Minutes 2020-08-03
YORK SUBURBAN SCHOOL BOARD
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
AUGUST 3, 2020 – 7:00 PM
Due to health and safety reasons, a virtual meeting format will be utilized.
M I N U T E S
(approved on August 17, 2020)
Official action did occur during this meeting for items marked by (*).
| Picture of the Week |
- General Business
Call to Order – Mr. Posenau, Board President- Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Mr. Posenau called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
- Roll Call
Members present – Ellen Freireich, John Posenau, Richard Robinson, James Sanders, Steve Scalet, Lois Ann Schroeder, Joel Sears, Steven Sullivan, Michael Thoman, Carly Bowen (Student Representative)
- A reminder to please silence your cell phone during the meeting.
Mr. Posenau reported above.
- Public Comment. Place your comments at the Public Comment Form link found on this page. 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.
- (*) Discussion and Action on Board Minutes. Approval of the Minutes of the Combined Planning Committee and Regular Monthly Meeting of July 20, 2020. [Approval as submitted/corrected]
The Minutes were approved as submitted.
- Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
- Board President’s Report – Mr. Posenau
The Board met July 30, 2020 at 12:00 PM in Executive Session in a virtual format as permitted by Section 707 of the Sunshine Act for the purpose of discussing legal matters. No official action was taken.
Mr. Posenau reported above.
- Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Williams
- (*) The Administration recommends approval of the Health and Safety Plan.
YSSD Health and Safety Plan[Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
Dr. Williams and Dr. Krauser reviewed above. Board members held a discussion. Here are some highlights of that discussion prior to the vote:
Respect for the Leadership Team for all the work and details in the plan and also for the community comments that have been provided.
Reopening school in-person is the worst case scenario and the virus may land in our schools, and potential mortality could follow.
The in-person scenario is not good for community impact due to potential community spread of the virus.
The five-day option scenario is not available due to not being able to comply with social distance guidelines.
Schools should not be the “tip of the spear” for social ills and challenges.
Looking at the health of students and teachers, cost, education quality, and liability, the fully online option provides four of the five.
Protecting everyone, the online option reduces liability but also limits educational quality.
Leadership of the State places school districts in an untenable position, forcing mandates without financial resources.
The hybrid option is seen as a compromise as face time with students and teachers is very important, especially for the youngest learners.
Education needs help and the challenges with childcare is a real concern. Unfortunately, help from business, industry,or others has not stepped up to help with this situation.
Parents must take the health screening very seriously.
The hybrid option is the least bad choice, a compromise to establish some relationships with students and teachers. The hybrid option was devised by education experts and this option would be helpful to the people in isolation that are being exposed to harm and damage.
This disease is presenting many risks to high risk individuals.
The hybrid option provides a thorough approach with quality education and precautionary measures and is the least worst approach.
A big concern is consistency with the operation of the plan.
If schools are forced to go online, the sports program should be dropped.
The condition of health includes both mental and physical. After looking closely at data from expert sources about York County and the virus, the hybrid option is a manageable risk and is best of the worst.
Comments that have been provided include a wide range of emotion and conflicting science. This is uncharted territory.
The health and safety of students, faculty, and staff is the priority.
A concern is having younger students all online.
As the status becomes “greener”, changes can be made.
Motion, Freireich, Second, Schroeder; Approval. Roll Call Vote, Freireich, yes; Sullivan, yes; Robinson, yes; Scalet, no; Schroeder, yes; Sanders, no; Sears, yes; Posenau, yes; Thoman, no. Motion carried 6-3.
- (*) Motion to declare that COVID-19 is an emergency within the meaning of Section 520.1 of the Pennsylvania School Code, and, therefore, authorize the Superintendent to implement changes pertinent to the issuance of emergency declarations under Section 520.1, and approve the associated Emergency Instructional Time Template. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
Motion, Schroeder, Second, Freireich; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
- Second Read of proposed revisions to Policy 204 – Attendance.
Dr. Williams reviewed above and action is anticipated on August 17.
- (*) The Administration recommends the Board approve a settlement agreement between the District and parents of a student. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
Motion, Sullivan, Second, Sears; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
- Reports from Administrators
Dr. Gulley, Indian Rock Elementary Principal, provided a report that included an update on the floor project, the mighty work of the PTO with every student receiving a yearbook from the past school year, elementary Chromebook collection taking place this week for maintenance followed by distribution for 1 to 1 program, many questions are being addressed to the community, and a big thanks was extended to the District custodial staff for preparation of buildings for reopening. Elementary Principals will be providing video links to parents and students to provide glimpses of what reopening will look like and student placement letters will be distributed at the end of August 10 week.
The Board provided a thank you to the Administration for the multiple communications with parents to keep everyone informed and also the responsiveness of answering questions from the community.
Dr. Adams, High School Assistant Principal, reported about the preparation Link Crew faculty advisors and students have been doing for the reopening by working together and attending training, as they are looking forward to connecting with the freshmen class for both Hybrid and Trojan Online Pathways (TOP) options. Trojan Theatre directors and students have been meeting virtually since March and were one of four schools featured in the “Dramatics” magazine on how students are persevering throughout the pandemic. They have continued to virtually meet throughout the summer and recently did some filming following social distance guidelines with a show to be released soon. They continue to work together to see how recording and producing could continue in an online environment. A large thanks to the buildings and grounds team for their work on having the building looking fantastic! Plans are in the works for orientations and we continue to look for and find positives and become better during this pandemic environment.
- (*) The Administration recommends approval of the Health and Safety Plan.
- Business Office Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
- (*) The Property and Finance Committee recommends the Board authorize the Administration to work with PFM Financial Advisors LLC, as Financial Advisor, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as Placement Agent, Stock and Leader as Bond Counsel, and the local Solicitor in conjunction with the issuance of the Series of 2020, for the purpose of taxable advance refunding the District’s Outstanding General Obligation Bonds, Series A of 2016, with a minimum net savings target of $325,000. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.
Motion, Sears, Second, Sullivan; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
- (*) The Administration recommends that the Board approve the contract with ABA Support Services, LLC for a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at $100 an hour up to 10 hours per week of ongoing consultation to include observations, data collections, staff training, meeting with school personnel, and preparation of reports as requested by the school district. The contract is effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.
Motion, Freireich, Second, Robinson; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
- (*) The Administration recommends that the Board approve the three-year service agreement with Go Formative for virtual and in-person formative teaching and assessment. The cost for the first year is $9,000 and $19,000 in years 2 and 3. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.
Motion, Schroeder, Second, Freireich; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
- (*) The Administration recommends Board approval of the District positions and personnel permitted to use the District’s procurement cards and their corresponding spending limits as directed in Policy 625, Procurement Cards. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.
Motion, Robinson, Second, Sullivan; Approval.
A discussion continued about the procedures that have been developed with the new online process for each to do their own reconciliation and reviewed by the Accountant Mr. Grab.
Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
- Informational
Mrs. Ciaciulli will provide estimated costs related to reopening.
Mrs. Ciaciulli provided estimated costs related to reopening and answered questions from Board members.
- (*) The Property and Finance Committee recommends the Board authorize the Administration to work with PFM Financial Advisors LLC, as Financial Advisor, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as Placement Agent, Stock and Leader as Bond Counsel, and the local Solicitor in conjunction with the issuance of the Series of 2020, for the purpose of taxable advance refunding the District’s Outstanding General Obligation Bonds, Series A of 2016, with a minimum net savings target of $325,000. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
- Student Board Representative Report – Carly Bowen
Miss Bowen asked a few questions and was informed the number of students choosing online learning is not yet available, student needs are a priority, and student continuity of education is also a priority. The Student Council is planning an online Homecoming Court and Queen selection and decided to postpone the Homecoming Dance to later in the year. MiniTHON recently raised $1200 with the fun fundraiser of placing pink flamingos in yards and the leadership team is planning to participate in a virtual Leadership Summit on August 7. The High School Green Club is hoping to raise funds to have a greenhouse in the science wing of the High School.
- Committee Reports – Mr. Posenau
- Committee Meeting Schedule
Mr. Posenau reported above.
- Personnel Committee Report – Mr. Robinson
(*) Consent Agenda: [You have before you the Personnel Report which includes resignation, reappointment of fall coach, leave of absence, and memorandum of understanding. 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.
- Resignation
Recommend the resignation of Heather Hertzog, Administrative Assistant for Guidance, effective August 7, 2020. - Athletics/Extra-Curricular
Reappointment of Fall Coach
Please note that if the sport season or activity is canceled, delayed or reduced at anytime during the season, the stipend shall be pro-rated or denied in its entirety at the discretion of the York Suburban School District.
Season
Sport Position First Name Last Name Tier Step Pay Fall Football – HS HS Co-Assistant #3 (1/2) Ali Johnson 3 4 $2,177.50 - Leave of Absence
Request approval of sabbatical leave for Lona Kluttz, Teacher, for the 2020-21 school year. - Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding for two additional confidential positions to be withheld from the Support Union classifications.
- Resignation
- Property and Finance Committee – Mr. Sears
- The minutes of June 10 is provided.
Mr. Sears reported above and a summary of the July 29 committee meeting was given.
- The minutes of June 10 is provided.
- Additional Committee Reports
- Committee Meeting Schedule
- Legislative Update – Mr. Robinson
Mr. Robinson provided an update on Acts 38, 73, and 75.
- Lincoln Intermediate Unit Report
LIU Joint Operating Authority Report – Mrs. FreireichMrs. Freireich reported the York Learning Center will reopen.
- York Adams Academy Report – Mrs. Freireich
Mrs. Freireich reported a decision is being considered what direction to go for reopening, either online or in person.
- York Adams Tax Bureau Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
Mrs. Ciaciulli provided a summary of the meeting held on July 27.
- York County School of Technology Report – Mrs. Schroeder
The YCST Joint Operating Committee Mini-Board Report of July 23 is provided.Mrs. Schroeder reported above. The reopening plan was approved for two cohorts to attend in-person education every other day. The next meeting is scheduled for August 6. The gymnasium project is coming along nicely.
- Additional Information
Mr. Posenau thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
- Upcoming Events
Mr. Posenau reported above.
- Recognition of Visitors
- Board Meeting Schedule
Mr. Posenau reported above.
- Public Comment. Place your comments at the Public Comment Form link found on this page. 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.
- Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 PM.
/s/ Kathy Ciaciulli, PCSBA, M.Ed.
Board Secretary