HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTES MAY 2, 2011 BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS MEETING
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTES MEETING May 2, 2011 The Board of School Directors of the Harrisburg School District held a meeting on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 6:39 p.m. in the boardroom of the Administration Building, 2101 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA, pursuant to due tice to each Board Member. Roy Christ, President of the Board of School Directors, called the meeting to order followed by the flag salute. The following members were present: Arlene Bur, Roy Christ, Esther Edwards, Wayne Henry, Sonja Houston, Lola Lawson, Jeunetta Lewis, and Tiffiney Penn. Patricia Whitehead-Myers participated by telephone. Present: Dr. Sybil Knight, Superintendent Jeff Bader, Business Manager/Assistant Board Secretary ANNOUNCEMENTS anunced that there was an executive session on May 2 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:25 p.m. regarding personnel and legal issues. The Assistant Secretary anunced that the meeting was advertised in the Patriot News on January 19, 2011and that once the meeting is called to order public comment slips will be accepted by the board. Public comment is limited to Harrisburg City residents only. School District Policy 903 will be followed during the Board of School Directors public meeting. Copies of this policy are on the table in the back of the room. The next board meeting is May 16 at 6:30 p.m. Approval of Minutes April 18, 2011 Regular Meeting Motion: Second: asked Mr. Bader to provide for the benefit of the public the information that he gave to the Board members in response to their questions from the last meeting on some specific checks in the check registers. 2
( 9 ) voted Public Comment Agenda Items 1. Melissa Stricker-Cook 5024 Sunset Dr. Requested the Board to waive the fee for the Harrisburg Invasion Ministries facilities use request to use the field at Marshall School for their block party. Questions were raised by and. 2. Daria Auguste 3216 N. 6 th St. Commented that the Board had previously decided that faith-based groups would be allowed to use District facilities and had turned other groups down. She asked that the Board be consistent in applying the policy. Ms Auguste also raised a question about the budget transfer for the Hold Harmless funding. Mr. Bader provided an explanation of the funding and the reason for the budget transfer. 3. Sherri Magnuson HEA President Requested that when the Board t go out for bid on the HVAC work at Scott School and look at closing it instead because of the HVAC issues and the recent situation in which there was water on the ground level as a result of the heavy rains. 4. Sylvia Rigal 609 Curtain St. Commented on the check that was approved at the last meeting for the 21 st Century conference and the fact that the individual did t attend. She also questioned why furniture was being purchased from Eddies Furniture and what it was for. Ms Rigal said that she had talked with a number of Food Service employees and that ne had received Red Wing shoes. Finally, Ms Rigal asked what the summer food program was. and Dr. Knight-Burney explained that the summer feeding program was for the summer recreational program, t summer school. 5. Kathy O Neal-Sloane 2615 Waldo St. Commented on the use of facilities by the Harrisburg Invasion Ministries and asked the Board to be consistent in how it treats faith-based groups. She also raised a concern about the level of supervision at Downey School provided by the Reclaim the Streets Ministries. Reports 6.1 Community Relations Report Sybil Knight-Burney Dr. Knight-Burney ted that the Community Relations Report was included with the Board packet. 6.2 Recognition of Teachers selected for the Summer Study Tour of Turkey sponsored by the World Affairs Council. Mark Hafer and Cynthia Hartman shared with the Board and the public the activities that will be taking place during 3
their summer study tour. They explained that they will be bringing elements of the Turkish culture back to the students and will be working with the International Club at John Harris. 6.3 Recognition of Judd Pitman who was selected by WGAL Channel 8 for an Impact Award. Rose Sampson, Math Science Academy Principal and two students from the math Science Academy spoke of Mr. Pittman s work in inspiring students to be participants in their science education. 6.4 Foose School Pease and Beets outdoor classroom project Kelly Groom, Assistant Principal at Foose Elementary School; Mikayla Zawatki, 10 th Grade SciTech student; and several students from Foose School presented a slide show and talked about their community garden project. Treasurer s Report 7.1 Payment of Bills April 7, 2011 checks 77373 77507 April 14, 2011 checks 77508 77672 April 21, 2011 checks 77673-77742 Motion: Second: Questions were raised concerning about several checks by,, and. Comments were made by,,, and Mr. Bader. ( 8 ) voted ( 1 ) voted Budget Transfers 8.1 Budget Transfers Motion: Second: 4
( 9 ) voted Other Fiscal Matters 9.1 Use of Facilities 9.2 Resolution to Implement GASB 54 Requirements for Fund Balance Reporting 9.3 Approval of Low Bidders for Transportation Services 9.4 Request for Re-bid of Scott School HVAC Replacement Project Motion to vote on Item 9.1G separately. Motion: Second: ( 9 ) voted Motion to approve Items 9.1A-F and H. Motion: Second: 5
Comments were made by,,, Dr. Knight-Burney, and Mr Bader. ( 9 ) voted Motion to approve Item 9.1G and waive the facilities use fee. Motion: Second: Comments were made by,,,, and. ( 7 ) voted ( 2 ) voted Motion to approve Item 9.2 Resolution to Implement GASB 54. Motion: Second: raised a question about the implementation date and Mr. Bader responded that the District is required to implement the changes effective July 1, 2011. 6
( 9 ) voted Motion to approve Item 9.3 low bidders for Transportation Services. Motion: Second: Questions were raised by,, and. Mr. Bader responded to the questions. ( 9 ) voted Motion to approve Item 9.4 Re-bid of Scott School HVAC Replacement Project. Motion: Second: Comments were made in response to the concerns about Scott School and whether the District should go forward with bidding the work. It was ted that going to bid does t bind the District in any way to proceed with the project. 7
( 9 ) voted Personnel Items 10.1 Appointments and Other 10.2 Supplemental Appointments and Other 10.3 Spring Sports Coaches (tabled from 4-1-11) 10.4 Resolution to Ratify AFSCME Tentative Bargaining Agreement Motion to remove items 10.1.1.1 and 10.1.3.1 to vote on separately. Motion: Second: ( 9 ) voted Motion to approve balance of Item 10.1 Motion: Second: 8
requested a clarification of whether the Supervisor of Security was a retirement or a resignation. ( 9 ) voted Motion to approve Item 10.1.1.1. Motion: Second: Comments were made by,,,,, Ms Whitehead-Myers,,, and Dr. Knight-Burney ( 4 ) voted ( 5 ) voted MOTION FAILED requested a reconsideration of the vote to change her vote to a. suggested that the Board continue with the remainder of the agenda and then recess to confirm by phone with the Solicitor as to the process for a reconsideration of the vote. 9
Motion to approve Item 10.1.3.1 Motion: Second: and raised questions as to the reason for such a large jump in steps. Dr. Knight-Burney and Ms Magnuson explained that a person is hired at Step 1 until they can provide documentation of experience that would warrant placement on ather step. ( 8 ) voted ( 1 ) voted Motion to approve Item 10.2. Motion: Second: ( 8 ) voted ( 1 ) voted Motion to approve Item 10.3. FAILED FOR LACK OF A MOTION 10
Motion to approve Item 10.4. Motion: Second: ( 9 ) voted Policies and Programs 11.1 Approval of Capital Area Head Start Preschool Education Agreement 11.2 Approval of 3-year Agreement with School Messenger for District s Phone Notification System 11.3 Approval of the 2011 Summer Food Program Motion to approve Items 11.2 and 11.3. Motion: Second: ( 9 ) voted 11
Motion to approve Item 11.1 Motion: Second: Questions were raised by and and responses were made from Dr. Knight-Burney and Mr. Bader. ( 9 ) voted The Board recessed from 8:40 pm until 8:45 pm to confer with the District Solicitor by phone concerning the process to reconsider a previous vote. explained that a motion would need to be made to reconsider the item with a second by someone who had voted. If that motion is successful a motion will then need to be made and seconded on a new motion to approve. Motion to reconsider vote on Item 10.1.1.1 MOTION: SECOND: ( 5 ) voted ( 4 ) voted 12
Motion to approve Item 10.1.1.1 MOTION: SECOND: ( 5 ) voted ( 4 ) voted Public Comment Non-Agenda Items 1. Sylvia Rigal 609 Curtain St. Commented that her church put on a play last Thursday at the Scottish Rite for Harrisburg School children and that she was concerned about the misbehavior of many of the students. She said that the students need more opportunities to go out into the community to develop the necessary people skills. 2. Daria Auguste 3216 N. 6 th St. Commented that the Board needs to provide the Superintendent with the necessary tools to be successful.. 3. Sherri Magnuson HEA President. Commented that a number of the District s facilities have serious issues and expressed a desire to meet with the Board Finance & Operations Committee to discuss these issues. 4. Autumn Cooper 2224 Green St. - Asked if the day the schools were closed for the water main break in the City would be made up. Dr. Knight-Burney said it would. Ms Cooper also asked when the school reconfiguration plan would be brought to the Board for consideration. Dr. Knight-Burney explained that the Administration is working on it. Motion to adjourn Meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey S. Bader Assistant Board Secretary 13
AMENDED TIME FOR 2011 MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that all meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the board room on the first floor of the Administration Building, 2101 North Front Street, Building 2, Harrisburg, PA. Monday, February 7, 2011 Tuesday, February 22, 2011 (February 21 is Presidents Day) Monday, March 7, 2011 Monday, March 21, 2011 Monday, April 4, 2011 Monday, April 18, 2011 Monday, May 2, 2011 Monday, May 16, 2011 Monday, June 6, 2011 Monday, June 20, 2011 If you are a person with disabilities or require other accommodations, please contact the Board Secretary at (717) 703-4066. Julie A. Mackey, Board Secretary Insertion Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 14