Council Rock School District Bucks County, Pennsylvania Newtown, Pennsylvania Thursday, December 5, 2013 MINUTES- Public Meeting of Board of Directors (Reorganizational Meeting) I. Call to Order- Mrs. Wendi Thomas, President, presided over the public monthly meeting of the Council Rock Board of School Directors. She convened the meeting 7:30 p.m. at the Chancellor Center, 30 N. Chancellor Street, Newtown, PA. The meeting was recorded by the Council Rock School District broadcast live in all five municipalities. The following individuals were present: School Board: Mrs. Wendi Thomas, President Mrs. Kyle McKessy, Vice President Mr. Richard Abramson, Esquire Dr. Bill Foster Mr. Jerold Grupp Mrs. Patricia C. Vaccaro-Sexton Mark J. Klein, Esquire, Superintendent Donna Heverly, Acting Board Secretary Derek J. Reid, Esquire, Solicitor Staff: Mr. Barry Desko, Director of Secondary Education Mrs. Joy McClendon, Director of Elementary Education Dr. Charles Lambert, Director of Special Services Mr. Robert Reinhart, Director of Business Affairs & Board Treasurer Ms. N. Christine Trioli, Director of Human Resources Mr. Matthew Frederickson, Director of Information Technology Mr. Doug Taylor, Supervisor of Operations II. Routine Actions Pledge of Allegiance Maggie Sjostedt Ms. Lutz, music teacher from Holland Elementary School, presented students who sang the National Anthem and Winter s Waking. Ms. Lutz mentioned the Winter concert will be held at Holland Elementary on December 12 th. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Secretary Heverly called the roll call and it was reported all active board members were present. Student Advisory Board CRHS North Ms. McCarthy Ms. McCarthy introduced the Student Advisory Board as follows: Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Class of 2017 MBIT Sloan School Madison Schenker Anne Blankenmeyer Samantha Renck Hadley Grundman Ashley Therien Sara Kinney-Schwartz December 5, 2013 Reorganizational Meeting Page 1
Each student provided a report of grade level activities. Some activities discussed consisted of holiday projects, fundraising events, winter concert, sports recaps, and recognition of veterans on Veterans Day, MBIT s open house, and Sloan School visiting the Reflection Garden for 911. Superintendent s Report Mr. Klein introduced Mr. Briski, Ms. Ambroggio and students from Council Rock High School North Speech and Debate Program. The National Forensic League recognized CR North ranking among the top 10% of schools nationwide and earned membership in the League s prestigious 100 Club. Mr. Briski commented the team has tripled in size the last four years. Ms. Ambroggio stated the kids compete in five different areas of speech. Both Mr. Briski and Ms. Ambroggio mentioned how the students are dedicated and expanded the program recruiting people and friends. Mr. Klein also recognized Mr. Jacoby attending in the audience who served 20 Years on the Council Rock School Board. Public Comment Marilyn Scarpa-Co- President of Council Rock Education Foundation Reminding public the Holiday Staff Recognition Program is starting. It is an ideal way to honor a staff member and teacher in Council Rock. A student designed card is sent to recipient to acknowledge donation. It is a good way to fund education programs that are not in budget providing funds for innovative programs. Nancy Carroll-Newtown Borough-Thanked Board Members leaving and wish the best to new members swearing in. Provided short history of board members and projects. Recognized the three board members who are leaving. Described Mr. Donnelly as a difference explainer who was an effective interpreter explaining other board members views and differences of views. Expressed Dr. Paul as a peacemaker who listened to concerns of public and respected different opinions. Regarded Mrs. Heenan as a difference maker making a difference for so many students and caring for safety of all students. Mrs. Carroll publically thanked each leaving board member for their efforts making Chancellor Center a Weapon Free Zone. Lastly, Mrs. Carroll hopes each new board member will bring their own different passions to district while still making peace with other board members and making a difference for students. III. Oath of Office for New Board Members The Honorable Magisterial Judge Donald Nasshorn was present to swear in the following elected board members: Mrs. McKessy-Region Nine- Four year term Mr. Andy Block-Region Eight- Four year term Mrs. Denise Brooks-Region Three Four year term Mr. Mark Byelich-Region Six- Four Year Term December 5, 2013 Reorganizational Meeting Page 2
The newly elected board members were congratulated. There was a brief recess to prepare for the reorganization of the Board of School Directors. IV. Organization of the Board of School Directors 1. Election of a President Pro-Tem Mrs. Thomas suggested as in common practice Mr. Reid be appointed as President Pro-Tem. No objections from board. 2. Reading of Certificates of Elections for Newly Elected Board Members Secretary Heverly read the Certificates of Election for the following newly elected board members: Mrs. Kyle McKessy, Mr. Andy Block, Mrs. Denise Brooks, and Mr. Mark Byelich. 3. Roll Call of the Reorganized Board of School Directors Mr. Richard Abramson Mr. Andy Block Mrs. Denise Brooks Mr. Mark Byelich Dr. Bill Foster Mr. Jerold Grupp Mrs. Kyle McKessy Mrs. Patricia C. Vaccaro-Sexton Mrs. Wendi Thomas 4. Election of a President- Mr. Reid called for nominations of President. Mr. Grupp moved to nominate Wendi Thomas for President, Mr. Byelich seconded nomination. Mr. Grupp motioned to close nominations, seconded by Dr. Foster with a roll call vote taken to unanimously approve nomination. 5. Election of a Vice-President-Mr. Reid called for nomination of Vice-President. Mrs. McKessy moved to nominate Andy Block for Vice-President, Mr. Grupp seconded nomination. Mr. Grupp December 5, 2013 Reorganizational Meeting Page 3
motioned to close nomination, seconded by Mrs.Thomas with a roll call vote taken to unanimously approve nomination. Congratulations to Wendi Thomas, President and Andy Block, Vice-President of the Board of School Directors for Council Rock School District. 6. Appointment of MBIT Representatives-Dr. Foster; Mr. Byelich 7. Appointment of Pennsylvania School Boards Association Legislative Chairperson/PSBA Representative- Mr. Grupp 8. Appointment of PSBA Employee Relations Contact-Mr. Abramson 9. Approval of School Board Charters -Mr. Grupp moved, seconded by Dr. Foster with a roll call vote taken unanimously to approve all three school board charters: Academic Committee, Facilities Committee, and the Finance Committee as included in packet provided. 10. President s Appointment of Sub-Committee Members Academic Standards- Mrs. Brooks Facilities- Mrs. McKessy Finance- Dr. Foster 11. Discussion of Committee Meeting Schedule-Days and times shared among board members established as follows: Academic Standards- Meets first Thursday each month @ 6:00 p.m. Facilities- Meets fourth Thursday each month @ 6:30 p.m. Finance- Meets immediately following Facilities meeting V. Board Approvals 1. Approval of Council Rock School Board Solicitor for 2013-2014 school year. Mr. Block moved, seconded by Mr. Grupp passed unanimously with a roll call to approve the law firm of Eastburn and Gray, P.C. as solicitor for Council Rock School District for the 2013-2014 school year. VI. Public Comment Nancy Carroll-Newtown Borough- Offered congratulations to new board members and would like their email on web. VII. Board Comment Mr. Abramson- Suggested revisiting a policy committee. Mr. Grupp- Shared interest in policy committee and would encourage more board members to be involved with the review. He believes some policies are outdated. Requested a list within the next month for review. Mr. Klein acknowledged request. December 5, 2013 Reorganizational Meeting Page 4
Mr. Grupp - Commented how three new board members are a significant change to the board but in time all members will become accustomed to each other looking forward to the change. Mrs. Sexton- Considers the policies a responsibility of the board and added PSBA provides templates and models to follow. Dr. Foster: Welcomed and thanked the three newly elected board members. Board Calendar Facilities Committee Meeting Finance Committee Meeting Academic Standards Committee Meeting Agenda Board Meeting MBIT Executive Committee Meeting Regular Board Meeting IU Executive Board Meeting Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2013 Immediately Following the Facilities Meeting Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2014 at 5:30 PM Middle Bucks Institute of Technology Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Heverly, Acting Board Secretary Council Rock Board of School Directors December 5, 2013 Reorganizational Meeting Page 5