Minutes 2019-12-16

YORK SUBURBAN SCHOOL BOARD
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
DECEMBER 16, 2019 – 7:00 PM
PROVARD EDUCATION CENTER

An Executive Session was held at 6:30 PM.

M I N U T E S
(approved on January 13, 2020)

Picture of the Week
  1. General Business
    Call to Order – Mr. Posenau, Board President

    1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag  

      Mr. Posenau called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

    2. Roll Call  

      Members present – Ellen Freireich, John Posenau, Richard Robinson, James Sanders, Steve Scalet, Lois Ann Schroeder, Joel Sears, Steven Sullivan, Michael Thoman

      Members not present – Sophia Guyer (Student Representative)

    3. A reminder to please silence your cell phone during the meeting.

      Mr. Posenau reported above. 

    4. Public Comment. All comments and questions will be addressed to the President. Board and staff members will not normally respond to comments or questions during the meeting unless recognized by the President for this purpose. Comments will be limited, at the discretion of the President, to five minutes or less.

      An opportunity was provided for public comment. 

      Lynne Leopold-Sharp, 74 Dogwood Circle – appreciation shared about the Administration and Board’s diligent review of safety grant review process; class rank proposal and suggestion to use the Fourth Marking Period information for selection of Valedictorian and Salutatorian, not Third Marking Period information as changes can occur during the last marking period; was part of the Board with the District’s decision for the recent health insurance change and now seeing the anticipated money being returned from the Lincoln Benefit Trust to the District confirms the change being a good one; thanks for the service each Board member provides to the District

      Mieke Driscoll, Esquire, on behalf of her client, Jessica and Friends Community – item on agenda with a request to exonerate taxes for current tax year

    5. Recommendation for Kathy Ciaciulli to be appointed Board Secretary to complete the remainder of the two-year term which expires on May 31, 2021 as part of her responsibilities as the Director of Finance and Operations.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

      Welcome was extended to Mrs. Ciaciulli.

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

    6. Discussion and Action on Board Minutes. Approval of the Minutes of the Reorganization Meeting and Planning Committee Meeting of December 2, 2019.  [Approval as submitted/corrected]

      The minutes were approved as submitted.

  2. Treasurer’s Report – Mr. Sears
    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; Roll Call Vote]
    Approval of Financial Reports as of November 30, 2019 [File for audit]

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

    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, Capital Reserve
    6. Student Activity Account Summary
    7. Budget Transfers
  3. Board President’s Report – Mr. Posenau
    1. The Board met prior to this meeting in Executive Session as permitted by Section 707 of the Sunshine Act for the purpose of discussing matters of personnel and legal. No official action was taken.

      Mr. Posenau reported above. 

    2. Summaries were provided for the Fireside Chats that were held with the Associations and Administration.
    3. Recommendation for the adoption of the PA School Boards Association’s Principles for Governance and Leadership.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

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

  4. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Williams
    1. District Affiliated Organization Report for YS Education Foundation. Mac Brillhart, President, will provide a brief report on the work of this organization.

      Mac Brillhart, YS Education Foundation President, provided a report on the work of this District-affiliated organization. Two students from the Impact Foundation were in attendance and provided information on this student-run organization.

      Dr. Williams and the Board thanked the Foundations for all their hard work for the assistance they are providing for students.  

    2. Superintendent’s Report

      Dr. Williams reviewed above. 

    3. The Administration recommends approval of the proposed 2020-21 School Calendar.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

      Motion, Schroeder, Second, Robinson; Approval.

      A discussion continued about Association preferring the Monday after Thanksgiving as a vacation day and December 23 as the last school day before the Holiday Break.

      Roll Call Vote, Thoman, yes; Scalet, yes; Sullivan, no; Freireich, no; Sears, yes; Robinson, yes; Sanders, yes; Posenau, yes; Schroeder, yes. Motion carried 7-2.

    4. Reports from Administrators

      Dr. Ellis, High School Principal, shared about the Holiday Concert held on Sunday, winter sports seasons being off to a good start, and mid-term exams scheduled on Thursday and Friday. Link Crew is sponsoring Cookies, Cocoa, and Cram Sessions for tutoring of 9th grade students by teachers and Link Crew leaders. A copy of the School Profile report was shared and reviewed as a document prepared each year for college admission officers.

      Dr. Gulley, Indian Rock Principal, shared information about a new instructional approach, Math Words in Motion, a math vocabulary focus to improve written responses in mathematics for students.

  5. Business Office Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
    1. Consent Agenda: [You have before you the Business Office Report which includes Items 1 through 7 that were discussed at the December 2 Planning Committee meeting. Would any Board member like any of these items considered separately or are there any questions on any of these items? If not, I would ask that a motion be made to approve the below-mentioned items; Roll Call Vote]

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

      1. The Administration recommends Board approval of Bowling as a club program starting in the 2020-21 Fiscal Year.
      2. The Administration recommends Board approval of the Wisehaven Event Contract for the York Suburban Academic Awards Banquet to be held on May 11, 2020 at a cost of $12.75 per person. A deposit is required at time of acceptance of $1,000.
      3. The Administration recommends Board approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with Allegheny Intermediate Unit for telephone voice interpretation services with TransPerfect Remote Interpreting for an annual fee of $120. Actual usage costs are at a rate not to exceed $.90 per minute for all languages.
      4. The Administration recommends Board approval to transfer $1,354,853.43 from the General Fund Operating Checking to the Insurance Account Checking. This amount is the amount returned from Lincoln Benefit Trust. When we left Lincoln Benefit Trust, we were expecting a final payment to come about this time.
      5. The Administration recommends Board approval to transfer $500,000 to the Capital Reserve Fund as presented at the time of the 2018-19 audit.
      6. The Administration recommends Board approval to deny the request made by Attorney Margaret A. Driscoll, on behalf of her client Jessica and Friends Community, to exonerate the taxes for the 2019-2020 tax year for the property on Scarboro Drive.
      7. The Administration recommends Board approval of the contract with IU13 for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) Module I Training on February 14, 2020 for a total cost of $1,050 and travel mileage outside of the IU Region of $32.48.
    2. The Administration recommends Board approval amending the 2019-20 Budget for $84,856 as follows for the School Safety and Security Grant:
      Debit:
      10-2220-610-360-00-000-000-000-090    Tech Supp Serv Gen Supplies             $52,256
      10-2220-756-360-00-000-000-000-090    Tech Supp Serv Cap Equip New          $13,900
      10-2360-330-360-00-000-000-000-020    Office of Supt – Other Prof Svcs          $18,700
      Credit:
      10-7361  School Safety and Security Grant          $84,856
      [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

      Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.

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

    3. The Administration recommends Board approval for returning $334,028 to Commonwealth of PA for the School Safety and Security competitive grant piece for the SRO/SPO positions as per Board action on October 7. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

      Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.

      Motion, Sears, Second, Thoman; Approval.

      A discussion continued about reconsidering this action and if this may affect future grants from the state in the future.

      Roll Call Vote, Robinson, no; Sanders, yes; Schroeder, no; Thoman, yes; Scalet, yes; Freireich, yes; Sears, yes; Sullivan, yes; Posenau, no. Motion carried 6-3.

    4. The Administration recommends the Board award the bid for the Stair Tread Replacement for the High School to Lauer Construction Services for a total bid amount of $126,000.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

      Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.

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

    5. The Administration recommends Board approval for Glenn A. Feeser to be exempt from paying real estate taxes for property located at 109 South Manheim Street, York, PA, 17402 (Parcel 460000103090000000) as approved by the Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission. This is a new application. Taxes for the year – $2,156.60.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

      Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.

      Motion, Freireich, Second, Thoman; Approval.

      A discussion continued about whether this action is certifying or agreeing to a decision already made and why the decision is not just granted.

      Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.

    6. The Administration recommends Board approval of the additional bus/van drivers for the 2019-20 school year.
      Kristen Blair
      Lola Jacobs
      Angela Kahler
      Cheyenne Nicoll
      [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

      Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.

      Motion, Schroeder, Second, Freireich; Approval.

      Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.

    7. Informational
      Food Service Department Report

      1. Monthly Dining Review Report
      2. Sales Report 

        Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above. 

    8. Move to approve the settlement of the tax assessment appeal litigation (Case No. 2013-SU-004123-26) for Tax Parcel 48-000-05-0001.00-00000, 1499 E. Philadelphia Street, Spring Garden Township, York County, Pennsylvania owned by Worden Allen Property, L.P., for the following assessed values for the applicable tax years:

      2014-2015 – $3,428,400 (no change)
      2015-2016 – $3,428,400 (no change)
      2016-2017 – $3,428,400 (no change)
      2017-2018 – $3,400,000
      2018-2019 – $3,375,000
      2019-2020 – $3,350,000
      2020-2021 – $3,100,000

      The 2019-2020 assessed value shall remain as set forth above until the 2022-2023 school district tax year absent major construction, renovations, renovations that currently being constructed but which have not yet been completed, demolition of improvements, or a countywide reassessment.

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

  6. Student Board Representative Report – Sophia Guyer

    Miss Guyer was not in attendance this evening.

  7. Committee Reports – Mr. Posenau
    1. Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee Report – Mrs. Schroeder
      1. The Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee recommends approval of the Administration’s New and Modified High School Courses Proposal.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

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

      2. The Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee recommends approval of the Administration’s Class Rank Proposal.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]

        Motion, Schroeder, Second, Sears; Approval. 

        A discussion continued about the appreciation for the Administration’s research that was done for this proposal. Some shared the proposal downplays academic achievements. Some shared being skeptical at first with this recommended change and the thoroughness of Dr. Ellis and the Administration’s research lead to the support of the proposal that will acknowledge and recognize students that excel academically.

        Roll Call Vote, Thoman, no; Schroeder, yes; Posenau, yes; Sears, yes; Scalet, yes; Sullivan, yes; Freireich, no; Sanders, no; Robinson, yes. Motion carried 6-3.

    2. Nominations Committee Report – Mr. Thoman
      The minutes of December 2 are provided.

      Mr. Thoman reported above. 

    3. Personnel Committee Report – Mr. Robinson
      Consent Agenda: [You have before you the Personnel Report which includes retirement, resignation, employment, extracurricular, and 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, Robinson, Second, Schroeder; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.

      The Board thanked Mrs. Cardello and Mrs. Stanford for their combined 62 years of service to the students and community.

        1. Retirement
          1. Recommend the retirement of Kathy Cardello, 6th Grade Teacher at the Middle School, effective at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. Ms. Cardello is retiring after having served 31 years in education, all with York Suburban School District.
          2. Recommend the retirement of Patricia Stanford, 6th Grade Teacher at the Middle School, effective at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. Ms. Stanford is retiring after having served 31 years in education, 13 with York Suburban School District.
        2. Resignation  
          1. Recommend Board approval of the resignation of Nate Hoover, High School Girls Assistant Soccer Coach #1, effective November 1, 2019.
          2. Recommend Board approval of the resignation of Sharon Hedrick, Elementary Envirothon Coordinator, effective December 12, 2019.
        3. Employment  
          1. Recommend the employment of Rebecca Flynn, substitute Paraprofessional, at an hourly rate of $9.90, effective December 17, 2019.
          2. Recommend the employment of Meredith Henning, part-time Paraprofessional, at an hourly rate of $11.08, effective December 17, 2019.
        4. Extracurricular
          Name Position Tier Step Salary
          Matthew Husler High School Jazz Band Instructor 4 4 $2191
          Patrick Mullens Elementary Envirothon Coach 8 1 $410
        5. Recommend the approval of the following volunteers, effective December 17, 2019.
          Gregory Andricos Lauren Henning Chase McGowan
          Leslie Bell Jessica Henry Daniel McHugh
          Sarah Bunch Corinne Hortman Colton Rebert
          Angela Butler Greg Hortman Amanda Reckard
          Joseph Estlack Sharon Jackson Laurel Rolle
          Maria Gomez Katherine Lecker Alicia Roth
          Ellen Good Seth Leonard Taylor Ruth
          Marcia Groom Robert Lim Tara Wilson
          Sharon Hedrick Stephanie Lloyd   
    4. Additional Committee Reports  
  8. Legislative Update – Mr. Robinson

    A meeting was held with Mr. Lynn Koller from PA School Boards Association, Dr. Williams, and Mr. Robinson. Mr. Koller will be meeting with State Representative Stan Saylor tomorrow.

  9. Lincoln Intermediate Unit Report
    The 2020-21 LIU Operating Budget is approximately $371,000 for the 25 districts in LIU 12. YS’s contribution will be $15,700, a reduction of $6,800.

    LIU Joint Operating Authority Report – Mrs. Freireich

    Repairs to the refrigerator in the kitchen at York Learning Center were done. At the Reorganization meeting, Mrs. Freireich was selected to be the President of the LIU JOA.

  10. York Adams Academy Report – Mrs. Freireich
    The YAA Board Brief Report of November 26 is provided. 

    Mrs. Freireich reported above. Last week, 37 graduates were eligible to graduate. There were three YS graduates and Alexis Miller received a scholarship funded by the faculty to further her education.

  11. York Adams Tax Bureau Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli

    No report

  12. York County School of Technology Report – Mrs. Schroeder

    No report

  13. Additional Information  
    Activities Report 

    Mr. Posenau reported above. 

  14. Upcoming Events

    Mr. Posenau reported above. 

  15. Recognition of Visitors   
  16. Board Meeting Schedule

    Mr. Posenau reported above. 

  17. Public Comment. All comments and questions will be addressed to the President. Board and staff members will not normally respond to comments or questions during the meeting unless recognized by the President for this purpose. Comments will be limited, at the discretion of the President, to five minutes or less.

    An opportunity was provided for public comment. There was none at this time.

  18. Adjournment  

    The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 PM.

 

/s/ Kathy Ciaciulli, PCSBA, M.Ed.
Board Secretary

 

Link to Meeting Video