DRAFT NOT APPROVED BY THE BOARD QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Transcription

1 I. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM DRAFT NOT APPROVED BY THE BOARD QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS DISTRICT SERVICES CENTER 100 Commerce Drive, Quakertown, PA Minutes of the Thursday, October 24, 2013 Regular Meeting President, Robert Smith called the meeting to order with a quorum present as indicated in the roll call below. II. III. FLAG SALUTE ROLL CALL: Board of School Directors Present Absent Mr. Robert Smith, President Mrs. Joyce King, Vice President Mr. Dwight Anderson Mrs. Anna Cattie Mr. Gary Landes Mr. Charles Shermer Mrs. Fern Strunk Mr. Zane Stauffer Mr. Paul R. Stepanoff Dr. Lisa Andrejko, Superintendent (Non-voting Member) Mrs. Alice K. Bishop, Non-Member Secretary Others Present Ms. Nancianne Edwards, Director of Human Resources Dr. Suzanne Laverick-Stone, Assistant to the Superintendent Mr. Robert Riegel, CPA, Business Administrator/Treasurer Nicole Umstead, Student Representative IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2013 meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Quakertown Community School District. Anna Cattie Zane Stauffer Motion approved unanimously

2 V. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT None VI. REPORTS SUPERINTENDENT REPORT Student Representative Nicole Umstead presented two videos from the QCSD TV video class on National School Bus Safety and a welcome video from Milford Middle School. Refunding General Obligation Bonds Jamie Doyle, PFM reported on today s bond sale for refunding General Obligation Bonds, Series A of Nevena Simidjiyska, Bond Counsel from Fox Rothschild explained the main points in the resolution of the refunding of the bonds. The board will be asked to approve the bond sale later in the meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT A representative from US Cold Storage addressed the board regarding the background of their decision to build their new facility in Richland Township. LERTA AGREEMENT Mr. Smith provided background on how United States Cold Storage approached the District to request participation in the LERTA program. Under the LERTA program, qualifying properties are granted a temporary real estate tax exemption over a period of years. The current proposal is for the use of a 10 year/ 10 % per year exemption schedule under which the property would be 100% tax exempt in year one with 10% reductions in the amount of the exemption over the following nine years. At this time, US Cold Storage is requesting the Board s approval for participation in the program. The next step will be to proceed with the completion of the formal Resolution and necessary forms. In consideration for participation in the program, United States Cold Storage has offered to make a voluntary contribution to the District in the amount of $100,000. One issue that needs to be resolved relates to the ability of the property owner to file an assessment appeal during the term of the 10 year agreement. Mr. Smith noted that tonight s decision is to approve the concept of LERTA and if the concept is approved, the board will be asked to approve the official resolution at the November 14 meeting. APPROVE LOCAL ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION TA ASSISTANCE (LERTA) AGREEMENT WITH GINOVUS in RICHLAND TOWNSHIP The Administration recommends approval of the concept of the LERTA agreement with GINOVUS for a property in Richland Township which has been reviewed by our solicitor. May I have a motion to approve the fiscal item as presented. Joyce King Paul Stepanoff 2

3 Discussion: Mr. Riegel explained that negotiations took place with US Cold Storage and GINOVUS regarding the 10 year, 10% per year tax abatement schedule and the $100,000 donation that US Cold Storage is willing to give to the district and the Quakertown Community Education Foundation. Mr. Shermer questioned the process of the LERTA program. He commented that the agreement has the greatest impact on the school district and should be in on the initial discussions. Mr. Riegel explained that if the board votes on the concept tonight, the official resolution would be voted on in November 14. Mr. Smith appreciates their donation to the district and the QCEF. Motion approved unanimously Student Achievement Report Dr. Laverick Stone thanked the board for the opportunity to report on student achievement tonight. The administration is providing a true representation on how students performed in She explained the many changes in Pennsylvania academic standards in PSSA s and Keystone Exams. Each principal provided a report on their student s achievement. President Smith thanked the administrators for their presentation. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS LEGISLATIVE/LIAISON Mr. Stepanoff reported on changes the legislation has made for school funding. He served as voting delegate at the recent PSBA School Leadership Conference in Hershey. QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION Mrs. Cattie reported on the upcoming Mother s Market on November 9 at Strayer Middle School. The QCEF board held two meetings recently with PA Education Foundation for fund raising ideas for the foundation. UPPER BUCKS TECHNICAL SCHOOL Mr. Zane Stauffer reported on the latest meeting at the UBCTS. VII. ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS PRESENTED FOR A VOTE FISCAL CONSENT AGENDA 1. BILLS LIST The Business Services Department is requesting approval of the bills list for the month ending September 2013 in the amount of $7,519,

4 2. TREASURER S REPORT The Business Services Department is requesting approval of the Treasurer s Report for the month ending July 31, APPROVE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT BID AWARDS The Business Services Department is recommending the Musical Instrument Bid be awarded to the following low bidder who met specifications: Bidder Total Awarded to Bidder Sam Ash Quikship Corp. $ 4, Music & Arts Institutional Bid $ Washington Music Center, Inc. $ 9, TOTAL $13, BUDGET TRANSFERS The Business Services Department is recommending approval of budget transfers for the period of January 1, 2013, to June 30, 2013 prepared pursuant to the annual audit and filing of form PDE-2057, Annual Financial Report, which have been made available for your review prior to the meeting. 5. APPROVE BOND SALE-SERIES A OF 2013 The Business Services Department is requesting that the board accept the resolution prepared by bond counsel to incur General Obligation Bonds, Series A of 2013, in the amount of $7,415,000. Public Financial Management will present the results of today s competitive bond auction for $7,415,000 for refunding the Series of APPROVAL OF PLANCON H, PROJECT FINANCING, FOR GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS The Business Services Department recommends approval of PlanCon H, Project Financing, for the Series of 2010, 2011 and 2012 for the Quakertown High School Project #3648. May I have a motion to approve the fiscal items as presented. Discussion: Anna Cattie Zane Stauffer Mr. Riegel explained the PlanCon H process. Motion passed unanimously 4

5 C. HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL STAFF 1. Employment a. Bernadette Mathis Long Term Substitute Guidance Counselor Effective: For the first semester of the school year only Education: East Stroudsburg University and Westchester University Home: Downingtown Salary: $40,564 pro-rated. b. Linda Chuong Long Term Substitute Guidance Counselor Effective: For the first semester of the school year only Education: Drew University and the College of New Jersey Home: North Wales Salary: $40,564 prorated. c. Kevin Butz Long Term Substitute Teacher Effective: October 14, 2013 through the school year only Education: Bloomsburg University and Wilkes University Home: Quakertown Salary: $40,564 pro-rated. d. Technology Liaisons Rate of Pay: $523 Elementary/Middle School/ Freshman Center, $1,046 High School Building Name Pfaff William Cammann Trumbauersville Zach Garger Quakertown Ryan Wieand Tohickon Valley Nancy Lubenetski Neidig Lori Zuber Richland Rachel Demchick Milford Cathy Laguna (1/2) Milford Laura Sipes (1/2) Strayer Dave Disora Freshman Center Michael Peters High School Nicole Roeder (1/3) High School Amy Amato (1/3) High School Rachel Trosino (1/3) e District Webmaster Rate of Pay: Stipend $1, Leave Todd Silvius SUPERVISORY STAFF Jolene Miga Tax Office unpaid intermittent leave Effective: September 23 rd ½ day, 24 th, 25 th, 27 th ½ day,

6 SUPPORT STAFF 1. Resignations a. Judy Spadafora Part-time Aide (B) Effective: November 1, 2013 b. Debra Bishop Part-time Aide (A) Effective: October 23, Employment a. Deborah Stoltz Part-time Café Helper (B) Effective: *TBD rate of pay: $9.15/ hour. b. Dina Hicks Part-time Café Helper (B) Effective: *TBD rate of pay: $9.15/ hour. c. Monica Soria De Applegate Part-time Cook (B) Effective: October 8, 2013 rate of pay: $9.47/ hour. d. Samantha Myers Part-time Aide (B) Effective: October 8, 2013 rate of pay: $13.84/ hour. *Contingent on submission of required paperwork RESOLVED THAT, subject to the terms and conditions of any applicable agreements which are ratified or affirmed herewith, the Quakertown Community School district approves the personnel items as presented. May I have a motion to adopt the above resolution and approve the personnel items as recommended. Joyce King Paul Stepanoff Motion passed unanimously D. POLICY AND PROGRAMS 1. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATOR/DISTRICT GOALS The Board acknowledges the successful completion at 89% of the goals for according to contracts. 2. EPaSEAC SPECIAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE In accordance with Board Policy, the following trainings for more than three personnel have been pre-approved by building principals and the Assistant to the Superintendent or designees. Costs incurred are approved because the professional training will positively impact student achievement and well-being: 6

7 - EPaSEAC Special Education Training will occur in Hershey, PA, October 30, 31, November 1, Three administrators and one teacher will attend. This conference provides important training in current special education laws and practices. Anticipated costs are approximately $1,100 per person which will be paid by IDEA designated funds. 3. APPROVE CONTRACT WITH VALLEY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES The administration recommends the board approve an agreement with Valley Psychological Associates for an Independent Education Neuropsychological Evaluation for one student for a fee not to exceed $3,000. May I have a motion to approve the policy and programs items as presented. Anna Cattie Joyce King Motion passed unanimously VIII. INFORMATION ITEMS COMMUNICATION Dr. Andrejko reported that she was asked to provide testimony to the House Education Committee in Harrisburg on our cyber program and technology initiative. A copy of the testimony is included in the board folders. BOARD COMMENT Mr. Stepanoff asked about the PRIDE discussion and asked when it will be on the agenda. President Smith noted that the discussion will take place in the future. Mr. Anderson asked when the surveys will become public. Dr. Andrejko indicated that survey information will be posted on the district website with identifiable information on students and teachers removed. Mr. Anderson announced that QHS students made a video on the finals on the Emmaus video contest. PUBLIC COMMENT None DATES FOR BOARD MEMBERS CALENDARS Wednesday, November 6, :00 pm Facilities Committee Mtg Community Room A Wednesday, November 6, :00 pm Finance Committee Mtg Community Room A 7

8 Thursday, November 14, :00 pm Work Session/Regular Voting Mtg District Services Center Friday, November 15, :15 am Board Breakfast Senior High School Cafe Thursday, December 5, :00 pm Re-Organization Meeting District Services Center I. ADJOURNMENT May I have a motion to adjourn the meeting. Joyce King Zane Stauffer Motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM Robert Smith, President Alice K. Bishop, Board Secretary 8