W illiamsport A rea
S chool D istrict
Board of Directors Meeting
March 18, 2008
6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2. OPENING EXERCISES –
Mr. James E. Temple
SILENT REFLECTION
DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN BELIEF STATEMENT # 3
We believe that direct parental involvement is an asset to each student’s
success.
PSBA EFFECTIVE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE STANDARD 2 ( e )
The Williamsport Area School Board will model responsible governance and
leadership by engaging all community stakeholders.
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:
Striving toward ideal conditions for effective School Board service to our
community, in a spirit of teamwork and devotion to public education, is the
greatest instrument for preserving and perpetuating our representative
democracy.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting – February 19, 2008
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.
Outstanding Student Presentation
4.1
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT CONT’D: – Mr. David B. Stone, Jr.
B.
Congratulations to Caitlin Burzynski, a Senior at the Williamsport Area High,
School for being selected by the Williamsport Area School District as our
Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Student candidate.
C.
Congratulations to Maria Weaver, a Language Arts teacher at Roosevelt Middle
School for being selected by the Williamsport Area School District as our
Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Student candidate.
D.
Congratulations to the following students for qualifying to attend the PMEA
State Orchestra and Band Festival:
Dan Abercrombie – String Bass
Culley Byham – Viola
Chris Connolly – Viola
Nathan Frailey - Cello
Matt Hartsock – Trumpet
Angie Richards – Violin
Ian Wallace – String Bass
E.
Presentation: High School Aviation Project – Bruce Elliott, Principal,
and Ian Walsh
F.
Revenue Budget Presentation – Charles Peterson
G.
Consider approving the attached Notice of Adoption of Policies, Procedures and
Use of Funds for BLaST IU #17.
H.
Acknowledge the passing of two previous board members:
1.
Kenneth W. Litherland who passed away on February 26, 2008. He was a member of
the board of directors from December 3, 1991 through December 5, 1994.
2.
George W. Gedon who passed away on March 12, 2008. He was a member
of the board of directors from December 9, 1969 through December 2, 1974.
The School Board extends sympathies to the families of these gentlemen who
served
the Williamsport Area School District.
I.
Consider approving the adjudication of student 07/08–05 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
03/18/08 184,536.86
03/18/08A 138,535.60
03/18/08B 8,000.00
03/18/08C 1,709.55
03/18/08D 1,451,408.55
03/18/08E 95,633.75
03/18/08F 26,434.39
03/18/08G 2,336,153.86
5.2
Consider acknowledging receipt of the FY07 audit from Parente Randolph, LLC.
6.
BOARD POLICY – James E. Temple
Questions may be directed to Dr. Kelley.
6.1
Consider approving the second reading and adoption of Policy #239, “
Foreign Exchange Students.” This is a revision to a previously existing
policy. Questions may be directed to David Wright – Director of Student
Services.
6.2
Consider approving the second reading and adoption of the “Public
Accessibility (Programs, Activities, Services” policy. A policy number
will be assigned by PSBA at a later date. Questions may be directed to Debbra
Savage – Director of Human Resources
7. CURRICULUM REPORT
Questions may be directed to Dr. Adams.
7.1
Consider authorizing a "Career Exploration Day" opportunity for WASD
students in grades 5 through 12 on April 24, 2008. This is a career education
activity and coincides with the national "Take Our Daughters and Sons to
Work Day."
This experience is only recommended for students in grades 5 through 12;
however, students in Kindergarten through 4th grade may participate in the
experience by completing the “Application for Excused Absence for an
Educational Trip.”
This is a voluntary activity that will require pre-registration to include
parent's signature and identification of parent/guardian's place of employment
to be visited. Additionally, students participating in this activity with
their parent will be required, and given the opportunity, to complete regular
academic work covered on April 24. Participating students will also be
required to complete a variety of appropriate assignments relevant to their
visitation of the parent's place of employment.
Participating parents are responsible for the transportation and safety of
their child to and from their place of employment.
7.
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
7.2
Consider approving Martha Freeman, author, to visit Stevens Elementary School
on Friday, May 23, 2008. Approximate cost for the visit will be $850 and will
be paid for by the Stevens PTA and Title I.
7.3
Consider approving Lynn Williams, James V. Brown Library, to present the
program, “Sock It To Me” Stories, on April 2, 2008 to the families at
Hepburn Lycoming Elementary School. The cost of the program is $225 and is
budgeted under Title I Parent Funds.
7.4
Considering approving the following high school English teachers for up to 5
days of curriculum development:
Angela Lovecchio
Amy Mahon Mike Murafka
John Weaver
These teachers will develop curriculum for the new English 9, 10, 11 and 12 as
part of the redesign of the “basic” English curriculum. Two of these
curriculum development days will occur during the school day and three of these
days will occur in June after the close of the school year.
7.5
Consider approving APL Instructional Skills – Level I Workshop for up to
45 participants August 4-8, 2008. Approximate costs are $14,000 ($12,500
contracted fee and $1,500 expenses).
7.6
Consider approving APL Instructional Skills – Level II Workshop for up to
45 participants August 4-8, 2008. Approximate costs are $7,500.
8. PERSONNEL REPORT
Questions may be directed to Debbra Savage, Esq.
8.1 RESIGNATIONS
Consider accepting the following resignation(s), effective on the dates and for
the purposes indicated:
A.
Bill Fullmer, full-time Custodian at the high school, for the purpose of
retirement, effective at the end of the day on June 27, 2008.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School
District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Bill Fullmer from
service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere appreciation
for his 15 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.
8.1 RESIGNATIONS CONT’D:
B.
Elizabeth N. Kreider, full-time Instructional Support Aide/LPN at the high
school, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the
2007-2008 school year (tentative date of June 9, 2008).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School
District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Elizabeth N.
Kreider from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere
appreciation for her over 4 years of dedicated service to our school system as
an instructional support aide. It further expresses the hope that her years
of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
C.
James F. Kreider, School Bus Driver for the District, for the purpose of
retirement, effective at the completion of the 2007-2008 school year (tentative
date of June 6, 2008).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School
District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of James F. Kreider
from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere
appreciation for his over 7 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.
D.
David C. Staib, full-time Stock Clerk at the Warehouse Complex, for the purpose
of retirement, effective at the end of the day on March 31, 2008.
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School
District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of David C. Staib
from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere
appreciation for his 36 years of dedicated service to our school system as a
stock clerk, custodian, and maintenance worker. It further expresses the hope
that his years of retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
E.
Bonnie J. Tebbs, Food Service Production Manager at Lycoming Valley Middle
School, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the completion of the
2007-2008 school year (tentative date of June 6, 2008).
RESOLVED: that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School
District acknowledges with profound regret the retirement of Bonnie J. Tebbs
from service in the Williamsport Area Schools and expresses its sincere
appreciation for her 30 years of dedicated service to our school system as a
food service worker. It further expresses the hope that her years of
retirement will be many and richly rewarding.
F.
Teresa M. Stauffer, general food service worker at the high school, for
personal reasons, effective April 1, 2008.
8.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Consider approving the following leave(s) of absence:
A.
Albert F. Hills, full-time General Maintenance Worker for the District, for an
unpaid leave, effective March 10, 2008, through June 1, 2008.
B.
Shawna L. Weaver, Elementary Alternative Education teacher at Round Hills
Elementary School, for an unpaid leave after the exhaustion of all eligible
leave days, effective March 31, 2008, through July 1, 2008.
8.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Consider the election of the following staff, for the purpose and on the date
indicated:
A.
The following person(s) as track and/or other athletic event worker(s),
effective for the 2007-2008 school year. These workers will be paid at a flat
rate per event (as determined by the Athletic Director) as scheduled and
approved by the Athletic Department. Payment for these services will be
forwarded to payroll for processing:
Robin S. Enderle
119 Mountain View Rd., Linden
Derrick P. Scott
1030 West Mountain Ave., S., Williamsport
B.
Janet M. Loffredo, 64 Zion View Drive, Linden, as Food Service Production
Manager/Delivery Person for the Summer Food Services Program (in conjunction
with WASD Title I Program) for up to 4½ hours per day during the period of
June 16, 2008 to June 20, 2008 and July 7, 2008 to August 1, 2008, at the
hourly rate of $14.21 per hour.
C.
Athena G. Leathers, 2212 Mahaffey Lane, Williamsport, as Substitute Food
Service Production Manager/Delivery Person for the Summer Food Services Program
(in conjunction with WASD Title I Program) for up to 4½ hours per day
during the period of June 16, 2008 to June 20, 2008 and July 7, 2008 to August
1, 2008, at the hourly rate of $14.21 per hour.
D.
The following substitute food service worker(s), at the salary rate of $7.15
per hour, for the actual number of hours worked, effective date as indicated:
Aisha N. Sabur
943 Memorial Ave., Williamsport (effective 03/17/08)
8.4*
POSITION CHANGES – None at this time
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.
to travel to Dunbar and Mill Run, Pennsylvania, during May 2008 to tour to
architecturally significant houses.
District transportation is requested. One substitute will be required for the
day.
B.
Seven (7) autistic support students from the Williamsport Area High School,
accompanied by their teacher and seven aides, to travel to Appalachian Horse
Rescue (Linden) and Little Pine State Park (Waterville) during May 2008.
Students will be transported in the school van with their teacher and an aide.
The remaining staff will use personal transportation.
C.
Sixty-two (62) third grade students from Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School,
accompanied by their teachers and parent volunteers, to travel to Camp Susque
during May 2008 as part of their nature studies
District transportation is requested. All costs will be paid by the Hepburn-
Lycoming PTO.
D.
Approximately 75 fourth grade students from Cochran Elementary School,
accompanied by their teachers and parent volunteers, to travel to Wegman’s
for a tour during May 2008.
There will be no cost to the District. The students will walk to and from
Wegman’s.
E.
Five (5) MathCounts Team members from Curtin and Lycoming Valley Middle
Schools, accompanied by two teachers, to travel to Harrisburg on two dates
during March 2008 to participate in the state Mathcounts competition.
The students will be driven by a staff member.
10.1*
Consider approving the following student trips cont’d:
F.
Twenty-one (21) physics students from the Williamsport Area High School,
accompanied by their teacher and parent chaperones, to travel to the Penn
College Aviation Center during April 2008.
District transportation is requested and will be paid by Penn College. One
substitute will be required for the day.
G.
Two (2) music students from the Williamsport Area High School, accompanied by
their teacher, to travel to Mansfield High School on two dates during March
2008 to participate in a jazz festival.
The students will be transported by their teacher. One substitute will be
required for the day.
H.
Thirty (30) ninth grade students from the Williamsport Area High School,
accompanied by district staff, to travel to Penn College during March 2008 for
career exploration.
District transportation is requested. All costs will be paid by Penn College.
I.
Forty-seven (47) first grade students from Sheridan Elementary School,
accompanied by their teachers and parent volunteers, to travel to Bruce E.
Henry Park in Loyalsock during June 2008.
The only cost will be for the pavilion rental fee and will be paid by the
Sheridan PTO. The students will walk to and from the park.
J.
Forty-seven (47) first grade students from Round Hills Elementary School,
accompanied by their teachers and other adults, to travel to Giant Supermarket,
Indian Park, and the Great Escape Theater during April 2008.
District transportation is requested. All costs will be paid by the Round
Hills PTO.
K.
Eighty-five (85) third grade students from Cochran Elementary School,
accompanied by their teachers and an aide, to travel to the Montour Preserve
during May 2008.
District transportation is requested and will be paid by the Cochran School
Association.
10.1*
Consider approving the following student trips cont’d:
L.
Approximately 122 seventh grade students from Curtin Middle School,
accompanied by their teachers, to travel to downtown Williamsport during April
2008 view the Pilato Mural. There will have a tour/talk with the artists.
There will be no cost to the District. The students will walk to and from the
school.
M.
Fifty (50) fifth grade students from Stevens Elementary School, accompanied by
their teachers and parent volunteers, to travel to Washington, DC during May
2008.
Transportation will be provided by contract carrier. All costs will be paid by
the Stevens PTA.
10.2
Consider approving the use of a District school bus to provide shuttle services
from the Williamsport Area High School’s B & C parking lots during
the Spring Craft Fair on Saturday, March 15, 2008. The cost will be paid by
the Football Booster Club.
10.3
Consider approving the following request for facility use:
A.
Lycoming County Bureau of Elections to use space at Curtin and Roosevelt Middle
Schools on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. as Primary
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.
B.
Antioch Baptist Church to use the gymnasium at Curtin Middle School on
Thursdays, beginning March 20 through April 24, 2008, from 7:00 p.m. until
9:00 p.m. to hold basketball practice. Antioch Baptist Church is requesting
relief of the occupancy fee estimated at $240.00. Certificate of Insurance to
be received.
11. BIDS/CONTRACTS
Questions may be directed to Mr. Peterson.
11.1
Consider approving a contract with Mrs. Laurie Ulmer, Cogan Station, to
transport her
child to/from Round Hills Elementary School, effective October 1, 2007 to the
end of
2007-08 school year at a cost not to exceed $2,300.
11.2
Consider authorizing an agreement with West Pharmaceutical Services for the
purchase of a used programmable logic controller (PLC) for the Career &
Technical Education Electronics Program at a cost of $10.00. This equipment
will be used to demonstrate how computers control mechanical equipment.
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
