The Lower Dauphin School Board held its regular monthly meeting. The board recognized students who won an anti-bullying video contest, discussed the success of the Londonderry Pre-K program, and agreed to explore refinancing school bonds which could save taxpayer money. The board also received routine committee reports and approved the previous meeting's minutes and monthly bills.
The Lower Dauphin School Board held its regular monthly meeting. The board recognized students who won an anti-bullying video contest, discussed the success of the Londonderry Pre-K program, and agreed to explore refinancing school bonds which could save taxpayer money. The board also received routine committee reports and approved the previous meeting's minutes and monthly bills.
Original Description:
September 9, 2013 Lower Dauphin School Board Regular Meeting Minutes
The Lower Dauphin School Board held its regular monthly meeting. The board recognized students who won an anti-bullying video contest, discussed the success of the Londonderry Pre-K program, and agreed to explore refinancing school bonds which could save taxpayer money. The board also received routine committee reports and approved the previous meeting's minutes and monthly bills.
The Lower Dauphin School Board held its regular monthly meeting. The board recognized students who won an anti-bullying video contest, discussed the success of the Londonderry Pre-K program, and agreed to explore refinancing school bonds which could save taxpayer money. The board also received routine committee reports and approved the previous meeting's minutes and monthly bills.
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, September 9, 2013
I. CALL TO ORDER: The Lower Dauphin School Board met this evening at 7:00 p.m. for a Regular Meeting/ Work Session at the District Administration Center with President Todd M. Kreiser presiding.
II. OPENING CEREMONY The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL Responding to Roll Call were Board Members, Mr. Todd M. Kreiser, Mrs. Dana A. Barry, Ms. Rebecca D. Kline, Mr. Jeffrey A. Neely, Mr. Keith E. Oellig, Mrs. Renae M. Paladino, and Mrs. Laurie N. Reichert, Mr. Eric Samples, as well as Dr. Sherri L. Smith, Superintendent. Mrs. Marcela D. Myers was absent.
Staff members present included Dr. Robert Schultz, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Michelle Shuler, Business Manager; Mrs. Angela Hepner, Director of Human Resources; Mr. Andrew McCrea, Director of Pupil Services; Mr. James Hazen, Community Relations Coordinator; Mrs. Melanie Shaver-Durham, Director of Elementary Education; Mr. David Marshall, Supervisor of Operations & Maintenance; Dr. Kevin White, Director of Information & Technology Services; Mr. Todd Neuhard, High School Principal; Mr. Dan Berra, Middle School Principal; Mr. Edward Gnall, Mr. Justin Hanula, Dr. Michael Lausch, Mr. Gary Messinger and Dr. Douglas Winner, Elementary Principals.
Also in attendance were press representatives from The Patriot, The Press and Journal, and The Sun.
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It should be noted that public notice was given for this meeting in accordance with Act 84 of 1986. The agenda was submitted for the Boards approval.
Dr. Smith announced there was an executive session held prior to this meeting to discuss financial data and preparation for teacher negotiations.
Motion: Mr. Neely and Mr. Samples moved to approve the agenda as indicated.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.
9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 10 V. RECOGNITION OF GUESTS AND SCHEDULED SPEAKERS
1. Dr. Smith welcomed Kerry Wolfe who is a board member candidate from Londonderry Township.
2. Mr. Neuhard introduced 2013 graduate, Bryce Detweiler, and senior, Emma Irving who were recognized for the awards received for their anti-bullying video they created in Mr. Mikulas communications class last school year. They played the video and then explained the process that led them to being named to the top fifteen in June and traveling the Los Angeles where they attended an anti-bullying conference. They won the award of Best Message, and 2 nd Place overall. With that, came a $2,000 text in a tip program for the school and a $500 scholarship for Bryce. The board congratulated them and presented each with a certificate of appreciation.
3. Dr. Michael Lausch and Michelle Devey presented background of the development of and the success of the Londonderry Pre-K program.
4. Mr. Brad Remig from Public Financial Management presented an opportunity to refinance the 2006A Bond which is callable in October 2013. A different approach is being considered, which is to identify cash to pay down the debt and refinance the remaining debt into a bank loan as opposed to a bond. Theyd like to put out a RFP to see if banks are interested. Dr. Smith surveyed the Board who was in unanimous agreement to proceed. Mr. Remig will report back at the October 7, 2013 board meeting. He added that there will be no cost to the district to explore this. Mr. Kreiser thanked everyone involved for once again thinking outside the box keeping in mind what is best for the district and the taxpayer.
5. Maria Angelo addressed the board with her concern about the length of the bus ride her son was assigned to a private school.
VI. REPORTS
A. DAUPHIN COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOL Mr. Keith Oellig reported: They had good news from their business manager who gave an overview of the budget showing a surplus of $2,000,000. Some reasons for that are increased vocational subsidies, higher number of tuition students than budgeted, they received an increase in health care revenue through employee contributions, less expenses in health care, and utilities are under budget. Out of that surplus, it is proposed to place $4,000 into the healthcare reserve fund, $163,00 into PSERS reserve allocations fund, $150,000 in capital reserve, and returning 1.7 million back to the districts. Lower Dauphin will receive about $213,000. He had expressed a bit of concern about the surplus and suggested adjusting the tuition next year. 9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 10 They are looking at installing a modular unit to increase their medical program with a cost of $128,000. They are also looking at starting an adult program and adding an Adult Education Coordinator. Mr. Kreiser added the enrollment is 1,018 students, 237 are tuitions students, 93 are from Lower Dauphin. Building capacity is 1100.
B. HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE No report
C. CAPITAL AREA INTERMEDIATE UNIT Mrs. Reichert reported: As most are aware, Dr. Gales is retiring at the end of 2013. Current Assistant Executive Director, Cindy Mortzfeldt, will move into the Executive Director position on January 1, 2014. A search committee is being organized to replace Cindy Mortzfeldt. PSEA negotiations are still ongoing. It was due this past June. They are close and may have an agreement as soon as this month or October.
D. CURRICULUM Dr. Schultz reported: On August 20, our NCLB waiver was approved by the US Department of Education. This impacts three things. 1) College and career readiness for all students which is a move to the PA Common Core which is now the PA Core Standards and the implementation of the Keystone exams. 2) Improving and supporting effective classroom instruction which is the new teacher effective model which is coming in place for teachers this year and principals next year. 3) State developed recognition and accountability for all public schools. This eliminates AYP and replaced it with an improved accountability system. The AYP will be replaced by the School Performance Profile. Dr. Smith and he have just started the second phase of data verification. It will be released to the district later this month and to the public on September 30. Each school will receive a score with a percentage of points earned based on the school configuration and the points for which it is eligible. It will be a percentage score out of a 100. The Title I schools, Nye, East Hanover, and Londonderry, will also have a designation. If you are in the top 5% in PA for high achieving or high growth, you are a Reward Building. If you are in the bottom 10%, you are a Focus School, if you are Title I building. If you are in the bottom 5%, you are a Priority School. The Focus and Priority groups will have school improvement staff to assist the schools.
E. LEGISLATIVE Mrs. Barry reported: PSBA is handling the election of PSBA officers differently this year. Each board will cast one vote per office through the board secretary. Board members were previously given information on the slate of officers. She reviewed the recommended candidates. The board was in agreement of casting their vote for for the following offices:
9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 10 President-Elect: Mark B. Miller Vice President: Larry B. Breech Treasurer: Otto W. Voit III At Large Representative (Central) Kathy Swope
Mrs. Hagy will cast the votes on behalf of Lower Dauphin School District.
F. SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Smith reported: It has been a smooth start to the school year. She gave kudos to the staff and administrators for a great start. We are making progress on finishing a few building projects. There has been some positive movement on the Conewago multipurpose room floor. The tennis courts are completed with the exception of fixing the final repair to the detention plan. Once approvals are received, Handwerk is ready to make the changes through a change order and close that project. There have been some drainage problems with the turf field detention ponds. Once the water was removed, about 6 of silt was discovered that was preventing the proper drainage. Ebersoles Excavating was asked to take a look at that issue. She reviewed the proposed signage and traffic flow at the high school.
VII. ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION By notice of the President, the following action items suggest a roll call vote. You will be recorded as voting in the affirmative for the motion unless you say "nay" or "I abstain". Board Members are further advised that they must publicly announce and disclose the nature of any conflict of interest before the vote on the matter is taken and file the appropriate form with the Secretary of the Board.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Copies of the minutes of the regular meeting held August 19, 2013 were forwarded in advance to all members of the Board of Directors.
2. FISCAL ITEMS
a. BILLS The bills for August, which were presented for Board approval are chargeable against the funds and accounts indicated. The list of bills recommended was provided prior to the regular meeting.
1.
General Fund Account including two payrolls amounting to $1,625,401.27 and four Highmark medical wires totaling $356,189.52 $3,266,191.50
2. Activity Account $0.00 9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 10 3. Athletic Account $18,640.79 4. Cafeteria Account $48,343.79 5. Construction Account $0.00 6. Capital Reserve Account $0.00 7. Capital Contingency Account $0.00
b. TAX EXONERATIONS
Municipality Real Estate Per Capita 511 & 679 Occup. 511 Conewago $0.00 $262.00 $35,475.00 East Hanover $0.00 $682.00 $40,850.00 Hummelstown $0.00 $987.00 $46,075.00 Londonderry $0.00 $468.00 $31,225.00 South Hanover $0.00 $1,568.00 $86,414.00 TOTAL $0.00 $3,967.00 $240,039.00
3. SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON PERSONNEL ISSUES:
a. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE PROFESSIONAL SUBSTITUTE LIST
The following individuals were recommended:
PROFESSIONAL
ADDITIONS:
Gregory Brandt Music Joshua Bruaw Music Kehley Jo Cimino Elementary Pre K-4, Sp. Ed. Pre K-8 Bretney Endy Early Childhood, Elementary Donna Foran Elementary K-6 Jeremy Latimer Earth & Space Science, General Science Tracy Lentz Elementary K-6 Janella Maish RN Aaron Minderman Elementary K-6, Mid Level Math 7-9 Megan Resser Elementary Pre K-4 Ann Sierer Health, Physical Education Suzanne Smith Mathematics 9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 10 Jessica Veloz Music Wain Ingalzo French, Spanish Thomas Wilson Social Studies Emergency Certified
Patricia Furjanic
Lori Geesaman
Faye Glick
Clare Lorraine
Shannon Watson
DELETION:
David Bridgewater
Andrew Koman
CLASSIFIED
ADDITIONS:
Leah Palm Custodian Michael Rankin Custodian
b. EMPLOYMENT - SUPPLEMENTAL
a. M. Susan Weidman Musical/Play Co-Director, MS $683.00 b. Robert Stoner Football Asst., JH $2,413.00 c. Brett McCoy Outdoor Education - Londonderry $564.00
4. POLICY AND PROGRAM ISSUES
a. HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION
It was recommended that homebound instruction be provided for one student based on medical certification.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: Mr. Samples and Mrs. Reichert moved to approve the consent calendar as recommended.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion. 9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 10 B. FISCAL
1. TREASURER'S REPORT It was recommended that the Board approve the treasurer's report for the month of August. The treasurer's report was provided prior to the regular meeting.
Motion: Mrs. Reichert and Mrs. Barry moved to approve the treasurer's report for the period of August 1, 2013 to August 31, 2013 as presented.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.
2. SERVICE CONTRACT LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
A landscape maintenance service contract with Archibald Landscape Design was approved at May 20, 2013 board meeting. It is recommended that the district substitute the company name of Eagle Landscaping as a result of the sale of the company. The same terms and conditions of the service contract remain in effect.
Motion: Mr. Neely and Mrs. Reichert moved to approve Eagle Landscaping as the name on the landscape maintenance service contract approved on May 20, 2013.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.
C. PERSONNEL
1. EMPLOYMENT - CLASSIFIED
a. Sarah Kelly, Mathematics Teacher, High School. Effective: September 27, 2013. Reason: Personal.
Motion: Mrs. Reichert and Mrs. Barry moved to approve the employment of the individual as presented.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.
9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 10
2. CHILDREARING LEAVE PROFESSIONAL
a. Nina M. Gilroy, English Teacher, Middle School. Effective: January 15, 2014 through the end of the 3rd marking period of the 2013-14 school year.
Motion: Mrs. Reichert and Mrs. Kline moved to approve the child rearing leave as presented.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.
3. RESIGNATION CLASSIFIED
a. Donald E. Gephart, Custodian, Conewago Elementary School. Effective: December 20, 2013. Reason: Retirement.
Motion: Mr. Neely and Mr. Samples moved to approve the resignation of the individual as presented.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.
4. EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFIED HOURLY
a. Kimberly J. Balmer, Educational Support Aide, Library Aide, South Hanover Elementary School. Effective: September 10, 2013. Hourly rate: $11.40.
b. Kaila E. Bomgardner, Instructional/Recess Aide, South Hanover Elementary School. Effective: September 10, 2013. Hourly rate: $9.45.
c. Victoria L. Friedel, Office Aide, Londonderry Elementary School. Effective: September 12, 2013. Hourly rate: $9.70.
d. Patricia E. Kain, Educational Support Aide - Middle School Attendance. Effective: TBD. Hourly rate: $9.70.
e. Michelle L. Laychock, Educational Support Aide/Office Aide, Conewago Elementary School. Effective: September 10, 2013. Hourly rate: $9.75.
f. Donna M. Myer, Special Education Paraeducator, Middle School. Effective: TBD. Hourly rate: $10.50. 9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 10
Motion: Mrs. Reichert and Mrs. Barry moved to approve the employment of the individuals as presented.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.
D. POLICY AND PROGRAM ISSUES
1. ADDITIONS TO THE LIST OF 2013 GRADUATES
The following students have satisfactorily completed all requirements for graduation and have received their diploma after the June 6, 2013 graduation ceremonies:
a. Nathaniel Houtz b. Brandon Phillips c. Christopher Ramos d. Andre Shenk
Motion: Mrs. Paladino and Mrs. Reichert moved to approve these students as additions to the 2013 list of graduates as presented.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.
2. ADOPTION OF DISTRICT CURRICULUM
The revised curriculum for science/environmental studies for 5th grade students is attached. This plan also includes a safety plan.
Dr. Smith explained the week of outdoor education will include programs at the schools on Monday and Friday, and Tuesday through Thursday at Camp Hebron.
Motion: Mr. Neely and Mrs. Reichert moved to approve the revised curriculum as presented.
Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.
E. OTHER
9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 10 VIII. INFORMATION ITEMS
A. DATES FOR BOARD MEMBERS' CALENDARS
October 7, 2013 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting/Work Session October 21, 2013 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
B. ADVISEMENTS
1. VOLUNTEER COACHES
The following individuals will be serving as volunteer coaches for the specified sport for the 2013-14 school year. Each has been approved by the athletic director, head coach, and principal.
a. Nathan Brock Volleyball - Girls b. Stacey Garber Field Hockey
C. DISTRIBUTIONS
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Mrs. Reichert and Mr. Neely moved to adjourn at 8:08 p.m.