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, February 19, 2008, 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, Eric J. Budnovitch, Karen V. Harris, Pamela J. Markle,
David B. Stone, Jr., James E. Temple, Lois T. Williams, Thomas A. Zimmerman.
ABSENT: Jay B. Shultz (arrived at 6:06 p.m. prior to any voting)
OPENING EXERCISES – were provided by Ms. Pamela J. Markle.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
Student Representatives’ Report – Kelly Derr
President Stone recognized Mr. Tom Frantz, Woodward Township Supervisor, who informed the Board that he was speaking on behalf of the Supervisors with a formal request that the Board donate
the Woodward Township Building and property back to Woodward Township.
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
D. Motion made by Ms. Markle, seconded by Ms. Harris, to approve the adjudication of student 07/08–04 resulting from a quasi-judicial hearing held this evening.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
Committee Reports by Board Members
Ms. Markle reported that she attended a leadership conference in Washington, DC in which all state association officers met and had three days of leadership training and meetings with legislators.
Construction Projects
Motion made by Ms. Markle, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the balance of the agenda including the addendum.
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
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
BOARD POLICY
6.1 Approve 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.
CURRICULUM REPORT
7.1 Approve 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
CURRICULUM REPORT CONT’D:
7.2 Approve 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 Approval of Sheridan Elementary School’s 2008-2009 Student/Parent Handbook.
7.5 Approve the course Child and Family Studies as a replacement for two electives (Family Living; Community Leadership and Service) at the Williamsport Area High School. This course was omitted from the original list of Career and Technical Education Courses that was approved at the January 8 board meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT
8.1 RESIGNATIONS – None at this time
8.2 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Approve 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 - Elect 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
Approve 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).
8.5 OTHER
A. Authorize payment to Kathryn A. Schon, 208 Schon Lane, Cogan Station, AV Computer Technician at the high school, to assume additional duties as AV support at the high school at a stipend rate of $783 for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year (necessary due to extended leave of AV/Auditorium Technician at the high school).
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. 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
10.1* Approve the following student trips cont’d:
A. Thirty (30) percussion students from the Williamsport Area High School cont’d:
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.
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.
C. All eighth grade students from Curtin, Lycoming Valley, and Roosevelt Middle Schools, accompanied by a building administrator from each building and their teachers, to travel to the Community Arts Center during March 2008 to attend a performance of the rock musical Frankly Ben. District transportation is requested.
10.2 Approve 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.
BIDS/CONTRACTS
11.1 Authorize 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.
BIDS/CONTRACTS CONT’D:
11.1 Authorize the purchase of student handbooks cont’d:
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)
TAX ITEMS - None
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Kathleen R. Kelley, Ph.D.
Dr. Kelley attended the American Association of School Administrators
conference. There were impressive writers and speakers. It was a great
opportunity to bring knowledge back to the District. She is looking forward to
a book study with the administrative team.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Zimmerman indicated that the PSBA April Legislative Meeting would be held
in Montgomery on April 3rd
. This will be a good opportunity because we will probably have all three of
our legislators present. ITEMS FROM PUBLIC
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 Ms. Markle, seconded by Ms. Baer and carried the meeting
adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
_________________________________
Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary