W illiamsport A rea
S chool D istrict
Board of Directors Meeting
February 19, 2008
6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. OPENING EXERCISES –
Ms. Pamela J. Markle
SILENT REFLECTION
DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN BELIEF STATEMENT # 1
We believe that education is essential to the vitality of the community.
PSBA EFFECTIVE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE STANDARD 2 ( c )
The Williamsport Area School Board will model responsible governance and
leadership by leading with respect and taking full responsibility for Board
activity and behavior.
PSBA CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
We, as members of our local Board of Education, representing all the residents
of our school district, believe that:
We should respect that the Superintendent of Schools and her staff are
responsible and accountable for the delivery of the educational programs and
the conduct of school operations.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
3.1
Student Representatives’ Report – Kelly Derr and Chate James
4. REPORTS TO THE BOARD
4.1
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
A.
Congratulations to Jordan Freezer, a Senior at the Williamsport Area High
School, for producing the art work that will be used in the Lycoming/Sullivan
Counties Standards Coalition billboard.
B.
Congratulations to the Williamsport Area High School boys’ swim team for
capturing their fifth straight Northeast Swimming and Diving league title.
C.
Senior High Alternative Education Program Presentation—David Wright and
Bill Rathjen
4.1
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
D.
Consider approving the adjudication of student 07/08–04 resulting from a
quasi-judicial hearing held this evening.
4.2
Committee Reports by Board Members
4.3 Construction Projects
5. FINANCE REPORT
Questions may be directed to Mr. Peterson
5.1*
Consider authorizing 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
02/19/08 $207,816.53
02/19/08A 138,768.57
02/19/08B 17,426.80
02/19/08C 1,674,838.88
02/19/08D 12,245.89 02/19/08E 8,000.00
02/19/08F 7,502.70
02/19/08G 1,237.00 6.
BOARD POLICY – James E. Temple
Questions may be directed to Dr. Kelley.
6.1
Consider approving the revisions at second reading and adoption, to Board
Policy # 215 Promotion and Retention, as requested by high school
administration, curriculum supervisors, and student services.
The requested change in Board policy # 215 is to the following text on pages 2
and 3 of the Policy, in the section entitled “
High School Promotion”:
Freshman
To be a freshman (grade 9), a student shall have been promoted from a middle
school.
Sophomore
To be a sophomore, a student shall have earned four and one-half (4.5) credits
as a freshman, including credits in health and physical education.
Junior
To be a junior, a student shall have earned nine (9.0) credits as a freshman
and sophomore, including credits in health and physical education.
Senior
To be a senior, a student shall have earned fourteen (14.0) credits as a
freshman, sophomore and junior, including credits in health and physical
education.
7. CURRICULUM REPORT
Questions may be directed to Dr. Adams.
7.1
Consider approving rental of a dramatic backdrop from Grosh Scenic Rentals of
Hollywood, CA, for use in the WAHS student production of Timmy and Shrew,
directed by Dr. John Weaver on April 3-4, 2008. Approximate cost of no more
than $450.00
7.2
Consider approval of Letters of Agreement (LOA) with The James V. Brown
Library, Big Brother/Big Sisters of Lycoming County, Community Alliance of
Progressive Positive Action (CAPPA), and the Northcentral YWCA, partner
agencies for the District’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers
(CCLC), Cohort 4 middle level after school program grant. The partnership
activities provided by each organization and related costs are specified in the
grant application and contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Costs are paid by the Cohort 4, 21st CCLC grant.
7.3
Consistent with School Board Policy #239, “Foreign Exchange Students,”
; consider the approval of the Educational Resource Development Trust’s
SHARE High School Exchange Program as a sponsor agency for foreign exchange
students. Appropriate documentation is on file with Student Services in
support of this program’s request.
7.4
Consider approving Sheridan Elementary School’s 2008-2009 Student/Parent
Handbook.
8. PERSONNEL REPORT
Questions may be directed to Debbra Savage, Esq.
8.1
RESIGNATIONS – None at this time
8.2
LEAVES OF ABSENCE - Consider approving the following leave(s) of absence:
A.
Staci L. Godfrey, part-time Administrative Support I for the Curriculum Office
and Student Services Department at the DSC, for an unpaid leave, effective
February 21, 2008, through March 31, 2008, possibly to return sooner.
B.
Beth Fausnaught Sweeting, full-time ESL teacher at Cochran Elementary School,
for an extension of her unpaid leave, effective January 28, 2008, through June
6, 2008, possibly to return sooner.
8.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Consider the election of the following staff, for the purpose and on the date
indicated:
A.
The following substitute teacher(s), 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:
Kathleen P. McMahon 889 Yeagle Rd., Montoursville (effective 02/12/08)
8.3*
ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
B.
The following substitute administrative support/aide(s), 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:
Linda M. Bair
1729 Andrews Place Ext., Williamsport
8.4*
POSITION CHANGES - Consider approving the following position change(s):
A.
Jonathan M. Miller, 732 Tucker St., Williamsport, from a regular part-time
custodian at Sheridan Elementary School to a regular part-time custodian at the
high school (second shift), 250 days up to 4 hours per day, with a base wage
rate of $10.81 per hour, effective February 11, 2008 (replacing James Watson,
transferred).
9. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Questions may be directed to Dr. Adams.
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. Kelley.
10.1*
Consider approving the following student trips:
All students must be in compliance with the school’s field trip
disciplinary requirements
in order to participate.
A.
Thirty (30) percussion students from the Williamsport Area High School,
accompanied by staff members and parent volunteers to participate in the
following adjudications:
Central Mountain High School for one day during February 2008
Mifflinburg High School for one day during February 2008
North Penn High School (Mansfield) for one day during March 2008
Lower Dauphin High School for one day during March 2008
Central Mountain High School for one day during April 2008
Central Dauphin for one day during April 2008
Wildwood New Jersey for four days during May 2008
Transportation will be provided by contract carrier. All costs will be paid by
the WAHS Band Association.
10.1*
Consider approving the following student trips:
B.
Twenty-nine (29) life skill students from the Williamsport Area High School,
accompanied by their teachers and other staff members to travel to Perkins
Restaurant during March 2008 to practice using transportation, etiquette and
related skills.
District transportation is requested.
10.2
Consider approving the following request for facility use:
B.
Newberry Little League to use the gymnasium at Roosevelt Middle School on
February 18, 19 and 20, 2008, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. to hold tryouts.
Newberry Little League is requesting relief of the occupancy fee estimated at
$120.00. Certificate of Insurance to be received.
11. BIDS/CONTRACTS
Questions may be directed to Mr. Peterson.
11.1
Consider authorizing the purchase of student handbooks in accordance with our
specifications and the following recommended award. All recommended awards are
based on the lowest bid meeting specifications.
A schedule of items to be awarded has been provided in lieu of a complete
tabulation. Due to the extensive number of items and participating vendors for
this bid it is impractical to provide a complete tabulation. A complete
tabulation is available in the business office for viewing by any interested
parties.
All bids were received by 1:30 p.m. and opened publicly in the District Service
Center at
2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 5, 2008.
RECOMMENDED AWARD:
Premier Agendas, Bellingham, WA was the lowest bid for all of the following
student handbooks:
High School Handbooks: $2.99/each (price includes customized handbook pages)
Middle School Handbooks: $2.85/each (price includes customized handbook pages
and vinyl pouches)
Primary and Intermediate Handbooks: $2.67/each (price includes customized
handbook pages and vinyl pouches)
12. TAX ITEMS - None
13.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Kathleen R. Kelley, Ph.D.
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
