The Laurel Board of Education held their regular meeting on April 16, 2014, in the Laurel High School Auditorium. The following board members were present: Linda Wintjen, President; Brent Nichols, Vice-President; Lois Hartstein, Sabrina Taylor Isler, Patrick Vanderslice and John Ewald, Executive Secretary. Also in attendance were: Lori Lewis, Elbert Collins, Monet Smith, Donn Steele, Robin Andrus, Amber Deiter, Betsy Hayden, Susan Whaley, Brian Swain, David Hudson, Matt Marine, Judy Noll; Ken Everline, Valerie Crockett, Ellis Hammond; Brad Hastings; Don Zook, Ann Camper, Sue Darnell, Gina Voges, David Eisenhour, Bryce Bryan, Alison Hastings, Sidney Hastings, Keith Hastings, Kirra Wallace, Taylor Rawlings, Kim Ralph, Sara Jo Whaley, Tisqanne Toppin, Ashlynn Toppin, Amanda O Ferrall, Elya Niblett, David Verables, Jennifer Gormer, Howard Vanderslice, Tiseha Niblett, Mark Johnson, Julie Snyder, Jamie Morgan, Aaron Carey, Billie Davenport, Sharon Dolby, Jim Furbush, Jake Furbush, Lisa Langley; and Mike McClure-Laurel Star as documented on the guest list. 1. Call to Order Call to Order President Wintjen called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 2. Executive Session Patrick Vanderslice moved seconded by Lois Hartstein and unanimously carried to approve the recessing to executive session to discuss collective bargaining and/or pending or potential litigation and/or personnel at 6:03 p.m. Reconvened to Public Session at 7:15 p.m. President Wintjen led the assembly in the Salute to the Flag followed by a moment of silence. Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence 3. Review/Revision/Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda It was moved by Patrick Vanderslice seconded by Brent Nichols and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve to the regular meeting agenda as submitted. 4. Review/Revision/Approval of Minutes It was moved by Lois Hartstein seconded by Brent Nichols and carried by roll call vote to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting of March 19, 2014. Board Member, Patrick Vanderslice abstained from the vote. Approve Minutes for March 19, 2014, Reg. Board Meeting 5. Recognition of Guests Recognition of Guests President Wintjen welcomed everyone to the Board of Education meeting. Recognition of Guests opened with the introduction of Judy Noll, Principal Dunbar Elementary and Sharon Dolby, Dunbar Elementary Guidance Counselor. Ms. Noll shared that 109 kindergarten students were registered last week and as of today, April 16 th the number has increased to 112 with many more to come. Ms. Dolby gave an overview of the registration process and how they are making it a valuable and positive experience for parents. Presently establishing 2 additional registration dates for enrollment in June and August which will be advertised in the near future. BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 1 of 11
Patrick Vanderslice introduced the next guests, Odyssey of the Mind Coaches and Teams. Mr. Vanderslice shared his volunteer experience with coaching one of the teams, Subway Breakers from October through April. Team members and Coaches, Ms. Voges, Mr. Hudson and Ms. Jones were asked to come forward and be recognized; Ms. Eskridge was not able to attend this evening. Mr. Hudson thanked all the coaches, especially Ms. Voges and their props transporter, Mr. Aaron Carey. Ms. Voges summed it up in one word perseverance. A slideshow was presented highlighting all of the teams. Ms. Voges again recognized and thanked all the coaches for their time and commitment: Laurel Intermediate Middle School team coached by Alison Hastings and Gina Voges; North Laurel Team Division 1 was coached by Ms. Eskridge and Ms. Voges; 2 nd North Laurel Team was coached by Ms. Jones, Ms. Eskridge and Ms. Voges; 3 rd North Laurel Team (placed 2 nd in Regional and 3 rd in State) was coached by Mr. Vanderslice, Ms. Eskridge and Ms. Voges. All team members were recognized and presented a certificate. A total of 7 trophies were won. Ms. Deiter and Ms. Gomer were introduced. Ms. Gomer reported on the High School State Science Olympiad. On March 1, 2014, 58 teams across the state competed in 24 different events at Delaware State. This year students again brought medals back to Laurel. There is an incredible wealth of talent in the students of Laurel and Ms. Gomer is very proud of all the teams. Superintendent Ewald reported on the 2015 Teacher of the Year and introduced the candidates: Laurel Senior High School David Baker; Laurel Intermediate Middle School Kim Ralph; North Laurel Elementary School Billie Davenport; Paul Laurence Dunbar School Kara Rawlings. The TOY Committee will be conducting observations of the candidates on April 29 th and Teacher of the Year will be announced at the End of Year Celebration on May 6 th. Congratulations to each of the TOY Candidates. Superintendent Ewald reported on Senator Carper s visit for the kick-off of the Farm to School program. The event was held on Friday, April 11 th at North Laurel Elementary School and was well attended with representatives from USDA, Representative Tim Dukes, Mayor Shwed, Laurel Administration and Staff. Dave Hudson was thanked for hosting the event and Nancy Mears for doing a tremendous job with Nutrition Services. 6. Communications and Announcements/Board Participation Sabrina Taylor Isler reported on how excited she is about the winding down of the school year and all the end of year of events coming up including the upcoming Spring Concerts; shared highlights of attending a field trip today with 8 th grade students to visit the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Students were engaged with the exhibits and represented Laurel well during their visit. Comments by Board Member, Sabrina Taylor Isler BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 2 of 11
Lois Hartstein congratulated the Odyssey of the Mind Teams and shared she is looking forward to all the end of the school year events and moving into the new building this upcoming school year. Patrick Vanderslice also congratulated the Odyssey of the Mind Teams for a job well done and shared how he enjoyed his time with the team he coached; very impressed on how the students represented themselves at the Odyssey competitions as well as on field trips and sporting events he has attended. It says a lot of our teachers and our schools. Brent Nichols reported on how very impressed he was with the Odyssey Teams and their performances; shared the Softball Team won another game and spoke with the Golf Coach about the Golf Team. Linda Wintjen reported on the Community Forum meetings were well attended; on April 10 th attended the Sussex County Legislative Breakfast held at Sussex Central High School with Superintendent Ewald; visited Dunbar Elementary School during Kindergarten registration and commended how well it was run; shared the highlight for her was last evenings girls softball game against Delmar going 10 innings and bringing home the win! Commended Sarah Jo Bubblegum Whaley, Catcher, for a job well done. Comments by Board Member, Lois Hartstein Comments by Board Member, Patrick Vanderslice Comments by Board V.P., Brent Nichols Comments by Board President, Linda Wintjen 7. Public Participation There was no Public Participation. 8. Reports a. Financial Report Monet Smith reported on the summary of district revenue and expenditures as of March 30, 2014. No questions were raised by Board Members. b. Construction Report Mr. Don Zook of Richard Y. Johnson & Son Inc., reported on the ongoing progress of the Laurel Middle/High School Construction project with regard to site work, construction schedule, cost summary and change orders. The Laurel Elementary School project was reported on respective of the projective narrative, design progress schedule and preliminary budget. Financial Report Monet Smith Construction Report Mr. Don Zook i. Construction Change Orders 1. It was moved by Lois Hartstein seconded by Brent Nichols and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the change order A5-03 for Joseph Rizzo & Sons, Inc. for $1,528.42 to install structural steel beam and install 8 CMU at mezzanine 298 and corridor 200. Beam and block not shown on drawings. 2. It was moved Brent Nichols seconded by Patrick Vanderslice and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the change order A7-04 for Brandywine Contractors, inc. for BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 3 of 11
$12,314.30 to furnish and install pressure treated 2 X 4 s on top of parapet wall. ¾ plywood shown on contract document could not be used because there was no way to attach coping. 3. It was moved by Lois Hartstein seconded by Brent Nichols and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the change order A18-02 Worth & Company, Inc. for a credit of $2,218.69 to deduct for cost to RC Fabricators to provide angle for revised roof frame. Mechanical Contractor did not coordinate unit with steel contractor. 4. It was moved Lois Hartstein seconded by Patrick Vanderslice and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the change order A18-05 Worth & Company, Inc. for $24,559.92 to change water heater Model PVI #50LX 250-A-PV1F with 250 gallon storage tank per owner s request. This water heater is more efficient and cheaper to operate. ii. iii. It was moved Lois Hartstein seconded by Brent Nichols and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the Laurel Elementary School Educational Specifications for the new Elementary School dated March 11, 2014 as presented. It was moved Sabrina Taylor Isler seconded by Patrick Vanderslice and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the award of school and office furniture for the new Laurel Middle/Laurel High School per tabulation sheet dated April 16, 2014: Company Address Contract Total Corporate Interiors 223 Lisa Drive, New Castle, DE 19720 $182,253.94 Corporate Interiors (State Contract) 223 Lisa Drive, New Castle, DE 19720 $381,917.60 Douron 10 Painters Mill Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117 $61,277.27 Douron (Change Order #01) 10 Painters Mill Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117 $3,589.62 EFS 2638 Morris Rd, West Point, PA 19486 $138,404.96 GA Blanco (State Contract) 186 Timberlane Rd, Clarksboro, NJ 08020 $118,724.92 WB Mason 59 Center Street, Brockton, MA 02303 $463,402.59 Grand Total $1,349,570.90 Budget $1,485,000.00 Surplus $135,429.10 c. Facilities Report Donn Steele, Facilities Supervisor reported that the watch word is weather. Facilities are struggling with getting AC units up and running with encountering issues of lack of freon or in need of parts, normally takes a month to get units up running and we ve only had a couple days. Barry Mitchell and Rob Jones have been furiously Donn Steele, Facilities Supervisor BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 4 of 11
working in keeping the equipment, tractors and mowers serviced and in good running condition. Other than that everything is going well. No questions were raised by Board Members. d. Superintendent s Report Superintendent Ewald shared his report highlighting the Laurel Star Letter to the Editor from Pat Murphy published on March 27, 2014 that the statement on the number of Laurel School District students who dropped out last year was incorrect. 2011-2012 the dropout rate was 44 students; 2012-2013 the dropout rate was 24 students. Community Forums are being held at the Laurel Intermediate Middle School to continue to share information, provide an opportunity for continuous dialogue and the opportunity for questions and answers. Community Construction Site Tours continue to be held; April Town Hall Meetings will be held during the month at Laurel High School with students, staff and parents; LHS Class of 2014 has 20 of 99 diploma candidates accepted to a college or university with scholarships earned to date of $1,846,040.00. Superintendent s Report 9. Unfinished Business Unfinished Business It was moved by Lois Hartstein; motion died for lack of second to approve 2 nd Reading of the 2014-2015 Laurel School District Calendar as submitted. 2 nd Reading tabled to a date certain of May 7, 2014. 10. New Business New Business a. School Choice 1. It was moved by Patrick Vanderslice seconded by Brent Nichols and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the school choice application for Shealeigh Santos as a rising 6 th Grade Student at Laurel Intermediate Middle School from the Seaford School District for the 2014 2015 school year. 2. It was moved by Brent Nichols seconded by Lois Hartstein and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the school choice application for Tatiyana Santos as a rising 9 th Grade Student at Laurel High School from the Seaford School District for the 2014 2015 school year. 3. It was moved by Sabrina Taylor Isler seconded by Patrick Vanderslice and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the school choice application for Joseph Johnson as a rising 11 th Grade Student at Laurel High School currently attending Laurel High School from the Woodbridge School District for the 2014 2015 school year. School Choice b. Fundraisers It was moved by Brent Nichols seconded by Sabrina Taylor Isler and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the fundraiser requests as a group. Approval of Fundraisers BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 5 of 11
It was moved by Brent Nichols seconded by Patrick Vanderslice and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the fundraiser requests as submitted: i. Recommend to approve the request of Shawn Phillips, Head Laurel High School Basketball Coach, to hold a FlapJack Fundraiser at Applebee s in Seaford, Delaware on May 18, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Tickets for the event will be sold beginning May 1, 2014 through May 18, 2014. Purpose of the fundraiser is to raise funds for the basketball program. Ticket cost is $7.00 per person. ii. Recommend to approve the request of Shawn Phillips, Head Laurel High School Basketball Coach, to hold concession stand at 6 th /7 th and 8 th /9 th grade AAU basketball tournaments held at Laurel High School on May 2 nd & 3 rd ; May 9 th & 10 th ; June 7 th & 8 th ; June 20 th & 21 st ; June 28 th & 29 th ; July 11 th & 12 th ; and July 25 & 26, 2014. Purpose of the fundraiser is raise funds for the basketball team. Items to be sold consist of sodas, pizza and candy and cost ranging from 50 to $2.00. iii. Recommend to approve the request of Sharon Dolby, Dunbar Elementary PBS Team, to hold a Chuck E Cheese s Dunbar Student Night fundraiser at Chuck E Cheese s in Salisbury, Maryland on April 18, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Purpose of fundraiser is to support the PBS/Walking Program. Cost to parents and students will be amount purchased for food and games. Chuck E Cheese gives back 15% of Dunbar s group register purchases. iv. Recommend to approve the request of Shawn Phillips, Head Laurel High School Basketball Coach, to host Car Wash fundraiser at Laurel High School on all Sundays in April, May, June, July and August 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Purpose of the fundraiser is to raise money for the basketball program. Cost of car wash is $5.00. c. Rentals It was moved by Brent Nichols seconded by Sabrina Taylor Isler and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the rental requests as a group. Rentals It was moved by Patrick Vanderslice seconded by Brent Nichols and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the rental requests as submitted: i. Recommend to retro-actively approve the request of Shawn Phillips, Laurel High School Basketball Coach, for use of Laurel BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 6 of 11
ii. iii. High School Gymnasium every Monday and Thursday evening starting in April 2014, from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. for 6 th and 7 th grade basketball practice and ending the last week of July 2014. Rental and Custodial fees waived. Recommend to approve the request of Shawn Phillips, Laurel High School Basketball Coach, for use of Laurel High School Gymnasium to host 6 th /7 th and 8 th /9 th grade AAU basketball tournaments on May 2 nd & 3 rd ; May 9 th & 10 th ; June 7 th & 8 th ; June 20 th & 21 st ; June 28 th & 29 th ; July 11 th & 12 th ; and July 25 & 26, 2014. Gymnasium will be needed on Friday evenings from 5:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Rental and Custodial fees waived. Recommend to approve the request of Doug Marvil, Laurel Historical Society, for use of Laurel Intermediate Middle School Media Center on June 12, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. to host a Laurel Historical Society General Membership Meeting dinner provided by My Turn to Cook followed by a presentation. Projection screen and PA system requested to be used. Rental and Custodial fees waived. d. Professional Trip(s) No Professional Trips submitted. Approval of Professional Trip e. Policy JFCA, Student Dress Code, 1 st Reading i. Recommend 1 st Reading of Policy JFCA, Student Dress Code as submitted and found on the District web site in the Board of Education Policies section and as found at Laurel School District Sites. This policy is available for review by the community at Laurel School District buildings and on the Laurel School District Web Site. Community input is welcome and should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2014. f. Regulation, JFCA-R, Student Dress Code, 1 st Reading i. Recommend 1 st Reading of Regulation, JFCA-R, Student Dress Code as submitted and found on the District web site in the Board of Education Policies section and as found at Laurel School District Sites. This policy is available for review by the community at Laurel School District buildings and on the Laurel School District Web Site. Community input is welcome and should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2014. g. Policy IGAF, Wellness, 1 st Reading i. Recommend 1 st Reading of Policy IGAF, Wellness, 1 st Reading as submitted and found on the District web site in the Board of BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 7 of 11
Education Policies section and as found at Laurel School District Sites. This policy is available for review by the community at Laurel School District buildings and on the Laurel School District Web Site. Community input is welcome and should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2014. h. Regulation IGAF-R, Wellness Procedures, 1 st Reading i. Recommend 1 st Reading of Regulation IGAF-R, Wellness Procedures, 1 st Reading as submitted and found on the District web site in the Board of Education Policies section and as found at Laurel School District Sites. This policy is available for review by the community at Laurel School District buildings and on the Laurel School District Web Site. Community input is welcome and should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2014. i. Policy EFA, Child Nutrition, 1 st Reading i. Recommend 1 st Reading of Policy EFA, Child Nutrition, 1 st Reading as submitted and found on the District web site in the Board of Education Policies section and as found at Laurel School District Sites. This policy is available for review by the community at Laurel School District buildings and on the Laurel School District Web Site. Community input is welcome and should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2014. j. Policy EF, Food Service Management, 1 st Reading i. Recommend 1 st Reading of Policy EF, Food Service Management, 1 st Reading as submitted and found on the District web site in the Board of Education Policies section and as found at Laurel School District Sites. This policy is available for review by the community at Laurel School District buildings and on the Laurel School District Web Site. Community input is welcome and should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2014. k. Regulation EF-R, Food Service Management, 1 st Reading i. Recommend 1 st Reading of Regulation EF-R, Food Service Management, 1 st Reading as submitted and found on the District web site in the Board of Education Policies section and as found at Laurel School District Sites. This policy is available for review by the community at Laurel School District buildings and on the Laurel School District Web Site. Community input is welcome and should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2014. BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 8 of 11
l. Policy EFQ, School Meal Payments & Charges, 1 st Reading i. Recommend 1 st Reading of Policy EFQ, School Meal Payments and Charges, 1 st Reading as submitted and found on the District web site in the Board of Education Policies section and as found at Laurel School District Sites. This policy is available for review by the community at Laurel School District buildings and on the Laurel School District Web Site. Community input is welcome and should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2014. m. Prevention & Emergency Response Plan for Students with Allergies Form, 1 st Reading i. Recommend 1 st Reading of Prevention and Emergency Response Plan for Students with Allergies Form, 1 st Reading as submitted and found on the District web site in the Board of Education Policies section and as found at Laurel School District Sites. This policy is available for review by the community at Laurel School District buildings and on the Laurel School District Web Site. Community input is welcome and should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2014. n. Laurel School District Summer Hours It was moved by Brent Nichols seconded by Patrick Vanderslice and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the Laurel School District Summer Hours, effective June 16, 2014 through August 15, 2014, as submitted. o. Teachers of the Year Recognition It was moved by Sabrina Taylor Isler seconded by Lois Hartstein and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the Laurel School District 2015 Teachers of the Year as submitted. 11. Possible Action on Executive Session Items Approval of Personnel A. Personnel Recommend to approve recommended personnel actions listed in attachments A and B as submitted. It was moved by Brent Nichols seconded by Patrick Vanderslice and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the personnel actions as listed in Personnel Attachments A and B. 1. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve Phyllis Donovan s retirement request as a teacher in the Laurel School District, effective July 1, 2014. 2. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve Susan Fewell s retirement request as a teacher in the Laurel School District, effective July 1, 2014. 3. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve Michael Allen s request for a Family Medical Leave from May BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 9 of 11
7, 2014 through June 9, 2014. (This will be a combination of a paid and/or unpaid leave of absence consisting of accrued sick leave.) 4. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve the following teachers for the Laurel High School After School Program, retroactive to April 10, 2014. Tiesha Niblett Teyra Barrow Andie Davis Christina Gallo Jennifer Gormer Mary Cass Anthony Prisco 5. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve Stacy DeWitt as a teacher temporary contract - in the Laurel School District retroactive to April 14, 2014. 6. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve John Roach, Jr. as a Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach at Laurel Senior High School for the 2013-2014 school year, retroactive to March 27, 2014. 7. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve Dwayne Chaffinch as a Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach at Laurel Intermediate Middle School for the 2013-2014 school year, retroactive to March 31, 2014. 8. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve Breanna Venables as a Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach at Laurel Intermediate Middle School for the 2013-2014 school year, retroactive to March 24, 2014. 9. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve Brenda Thomas request for a Family Medical Leave retroactive to March 13, 2014 through June 16, 2014. (This will be a combination of a paid and/or unpaid leave of absence consisting of accrued sick and vacation leave and short term disability.) 10. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve Terry Small s retirement request as a teacher in the Laurel School District, effective July 1, 2014. 11. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to approve Michael Murray s retirement request as a teacher in the Laurel School District, effective July 1, 2014. 12. Recommendation to the Laurel Board of Education to accept Thomas Becker s resignation as a teacher in the Laurel School District, effective June 30, 2014. Approved recommended personnel action listed in attachment B as submitted. 1. Recommendation of personnel action of Jennifer Kiselica, as described in Attachment B. B. EPER Positions, Attachments A & B It was moved by Patrick Vanderslice seconded by Brent Nichols and unanimously carried by roll call vote to approve the EPER Positions as listed in EPER Attachments A & B. BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 10 of 11
12. Future Agenda Items Future Agenda Items a. Next Regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2014 13. Adjournment Adjournment It was moved by Sabrina Taylor Isler and seconded by Brent Nichols and unanimously carried by roll call vote to adjourn the April 16, 2014, Laurel School District Board Meeting at 8:29 p.m. Signed: John D. Ewald John D. Ewald Executive Secretary BOE APPROVED 5/7/14 Page 11 of 11