Mrs. Walter called the roll call and reported that all members were present noting that Mr. Grupp was present using speaker phone.

Transcription

1 MINUTES Public Board Meeting Council Rock School District Bucks County, Pennsylvania Newtown, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 6, 2010 I. Call to Order Mrs. Bernadette Heenan, President presided over the regular 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 North Chancellor Street, Newtown, PA. The meeting was broadcast live in all municipalities. The following individuals were present: School Board Mrs. Bernadette Heenan, President Mrs. Kyle McKessy, Vice President Mr. Richard Abramson, Esquire Dr. Paul Anagnostakos Mr. Robert Donnelly Mr. Jerold Grupp (Present via speaker phone) Mr. J. Dennis McMenamin Mrs. Patricia C. Vaccaro-Sexton Mrs. Wendi Thomas Mark J. Klein, Esquire, Superintendent Mrs. Charlotte I. Walter, CEOE, Board Secretary Mr. Robert Riegel, Board Treasurer & Asst. Business Administrator Derek Reid, Esquire, Solicitor Staff: Mr. Barry Desko, Director of Secondary Education Mr. David M. Bollinger, Director of Human Resources & Staff Development Dr. Charles Lambert, Director of Special Services Mr. Matthew Frederickson, Director of Information Technology Mr. Thomas Schneider, Supervisor of Facilities II. Routine Actions The Pledge of Allegiance was led by student Jake Borden from Rolling Hills Elementary School. Mrs. Warf led the Rolling Hills School Choir while they performed the National Anthem and another ensemble. It was an outstanding performance. Mrs. Walter called the roll call and reported that all members were present noting that Mr. Grupp was present using speaker phone. Mr. Alan Gamble, Vice Principal of CRHS-North introduced the following Student Advisory Board members who reported on activities, events, and happenings at their respective school: CRHS-North Student Advisory Board Representatives Superintendent s Report Blaze DiPasquale - Grade 12 Claire Buhr - Grade 11 Emily Grundman - Grade 10 Dylan McKessy - Grade 9 Christopher Campbell MBIT Mr. Klein reported on the following items: CR Orchestra Festival The Council Rock South Orchestra will host an orchestra festival on May 7, 2010 at CRHS-South. The Middle School festival will begin at 5:00 p.m. and the High School performances will begin at 6:30 p.m. More information can be found on the front page of the website. Minutes 2010_05_06 1 of 5

2 CR Elementary Media Festival Over 180 submissions will be showcased at Newtown Middle School on Wednesday, May 19 th at 6:00 p.m. as part of our first Elementary Media Festival. CR Summer School - Information on the Council Rock Summer School is now posted on the Council Rock website. Information on the Council Rock Summer Evening Music School can be found on the front page. Christopher Columbus Award A team of students representing Hillcrest Elementary School and Holland Middle School have advanced to the final round of competition for the Christopher Columbus Award. This competition encourages innovation in science and technology. This team, comprised of Isabella DeLuca, Sara Rowland, Elizabeth Sauers, and Alyssa Sullivan will compete in Disney World in June for a prize of $25,000. The team is coached by Tammy DeLuca, a member of the Hillcrest community. The team s submission was entitled, DWI, Driving While in TEXTicated with the proposal of a device that will disable the texting feature of your cell phone while your car is moving. On behalf of the entire CR community, Mr. Klein congratulated the team and wished them the best of luck as they get ready to compete in June. CR Operation Helping Hand Each year, Council Rock schools work in concert with the United Way to collect food for various shelters in Bucks County. This program Operation Helping Hand combines with other schools in the county to stock the shelves of food pantries in our county. This year, Council Rock schools collected almost 5,000 pounds of food to contribute to this effort. Holland Middle School was among the top schools in the county for their collection of over 1,000 pounds of food. Thanks to the students and parents for your contributions to this United Way effort. Churchville s 50 th Birthday Celebration- During the week of May 11 th, students, staff, and community will be celebrating the 50 th birthday of Churchville Elementary School. All Churchville Alumni and community are invited to an open house on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. where you may view contents of the time capsule that was buried in 1959, leave a message on the memory wall, and play the Churchville Trivia Game among other events and festivities. New Additions to our efriday folders There are a variety of summer camp opportunities posted on our efriday folder. Please consult the folder for a listing of these camps and contacts. Since the week of May 9-15, 2010 is National Police Week, Mr. Klein and Mrs. Heenan recognized the following law enforcement personnel: Officer Sean Orr, Newtown Borough Police Department Chief Anthony Wojciechowski, Newtown Borough Police Department Chief Henry Pasqualini, Newtown Township Police Department Lt. Glenn Forsyth, Newtown Township Police Department Officer Renee Hurst, Newtown Township Police Department Officer Shawn Pirog, Newtown Township Police Department Chief Barry Pilla, Northampton Township Police Department Detective John Gross, Northampton Township Police Department Chief Mark Schmidt, Upper Makefield Township Police Department Matt Frederickson spoke about the Coalition for Healthy Youth and the Dangerous Decision Awareness program. He explained that the program encompasses all five district municipalities within CR School District. He later recognized Debbie Moskowitz for her efforts with the program. Public Comment John Rasiej from Wrightstown Township apologized to Mr. Grupp regarding statements he has made relative to the absences Mr. Grupp has recently experienced due to his employment. Minutes 2010_05_06 2 of 5

3 Diana Nolan reported that she understands that three R-rated movies have been removed from the high schools, however, there is nothing in writing or official on the subject. She suggested that these movies be reviewed on a yearly basis and also review the protocol on R-rated movies as well. She requested that the school board members review the media library. III. Discussion Proposed Fiscal Year Budget Financial Forecast Mr. Schrecengost was introduced to the board and audience. It was explained that he will be serving in the business office until Mr. Reinhart s appearance on July 1st. Mr. Schrecengost gave a PowerPoint presentation on the projections, trends and forecasts for the Fiscal Year Budget. He shared that with numerous restrictions, limited fiscal options, and uncertain economic times, we should try to preserve the currently strong financial position; resist a one-year approach to the budget; and maintain a multi-year awareness in these changing and challenging times. He was available to answer board members questions and concerns. IV. Items for Board Approval A). Authorization for PFM & Council Rock School District to prepare and execute the sale of General Obligation Bonds in the amount of $8.5 million dollars Consistent with the Board s approval of the capital projects plan, the Administration is seeking authorization and approval to work with our financial advisor, PFM, to prepare for the issuance of debt in the amount of $8.5 million dollars. The proceeds of this sale will fund the first two years of the capital projects plan. The bonds will be sold on Thursday, June 3 rd, through internet auction and the final sale terms and conditions will be submitted to the Board for approval during the scheduled board meeting that night. Mr. Grupp moved, seconded by Mrs. McKessy, passed with Mr. Donnelly passing from voting, for the authorization to give the Administration of the Council Rock School District to engage the district s financial advisor, Public Financial Management (PFM), bond counsel, and our solicitor to prepare and execute the issuance of General Obligation Bond(s) in the amount of $8.5 million dollars for the purposes of funding capital projects in the district for school years and , subject to audit and the approval/recommendation of our solicitor and bond counsel. B). Authorization to File Tax Exemption Appeal SO MEM SO Authorization SO Rules/Regulations Mrs. Sexton moved, seconded by Mr. Grupp, passed unanimously with a roll call vote, for the approval of the tax exempt application for the taxable portion of the property at 125 Upper Holland Road, Richboro, as contained in attachment noted. C). Middle Bucks Institute of Technology Proposed General Fund Budget Proposal MEM SO BUDGET Mrs. McKessy moved, seconded by Mr. Donnelly, passed unanimously with a roll call vote, for the approval/authorization of the expenditures of the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology Proposed General Fund Budget Proposal as contained in above-noted attachment. D) Board of School Directors Meeting Calendar SO CAL Mrs. Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. McKessy, passed unanimously with a roll call vote, for the approval of the Board of School Directors Meeting Calendar as contained in the above-noted attachment. E). Modular Classrooms Sale FA MEM FA CON Mr. Donnelly moved, seconded by Mrs. McKessy, passed unanimously with a roll call vote, for approval of the sale and removal of four (4) Rolling Hills Elementary School modular classrooms Minutes 2010_05_06 3 of 5

4 to Bible Fellowship Church under the terms and conditions set forth in the above-noted attachments. F). Contract Approval FA MEM Roof Scan Hillcrest Elementary School FA CON Mr. McMenamin moved, seconded by Dr. Anagnostakos, passed unanimously with a roll call vote, to approve the Hillcrest Elementary School roof infrared scan contract be awarded to Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. at the total cost not to exceed $2,530.66, subject to audit. G). Approval of Bids BA BID #10-08 AV/Library Supply Bid #10-08 Description: AV/Library Supplies Vendor: Seven (7) Vendors in the Total Low Acceptable Bid Column Bid Award: $9, Mr. Abramson moved, seconded by Mr. Donnelly, passed unanimously with a roll call vote, for approval to award Bid # AV/Library Supplies to the Vendors listed in the Total Low Acceptable bid column, as contained in the above-noted attachment, at a total cost not to exceed $9,890.91, subject to audit. H). BCIU Conditions of Sale for 280/302 Red Cedar Drive Board Resolution SO RES SO Conditions of Sale The Bucks County Intermediate Unit is the steward for a piece of property in Levittown that is owned by 12 of the 13 county school districts. The property is known as Red Cedar Academy and formerly housed a number of IU programs and offices. The IU is requesting that member/owner school districts enter into a resolution that will allow the IU to sell this property by public auction and then return a proportionate share of these proceeds to school districts. Dr. Anagnostakos moved, seconded Mr. McMenamin, passed with Mr. Abramson being the sole nay vote, to authorize the Bucks County Intermediate Unit No. 22 to advertise for the sale of the property described as 280/302 Red Cedar Drive, Levittown, PA according the Resolution mentioned in the above-noted attachments. V. Committee Reports Academics Standard Committee Mrs. McKessy reported there will not be a meeting in June. At the last meeting, discussion ensued relative to PA Keystone Exam. They reviewed the process, issues, and concerns regarding R-rated films and discussed curriculum realignment. Facilities Committee Mrs. Thomas reported that at the last meeting there was a spirited discussion on Turf the Rocks and facility upgrades. Churchville Elementary was toured. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26 th at 6:00 p.m. at the Chancellor Center. Finance Mr. McMenamin reported that at the last meeting, the budget process was reviewed and discussed. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26 th at 7:30 p.m. at the Chancellor Center. MBIT - Mrs. Heenan reported that there is a meeting scheduled for Monday, May 10 th at 5:30 p.m. at MBIT. Bucks Co. Intermediate Unit #22 Mrs. Sexton reported that at our June meeting, it will be appropriate to appoint another member from our board to serve at BCIU. The next scheduled meetings will be held on Monday, May 10 th at 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 19 th at 7:00 p.m. at 7:00 p.m. Minutes 2010_05_06 4 of 5

5 VI. Public Comment Mr. John Rasiej from Wrightstown Township questioned the proposed budget figures and he feels that the district has underfunded payments to PSERS (PA School Employee s Retirement System). He questioned what happens to that tax exemption (referendum) in 2014? VII. Comments from Board Members Mrs. Sexton reported that there was an article in the New York Times recently explaining a new social networking site entitled FormsSpring.me. This is a site similar to Twitter or Facebook. She urged parents to monitor their children s web activity; being in a world of strangers is very dangerous! Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Charlotte I. Walter, CEOE Board Secretary Minutes 2010_05_06 5 of 5