SHALER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Voting Meeting October 18, 2017 Administration Building Minutes

Transcription

1 SHALER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Voting Meeting October 18, 2017 Administration Building Minutes The Board of School Directors of the Shaler Area School District held a Voting Meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at the Shaler Area Administration Building, Glenshaw, PA, with Dr. April Kwiatkowski, School Board President, presiding. This meeting began at 7:11 p.m. Board Members Present: Not Present: Others Present: Mr. James Fisher (by phone) Mr. Tim Gapsky Dr. April Kwiatkowski Mr. Jason Machajewski Mrs. Jeanne Petrovich Mrs. Eileen Phillips Mr. Steve Romac Mr. James Tunstall Mrs. Suzanna Donahue Mr. Sean Aiken, Superintendent Dr. Bryan O Black, Assistant Superintendent Mr. Gary Mignogna, Director of Human Resources Ms. Sherri Ludwig, Director of Business Affairs Mr. Matt Hoffman, Solicitor Notice of this meeting was posted as required. Ø Dr. Kwiatkowski recognized the Public to Speak on Agenda Items. There was none. Ø Dr. Kwiatkowski called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. and invited all to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Ø Dr. Kwiatkowski then turned the floor over to Mr. Aiken who recognized the members of the high school s technology education department for their help and superior work in designing and making the SAEF Family Wellness 5K race T-shirts and award plaques. Accepting the certificate of recognition were high school teachers Brian Marree, Zach Fisher, and John Fucsko. Ø On a motion by Mr. Gapsky and a second by Mr. Romac, the following Minutes were approved by all in attendance: Committee of the Whole Meeting September 13, 2017 Voting Meeting September 20, 2017 Ø Dr. Kwiatkowski then announced items tabled or removed from the agenda: There were none. Ø On a motion by Mr. Romac and a second by Mr. Gapsky, the agenda was approved by all Board members in attendance.

2 Dr. O Black then announced the following Educational Items: ITEM # EDUCATION ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL SUP # ACTION TAKEN A.1 Approve a Disciplinary Action for Student #2 for the school year. Board Only Disciplinary Action A.2 Approve the first reading of the following revised policies: a. Policy No Eligibility for Athletics and Competitive Extracurricular Activities b. Policy No School Lunch/Breakfast Program Charged Meal A.2 Denied Policy Revisions 1 st Reading Policy A motion was made by Mr. Romac with a second by Mr. Gapsky, to approve Item A.1. After no further discussion, this item was then approved by a roll call vote. Motion Carried: 7 aye; 1 nay Item A.1 Absent Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y A motion was made by Mrs. Petrovich with a second by Mr. Fisher, to approve Item A.2a. Dr. Kwiatkowski said she cannot support lowering the allowed GPA to 2.0. While she understands the reasoning for it, she does not agree with it and there are resources in place for students to bring their grades up. After no further discussion, this item was then not approved by a roll call vote. Not Item A.2a Motion Does Not Pass: 3 aye; 5 nay Absent N Y N Y N N Y N A motion was made by Mrs. Petrovich with a second by Mrs. Phillips, to approve Item A.2b. Mr. Gapsky said he still does not like the policy which could prohibit a student from receiving a lunch. After no further discussion, this item was then approved by a roll call vote. Item A.2b Motion Carried: 6 aye; 2 nay Absent Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Page 2 of 6

3 Mr. Mignogna then presented the following Personnel items for approval. ITEM # PERSONNEL ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL SUP # ACTION TAKEN B.1 Approve the following FT 1.0 Class IA-Aide-N (Nurse): Class IA-Aide-N a. Diana Sukitsch-Patel, Registered Nurse, as a FT 1.0 Class IA-Aide-N (Nurse) at the Elementary School Health Room, effective November 16, B.1a. B.2 Approve the following Change in Status from Temporary Professional Employee (TPE) to Professional Employee (PE) for the following teacher: Change in Status Name Start Date a. Melissa Goetz 9/2/2014 B.3 Approve the Supplemental Contract for Grade Level Chair Coach Grades K-3 (Non-Building Specific Positions) for the school year. Compensation will be in accordance with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Supplemental Contract Grade Level Chair Coach Grade Level/Curriculum a. Math/Science Kindergarten Nicole McDonald B.4 Approve the following Supplemental Contracts for Coaches for the and school years (Winter Season-Head & Assistants): Supplemental Contracts Coaches a. Indoor Track (2-year Contract) Boys/Girls Head Varsity Coach Shawn Ryan B.4a. Winter Assistant Coaches - (1-year Contracts): Basketball (Winter) b. Boys Assistant Varsity Keith Wander c. Boys JV Mike Mancuso d. Boys 9 th Assistant Doug Kepreos e. Boys 7 th 8 th Assistant Ron Phillips f. Boys 7 th 8 th Assistant Jake Sieber g. Boys Volunteer Assistant Mike Chmielewski h. Boys Volunteer Assistant Matt Brungo i. Girls Assistant Varsity Devon Alexander j. Girls JV Paul Jenkner k. Girls 9 th Assistant Amanda Garland B.4k. l. Girls 7 th 8 th Assistant Thomas Kline m. Girls 7 th 8 th Assistant Gina Chmielewski n. Volunteer Assistant Kelsey Wilcox-Bradford Swimming (Winter) o. Boys Assistant Scott Wakeley p. Girls Assistant Britany Fink (Reamer) Page 3 of 6

4 B.4 Coaches-Winter Assistants (continued) October 18, 2017 Voting Meeting Wrestling (Winter) q. Assistant Varsity Kraig Nellis (50%) r. Assistant 7 th 8 th 9 th Robert Taylor s. Volunteer Assistant Mike Yuiska t. Volunteer Assistant Jay Hellinger u. Volunteer Assistant Eric Fulmer A motion was made by Mr. Romac with a second by Mr. Gapsky, to approve Items B.1-4. Mrs. Petrovich asked if Item B.3 was just one person. Dr. O Black explained that yes, the individual would be the grade level chair coach for kindergarten. He added that the position is similar to a department chair at the high school level. Mr. Gapsky confirmed that the head coach was a 2-year position and the assistant coaches were 1-year positions. After no further discussion, these items were then approved by a roll call vote. Items B.1-4 Motion Carried: 8 aye; 0 nay Absent Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Ms. Ludwig then presented the following Finance items for approval: ITEM # FINANCE & OPERATION ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL SUP # ACTION TAKEN C.1 APPROVE FUND PROFILES: A. General Fund Schedule of Bills and Addendum C.1A Fund Profiles B. Cafeteria Fund Schedule of Bills C.1B C. Bond Fund Schedule of Bills C.1C D. Year-to-Date Financial Reports C.1D E. Fund Profiles and Investments C.1E C.2 Approval of additional ABC Transit, Inc. Bus Drivers for the school year. C.3 Approval of the engagement letter with The Rhodes Group for consulting services for Scott Primary School Phase 1 Schedule Assessment for an amount not to exceed $20K pending solicitor review. C.4 Approval of a contract with Snider Recreation, Inc to provide new playground equipment for the Scott Primary School in the amount of $99,988. C.5 Approve a change order with TPK., Inc. to extend the discuss cage 20 feet with 15 high netting and removable posts at the discus throwing sector and to replace two existing damaged ground sleeves. Add $3,750. Bus Drivers The Rhodes Group Consulting Services Snider Recreation Contract Change Order Page 4 of 6

5 C.6 Approve the Rights-of-Way granting Duquesne Light Company to install and maintain electrical facilities (an underground system) at the new Scott Primary School pending HHSDR s approval. C.7 Approval to amend the Resolution approved at the September 20, 2017 meeting, for a general obligation lease with PNC Capital Equipment Finance, LLC to finance the costs ($67,823) of the acquisition of one new Case backhoe, at Section 2 by replacing the term Executive Director with the words Director of Business Affairs or the Superintendent (or his designee) and to approve the revised Master Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement dated October 16, 2017, Lease Schedule and Payment Schedule. Duquesne Light Rights-of-Way Resolution Amendment A motion was made by Mr. Fisher with a second by Mrs. Petrovich, to approve Items C.1-7. Mrs. Petrovich asked for clarification on C.6. Mr. Hoffman said the motion will approve the placement of the transformer and connection of power to the school. Ms. Ludwig said the architect has approved the plan and if the motion is not approved it would cause a delay in construction. Dr. O Black explained that the location is near the loading dock of the new school. Mr. Romac asked that the contract in Item C.3 reference Shaler Area School District and not Shaler School District. Dr. Kwiatkowski asked about the damaged ground sleeve in Item C.5, which Mr. John Kaib, of buildings and grounds, said was damaged by a tractor when the grass was too high. After no further discussion, these items were then approved by a roll call vote. Items C.1-7 Motion Carried: 8 aye; 0 nay Absent Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Ø Dr. Kwiatkowski then announced the following upcoming meetings: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 o 5:30 p.m. Athletic Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Committee of the Whole Meeting o Executive Session 6:00 p.m. o Public Session 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, 2017 Voting Meeting o Executive Session 6:15 p.m. o Public Session 7:00 p.m. Ø Announcement of Past Executive Sessions was made by Dr. Kwiatkowski. Ø Dr. Kwiatkowski then asked if there was any other business to come before the board. Mr. Gapsky said he had challenged the administration to come up with a program to better educate students and parents on the dangers of drugs and alcohol following the recent death of a Shaler Area graduate. Mr. Aiken said he shares Mr. Gapsky s concerns and that the district plans to continue the Town Hall meeting on opioid abuse that was launched last year as well as expand it to expose more students to the information. After no further items were presented, on a motion by Mr. Romac and second by Mr. Gapsky, the Business Meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m. Page 5 of 6

6 Dr. Kwiatkowski then recognized the public to speak on any non-agenda item: Dale Peterson, of Cedarwood Drive, said he was at the board meeting last week for his son who was recognized as part of the Shaler Area Elementary School s Student Ambassadors, but this week, he was there representing a large number of parents representing the girls volleyball program. Mr. Paterson said the program has devolved into a caustic environment. Parents met last week with the athletic director and coach and feel after multiple seasons of complaints they have not seen any improvement. He said the parents are seeking a written plan of action from the district to resolve the issues. He complained about a lack of professionalism, unnecessary punishment, and abuse of power from the head coach. He added that many parents have expressed concern with a conflict of interest with the head coach also having a club team for which she openly recruits. Chuck Royer, of Lohengrin Drive, said he finally pulled his sophomore daughter from the program after she had wanted to quit for months due to the divisive atmosphere the coach created on the team. He said the main reason he wanted his girls to play sports was for the positive development and he hopes the district would respect their end goals to have program that builds strong women. Karen Grenesko, of West Glenn Avenue, said her freshman daughter and she knew the head coach would be a challenge from rumors, but chose to give her the benefit of the doubt. However, after only three games she went to the athletic director to complain and feels nothing has been done in three years. She asked the district to remove the head coach from her position. Lauren Grenesko, a freshman, said she has been playing volleyball for seven years and her freshman year has been the worst. She said she feels uncomfortable because if she does not meet the coach s expectations she will get punished. She said another coach on the team does not yell at the athletes and they performed much better under her direction. Karen Grenesko added that when her daughter made the school s volleyball team she felt pressured by the coach to join her club volleyball team. Taylor Porter, a sophomore, said she had issues when her grandfather died last year. Michael Porter, her father, continued that Taylor missed practice, a game and a tournament due to his father s death and was benched because of it. Dorothy Petrancosta, of Skylark Drive, asked about the change of status under the personnel agenda. Mr. Mignogna explained that once a teacher completes three years of satisfactory performance, they receive tenure. Ms. Petrancosta also made the comment to Mr. Gapsky that the pressure to address the drug and alcohol issues should be directed to the state government to make pharmaceuticals and medications to treat addictions covered. Their cost makes their availability limited. Dr. Kwiatkowski thanked the parents and players for attending the meeting and expressed that the board heard everything they said but because it is a personnel issue, they cannot respond. Mr. Aiken added that the letter sent home to the volleyball families was not to dissuade them from speaking out but to explain that the district would not be able to comment. He added that the district is committed to providing a positive experience for all students. When no one approached the podium, the meeting s Final Adjournment occurred at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bethany Baker Assistant Board Secretary Page 6 of 6