september 9, 2013 lower dauphin school board regular meeting minutes

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LOWER DAUPHIN SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Regular Meeting Minutes

Monday, September 9, 2013

I. CALL TO ORDER:

The Lower Dauphin School Board met this evening at 7:00 p.m. for a Regular Meeting/

Work Session at the District Administration Center with President Todd M. Kreiser

presiding.

II. OPENING CEREMONY

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL

Responding to Roll Call were Board Members, Mr. Todd M. Kreiser, Mrs. Dana A.

Barry, Ms. Rebecca D. Kline, Mr. Jeffrey A. Neely, Mr. Keith E. Oellig, Mrs. Renae M.

Paladino, and Mrs. Laurie N. Reichert, Mr. Eric Samples, as well as Dr. Sherri L. Smith,

Superintendent. Mrs. Marcela D. Myers was absent.

Staff members present included Dr. Robert Schultz, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs.

Michelle Shuler, Business Manager; Mrs. Angela Hepner, Director of Human Resources;

Mr. Andrew McCrea, Director of Pupil Services; Mr. James Hazen, Community

Relations Coordinator; Mrs. Melanie Shaver-Durham, Director of Elementary Education;

Mr. David Marshall, Supervisor of Operations & Maintenance; Dr. Kevin White, Director

of Information & Technology Services; Mr. Todd Neuhard, High School Principal; Mr.

Dan Berra, Middle School Principal; Mr. Edward Gnall, Mr. Justin Hanula, Dr. Michael

Lausch, Mr. Gary Messinger and Dr. Douglas Winner, Elementary Principals.

Also in attendance were press representatives from The Patriot, The Press and Journal,

and The Sun.

IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It should be noted that public notice was given for this meeting in accordance with Act 84

of 1986. The agenda was submitted for the Boards approval.

Dr. Smith announced there was an executive session held prior to this meeting to discuss

financial data and preparation for teacher negotiations.

Motion: Mr. Neely and Mr. Samples moved to approve the agenda as indicated.

Vote: All eight (8) members approved the motion.

9/9/13 Regular Meeting Minutes

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V. RECOGNITION OF GUESTS AND SCHEDULED SPEAKERS

1. Dr. Smith welcomed Kerry Wolfe who is a board member candidate from

Londonderry Township.

2. Mr. Neuhard introduced 2013 graduate, Bryce Detweiler, and senior, Emma

Irving who were recognized for the awards received for their anti-bullying video

they created in Mr. Mikulas communications class last school year. They played

the video and then explained the process that led them to being named to the top

fifteen in June and traveling the Los Angeles where they attended an anti-bullying

conference. They won the award of Best Message, and 2nd

Place overall. With

that, came a $2,000 text in a tip program for the school and a $500 scholarship for

Bryce. The board congratulated them and presented each with a certificate of

appreciation.

3. Dr. Michael Lausch and Michelle Devey presented background of the

development of and the success of the Londonderry Pre-K program.

4. Mr. Brad Remig from Public Financial Management presented an opportunity to

refinance the 2006A Bond which is callable in October 2013. A different

approach is being considered, which is to identify cash to pay down the debt and

refinance the remaining debt into a bank loan as opposed to a bond. Theyd like

to put out a RFP to see if banks are interested. Dr. Smith surveyed the Board who

was in unanimous agreement to proceed. Mr. Remig will report back at the

October 7, 2013 board meeting. He added that there will be no cost to the district

to explore this. Mr. Kreiser thanked everyone involved for once again thinking

outside the box keeping in mind what is best for the district and the taxpayer.

5. Maria Angelo addressed the board with her concern about the length of the bus

ride her son was assigned to a private school.

VI. REPORTS

A. DAUPHIN COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOL Mr. Keith Oellig reported:

They had good news from their business manager who gave an overview of

the budget showing a surplus of $2,000,000. Some reasons for that are

increased vocational subsidies, higher number of tuition students than

budgeted, they received an increase in health care revenue through employee

contributions, less expenses in health care, and utilities are under budget. Out

of that surplus, it is proposed to place $4,000 into the healthcare reserve fund,

$163,00 into PSERS reserve allocations fund, $150,000 in capital reserve, and

returning 1.7 million back to the districts. Lower Dauphin will receive about

$213,000. He had expressed a bit of concern about the surplus and suggested

adjusting the tuition next year.


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They are looking at installing a modular unit to increase their medical program

with a cost of $128,000. They are also looking at starting an adult program

and adding an Adult Education Coordinator.

Mr. Kreiser added the enrollment is 1,018 students, 237 are tuitions students,

93 are from Lower Dauphin. Building capacity is 1100.

B. HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE No report

C. CAPITAL AREA INTERMEDIATE UNIT Mrs. Reichert reported:

As most are aware, Dr. Gales is retiring at the end of 2013. Current Assistant

Executive Director, Cindy Mortzfeldt, will move into the Executive Director

position on January 1, 2014. A search committee is being organized to replace

Cindy Mortzfeldt.

PSEA negotiations are still ongoing. It was due this past June. They are close

and may have an agreement as soon as this month or October.

D. CURRICULUM Dr. Schultz reported:

On August 20, our NCLB waiver was approved by the US Department of

Education. This impacts three things. 1) College and career readiness for all

students which is a move to the PA Common Core which is now the PA Core

Standards and the implementation of the Keystone exams. 2) Improving and

supporting effective classroom instruction which is the new teacher effective

model which is coming in place for teachers this year and principals next year.

3) State developed recognition and accountability for all public schools. This

eliminates AYP and replaced it with an improved accountability system. The

AYP will be replaced by the School Performance Profile. Dr. Smith and he

have just started the second phase of data verification. It will be released to

the district later this month and to the public on September 30. Each school

will receive a score with a percentage of points earned based on the school

configuration and the points for which it is eligible. It will be a percentage

score out of a 100. The Title I schools, Nye, East Hanover, and Londonderry,

will also have a designation. If you are in the top 5% in PA for high achieving

or high growth, you are a Reward Building. If you are in the bottom 10%, you

are a Focus School, if you are Title I building. If you are in the bottom 5%,

you are a Priority School. The Focus and Priority groups will have school

improvement staff to assist the schools.

E. LEGISLATIVE Mrs. Barry reported:

PSBA is handling the election of PSBA officers differently this year. Each

board will cast one vote per office through the board secretary. Board

members were previously given information on the slate of officers. She

reviewed the recommended candidates. The board was in agreement of

casting their vote for for the following offices:


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President-Elect: Mark B. Miller

Vice President: Larry B. Breech

Treasurer: Otto W. Voit III

At Large Representative (Central) Kathy Swope

Mrs. Hagy will cast the votes on behalf of Lower Dauphin School District.

F. SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Smith reported:

It has been a smooth start to the school year. She gave kudos to the staff and

administrators for a great start.

We are making progress on finishing a few building projects. There has been

some positive movement on the Conewago multipurpose room floor. The

tennis courts are completed with the exception of fixing the final repair to the

detention plan. Once approvals are received, Handwerk is ready to make the

changes through a change order and close that project. There have been some

drainage problems with the turf field detention ponds. Once the water was

removed, about 6 of silt was discovered that was preventing the proper

drainage. Ebersoles Excavating was asked to take a look at that issue.

She reviewed the proposed signage and traffic flow at the high school.

VII. ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION

By notice of the President, the following action items suggest a roll call vote. You will be

recorded as voting in the affirmative for the motion unless you say "nay" or "I abstain".

Board Members are further advised that they must publicly announce and disclose the

nature of any conflict of interest before the vote on the matter is taken and file the

appropriate form with the Secretary of the Board.

A. CONSENT CALENDAR

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Copies of the minutes of the regular meeting held August 19, 2013 were

forwarded in advance to all members of the Board of Directors.

2. FISCAL ITEMS

a. BILLS

The bills for August, which were presented for Board approval are

chargeable against the funds and accounts indicated. The list of

bills recommended was provided prior to the regular meeting.

1.

General Fund Account

including two payrolls amounting to $1,625,401.27

and four Highmark medical wires totaling $356,189.52

$3,266,191.50

2. Activity Account $0.00


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3. Athletic Account $18,640.79

4. Cafeteria Account $48,343.79

5. Construction Account $0.00

6. Capital Reserve Account $0.00

7. Capital Contingency Account $0.00

b. TAX EXONERATIONS

Municipality Real

Estate

Per Capita

511 & 679 Occup. 511

Conewago $0.00 $262.00 $35,475.00

East Hanover $0.00 $682.00 $40,850.00

Hummelstown $0.00 $987.00 $46,075.00

Londonderry $0.00 $468.00 $31,225.00

South Hanover $0.00 $1,568.00 $86,414.00

TOTAL $0.00 $3,967.00 $240,039.00

3. SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON PERSONNEL

ISSUES:

a. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE PROFESSIONAL

SUBSTITUTE LIST

The following individuals were recommended:

PROFESSIONAL

ADDITIONS:

Gregory Brandt Music

Joshua Bruaw Music

Kehley Jo Cimino Elementary Pre K-4, Sp. Ed. Pre K-8

Bretney Endy Early Childhood, Elementary

Donna Foran Elementary K-6

Jeremy Latimer Earth & Space Science, General Science

Tracy Lentz Elementary K-6

Janella Maish RN

Aaron Minderman Elementary K-6, Mid Level Math 7-9

Megan Resser Elementary Pre K-4

Ann Sierer Health, Physical Education

Suzanne Smith Mathematics


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Jessica Veloz Music

Wain Ingalzo French, Spanish

Thomas Wilson Social Studies

Emergency Certified

Patricia Furjanic

Lori Geesaman

Faye Glick

Clare Lorraine

Shannon Watson

DELETION:

David Bridgewater

Andrew Koman

CLASSIFIED

ADDITIONS:

Leah Palm Custodian

Michael Rankin Custodian

b. EMPLOYMENT - SUPPLEMENTAL

a. M. Susan Weidman Musical/Play Co-Director, MS $683.00

b. Robert Stoner Football Asst., JH $2,413.00

c. Brett McCoy Outdoor Education - Londonderry $564.00

4. POLICY AND PROGRAM ISSUES

a. HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION

It was recommended that homebound instruction be provided for

one student based on medical certification.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Motion: Mr. Samples and Mrs. Reichert moved to approve the

consent calendar as recommended.



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B. FISCAL

1. TREASURER'S REPORT

It was recommended that the Board approve the treasurer's report for the

month of August. The treasurer's report was provided prior to the regular

meeting.

Motion: Mrs. Reichert and Mrs. Barry moved to approve the

treasurer's report for the period of August 1, 2013 to August 31, 2013 as

presented.


2. SERVICE CONTRACT LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

A landscape maintenance service contract with Archibald Landscape

Design was approved at May 20, 2013 board meeting. It is recommended

that the district substitute the company name of Eagle Landscaping as a

result of the sale of the company. The same terms and conditions of the

service contract remain in effect.

Motion: Mr. Neely and Mrs. Reichert moved to approve Eagle

Landscaping as the name on the landscape maintenance service contract

approved on May 20, 2013.


C. PERSONNEL

1. EMPLOYMENT - CLASSIFIED

a. Sarah Kelly, Mathematics Teacher, High School. Effective:

September 27, 2013. Reason: Personal.


employment of the individual as presented.



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2. CHILDREARING LEAVE PROFESSIONAL

a. Nina M. Gilroy, English Teacher, Middle School. Effective:

January 15, 2014 through the end of the 3rd marking period of the

2013-14 school year.

Motion: Mrs. Reichert and Mrs. Kline moved to approve the child

rearing leave as presented.


3. RESIGNATION CLASSIFIED

a. Donald E. Gephart, Custodian, Conewago Elementary School.

Effective: December 20, 2013. Reason: Retirement.

Motion: Mr. Neely and Mr. Samples moved to approve the

resignation of the individual as presented.


4. EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFIED HOURLY

a. Kimberly J. Balmer, Educational Support Aide, Library Aide, South

Hanover Elementary School. Effective: September 10, 2013. Hourly

rate: $11.40.

b. Kaila E. Bomgardner, Instructional/Recess Aide, South Hanover

Elementary School. Effective: September 10, 2013. Hourly rate: $9.45.

c. Victoria L. Friedel, Office Aide, Londonderry Elementary School.

Effective: September 12, 2013. Hourly rate: $9.70.

d. Patricia E. Kain, Educational Support Aide - Middle School

Attendance. Effective: TBD. Hourly rate: $9.70.

e. Michelle L. Laychock, Educational Support Aide/Office Aide,

Conewago Elementary School. Effective: September 10, 2013.

Hourly rate: $9.75.

f. Donna M. Myer, Special Education Paraeducator, Middle School.

Effective: TBD. Hourly rate: $10.50.


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employment of the individuals as presented.


D. POLICY AND PROGRAM ISSUES

1. ADDITIONS TO THE LIST OF 2013 GRADUATES

The following students have satisfactorily completed all requirements for

graduation and have received their diploma after the June 6, 2013

graduation ceremonies:

a. Nathaniel Houtz

b. Brandon Phillips

c. Christopher Ramos

d. Andre Shenk

Motion: Mrs. Paladino and Mrs. Reichert moved to approve these

students as additions to the 2013 list of graduates as presented.


2. ADOPTION OF DISTRICT CURRICULUM

The revised curriculum for science/environmental studies for 5th grade

students is attached. This plan also includes a safety plan.

Dr. Smith explained the week of outdoor education will include programs

at the schools on Monday and Friday, and Tuesday through Thursday at

Camp Hebron.

Motion: Mr. Neely and Mrs. Reichert moved to approve the revised

curriculum as presented.


E. OTHER


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VIII. INFORMATION ITEMS

A. DATES FOR BOARD MEMBERS' CALENDARS

October 7, 2013 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting/Work Session

October 21, 2013 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

B. ADVISEMENTS

1. VOLUNTEER COACHES

The following individuals will be serving as volunteer coaches for the

specified sport for the 2013-14 school year. Each has been approved by

the athletic director, head coach, and principal.

a. Nathan Brock Volleyball - Girls

b. Stacey Garber Field Hockey

C. DISTRIBUTIONS

IX. ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Mrs. Reichert and Mr. Neely moved to adjourn at 8:08 p.m.


Respectfully submitted,

Sharon K. Hagy

Board Secretary

september 9, 2013 lower dauphin school board regular meeting minutes

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