Agenda 2023-08-28
York Suburban Board Of School Directors
Regular Monthly Meeting
August 28, 2023 – 7 p.m.
East York Elementary School
A G E N D A
- General Business
- Call to Order – Mrs. Schroeder, Board President
- Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
- Roll Call
- A reminder to please silence your cell phones during the meeting.
- Public Comments
- 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 planning committee meeting conducted on August 14, 2023. [Approval as submitted/corrected]
- Call to Order – Mrs. Schroeder, Board President
- 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 the July 2023 Financial Reports. [File for audit]
- 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]
- Board President’s Report – Mrs. Schroeder
- Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Krauser
- The administration recommends the Board of School Directors provide authorization for the Administration:
- and existing architect of record Crabtree, Rohrbraugh, & Associates Architects, to proceed with Option B (New Construction at East York Elementary), planning and design for a grade 3-5 consolidation;
- and existing architect of record Crabtree, Rohrbraugh, & Associates Architects to proceed with Option 2 planning and design for the High School planned program renovations and pool; and,
- to work with PFM Financial Advisors LLC, as Financial Advisor, Stock and Leader as Bond Counsel, and the local Solicitor in conjunction with the issuance of the Series of 2023, for the purpose of funding new money needs of the District in the approximate amount of $9,995,000 via a competitive internet auction. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
- The administration recommends the Board of School Directors provide authorization for the Administration:
- Business Office Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
- Consent Agenda: You have before you the Business Office Report. Would any Board member like any of these items considered separately or are there any questions on any of these items? If not, I ask that a motion be made to approve the below-mentioned items. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
- The Administration recommends that the Board re-appoint SEK CPAs and advisors for the 2022-2023 local Audit.
- The Administration recommends the Board appoint Cathy Butler as the primary delegate and Kathy Ciaciulli as the alternate delegate of the YATB delegates.
- The Administration recommends the Board award the mechanical contract and enter into an agreement with Frey Lutz Corp in the amount of $ 2,625,000 for the summer 2023 and 2024 capital improvement projects to be funded out of capital fund.
- The Administration recommends the Board award the electrical contract and enter into an agreement with Leer Electrical in the amount of $ 677,750 for the approved 2023-2024 capital improvement projects to be funded out of capital fund.
- The Administration recommends board approval of the 2023-24 Bus/Van driver list.
- The Administration recommends board approval of the Letter of Agreement with The Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 for the 2023-24 school year to provide secular, neutral, non-ideological remedial reading instructional services for academically eligible students.
- The Administration recommends Board approval of the Real Property Tax Exemption Certificate for parcel #46-000-04-0060.00-00000 under the Pennsylvania State Veterans’ Commission for Real Estate Tax Exemption effective July 1, 2023 with a face amount of $3,336.46.
- The Administration recommends Board approval of the Agreement with Specialized Education of Pennsylvania, Inc. that owns and operates High Road School of York to provide behavioral, social, emotional and special education services to students for the 2023-24 school year. The guaranteed fee is $311,400.00 for 10 special education slots. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
- The Administration recommends Board approval of the 2023-24 Agreement with Acadience Learning Online to provide services to utilize Acadience Learning for the benchmarking of all students and progress monitoring of at-risk students in K-8 Reading and K-5 Math. The annual cost is $14,485.85. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
- Consent Agenda: You have before you the Business Office Report. Would any Board member like any of these items considered separately or are there any questions on any of these items? If not, I ask that a motion be made to approve the below-mentioned items. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
- Student Board Representative Report – Sophia Scalet
- Academic Standards & Curriculum Committee Report – Dr. Sullivan
- Consent Agenda: You have before you the 2023-2024 new or revised courses and supporting academic standards (YSSD Curriculum Blueprint). 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]
- Manufacturing Entrepreneurship
- AP Precalculus
- Trigonometry
- Algebra III
- Math in Action – Grade 6
- Math in Action – Grade 7
- Math in Action – Grade 8
- STEM and Careers – Grade 6
- STEM and Careers – Grade 7
- STEM and Careers – Grade 8
- Developmental Centers – Grade K
- Research & Design – Grade K
- Research & Design – Grade 1
- Research & Design – Grade 2
- Consent Agenda: You have before you the 2023-2024 new or revised courses and supporting academic standards (YSSD Curriculum Blueprint). 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]
- Communications Committee Report – Mr. Desai
- Personnel Committee Report – Mr. Robinson
- Consent Agenda: You have before you the Personnel Report. 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]
- Employment
- Recommend the board approve Christina Hildebrand, Paraprofessional at Valley View Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year with an hourly rate of $14.00, as represented by the YSESPA agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.
- Recommend the board approve Ryan Heim, Science Teacher at York Suburban Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year with an annual salary of $73,220. This represents Masters, Step 1, of the YSEA negotiated agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.
- Recommend the board approve Joseph Krumbine, Substitute Custodian, at the substitute custodial rate of $14.00 per hour. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.
- Recommend the board approve Catherine Bowen, Part-Time Library Paraprofessional at Valley View Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year with an hourly rate of $13.80, as represented by the YSESPA agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.
- Recommend the board approve Joanna Evans, Paraprofessional at Yorkshire Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year with an hourly rate of $14.00, as represented by the YSESPA agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.
- Recommend the board approve Denise Palomares, Paraprofessional at Indian Rock Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year with an hourly rate of $13.80, as represented by the YSESPA agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.
- Recommend the board approve Courtney Ilgenfritz, Paraprofessional at Indian Rock Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year with an hourly rate of $13.80, as represented by the YSESPA agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.
- Recommend the board approve Tiffani Rudolph, Paraprofessional at Valley View Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year with an hourly rate of $13.80, as represented by the YSESPA agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.
- Resignations/Retirements
- Recommend the board accept the resignation of Michelle Lapp, Teacher at East York Elementary School effective August 15, 2023, with an anticipated last day October 13, 2023.
- Extracurricular
- Recommend the board approve Marc Berkowitz, Boys Soccer Assistant (#1) Coach at York Suburban High School for the 2023-2024 season, with an annual salary of $3,370, in accordance with the YSEA negotiated agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.
- Leave of absence
- Recommend the board approve Timothy Weirich for an extended leave of absence from August 25, 2023 through on or around September 8, 2023.
- Substitutes
- STS
- Morgan Farrell
- James Dodson
- Ellen Graham
- Randy Beck
- Joseph Treadwell IV
- Jody Goldkind
- Michelle Oerman
- Christina Barshinger
- Whitney Barshinger
- Elisa Roeser
- STS
- Bus Drivers
- Erika Batty
- Jorge Feliciano
- Carmen Feliciano
- Whitsons
- Petra Hoffman
- Volunteers
- Chase Bartholomew
- Alexandra Bologa
- Erin Fike
- Erica Gingerich
- Danielle Cardone
- Erin Golembewski
- Lawrence Hartman
- Bridget Ifkovits
- Keith Klinedinst
- Lynne Lavery
- Tania O’Hearn
- Mary Ann Perry
- Tim Weikert
- Jacob Wingard
- Employment
- Consent Agenda: You have before you the Personnel Report. 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]
- Property & Finance Committee Report – Mr. Sears
- Legislative Update – Mr. Robinson
- Lincoln Intermediate Unit Report – Mrs. Freireich
- LIU Joint Operating Authority Report
- York Adams Academy Report – Mrs. Freireich
- York Adams Tax Bureau Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
- York County School of Technology Report – Mrs. Schroeder
- Recognition of Visitors
- Upcoming Events
- Board Meeting & Committee Meeting Schedules
- Public Comments
- 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
Submit a Public Comment
Public comments for this meeting may be made in person or submitted electronically using the form at the bottom of this page. Electronic correspondence submitted using a method other than the form on this page will not be considered public comment.
Form submissions will be shown below and automatically shared with the Board of School Directors for its members to read and consider. Submissions will also be included in the meeting’s minutes, but they will not be read aloud at the meeting or shown on screen unless it is necessary to do so in order to accommodate a disability.
Comments submitted after 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the day of a Board meeting might not be seen by all Board members prior to action being taken on agenda-related items. However, they will still be reviewed and considered after the fact. We encourage all comments to be submitted as early as possible to avoid this scenario.
York Suburban School District does not moderate electronically submitted public comments prior to them appearing on this page. However, the District reserves the right to remove any comments that are egregiously offensive or fail to meet the requirements outlined in Board Policy #903.
Spring Garden Township
I see the Board is voting tonight on the consolidation of the intermediate school. I am writing to voice my concern with the consolidation. I understand the reasoning, but my concern is that new construction is happening within our district that could bring in new families. Will this new intermediate school be able to hang all possible new students? Also, if you put all of the 3-5th grades together in one building, does the land at the current East York site have enough space for recess, fire drills, and gym class? At Indian Rock this year, the teacher’s workroom and space within the library were made into additional learning areas. If we are already running out of space with our current buildings, why would we build a smaller building for more students? Or why would we close one school if we do not have the room now?
If you close Indian Rock, what is the plan for that building and property?
Also, what is the plan for the administration at this new school? When the two intermediate schools come together, there are several problems with fighting and behavior in middle school. What will you, as the board, do to curtail these issues when you consolidate the children at a younger age?
Springettsbury Township
Last evening, I attended the football game between York Suburban and East Pennsboro. Upon attempting to enter the stadium, imagine my surprise and consternation when I was informed that I was not permitted to pay cash for a ticket and that I would need to use a credit card or return home. I was unaware that York Suburban was going to a cashless system for game tickets, and I saw no signs at the gate explaining the new policy. I was not prepared to pay by credit card, and I don’t use my phone for financial transactions.
When I queried the gate attendants about this new policy, they seemed as frustrated and flummoxed as I was, indicating that they had been informed of the cashless program only earlier that day. While I was debating whether or not to remain for the game, they referred me to the athletic director, Ron Coursey, who just happened to be walking by the gate at the time. He told me that he had established this new policy, and he patiently explained his reasons for doing so. Even though I understand the basis of his rationale, I do not agree with the decision to go totally cashless. After a few minutes in discussion with him, he allowed me to pay cash for this game only.
Behind me in line were students who had only cash with them for tickets. I did not hear the final resolution of their situation, but Mr. Coursey was going to remedy their dilemma as well. Although I no longer have school-aged children, I would not be sending them to a football game with a credit card if I did. In this era of high consumer debt and concerns about credit card abuse, our school district should not be encouraging the use of credit cards at such a young age.
Following this unpleasantness at the gate, I took my seat with a friend in the stands. He informed me that he had purchased his ticket online in advance. When I asked him how he knew about this new policy, he told me that his sister had seen something somewhere online about it. He also indicated that he had paid a $1.00 service fee to make the online purchase.
This morning, I checked the online purchasing system to see how it works. Whether for a $10.00 adult ticket or a $5.00 student ticket, the “service” fee is $1.00. That means the ticket price increases by 10% if one buys an adult ticket or a whopping 20% if one buys a student ticket! We probably would have a taxpayer revolt on our hands if the district increased taxes by that much. How is such a significant increase fair to the average person who simply wants to spend an enjoyable evening watching their student athletes play?
Furthermore, the school district website refers one to the new ticket policy, which was only posted on August 24, 2023–one day before the game–and which makes no mention that cash will no longer be accepted. After reading the policy, I would still assume that I could pay cash at the gate and that the acceptance of credit cards and online payments is only a benefit provided in addition to cash. I could find no mention on the district site that cash will no longer be accepted for game tickets.
I am asking the administration and school board to reconsider this decision to go cashless for tickets to football games. I am fine if the credit card/phone pay system is implemented to supplement the use of cash, but it should not supplant it. At the stadium, one gate could be used for cash only and the other for credit cards and phone pay.
For individuals such as myself who live on a fixed income, we can more easily control our spending and manage our finances if we pay in cash and limit our use of credit cards as recommended by many financial experts. Additionally, it is not a good idea to have students carrying credit cards at the games, and they shouldn’t need to pay the exorbitant “service” fee to obtain a ticket online.
If we want to encourage members of the community to attend our events and activities, we should find ways to make it easier and less expensive, not more complicated and more costly. In realty, the new system is discriminatory against those who prefer to use cash, don’t have a credit card, or don’t use their phone to pay for things. It is most negatively impacts those who are least able to pay the extra fees or to maintain a credit card. We keep talking about the changing demographic in our district, but this cashless system seems to favor the wealthy rather than encourage participation by all members of our community. Please revise this new policy so that game attendees may pay in cash if they desire to do so.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Unfortunately, owing to another commitment, I cannot present my concern in person.