Northwest Area School District School Board Meeting October 16, 2013

Transcription

1 Northwest Area School District School Board Meeting October 16, 2013 The Northwest Area Board of Education held its regular meeting in the Library of the Northwest Area High School. The board meeting was preceded by an executive session from 4:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M, and an additional session from 7:00 PM until 7:35 PM. Mr. Randy Tomasacci, School Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. The following members were present: Mr. Conger, Mr. Farver, Mr. Kreidler, Mr. Lanza, Mrs. Schwartz and Mr. Tomasacci. Also in attendance: Dr. Grevera, Atty. Audi, Mrs. Ellenburg, Mr. Miner, Mr. Rasmus, Ms. Oiler, Mr. Sorber, and Mrs. Ziegler. There were 7 visitors in attendance. Jordon Goss led the meeting in the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Tomasacci reported that an executive session was held, during which time the following was discussed: an expulsion hearing lasting until 7 PM. An additional session was held 7:00 PM until 7:35 PM during which time the board discussed some sabbatical leaves, some personnel issues regarding a special education hearing that will be going forth in the near future and the specifics of that case, issues regarding students and the field house use, and the chain of command and responsibilities while the superintendent is out for a couple of days. 1. Approve of Minutes Mr. Kreidler made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lanza, to accept the minutes of the following previous meeting: a) Regular School Board Meeting/Executive Session September 18, Comments there were no comments. 3. Reports Mr. Kreidler made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lanza, to approve the reports. 4. Payment of Bills Mr. Kreidler made a motion, seconded by Mr. Conger, to approve the payment of the following bills: a) General Account list of prepaids for September $689, b) General Account list of bills for October $335, Superintendent s Comments Dr. Grevera spoke about the focus of the in-service held that day. He thanked Ms. Oiler for setting it up, as well as the folks from the IU that presented the program. Principals are currently being in-serviced on the Teacher Effectiveness Tool the evaluation piece that the state is coming out with. He mentioned that he will be inserviced on the Principal Effectiveness Tool coming out soon. He thanked Thomas and Christine Pugh for the donation of $ towards the purchase of a swing for the life skills students at the Intermediate School. He announced that the November board meeting has been changed from the original date of Nov. 13 to November 19, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Finally, he recognized Mr. Lanza for 8 years of school board service with a certificate of appreciation from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Bruno Walkowiak presented a PowerPoint overview of the proposed Senior Trip tentatively scheduled for May, Representatives from ABM were present (formerly known as LINC) to give an overview on possible renovations in the Hunlock Creek Intermediate School regarding boiler upgrades and window replacements to make it more efficient and economical as the result of the recent bond financing. Results of the second year audit were also shared. 6. Administrative Reports Mr. Rasmus reported that instructional time has been increased, with alterations in bus schedules to begin classes at 8:55 AM. Ranger Time is ongoing in the school, and benchmark data was collected through the DIBELS assessment to measure literacy skills. Mr. Rasmus also explained a schedule change with regard to the scheduling of related arts classes. Mr. Miner announced that Homecoming will be Friday, October 18. He also made mention of a recent development among young people called internet challenges, and our representative from WVD&A, along with Ms. Shiptoski, spoke to our 7 th grade students. These challenges are very harmful such as trying to swallow a teaspoon of cinnamon in a minute which can damage lungs, or an eraser challenge where someone rubs an October 16, 2013

2 eraser on an individual s arm, causing a burn. We wanted to be proactive and educate students and parents before we see these things in our school. And in line with other initiatives to build pride within our school, we will now be honoring a student of the month in all grade levels, not just the senior class. We are recognizing the positive instead of always focusing on the negative. Ms. Oiler interviewed Jordon Goss, high school life skills student, after he led the pledge of allegiance, concerning his use of the white board in his classroom. Ms. Oiler also showed a video of those students actually using the boards. Finally, she reported that the I.S. life skills class teacher, aide and students donated their time and attended the Muhlenburg United Methodist Fall Festival and it was there that a discussion began concerning the adaptable swing prompting the donation from the Pughs toward the purchase of that item. 7. Board Secretary s Report The secretary had nothing to report. 8. Policy Mr. Kreidler made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lanza for the following: a) Approved of the third and final reading and adoption of the following 300 policies: a) Policy No Creating a Position b) Policy No Employment of Superintendent c) Policy No Employment of District Staff d) Policy No Employment of Professional Employee e) Policy No Nepotism f) Policy No. 305 Employment of Substitutes g) Policy No. 306 Employment of Summer School Staff h) Policy No. 307 Student Teachers/Interns i) Policy No. 308 Employment Contract/Board Resolution j) Policy No. 309 Assignment and Transfer k) Policy No. 310 Abolishing a Position l) Policy No. 312 Performance Assessment of Superintendent m) Policy No. 313 Evaluation of Employees n) Policy No. 314 Physical Examination o) Policy No HIV Infection p) Policy No. 316 Nontenured Employees q) Policy No. 317 Conduct/Disciplinary Procedures r) Policy No. 318 Penalties for Tardiness s) Policy No. 319 Outside Activities t) Policy No. 320 Freedom of Speech in Nonschool Settings u) Policy No. 321 Political Activities v) Policy No. 322 Gifts w) Policy No. 323 Tobacco Use x) Policy No. 324 Personnel File y) Policy No. 325 Dress and Grooming z) Policy No. 326 Complaint Process aa) Policy No. 327 Management Team bb) Policy No. 328 Compensation Plans/Salary Schedules cc) Policy No. 330 Overtime dd) Policy No. 331 Job Related Expenses ee) Policy No. 332 Working Period ff) Policy No. 333 Professional Development gg) Policy No. 334 Sick Leave hh) Policy No. 335 Family and Medical Leave ii) Policy No. 336 Personal Necessity Leave jj) Policy No. 337 Vacation kk) Policy No. 338 Sabbatical Leave ll) Policy No Compensated Professional Leaves mm) Policy No. 339 Uncompensated Leave nn) Policy No. 340 Responsibility for Student Welfare oo) Policy No. 341 Benefits for Part-Time Employees pp) Policy No. 342 Jury Duty qq) Policy No. 343 Paid Holidays rr) Policy No. 348 Unlawful Harassment ss) Policy No. 351 Drug and Substance Abuse tt) Policy No. 353 Employee Assistance Program October 16, 2013

3 b) Approved of a service agreement between Northwest Area and AHEDD to provide employment and related services to transition age youth with IEPs. Upon roll call vote, all present voted aye. Motion carries. 9. Personnel Mr. Conger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lanza for the following: a) Approved a request for sabbatical from Wyanita Edwards, for the purpose of study, for the second semester of the school year. b) Approved a request for sabbatical from Karen Brubaker, for the purpose of study, for the second semester of the school year. c) Approved to appoint the following for the school year, as per terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and retroactively to October 2, 2013: Clear Brook Tutors: Ryan Miner, Andrew Bloom, Daniel DelFine, Connie Yorks Homebound Instructors: Bethany Bosak, Jennifer Hiller d) Approved a medical leave of absence for Lisa Kliamovich beginning October 8, 2013 and lasting approximately four to six weeks. e) Approved the attached list of conferences and field trips. f) Approved to appoint the following for the school year, as per terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement: Detention Monitors: Lurena Gimble Upon roll call, all present voted yes with the exception of Mr. Tomasacci, who voted no on item (b). Motion passes. 10. Finance Mr. Lanza made a motion, seconded by Mr. Conger for the following: a) Approved the transfer of $158, from the Northwest Area Capital Projects Account to reimburse invoices paid from the Northwest Area General Fund as detailed: Barry Isett & Associates Permit Fee Quad Three Group Bid Fee for Toilet Room Project Premium Builders 28, Toilet Room Project Payment Linco Construction 23, Toilet Room Project Payment Premium Builders 22, Toilet Room Project Payment Premium Builders 25, Toilet Room Project Payment American Asphalt 2, Repair Drains at the Primary Sealcoating Quad Three Group 18, Toilet Room Project Payment Torbik Safe & Lock 3, Replace Metal Door at the HS Yost Excavating & Hauling 3, Reconditioning of Student Parking Lot Rice s Food Equip & Consult 25, Cooler/Freezer at the HS 11. Buildings & Grounds Mr. Farver made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lanza, for the following: a) Approved of Peters Consultants, Inc. engineering services to design, bid and provide specifications for land development of district property located at 215 Thorne Hill Road into athletic fields at a cost not to exceed $18,680. (Note: Project is a Capital Improvement Project.) b) Approved of Strish Construction to repair cafeteria kitchen steps and roofs at a cost of $4, (Note: Project is a Capital Improvement Project.) October 16, 2013

4 c) Approved to solicit quotes for engineering services for concrete and asphalt rehabilitation for all schools. d) Approved to accept the donation to the District of $ from Thomas and Christine Pugh for the purchase of a Heavy Duty Accessible Swing Seat to be used by the Life Skills students at the Intermediate School. 12. Curriculum Mrs. Schwartz made a motion, seconded by Mr. Kreidler, for the following: a) Approved the District Comprehensive Plan be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for approval. 13. Safety nothing to report 14. Co-Curricular Mr. Kreidler made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lanza, for the following: a) Approve of the Northwest Arts Society, at no cost to the district, for the purpose of creating a Student Activity Fund Account. b) Approved the Northwest Travel Club, at no cost to the district, for the purpose of creating a Student Activity Fund Account. c) Approved to appoint the following as volunteer coaches for the school year/season, at no cost to the district, pending receipt of all clearances: Alexander Sirak as volunteer varsity boys basketball coach Leon Bonczewski as volunteer boys varsity football coach d) Approved to appoint Ed Stepanski as girls junior high basketball coach for the school year/season. 15. Transportation nothing to report other than what Mr. Rasmus already spoke about. 16. Additions to the Substitute List Mr. Lanza made a motion, seconded by Mr. Conger, for the following: Keri Kotsur Nafus substitute teacher, elem. K-6, Early Childhood Carol Seigfreid substitute teacher, elem. K-6 Megan Martin substitute teacher, elem. K-6, Special Educ. N-12 Cheryl Engle substitute teacher s aide 17. Legislative Report nothing to report. 18. West Side CTC Update Mr. Conger wanted to acknowledge the trophy cases the students at WSCTC built for us. 19. LIU Update - Mr. Lanza reported he attended the last meeting, and minutes will be available. 20. Old Business nothing to report. 21. New Business a) Mrs. Schwartz made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lanza, to approve the Senior Class Trip as presented, pending paperwork submitted. Mr. Lanza stated Bruno Walkowiak made an excellent presentation to the board October 16, 2013

5 22. Solicitor s Report nothing to report. 23. Comments Mr. Conger stated that NW is fortunate to have the administration team that we do Teachers recently were solicited for safety items in the schools and one of the suggestions was to have phones placed in the cafeterias of the Intermediate and Primary buildings. Mr. Conger thanked Mr. Sorber for the work he has done to move that forward. 24. Adjourn Mr. Lanza made a motion, seconded by Mr. Kreidler and unanimously by the Board to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Albert Gordon Board Secretary October 16, 2013