Thursday and
board members
are welcome to attend.
We are looking forward to our students returning.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Ms. Markle requested an update on Chartwells. Dr. Kelley provided an update.
Mr. Huffman wished everyone well for the new school year. He reminded everyone
to try his chili at the football games.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Zimmerman reminded everyone that we have until August 31st
to name additional voting delegates for the PSBA legal conference.
Ms. Markle stated that she will be meeting with Tom Gentzel to discuss her
theme for PSBA when she is President. She is trying to identify tactful ways
to work on boards that are not active in
communicating with their legislators.
Mr. Zimmerman stated that people often confuse the term lobbyist with advocate.
School Board Members are advocates for school children.
Mr. Zimmerman also pointed out that the lead article in the education section
of the Sun-Gazette was written by former WASD student Molly Landers.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC - None
President Stone announced an Executive Session to discuss the terms and
conditions of employment for one or more District employees and to receive
legal advice from an attorney would follow this meeting.
Upon motion made by Mr. Shultz, seconded by Ms. Markle and carried the meeting
adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
_________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary