Minutes 2021-04-12

YORK SUBURBAN SCHOOL BOARD
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
APRIL 12, 2021 – 7:00 PM
PROVARD EDUCATION CENTER
Due to health and safety reasons, a virtual meeting format was utilized.

M I N U T E S
(approved on April 26, 2021)

Official action did occur during this meeting for items marked by (*).

Picture of the Week

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
  All members present – Ellen Freireich, John Posenau, Richard Robinson, James Sanders, Steve Scalet, Lois Ann Schroeder, Joel Sears, Steven Sullivan, Michael Thoman, and Carly Bowen (Student Representative)
3. A reminder to please silence your cell phone during the meeting.
  Mr. Posenau reviewed above.
4. 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.
  Public Comment that was shared.
5. (*) Discussion and Action on Board Minutes. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of March 22, 2021. [Approval as submitted/corrected]
  The minutes were approved as submitted.
Board President’s Report – Mr. Posenau
Mr. Posenau shared these comments.
Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Williams
1. Ad Hoc Committee Update: Future Focused Learning Initiative – Dr. Krauser
  Dr. Krauser reviewed above. Regular updates will be provided, and it is anticipated in November that the committee will provide the Board with optional items for action.
2. Reports from Administrators
  1. Dr. Ellis, High School Principal
    Dr. Ellis shared about the fun April brings to the high school looking forward to the end of the year planning. The students were involved in outstanding work this past weekend to raise money for Mini-THON in a limited structure due to COVID. A construction project in the Applied Arts area included practical and educational opportunities for hands-on work by students from planning to completion. This will be a teaching station in future years and a model for other possible future projects.
  2. Dr. Gulley, Indian Rock Elementary Principal
    Dr. Gulley reported things are going very well with the return of the full in-person schedule that began last week. A review of the PSSA administration schedule was reviewed and the staff development activities were highlighted. Recent building happenings include Read a Book Together, ukelele fun instructional time, We Rock celebrations, mid-May virtual Envirothon, Book It Program, and a virtual Variety Show. The Administration is reviewing summer programming opportunities.
Business Office Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
1. (*) Consent Agenda: [You have before you a recommendation from the Property and Finance Committee. 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, Sears, Second, Robinson; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
  1. (*) The Property and Finance Committee recommends the Board award the Middle School Intercom Project to Sage Technology Solutions, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $41,912. The project will be funded through the School and Safety Grant (#31789) and the General Fund.
  2. (*) The Property and Finance Committee recommends Board approval of the General Fund inter-fund transfer to the Internal Service Fund in the amount of $2,462,605.
  3. (*) The Property and Finance Committee recommends Board approval of the 2021-22 Food Service Budget as presented.
2. Items recommended for approval on April 26, 2021:
  1. The Administration recommends the Board approve the renewal contract for Whitson’s School Nutrition Corp as the Food Service Management Company for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
    Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above. A discussion continued about this being an annual requirement by the PA Department of Education and this would be year three of four.
  2. The Administration recommends the Board award the Preschool/Childcare Services RFP to YWCA York beginning in the 2021-22 school year. (see bid ratification)
    Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above. A discussion continued about the longevity of leadership, history with the District, firm in their philosophies, and anticipation of a start at Valley View Elementary and Yorkshire Elementary with pre-kindergarten for three and four year old children and before and after school care for grades kindergarten through five.
  3. The Administration recommends the Board deny the request to waive the penalty fees on parcel 48-000-34-0078.00-CB202.
    Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above. The penalty fee amounts to $322.03.
  4. The Administration recommends the Board approve the real property tax exemption certification for parcel # 46-000-02-0242.00-00000 under the Pennsylvania State Veterans’ Commission for Real Estate Tax Exemption.
    Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above. The PA Department of Veterans makes this decision that is out of the control of the District. It is a state requirement for the District to vote on this decision.
  5. The Administration recommends the Board approve the following bus/van driver for Reliance Transportation:
    Elizabeth Caruso
    
    Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above.
3. Informational
  2021-22 Budget Information – Tax Scenarios
  
  Mrs. Ciaciulli reported above. A discussion continued about students in cyber charter schools and fund balance. The proposed budget can be revised and the tax rate can change through June 30.
4. (*) The Administration recommends the Board approve a budgetary reserve of $500,000 for unanticipated expenses in the 2021-2022 General Fund Budget. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Robinson, Second, Schroeder; Approval. Roll Call Vote, Sullivan, yes; Thoman, no; Sears, no; Robinson, yes; Freireich, yes; Sanders, no; Posenau, yes; Scalet, yes; Schroeder, yes. Motion carried 6-3.
5. (*) Motion to approve the Proposed Final General Fund Budget for 2021-2022 including all allocations for planned expenditures of $62,874,502. which includes a proposed tax increase of 1.9%. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Robinson, Second, Sullivan; Approval. After some discussion, this motion was withdrawn by Robinson.
  
  Motion, Schroeder, Second, Scalet; Approve the Proposed Final General Fund Budget for 2021-2022 including all allocations for planned expenditures of $62,874,502. which includes a proposed tax increase of 2.5%.
  
  A discussion continued about 2.5% vs. 1.9% proposed tax increase.
  
  Roll Call Vote, Sears, no; Schroeder, yes; Freireich, no; Sanders, no; Sullivan, yes; Robinson, no; Thoman, no; Posenau, no; Scalet, yes. Motion failed 3-6.
  
  Motion, Robinson, Second, Scalet; Approve the Proposed Final General Fund Budget for 2021-2022 including all allocations for planned expenditures of $62,874,502. which includes a proposed tax increase of 1.9%.
  
  Roll Call Vote, Schroeder, no; Sullivan, yes; Scalet, yes; Freireich, no; Thoman, yes; Posenau, yes; Robinson, yes; Sanders, yes; Sears, no. Motion carried 6-3.
6. The Administration recommends the Board approve the resolution authorizing the Administration to advertise and publicly display the Board’s intentions of adopting the 2021-2022 Final General Fund Budget at the Regular Board Meeting scheduled on May 24, 2021. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Schroeder, Second, Sears; Approval.
  
  A discussion continued about the May 24 meeting may potentially be moved due to a conflict with commencement.
  
  Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
7. The Administration recommends the Board authorize the Business Office to advertise and solicit bids to procure Windows laptops. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  Motion, Robinson, Second, Schroeder; Approval.
  
  A discussion continued about the laptops being replacements for teachers at the High School, Middle School, East York Elementary, and Indian Rock Elementary, approximately 200 at a cost of $180,000.
  
  Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
Student Board Representative Report – Carly Bowen
Miss Bowen reported the students had a very successful Mini-THON this past weekend and raised over $48,000 for pediatric cancer. Prom tickets for seniors have opened. The PSAT and SAT testing will occur this week at the High School.
Committee Reports – Mr. Posenau
1. Committee Meeting Schedule
  Mr. Posenau reported above.
2. Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee Report – Mr. Scalet
  Item recommended for approval on April 26, 2021:
  
  Following discussion at the February 16 committee meeting, the committee recommends approval of the limited expansion of concurrent (dual) enrollment for high school students.
  
  Mr. Scalet reported above.
3. Personnel Committee Report – Mr. Robinson
  Consent Agenda: [You have before you the Personnel Report which includes resignation/retirement, employment, extracurricular, and leave of absence. 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, Sullivan; Approval. Roll Call Vote, all present, yes. Motion carried 9-0.
  1. Resignation/Retirement
    Recommendation to accept the retirement of Wayne Ingerto, Coordinator of Buildings & Grounds, effective June 30, 2021. Mr. Ingerto is retiring after having served 6 years with York Suburban School District.
  2. Employment
    Recommend the approval of the following STS Substitutes:
    1. Alison Theresa Altemose
    2. Jayme Melody Goldkind
    3. Carly Marie Hunter
    4. Bronwyn Delysia Stever
    5. Kathleen S. Virula-Vasquez
  3. Extracurricular
    Please note that if the sport season or activity is canceled, delayed, or reduced at any time during the season, the stipend shall be pro-rated or denied in its entirety at the discretion of the York Suburban School District.
    1. Recommend the appointment of Sarah Mewhirter to the position of Co-Assistant #2 Coach for High School Girls Lacrosse at the rate of $1,490 which represents Step 3 of the 2020-21 extracurricular salary schedule.
    2. The Administration recommends the Board rescind the supplemental rate of $3,701 for Ryan Bologa, High School Baseball Assistant #2 Coach position. The correct supplemental rate is $3,049 which represents Tier 3, Step 2 of the 2020-21 Extracurricular Salary Schedule.
    3. The Administration recommends the Board rescind the supplemental rate of $3,701 for Ed Michalak, High School Baseball Assistant #1 Coach position. The correct supplemental rate is $3,049 which represents Tier 3, Step 2 of the 2020-21 Extracurricular Salary Schedule.
  4. Leave of Absence
    Recommend the approval of the family medical leave of absence request for Tac Thomas, Teacher, beginning April 8, 2021 through the end of the 2020-21 school year.
4. Policy Review Committee Report – Mr. Thoman
  1. The minutes of January 25 are provided.
    Mr. Thoman reported above.
  2. The following policies were discussed at the March 22 committee meeting and recommended out of committee for First Read by the Board at the April 12 and 26 meetings.
5. Property & Finance Committee Report – Mr. Sears
  The minutes of February 1 are provided.
  
  Mr. Sears reported above and provided a summary of the April 6 committee meeting.
6. Additional Committee Reports
Legislative Update – Mr. Robinson
Three Board members wrote letters to State Representative Stan Saylor about his letter asking the District to retain library positions and why his suggestion is ill-advised. Dr. Williams prepared an Op-Ed article that appeared in the Penn Capital Star and Mr. Posenau’s comments shared this evening will be turned into an Op-Ed article. The challenge to all of us is about bringing back cyber charter school students to the District and if motivated to contact local State legislators about what their actions mean to local school district budgets. A reminder that the cost to educate a cyber charter student is not free as advertisements would lead you to believe, it costs $15,000 per student annually, with only $819 coming from State funding and the difference being paid by local District tax dollars.
Lincoln Intermediate Unit Report
1. The “…by Dawn’s Early Light”, highlights of the LIU Board meeting of April 6, is provided.
2. LIU Joint Operating Authority Report – Mrs. Freireich
  No report.
York Adams Academy Report – Mrs. Freireich
Interviews are being scheduled for the Director’s position. The fifteen seats at YAA are full. Work continues on a plan for Graduation to be held at the conclusion of the school year.
York Adams Tax Bureau Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
No report
York County School of Technology Report – Mrs. Schroeder
The YCST Joint Operating Committee Mini-Board Report of March 25 is provided.

Mrs. Schroeder reported above. A big thank you was extended to the YCST Administration for their work with COVID this year and the scheduling of two full Graduation ceremonies to be held at the Fairgrounds. The students are involved with their NOCTI Testing.
Recognition of Visitors
Mr. Posenau welcomed and thanked everyone for attending this evening.
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.
There was no additional public comment.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 PM.

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

Link Meeting Video

Posted in SB-Minutes