Minutes 2016-02-22

YORK SUBURBAN SCHOOL BOARD

Regular Monthly Meeting

February 22, 2016 – 7:00 PM

Ronald H. Provard Education Center
There will be an Executive Session at 6:30 PM.

M I N U T E S
(approved on March 21, 2016)

General Business
Call to Order – Ms. Leopold-Sharp
1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
  Ms. Leopold-Sharp called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2. Roll Call
  Members present – Emily Bates, Scott Eden, Ellen Freireich, Lynne Leopold-Sharp, John Posenau, Richard Robinson, Lois Ann Schroeder, Cathy Shaffer, Michael Thoman, Elizabeth Huh (Student Representative)
3. Public Comment
  An opportunity was provided for public comment.
  
  Dick Grau, 2401 Cambridge Road – appreciation was expressed for everyone’s contributions for the successful County Band Festival that was held at the Middle School recently; how is budget planning happening with the stalemate between the Governor and state legislature
4. Discussion and Action on Board Minutes. Approval of the Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting of February 8, 2016 and the Regular Monthly Meeting of January 25, 2016. [Public Comment; Approval as submitted/corrected]
  Ms. Leopold-Sharp reported the minutes are approved as submitted.
Treasurer’s Report – Mr. Posenau [Consent Agenda: Would any Board member like any of these items considered separately or are there any questions on any of these items? If not, the chair moves approval of the below-mentioned items; Public Comment; Roll Call Vote]
Approval of Financial Reports as of January 31, 2016 [File for audit]
1. Treasurer’s Report (All Funds)
2. General Fund Revenue Report
3. General Fund Expenditure Report
4. Summary Report – Capital Project, Capital Reserve, Food Service
5. Check Summary Report – General Fund, Food Service, Capital Project
6. Student Activity Account Summary
7. Budget Transfers
  A discussion took place and the point was – Ms. Mason will get clarification for the Kistler O’brien payments.
  
  Motion, Posenau, Second, Bates; Approval of Sections A, B, C, D, F and G. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
  
  Motion, Posenau, Second, Bates; Approval Section E. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes, except Freireich, abstain. Motion carried 8-0-1.
Board President’s Report – Ms. Leopold-Sharp
Executive Session. The Board met in Executive Session on February 8, 2016 following the Planning Committee Meeting and prior to this evening’s meeting for the purpose of discussing personnel and/or legal issues.

Ms. Leopold-Sharp reported above.
Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Merkle
1. Primary School Division Report – Thinking on Your Feet, Classroom of the Future and Ditch the Desks, Movement in the Classroom – Cheryl Johnson, Amy Schnetzka
  Dr. Merkle introduced Cheryl Johnson and Amy Schnetzka for the above report and thanked them for the show and tell in the lobby this evening. Kim Kimpel, LIU Occupational Therapist, provided information during presentation too.
  
  A discussion continued following the presentation and included the following points – no exact science of measuring success with these initiatives, results are showing that students are more engaged and the movement opportunities are effective interventions, there is also less time being spent in classroom management redirecting inappropriate behaviors; many children are coming in without experiencing movement such as going to the park due to playing video games, etc., giving them a chair to wiggle gives them a chance to move while learning; there are more children now with underdeveloped core muscles and this gives them more strength in their mid-section; thanks was extended for this innovation in the classroom; a community member commented about the willingness of teachers to purchase some of their own supplies for the classroom; students are permitted to stand when necessary; there may be other entities in the community that would provide money for this type of initiative.
  
  Dr. Merkle thanked YS Education Foundation for the grant money that was available for this initiative. Some complexity and challenges are present as some families are seeing the benefit of this tool for their child and are offering to purchase equipment for their child. YSEF provides start-up money for initiatives and then the District has to carefully review going forward. The District does purchase quality chairs and desks that last a long time so there is a long replacement cycle.
2. Superintendent Evaluation
  Dr. Merkle presented two books prepared by two kindergarten classes, entitled, “Who is Dr. Merkle?” The two booklets of these writing samples were shared with Board members.
3. Legislative Update
  Dr. Merkle reported the York County Superintendents have invited state legislators to a meeting on March 11. The Superintendents plan to share the state of education in York County and the budgetary impact.
4. Student Enrollment Report
  Dr. Merkle reported above and growth continues.
5. Dr. Merkle reported that it was announced this afternoon that Dr. Fuhrman became a published author with her article in the PA Elementary & Secondary Principals Association’s Journal, “A Community of Encouragement, Education Foundations”. This article provides information about the project at the high school in conjunction with the YS Education Foundation.
Business Office Report – Ms. Mason
1. The Administration recommends Board approval of the proposed 2016-17 Lincoln Intermediate Unit General Operating Budget. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Bates, Second, Schroeder; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
2. The Administration recommends Board approval of the Resolution authorizing the issuance of the York Suburban School District General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016, for the purpose of currently refunding the District’s 2011 General Obligation Bonds. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Posenau, Second, Shaffer; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
3. The Administration recommends Board award the bid to Lugalia Mechanical in the amount of $424,600 for the Middle School Boiler Replacement. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Freireich, Second, Shaffer; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
4. The Administration recommends Board award the bid to East Coast Contracting in the amount of $253,900 for the High School Auxiliary Gym Renovation. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Shaffer, Second, Freireich; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
5. The Administration recommends Board award the bid to TGW Corporation in the amount of $59,000 for the Middle School Partial Roof Replacement. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Bates, Second, Freireich; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
6. The Administration recommends the Board award the bid to A-Turf in the amount of $546,995 for the Trojan Field renovations. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Shaffer, Second, Bates; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
  
  Ms. Mason provided a reminder about the recommendation for the black padding with shorter carpet length of 1 3/4″ and no track surface for javelin run.
7. The Administration recommends Board approval of the contract for Chamber Theatre Productions, Inc. in the amount of $4,500 for the private presentation of Encore!! at the Middle School at a date and time to be determined between September 19-30, 2016. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Schroeder, Second, Bates; Approval.
  
  Ms. Mason reported as the Administration is bringing all contracts to the Board’s attention, this contract will be paid out of student activity, Middle School Student Council.
  
  Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
  
  See Addendum below.
8. Informational:
  1. 2016-17 Budget Update
    Ms. Mason provided a handout to Board members and highlighted the material.
  2. Governor’s Budget Update
    Ms. Mason reported no PlanCon monies (debt service reimbursement) will be received for 2015-16 and is unknown when school districts will receive it. Options include receiving the PlanCon monies in 2016-17 or it could be spread out over a few years. County-wide, a survey was done and the total anticipated PlanCon money is over $6 million and this item is on the agenda when the Superintendents meet with the state legislators. For the 2016-17 budget, the increase is $2.2 billion with $500 million going to schools and specifically $200 million is being targeted for the basic education funding and driven through the funding formula. The Special Education funding formula will be in place for 2016-17 as it is this year. It is unknown at this time when the remainder of the 2015-16 funding will be released. It was reported to not expect an approved budget until after the primary election on April 26. Legislative work is being done at this time for the 2016-17 budget so school districts are not in the same predicament for next year. The consensus of the Board is this is rather embarrassing.
  3. Food Service Department Report
    1. Dining Review Report for January
    2. Sales Report
      Ms. Mason reported above.
  4. Ms. Mason reported the advertisement for bids went out for Middle School Cafeteria and the bids will be opened on March 14 at 11:00 AM.
Student Board Representative Report – Miss Huh
Miss Huh reported the third YS miniTHON took place on February 19 and raised $60,058.16 and was a success.
Committee Reports – Ms. Leopold-Sharp
1. Academic Standards & Curriculum Committee – Mrs. Schroeder
  1. The Academic Standards & Curriculum Committee recommends Board approval of the purchase of the Houghton Mifflin Science Fusion Program for grades 6-8 for the 2016-17 school year at an approximate cost of $40,000. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
    Motion, Schroeder, Second, Bates; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
  2. Mrs. Schroeder will provide a brief report on the Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee meeting held on Wednesday, February 17.
    Mrs. Schroeder provided a brief report on the February 17 Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee meeting where 24 community members heard about the High School open campus offerings and the early learning initiative comparison of kindergarten classes from previous years to current. Thanks was extended to all the presenters for a job well done!
2. Communications Committee – Ms. Shaffer
  1. The Activity and Communications Reports are provided.
    Ms. Shaffer reported above.
  2. Ms. Shaffer will provide a report on the Breakfast with the Board held at Valley View on Thursday, February 18.
    Ms. Shaffer reported 11 teachers and one administrative assistant along with four Board members attended the Breakfast with the Board at Valley View on February 18. The next Breakfast with the Board will be scheduled at Yorkshire in March.
3. Personnel Committee – Ms. Bates
  Consent Agenda [You have before you the Personnel Report which includes resignations, employment, leave of absence, additional substitute teachers, additional volunteer coaches for winter/spring and additional volunteers. Would any Board member like any of these items considered separately or are there any questions on any of these items? If not, the chair moves approval of the below-mentioned items; Roll Call Vote]
  
  Motion, Bates, Second, Shaffer; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
  
  Ms. Bates reported the Board is in the midst of the evaluation of the Superintendent and shared a reminder with Board members to go on-line with the evaluation process.
  1. Resignations
    1. Recommend Board approval of the resignation of Kent Gable, Head Golf Coach effective February 16, 2016.
    2. Recommend Board approval of the resignation of Elizabeth Howie, Instructional Support Aide at Yorkshire Elementary, effective March 3, 2016.
    3. Recommend Board approval of the resignation of Janet Toner, Business, Computer, and Information Technology Teacher at the Middle School, effective at the end of the 2015-2016 school year.
  2. Employment
    1. Recommend the employment of Keifer Dunklebarger as a Substitute Custodian effective February 23, 2016, at the hourly rate of $10.00.
    2. Recommend the employment of Lacie Harlacker as a Custodian at Yorkshire Elementary at the hourly rate of $13.10, effective March 1, 2016.
    3. Recommend the employment of Lynzea Jackson as a Substitute Custodian effective February 23, 2016, at the hourly rate of $10.00.
    4. Recommend the employment of Todd McCarrey as a Substitute Custodian effective February 23, 2016, at the hourly rate of $10.00.
    5. Recommend the employment of Gretchen Williams as a 3.25 hour per day substitute Learning Support Teacher at East York Elementary, effective February 19, 2016 through the end of the 2015-2016 school year, at the daily rate of $48.46.
    6. Leave of Absence
      Recommend Board approval of the request of Julia Bentz, Spanish Teacher at the High School for a FMLA leave of absence starting August 15, 2016 through November 18, 2016.
    7. Additional Substitute Teachers for 2015-2016
      
      Elizabeth Anderson
      
      Elizabeth Howie
      
      Kristen Maxwell
      
      John Radkiewicz
    8. Additional Volunteer Coaches for Winter/Spring 2015-2016
      
      Michael Jury, Wrestling
      
      Jarod Penson, Baseball
      
      Matthew Petersen, Baseball
    9. Additional Volunteers for 2015-2016
      
      Kimberly Becker
      
      Betsy Coldiron
      
      Karen Connolly
      
      Nicole Genovese
      
      Chrystal Gerner
      
      Katie Gladfelter-Watts
      
      Nichole Howard
      
      Austin Hunt
      
      Michelle Huntzicker
      
      Heather Moore
      
      Maria Moye
      
      Christina Riccio
      
      Andrew Shorb
      
      Kendra Sirolly
      
      Andrew Sprich
      
      Jonathan Stermer
      
      Jackie Strebig
4. Policy Review Committee – Mr. Thoman
  The Policy Review Committee recommends Board approval of the following policy revisions.
  1. 001 Name and Classification
  2. 003 Functions
  3. 004.1 Student Board Representatives
  4. 214 Class Rank
    Mr. Thoman reported above and asked for discussion.
    
    A discussion continued and points were – under Authority third paragraph of policy 214, the question was raised and discussed as to the grading system for physical education classes, the Administration stated for the last three years a percentage grade has been used solely for averaging more fairly than using E, S and U grades; PE grades are not included in the grade point average (GPA) calculation; transfer grades are counted in the GPA; how is this handled in other districts?; independent courses are pass/fail and not included in the GPA calculation; suggestion to table action on this policy to allow further discussion at the committee level.
    
    Motion, Thoman, Second, Bates; Approval of policy revisions to 001, 003 and 004.1. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
    
    Dr. Merkle asked Dr. Ellis if there is urgency on class rank policy and Dr. Ellis replied, “No.”
5. Additional Committee Reports
  Mrs. Freireich reported she recently attended the York/LIU Joint Authority meeting and it was decided to replace the lighting at the York Learning Center. The building is used for many outside uses beyond the regular schedule.
Lincoln Intermediate Unit Board Report – Mr. Robinson
Mr. Robinson reported an orientation meeting is scheduled for new Board members on March 1 followed by the Board meeting.
York Adams Academy Report – Mrs. Freireich
No report
York Adams Tax Bureau Report – Ms. Mason
Ms. Mason reported a re-organization meeting was held on February 2 and one new item was approved for an extended payment plan for hardship cases in order to help collection. It will not exceed more than 36 months and must be more than $2000. If less than $2000, it will not exceed more than 18 months and payments cannot be less than $60 per month.
York County School of Technology – Mrs. Schroeder
Mrs. Schroeder reported a meeting is scheduled on Thursday.
Recognition of Visitors
Ms. Leopold-Sharp thanked the presenters and guests that attended this evening.
Board Meeting and Committee Schedule
Ms. Leopold-Sharp reported above.
Public Comment
An opportunity was provided for public comment. There was none at this time.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.

ADDENDUM

TO: Members of the York Suburban School Board

FROM:    Michele A. Merkle, Ed.D, Superintendent

DATE:    February 22, 2016

SUBJECT:    Addendum to the Agenda for the Regular Monthly Board Meeting of February 22, 2016



V.   Business Office Report – Ms. Mason

H. Approval of the Equity Industrial Tax Settlement. The administration recommends approval for settlement of the tax assessment appeal litigation (Case Nos. 2011-SU-004601-26 and 2012-SU-004089-26) for Tax Parcels 48-000-JI-0020.00-00000, 46-000-JI-0020.00-T0001, 46-000-JJ-0020.C0-00000, 46-000-JI-0020.00-00000, and 46-000-JI-0020.D0-00000, 601-651 Memory Lane (South Side of Route 30), Springettsbury Township, York County, Pennsylvania owned by Equity Industrial A York, LLC, for a total fair market value for tax years 2012 through 2016 as follows:

2012 – $4,344,743 (tax parcel 46-000-JJ-0020.C0-00000 only)
2013 – $41,875,000
2014 – $42,800,000
2015 – $42,800,000

2016 – $42,800,000

The appropriate common level ratio will be applied to the fair market value to arrive at the assessed values for tax years 2012 through 2016. The District administration and solicitor are authorized to take all steps necessary to effectuate this settlement and to resolve this pending tax assessment appeal case. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

Motion, Shaffer, Second, Freireich; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.

I.   Approval of the Jessica and Friends Community Tax Settlement. The administration recommends approval for settlement of the tax assessment appeal litigation (Case No. 2015-SU-003724-26) for Tax Parcel 48-000-07-0011.A0-00000, 1625 East Market Street, Spring Garden Township, York County, Pennsylvania owned by Jessica and Friends Community, consenting to the owner’s request of making the aforementioned property tax exempt.

The District administration and solicitor are authorized to take all steps necessary to effectuate this settlement and to resolve this pending tax assessment appeal case. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

Motion, Freireich, Second, Shaffer; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.

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