May 22,2012 Page 1 of13 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE BOROUGH OF WILKINSBURG LEGISLATIVE MEETING May 22,2012 The May 2012 Legislative Meeting ofthe Wilkinsburg School District Board ofdirectors was called to order by the President, Karen Payne at 7:05 p.m., in the Administration Building, 718 Wallace Avenue, with the Pledge ofallegiance. The following board members were in attendance: Jerome Garrett, Shannon Bennett, Richard Bradford, Raymond Griffith, Nanet Hamlin-Black, Tiffany Lumpkin, Lisa Scales, and LaTonya Washington. Archie D. Perrin, Superintendent, Bruce Dakan, Director ofbusiness Affairs and the Solicitor Matthew Hofftnan, ofthe firm Tucker Arensberg, P.C., were also present. INVITATION TO PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD No one in attendance requested to address the board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Richard Bradford, seconded by Lisa Scales to approve theaninutes from the April 23,2012 Legislative meeting. Motion was made by Richard Bradford, seconded by Nanet Hamlin-Black to approve the minutes from the May 15,.2012 Special voting meeting. COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE No Report COMMITTEE REPORTS COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND SCHOOL IMAGE COMMITTEE No Report EASTERN AREA SPECIAL SCHOOLS JOINT COMMITTEE Shannon Bennett, Chairperson Eastern Area Special Schools Joint Committee Regular Meeting May 24, 2012 at 5:30pm at Sunrise School f^ Meeting was called to order at 5:37. Minutes, Treasurer's report and bills were approved, as was a letter ofengagement for audit firm Maher Duessel.
May 22, 2012 Page 2 of 13 School Principal Ms. McDonough stated that Sunrise School is accepting full and part-time referrals for all support and vocational areas. 15 students will be graduating and 6 new students have been accepted. Mr. Friedman requested that all members for their respective districts to approve, sign and return an executed Jointure Agreement before the end of June, along with the Consent Resolution for the Act 39 Energy Savings Project. Meetings for Eastern Area Special Schools Joint Committee will not be held in June and July. The next meeting will be Thursday, August 23 at 5:30 pm at Sunrise School. DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE Tuesday May 22, 2012 at 5:30pm at Administration Building The inaugural meeting was called to order at 5:37. In attendance were Karen Payne, Archie Perrin, Bruce Dakan, Shannon Bennett, Richard Bradford, and Lisa Scales. The Agenda included discussion of: Developing the charge of the Committee Establishing goals for the Committee Establishing regular meeting time Charge and goals will be developed for the June Committee meeting based on the discussion at the meeting. Meetings will be held on the third Tuesday ofthe month at 5:30 PM (before the Planning Session). The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 19 at 5:30 pm at the Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Shannon Bennett and Lisa Scales Committee Co-Chairs Delinquent Tax Collection Committee Regular Meeting Tuesday June 19, 2012 at 5:30pm at Administration Building The meeting was called to oroer at 5:45pm. In attendance were Karen Payne, Bruce Dakan, Shannon Bennett, Jerome Garrett, Kate Luxemburg and Lisa Scales. The Agenda began with a review of the Committee charge that was written as follows: In response to ongoing financial challenges atfa in response to community needs, the Delinquent Tax Collection Committee is charged \yijh aggressively pursuing delinquent Wilkinsburg property owners by all legal means available to the Wilkinsburg School District. Mr. Dakan requested that the charge emphasize the efforts to maximize collections through working with delinquent owners to establish payment schedules and plans. This will be reflected in the final statement presented at the July meeting. Second on the agenda was a review/of the goars of the committee. The goals stated at the May meeting were determined to best become objectives with the goal ofthe committee to be: To reduce the number of parcels pnd outstanding balance of delinquent taxes owed to the Wilkinsburg School District. The objectives for the committee are to: Understand the community impact and costs of, along with the legal means available for collection Identify collectable vs. non collectable accounts based on PLA reports/history Develop objective criteria for the selection of parcels to pursue
May 22, 2012 Page 3 of 13 Develop and systematize the District process for working with delinquent owners requesting exceptions to balance owed Work with the Borough and CDC to ensure conducive collection practices Finally on the agenda was the review ofpla reports as requested by Mr. Dakan on May 25. All reports had not yet been prepared but Mr. Dakarystated that he would inform the Board members on the Committee when these reports were av^flable on thumb drives. Ms. Scales asked that PLA attend a Committee meeting, after revjew o\ the reports and when the Committee has further progressed on its objectives. The next meeting will be Tuesday, July/17 at 5:30 j^m at the Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Shannon Bennett and Lisa Scales FINANCE, OPERATIONS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Karen E. Payne, Chairperson FINANCE, BUDGET, AND OPERATIONS May 8, 2012 In attendance: School Board Directors: Karen E. Payne, Chair; Jerome Garrett, Shannon Bennett, Richard Bradford, Nan Hamlin- Black, Lisa Scales, and Raymond Griffith, all Board Members. Archie Perrin, Superintendent; Bruce Dakan, Business Manager; and James Richard, Board Treasurer. Guest: Kimball Architects': John Hummel, Jr. and Brian W. Hayes Meeting began at 5:35 pm The Architects were asked to attend this meeting to go over their Agreement with the School District. This will be the seventh amendment to the Agreement between the Wilkinsburg School District and the CDI Architects Group, LLC dba L.R. Kimball - Architecture and Engineering. The agreement must be amended and signed prior to submitting the Wilkinsburg High School Alterations Project to be eligible for PDE's PlanCon reimbursement before June 30, 2012. The Architects fee for the basic services for the assigned project is $350,000. This is not out of line with the projected cost. If the projected percentage is 8% over budgeted cost, the architects will eat the overage. After a brief Q & A. This part ofthe meeting was completed. Mr. Dakan went over the business department agenda. He wanted everyone to review the informational items and call him with any questions. Meeting Adjourned Next Meeting: June 12, 2012 at 5:30 pm All board members and community members are welcome to attend.
May 22,2012 Page 4 of13 PERSONNEL COMMITTEE May 8,2012 In attendance: School Board Directors: Karen E. Payne, Jerome Garrett, Shannon Bennett, Lisa Scales, Richard Bradford, Nan Hamlin-Black, Tiffany Lumpkin, and Raymond Griffith. Archie Perrin, Superintendent; Bruce Dakan, Business Manager. Matt Hoffman, Solicitor Personnel issues were discussed. We will in WESPA negotiations on Thursday, May 17 at 6:00 pm Mr. Perrin also had some informational items about various aspects ofthe staffalignment, the Alternative Program, Summer Training for Administrators andteachers, and the school uniforms forthesecohdary students. The committee then went over the items on the Personnel Agenda. All items were reviewed and discussed on the personnel.agenda and will be recommended for approval by the Personnel Committeeat thenext board meeting pending any questions from other board members. Please note: There may be changes to the items when presented to the School Board. Meetirig;adjourned ^^ Next Meeting: June 14,2012 Both reports submitted by KarenE. Payne, Committee Chair LEGISLATIVE Raymond Griffith, Chairperson Legislative Report May 22,2012 Raymond Griffith, PSBA Liaison 1)The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reported thatrevenue collected in April was 3%more than anticipated. 2) The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee is considering measures thatwould eliminate local property taxes and raise sales and other taxes to finance public education. 3) The Senatepassed and sent to the House a state budgetplan that would: Increase overall spending about 2% more that Governor Corbett's proposed budget ^) Reinstate the Accountability Block Grant program Eliminate the Governor's proposed Student Achievement Block Grant
May 22, 2012 Page 5 of 13 Restore about $500 million to education and social services 4) The House is considering the establishment ofa Task Force on Homeless Children's Education. POLICY AND PLANNING COMMITEE Tiffany Lumpkin, Chairperson May 14, 2012, 5:30pm-6:30pm Persons Attending: Tiffany Lumpkin, Shannon Bennett, Richard Bradford I. A) List ofrevised Policies Committee reviewed the recent policies that had been approved by the school board ofdirectors these policies include: A) Electronic Devices B) Interscholastic Athletics C) Terroristic Threats/Acts D) Tobacco Use E) Searches F) Relations With LawTtaforcement Agencies G) Suicide -H) Harassment The committee will request Mrs. Williams (board secretary), to assist with disseminating policies to PSBA, The borough library, and to each school within the district. A second and final reading ^^ for the cyber bullyingpolicy will take place at thetiext legislative meeting 05/22/2012. II. School Uniform Policy The committee reviewed various school uniformpoliciesof school districts similar to the Wilkinsburg School District. The committee asked the chair to utilize portions of the policies provided from otherdistricts whendrafting a uniform policy for the Wilkinsburg School District. III. PSBA Policy Review In March, the committee shared all ofthe challenges it is currently being faced with due to the disarray of policiesand policy manuals; as well as concerns with regarding the lack of policy manuals amongst School Board Directors, The committee requested the chair person make a recommendation to the entire board that it will be in the best interest to have PSBA come in and reviewthe current policies and make the proper adjustments as necessary; in order to comply with state and local standards. The cost for this PSBA Policy Review could cost up to $5k. The committee members were made aware ofthis cost and felt comfortable with the proposed pricing. Board President-Ms. Payne requested committee chairlook into the last time the district received policy maintenance from PSBA. IV. Next Meeting r^ The next meeting will be held on 06/11/2012 at 5:30pm at the Wilkinsburg School District Administrative Building.
May 22,2012 Page 6 of 13 CURRICULUM. INSTRUCTION. AND ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE Board Curriculum Committee 1 Karen E. Payne, Interim Chairperson CURRICULUM COMMITTEE Mayl5,2012 In attendance: School Board Directors: Karen E. Payne, ShannonBennett, Richard Bradford, and Raymond Griffith. Superintendent- Archie Perrin; Business Manager - Bruce Dakan,. Community Members: Jean Dexheimer, AndreTucker Items on the agenda: Mr. Perrin gave overview of below: May Board Curriculum Report Curriculum - PreK -12 Literacy Curriculum. Focus will be on teaching the Eligible Content. We areteaching across,the all of the subjects. We will cover the Standards therefore allofthe Eligible Content will becovered. Our third grader isour first PreK clas :tq;take the PSSA test. Comparison groups can be measured. There are students who attended sthe PreK classes and those who did not. Assessments The 2012 Reading, Math,, Writing and Science PSSAs were completed and shipped bymay 4, 2012 deadline. The PSASs will be finished and shipped by fhemay 25,2012 deadline. ^ Striving Readers Comprehensive Literary Grant / KTO Grant Award Dr. Parte Grey.and Dr. Dan morrow/were absent due.to KTO Grant meeting in Gettysburg, PA They willgive recap next month. Race to the Top Grant Application (RTTT) Wilkinsburg School District submitteda.grant proposal for $63,583 by the May 11 deadline. Again, the funds may be largerby the time we hear back from PDE. Online Learning Update Mr. Perrin passed out the DRAFT copies ofthe Cyber Academy brochure, the handbook, and the explanation ofthe Cyber Program to review at the last meeting and asked those present to review for the next meeting. Dr. Dan Morrow will give updates atthe next meeting. Mr. Perrin also gave us good news! PDE sent $116,000 to WSD for the Special Education Contingency - this was the excess cost to the special education department. Meeting adjourned. Next Meeting: June 14,2012 at 6:00 pm All board members, staff, and administrators along with community residents are welcome to attend and bring forth their thoughts and ideas. ^
May 22, 2012 Page 7 of13 Submitted by Karen E. Payne, Chair FORBES ROAD CAREER & TECHNOLOGY CENTER Jerome Garrett, Chair OTHER BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
May 22,2012 Page 8 of13 SUPERINTENDENT'S DEPARTMENT REPORT Legislative Session - May 22,2012 ^ Motion was made by Nanet Hamlin-Black, seconded by Raymond Griffith to approve the 2012/2013 Wilkinsburg School District "Proposed Final General Fund Budget" in the amount of $26,876,258.00. The Proposed Final General Fund Budget includes a real estate tax millage increase of 1.672 mills, for a total millage of 36.672. The earned income tax rate remains the same at 0.5%. The Board also authorizes Administration to file the PDE-2028 and to advertise as being available for public inspection. Motion was made by Richard Bradford, seconded by Shannon Bennett to approve the Eastern AreaSpecial Schools (Sunrise) Resolution for approval oftheir capital improvementproject. Attachment Supt. #1 Motion was made by Richard Bradford, seconded by Nanet Hamlin-Black to approve the adjudication of Student "A thru H". The hearings were heldlon March 1,2012, March 21,2012, April 12,2012, April 19, 2012, and April 24,2012. Attachment Supt. #2 thru #9 Motion carried by a vote of8-ayes & 1-nay. Mr. Jerome Garrett opposed the adjudication of ^% Student "B". Motion was made bytiffany Lumpkin, seconded ;by Raymond Griffith to approve the second of two readings ofpolicy #249,titled::; Cyber Bullying,Section: Pupils. Attachment Supt. #10 Motion was made by Nanet Hamlin-Black, seconded by Shannon Bennett to approve the Ballot Resolution for the 2012-2013 Operating and Administrative Budgets for the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center. Attachment Supt. #11 Motion was made by Richard Bradford, seconded bynanet Hamlin-Black to approve the Agreement and Release with Ella Rawlings, High School Principal, providing for her resignation from employment for retirement purposes, effective May 22, 2012.
May 22,2012 Page 9 of13 BUSINESS OFFICE AGENDA Legislative Meeting - May 22,2012 Motion was made byraymond Griffith, seconded byrichard Bradford to ratify and confirm the April 2012 General Fund payments of$1,806,087.96 for payroll, benefits, and other operational expenses. - Attachment Bus. #1 The following reports will be made a matter of record in the.minutes: Treasurer's Report Attachment Bus. #2 EIT/EMST Report Attachment Bus. #3 Current R.E. Collections Report Attachment Bus. #4 Delinquent R.E. Collections Report AttacrmientBus. #5 Deed Transfer Tax Report AttachmeritBus. #6 Monthly Statement ofexpenditures and Revenues Attachment Bus. #7 Student Activity Report - Secondary Attachment Bus. #8 Student Activity Report - Elementary Attachment Bus. #9 Motion was made by Nanet Hamlin-Black, seconded by Richard Bradford to approve budget transfers for April 2012 for the 2011/2012 fiscal year for the General Fund as per the attached Budget Transfer Transaction Detail Report. -Attachment Bus. #10 Motion was made by Nanet Hamlin-Black, seconded by Richard Bradford to approve the Allegheny County Schools Health Insurance Consortium (ACSHIC) rates for the 2012/2013 fiscal year which present a 4.75% increase, as per the attached. As prior budget costs were at 10% increase, this revised rate decrease results in a budget savings of $119,118.19. -Attachment Bus. #11 Motion was made by Richard Bradford, seconded by Tiffany Lumpkin to authorize the District delinquent real estate tax collector, Portnoff Law Associates, LTD., to file writs ofexecution on each ofthe properties, as per the attached, to pursue collection by apayment plan agreement and to schedule the properties for Sheriff sale ifa payment plan isnot arranged by the property owner. -Attachment Bus. # 12
May 22,2012 Page 10 of 13 FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: ^ As the District applied for funds for the 2012/2013 Fresh Fruit &Vegetable Program } (FFVP), two elementary schools were approved. Kelly was approved for $19,695.00, and Turner was approved for $15,925.00, acombined amount of$35,620.00. Attachment Bus. #13 FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: For the ACT 1State Property Tax Reduction allocation, for 2012/2013 the District will receive $805,027.12 to reduce the real estate tax liability ofthe 2,736 Wilkinsburg residents approved for the Homestead exclusion, as provided by the Pennsylvania Department ofeducation and the Allegheny County Assessment Office. Each approved residential property will receive areduction of$294.24 from their 2012 School District real estate invoice. -Attachment Bus. #14 FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: As received from Portnoff Law Associates, LTD., attached istheir letter dated April 19, 2012 in reference to procedures to increase the collection ofdelinquent,real estate taxes. -Attachment Bus. #15 ;'JU-> /^%.
May 22, 2012 Page 11 of 13 f^ FEDERAL PROGRAMS AGENDA Legislative Meeting - May 22,2012 Informational Item: The Wilkinsburg School District Division offederal Programs recently had its three year Pennsylvania Department of Education audit/monitoring completed. The Federal Programs Division passed the audit with no findings or observations for the 10-11 and 11-12 school years. The audit was performed by Dr. Darrell Uphold ofthe Division offederal Programs in Harrisburg, PA. The next scheduled audit will be in year 2015.
May 22,2012 Page 12 of13 PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT REPORT Motion was made by Shannon Bennett seconded by Richard Bradford to ratify and confirm the following appointments, leaves of absence and resignations: /^$k APPOINTMENTS NAME Budget POSITION SALARY EFFECTIVE DATE Ernest Ruffin Y Associate Teacher/High School $100.00/day 05-08-2012 Michael Tolbert Y Assistant High School Football Coach $1,742.00 2012-2013/year UNPAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE Wendy Drossman Y Teacher/Johnston Elementary $75,570.00/year 05-18-2012/06-30-2013 RESIGNATIONS Mark Medrano Y Associate Teacher/High School >$100.00/day 04-26-2012 Dana Wilson Y Teacher/Library Assistant/High School $15,023.58/year 05-03-2012 Scott Uhlinger Y Teacher/Middle School. $40,920.00/year 06-08-2012 RETIREMENTS Marie Moore Y "Custodian/High School $35,526.40/year 05-16-2012 -'m% Deborah Brown < Y Associate Teacher/Turner Elementary $100.00/day 05-31-2012 Ella Rawlings Y Principal/High School $113,035.14/year 05-22-2012 Personnel Report JOB OPENINGS Temporary Pre-K Lunch Aide Substitute Teaching Assistant Johnston Elementary Johnston Elementary Parent-Community Liaison
May 22, 2012 Page 13 of13 NEW BUSINESS Ms. Jean Dexheimer addressed theschool board regarding the Duquesne Area School District being in the news concerning the amount ofcharter school tuition the Duquesne Area School District pays. Mr. Warren Austin addressed the school board regarding the district's policy on teachers or students beinghit and the way it is handled. Mr. Andre Tucker addressed the board concerning a possible scholarship opportunity for high school students. STAFF REPORTS No Report SOLICITOR'S REPORT See File. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Nanet Hamlin-Black, seconded by Richard Bradford to adjourn. Motion carried by unanimous vote Meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: Andrea L. Williams School Board Secretary