Mrs. Bernadette Heenan Dr. Bill Foster Mrs. Patricia C. Vaccaro-Sexton (via electronic means)

Transcription

1 Council Rock School District Bucks County, Pennsylvania Newtown, Pennsylvania Thursday, December 6, 2012 MINUTES Public Meeting of the Board of School Directors I. Call to Order Mrs. Kyle McKessy, President presided over the public monthly meeting of the Council Rock Board of School Directors. She convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Chancellor Center, 30 N. Chancellor Street, Newtown, PA. The meeting was recorded by the Council Rock School District and was broadcast live in all five municipalities. The following individuals were present: School Board Mrs. Kyle McKessy, President Mrs. Wendi Thomas, Vice President Mr. Richard Abramson, Esquire Dr. Paul Anagnostakos Mr. Robert Donnelly Mr. Jerold Grupp (via electronic means) Mrs. Bernadette Heenan Dr. Bill Foster Mrs. Patricia C. Vaccaro-Sexton (via electronic means) Mr. Mark Klein, Superintendent Mrs. Charlotte I. Walter, CEOE - Secretary Robert Cox, Esquire - Solicitor Staff: Mr. Barry Desko, Director of Secondary Education Mrs. Joy McClendon, Director of Elementary Education/Curriculum Services Mr. Robert Reinhart, Director of Business Affairs & Board Treasurer Dr. Charles Lambert, Director of Special Services Ms. N. Christine Trioli, Director of Human Resources Mr. Matthew Frederickson, Director of Information Technology Mr. Doug Taylor, Supervisor of Facilities II. Routine Actions Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Secretary Walter called the roll call and reported that all board members were in attendance and noted that and were present via electronic means/telephone). Student Advisory Board CRHS South Mr. Funk introduced the following student representatives from the Student Advisory Board of CRHS-South: Class of 2013 Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016 MBIT Class of 2013 Jamie Damirgian Olivia Anakwe Jarett Rovner Jack Wheatley Gabrielle Leone (was not present) These students reported on the activities, events, and standings from their respective grade levels. Superintendent s Report Mr. Klein reported on the following items: National Merit Scholars CRHS South -Mr. Klein introduced Al Funk, Principal from CR South who reported there are 13 commended students for the 2013 National Merit Competition and three (3) students for the National Achievement Scholarship Program. The following students represent CR South s best and brightest: Minutes 2012_12_06 Page 1

2 Semi-Finalists Commended Dennis A. Bereznyak Samuel L. D Antonio Jason K. Herritt Matthew Hines Jordan R. Dion Samantha N. Plate Nisha S. Mallya Daniel M. Eddowes Jennifer Platt Corey B. Forman Seena Seshadri Andrea E. Frank Jared R. Sobel Laurel A. Gordon Emily L. Weiss Jeremy E. Green EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program) A representative from EITC, Kevin Block was in attendance to present a $12, donation to Council Rock Education Foundation. The scholarship program falls under Pennsylania s Education Improvement Tax Credit Program which seeks to support education by encouraging corporate donations to non-profit scholarship or educational improvement organizations in exchange for tax credits. The EITC program is a great way for businesses to direct tax dollars. B101 Christmas Choir Competition For the past four years, a local Philadelphia Radio Station, B101, has sponsored a Choir Competition. The competition involves an initial audition and then a showcase of local choirs whose audio rendition of a song will be played on the radio. Listeners are asked to listen to the choirs and then vote for their favorite. The winning choir gets an opportunity to sing with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops during their concert on December 19 th and receives a new Cunningham Grand Piano. This year, both of our high school choirs have advanced to the final competition. CR South s choir will be featured on Monday, December 10 th at 7:00 a.m. CR North s choir will be featured on Wednesday, December 12 th at 7:00 a.m. The winning choir on each morning will move on to the finals and the winner will be announced on Friday, December 14 th. We need your help! To vote, you need to visit the B101 website at this LINK on the morning of each competition. Put it on your calendar and remember to vote for CR South s choir on Monday morning, December 10 th and then CR North s Choir on Wednesday morning, December 12 th. Pass along this to friends and neighbors and ask them to help us to vote. Thanks for your support of our choirs and our Music Program. CREF Staff Appreciation Program Suzanne Wray and Allison MacGahan, representatives from the Council Rock Education Foundation (CREF) offered the opportunity to recognize and honor a special teacher/staff member at the holidays. Through the CREF Teacher/Staff Appreciation Program, you can make a donation to CREF and specify the teacher(s) staff member(s) you wish to recognize. A beautiful, student designed card will be sent to each staff member acknowledging your gift and appreciation for their efforts. To learn more about this program, download a form or donate online, click here or pick up a form in any Council Rock school office in December. All donations are tax-deductible and invested back into Council Rock classrooms to support innovative educational programs for our students. CR Student Leader Union The Student Leader Union, a student-run non-profit organization will be hosting a Student Leadership Conference for Bucks County Middle and High School age students on Saturday, December 8 th at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, PA. Registration information can be found at Keystone Exams - Over 4,000 exams have been administered this week which represents 1/3 rd of our student population. This will be great information for Council Rock. He thanked the students and teachers for their perseverance. Public Comment Ms. McKessy was thanked for her efforts as President for the past year by board members and community members in attendance. III. Discussion Item A. First Reading Board Policy Property/Disposal of District Property SO Policy Minutes 2012_12_06 Page 2

3 Mr. Klein reported that a good amount of space is being taken up for equipment and furniture no longer in use. This policy will be streamlined. Much discussion followed. IV. Organization of the Board of School Directors A). Election of a President Pro-Tem - Following no objections, Robert Cox, Esquire acted as President Pro- Tem during the election process. Mrs. Walter called the roll call as follows: B). Roll Call of the Reorganized Board of School Directors Mr. Richard Abramson Dr. Paul Anagnostakos Mr. Robert Donnelly Dr. Bill Foster Mr. Jerold Grupp Mrs. Bernadette Heenan Mrs. Kyle McKessy Mrs. Patricia C. Vaccaro-Sexton Mrs. Wendi Thomas C). Election of a President Mr. Cox called for nominations for the office of President. nominated Wendi Thomas for President. This motion was seconded by. called for the nominations to be closed, seconded by. All in favor to close nominations. Following the roll call vote, Mrs. Wendi Thomas is the new President of the Council Rock Board of School Directors for 2013 with Mrs. Heenan being the sole nay vote. D). Election of a Vice-President Mr. Cox called for nominations for the office of Vice President. moved, seconded by, for the nomination of Richard Abramson for Vice President. withdrew his nomination. moved, seconded by to nominate Mrs. Kyle McKessy for Vice President. moved, seconded by, to nominate as Vice President. Mrs. Sexton withdrew her nomination. moved, seconded by, passed to close nominations for Vice President with being the sole nay vote. The vote tally is listed below: At this point, the vote was taken for the nomination of for Vice President. The motion passed with the following vote tally listed 6/3. is the new Vice President of the Board of School Directors. Minutes 2012_12_06 Page 3

4 accepted the gavel and presided over the balance of the meeting at 8:20 p.m. E). F). G). H). I). J). Appointment of MBIT Representative and Alternate ; Appointment of Pennsylvania School Boards Association Legislative Chairperson/PSBA Representative Appointment of PSBA Employee Relations Contact Approval of School Board Charters ; Approval by President of Sub-Committee Members Facilities Committee Finance Committee ; Academic Standards Committee Discussion of Committee Meeting Schedule the board members shared their comments/opinions and decided to keep the schedule as is. V. Board Approvals A). Approval of Council Rock School Board Solicitor for school year. Following much discussion, moved, seconded by, passed with being the sole nay vote, for the approval of the law firm of Eastburn and Gray, P.C. as solicitor for Council Rock School District for the school year. Mr. Cox thanked the board members and reported that Eastburn & Gray values their relationship with the board. B). Approval of Donation SO Donation moved, seconded by, passed unanimously with a roll call vote, for the approval of the Richboro School Association donation of $19, for the purchase and installation of front stage and all back stage curtains for the Richboro Elementary School stage. VI. Public Comment Nancy Carroll from Newtown Borough thanked for her leadership and reflected on board leadership from the past. She congratulated Wendi Thomas for taking the President position. Andrea Hogan from Wrightstown Township reported that a productive team takes hard work. There is diversity, differences in background, experience, motivation, maturity and members who put mission before self. She thanked Ms. McKessy for her outstanding service and leadership. Marilyn Scarpa thanked for her service as President and wished well in her new position. VII. Comments from Board Members questioned the storage/space area at LLSAC property. She encouraged the board to move forward to utilizing space available to its fullest. She questioned whether consideration had been given to negotiate costs with Eastburn & Gray. Minutes 2012_12_06 Page 4

5 questioned whether the #1 item for the next board meeting could be collective bargaining issues. Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Charlotte I. Walter, CEOE Secretary to the Board of School Directors Minutes 2012_12_06 Page 5