SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17109

JANUARY 28, 2008 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS

SCHOOL BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS David W. Volkman

• Crystal Hoel, a 7th grade literacy teacher at the Middle School, who also serves in

the Naval Reserve, presented the school board with a Patriotic Employer Award for their support of National Guard and Reserve Force.

• January is School Director Recognition Month. School directors volunteer their

time and talents for the betterment of public education in the community. We thank you for contributing hundreds of hours each year to the students of this district. Whether it be working with policies, interacting with constituents and administrators or listening to staff and student concerns, we greatly appreciate that you keep your eyes on the goal of student achievement in Susquehanna Township. So thank you for making a difference in the lives of children.

• Congratulations to the 2007-2008 Middle School Spelling Bee winners:

1st Place – Caitlin Ostrowski (Yellow Team) 2nd Place – Carter Thompson (Gold Team) 3rd Place – Dexter Thompson (Blue Team) - Omnivorous was the winning word.

• The Scholastic Writing Contest is a national contest that is held each year to

recognize the “best of the best” in writing. Awards are given at three levels: Gold Key, Silver Key and Certificate of Merit. Gold and Silver Key winners are invited to participate in the awards ceremony held at the Forum in February.

The following middle school students were recognized for excellence in writing: Scholastic Writing Award Winners – 2008 In 8th Grade: Gold keys were awarded to Natalie Kochanov and Alaina McDonnell. Silver keys were awarded to Elizabeth Busillo and Bradley Stiles. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Calantha Dam, Noelle Miller, Anthonia Chieke, Kaylee Yoffee, Andrea Marchione, Hanna Abele and Kristy Landis.

In 7th Grade: A Gold Key was awarded to Emma Ammirati. A Silver Key was awarded to Sarah Arney. And Certificates of Merit were awarded to Gabe Greedman and Allyn Rosenberger. The following high school seniors were awarded Scholastic Writing Awards. There were 3,031 entries this year. Gold Key

Megan Thomas Annie Bydlon Silver Key Elizabeth Ellis Mike Amthar Randi Dean Gabriella Vreeland Lee Henig Adam Rah Allison Tafun Gabriella Vreeland Certificate of Merit Autumn Hosler Sheri Balogun Ashley McIntosh Sherifat Balogun Taryn Janati Betsy Santamana Christine Evangelista Lauren Shellhamer

• Five Susquehanna Township High School students planned and organized an Annual Mum Fundraiser again this year. They were: Sam Oddo, Eddy Kosik, Kristin Packer, John Packer and Dan Rosenthal. Nine-inch potted mums were sold ($7.00 each or 2 for $12) before the Susquehanna Township/Gettysburg football game on September 28th. The resulting profit of $550.00 from this fundraiser was given to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

• I want to recognize Xia Wesley for winning 1st place in the Miss FBLA event at

Lebanon Valley College on Tuesday, January 8, 2008. Additionally, 26 other students earned a spot at the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Hershey.

• The following Thomas Holtzman students were selected as winners in the

Harrisburg Association of Life Underwriters (Winners for Life Program):

RM. 112 Jacob Pae Rhyce Hammaker RM. 113 Justin Procope Paige Reese RM. 117 Lynique Fletcher Kelly Rolko – Mother Diane Chaperone RM. 118 Do Thienngan Tirza Rentovich RM. 119 Candice Shinkowsky Avery Silverstein RM. 122 Jordan Munoz Jasmine Paredez Lazo RM. 123 Kataya Jones Joya Maser RM. 124 Michael Epps Eli Weikert RM. 125 Emily Colbin Ibrahim Morris-Togans RM. 143 Nicholas Ammirati Andrew Morris

• Members of Hanna Friends (formerly Best Buddies) wanted to spread the holiday

cheer this year. They collected hats and mittens among themselves for a donation to needy students at Sara Lindemuth. The students decided to “give holiday warmth” to younger children who might not otherwise be able to keep their hands warm when playing outside.

• Congratulations to Reid Demyan of the yellow team for being selected as the

Rotary Student of the month for January 2008.

• Congratulations to Matt Jones, Ben Dupree and TAJ Turner for being named as boys’ basketball Big 15 Athletes.

• Congratulations to Miesha Cousins who received an honorable mention by the Big

15 for girls’ basketball.

• Congratulations to Eddie Ruth, wrestler, who was named a Big 15 Athlete.

• Joshua Kurtz was selected by the Rotary Club of Colonial Park to receive the “Academic and Community Service Award.” He received this award on

January 9, 2008. • High School Student Erin Bryne was awarded the Soroptimist International of

Harrisburg Violet Richardson Award for her volunteer work with STHS Student Government.

SCHOOL BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Randy L. Wolfgang

• Congratulations to elementary and middle school mathematics coach, Patrick Raugh for his work in flexible mathematics at Thomas Holtzman which has been submitted to Shippensburg University as an exemplary program.

• Congratulations to Todd McCall, Middle School Teacher, who was named

Teacher of the Month by the Susquehanna Township Rotary Club. • Adrienne Gilbert, special education/learning support teacher at the high school,

and Key Club advisor, is to be commended, along with student members of the Key Club, who collected donations for the Salvation Army, at Boscov’s in Colonial Park, prior to the mid-winter vacation.

• The annual high school musical “Sweeney Todd” will be performed

February 15-17, 2008 at the high school auditorium. Please contact the high school office for ticket information.

• The Hanna Education Foundation Annual Event is slated for Saturday, March 8th,

beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria with a performance by Pentagon slated for later in the evening in the auditorium. All proceeds go to support academic assistance and enrichment programs for our students. Contact Mr. Volkman for ticket information.

BOARD ACTIONS TAKEN ON JANUARY 28, 2008

PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS

A. Petition by the Baseball Boosters’ Association

Following a presentation by Mr. Joe Hirsh, president of the Baseball Boosters’ Association, the school board voted, unanimously, to relieve the Boosters of the remaining debt associated with the purchase and installation of a regulation fence around the varsity baseball field, located at the middle school.

B. Budget Worksession The school board engaged in the first of two public budget worksessions, in preparation for the

finalization of the proposed spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The administration, under the leadership of Mr. Malinowski, assistant superintendent for business services, reviewed budget worksheets with the school board. Contracted salary increments, along with increases in health care and special education costs, are primarily responsible for the need to raise additional revenue. Members of he school board will continue to provide their essential input in the development of the 2008-2009 general operating budget. A second budget worksession is slated for February 25, 2008.

C. 2007-2008 District Goals Update

The superintendent provided the members of the school board with a formative assessment as to the status of the administrative team’s efforts in accomplishing the goals established by the school board in July of 2007. It was noted that progress was made in all areas with some modifications required to meet the goals related to the finalization of the K-12 career standards framework and the automated parent messaging system.

PROGRAM Homebound Instruction

Approved homebound instruction for a 9th grade student, effective the 2007-2008 school year. Approved instruction in the home for a 12th grade student.

Implementation of After-School PSSA Prep Class Approved implementation of an After-School PSSA Prep Class at the Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Elementary School for eligible students in grades 3, 4 and 5.

Attendance at Conferences Approved attendance at conferences for the following:

Patricia Barbour February 25

Athanasia Batzer March 5

Cheryl Capozzoli February 10 - 12 Sherri Coonelly February 25 & 26 Jill Debroisse January 31

Brooke DeWall January 31 Lonnie Fletcher February 1 Leslie Hagen January 22 & 23 Joseph Headen February 1 Steven Houser February 22-27 Suzanne Irish February 25 & 26 Megan Krot February 5 Todd McCall February 1 Lori Rill Harrisburg, March 5 Janet Salerno February 25, 26 & 27 Lisa Screven March 7 Dawn Schorr March 25 Tamika Scott December 14 & 15 Michael Sterner February 1 Travis Waters February 4 – 6 Karla Weaver January 31 M. Ann West March 5 Robert Wildasin February 1 R. Ted Witmer January 31

PERSONNEL

Resignations Ms. Dianna Carey, custodian at the Anna L. Carter Kindergarten Center Ms. Jennifer M. Diehl, instructional assistant at the Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Elementary School Ms. Sue Thomas, part-time food service employee at the Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Elem. School Mr. Joseph Warner, custodian at the middle school, for the purpose of retirement

Leave of Absence Sabbatical leave of absence , Ms. Rosemary Zullinger, Title I reading specialist at the Sara Lindemuth Elementary School, for the second semester of the 2007-2008 school year.

Employed Ms. Kathy Dupes as a long-term substitute special education/learning support teacher Mr. Dennis L. Brehm as interim assistant principal at the Sara Lindemuth Elementary School, effective March 25, 2008 to the end of the 2007-2008 school year, at $40.00 per hour. Ms. Amanda Hoffman as a high school learning support para-educator Additional “guest” substitute teachers:

Clare Lorraine Margaret V. Manning

Substitute food service employees: Janice Gumpher Christy Pappas

Mr. John J. Getz as maintenance technician Joseph Headen, Sr. as high school strength & conditioning coach Michael Sterner as high school strength & conditioning coach Mrs. Evelyn Burton for production of the “2008-2009 School Calendar” The following staff for the production of the high school musical “Sweeney Todd:”

Gail Markovitz Producer Silvia Perbetsky Producer George Kell Director Sally Keaveny Ass’t. Director/Choreographer Douglas Royer Scenic Designer Steven Sexsmith Technical Director/Stage Mgr. Beth Jacobs Musical Director William Perbetsky Orchestra Conductor/Mgr.

Julie Fallon Costume Mistress Heather Woodbridge Rehearsal Pianist Honi Kibler Property Mistress Elaine Jones Ticket Manager

Ms. Peggy L. Pennepacker as assistant high school principal/athletic Transferred Mr. Robert Reed, from groundskeeper/custodian at the high school, to head custodian at the Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Elementary School

APPROVED COLLEGE CREDIT REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING: Athanasia Batzer Jillian Getz Adrienne Gilbert Lisa Hepner Lisa Klingler Melissa Miller Pia C. Peterson Frederick Porter. Jr. Timothy R. Re Ross W. Webb CONTRACT WITH ABEL PERSONNEL Entered into a contract with Abel Personnel for the employment of a substitute secretary, to replace a central office secretary on leave

NEW STUDENT ACTIVITIES Approved a request to form a new student activity “STHS Competition Cheerleading Squad” employing Ms. Heather Stafford as the volunteer advisor.

Approved the creation of a “Character Club” at the middle school, to meet after school hours.

APPROVED HOURS FOR THE SUMMER OF 2008 FOR THE FOLLOWING

Donna Rawls Lee Moloney Mary Ollie

Jill Debroisse Michele Sowers Roxanne Carroll, transition coordinator School Guidance Counselors

SALARY ADJUSTMENT Approved a salary adjustment for Mr. Ross W. Webb, high school physics teacher, who has earned a Master’s Degree

POLICY Approved a revision to Policy #5012.1 “Electronic Communication/Storage Device Guidelines” and waived the 30-day posting period.

FINANCES All posted items were approved as listed.

OTHER Approved the request of Mr. Gaffey to use the high school gymnasium, Friday, March 28, 2008, for the Annual All-Star Games Approved permission for the superintendent to hire personnel prior to the February 25, 2008 school board meeting Appointed the following persons to serve on the Dual Enrollment Grant Writing Committee: Patricia Buffington, Susan Kegerise, Richard Sweger, Jr., Beth Kurtz