Agenda 2024-04-08
York Suburban Board Of School Directors
Planning Committee Meeting
April 8, 2024 – 7 p.m.
Ronald Provard Education Center
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 regular monthly meeting conducted on March 18, 2024. [Approval as submitted/corrected]
- Call to Order – Mrs. Schroeder, Board President
- Board President’s Report – Mrs. Schroeder
- The Board met in Executive Session on April 8, 2024, at 5:00 pm as permitted by Section 707 of the Sunshine Act. No official action was taken.
- Student Board Representative Report – Sophia Scalet
- Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Krauser
- Winter Season Athletics Recap – Mr. Ron Coursey
- Autism Awareness Month – Autistic Support Teachers
- The Administration recommends Board approval of the recommendation for the expulsion of SID#7147288319, following a hearing conducted by the Board-appointed hearing officer, Dr. Rebecca Lorfink. The recommendation is in response to the violation of the York Suburban Code of Conduct and Policy 227 of the District. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
- Donations
- The York Suburban Band Parents Association donated $100 to the High School Student Council for MiniThon.
- The Edgar P. Kable Foundation/The Engineering Society of York donated $500 to the High School TSA for conference sponsorship.
- ALGEJA, Inc. (Crimson American Grill) donated $500 to the High School TSA.
- Business Office Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
- The following business office items are being presented for discussion. They will be recommended for approval during the regular monthly meeting scheduled for April 29, 2024.
- The Administration recommends that the Board approve the Real Property Tax Exemption Certificate for parcel #48-000-05-0074.00-00000, which has a face amount of $3,870.08, under the Pennsylvania State Veterans’ Commission for Real Estate Tax Exemption effective February 7, 2024.
- The Administration recommends Board approval of the Real Property Tax Exemption Certificate for parcel #46-000-01-0242.00-00000 under the Pennsylvania State Veterans’ Commission for Real Estate Tax Exemption effective 2019, with a face amount of $3,478.37.
- The Administration recommends the Board approve the Business Associate Agreement with Family First Health Corporation effective 9/1/2024 through 6/1/2025, to provide state-mandated dental screenings for grades Kindergarten, Third, and Seventh at the cost of $375 per session. Services will include preventative dental services for all grades at no cost to the district.
- The Administration recommends the Board approve the Agreement for Professional Services with WellSpan EMS, LLC to provide curriculum and technical support for the district’s Emergency Medical Technician and Fire Services: Pathways to First Responder & Healthcare Certifications course for the 2024-2025 school year. The total cost will be $800 per student and will be funded through Grants and the Curriculum and Instruction Budget.
- The Administration recommends the Board approve the 3 year term service agreement contract with Taylor Publishing Company dba Balfour for the Middle School yearbooks beginning the 2024-25 school year.
- The Administration recommends the Board approve the Estimate with Smart Futures to purchase a career planning and portfolio platform for students in grade 6-12 aligned with the Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards for Career Education for the 2024-25 school year.
- The Administration recommends the Board approve the 60 month lease with Higher Information Group (JGF Funding, LLC, Lessor) at a monthly rate of $1,879.17 beginning August 1, 2024. This lease represents a 33% reduction in print and copying costs for the district. The anticipated savings over the 60 months is $224,356.00.
- The Administration recommends the Board approve two Amendments to the Professional Services Agreements with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates.
- Add 3704: Add CRA3704- York Suburban Intermediate School to the terms and conditions of the Intermediate School (3704) Prime Agreement. The fee will be a lump sum fee based on 5.5% of the final cost of the work (Defined in Section 6.1 of the Prime Agreement) approved by the Owner at the time of submission of release of bid.
- 3704 Geotech: Supplemental geotechnical engineering services as outlined in the attached Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. proposal dated December 12, 2023. The compensation adjustment as stipulated in Articles 4 and 11 of the Prime Agreement:
Lump sum $14,000
10% markup $1,400
Total Fee $15,400
- The following business office items are being presented for discussion. They will be recommended for approval during the regular monthly meeting scheduled for April 29, 2024.
- Academic Standards & Curriculum Committee Report – Dr. Sullivan
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) & Fire Services: Pathways to First Responder & Health Care Certifications.
- Intermediate Realignment & the Planned Program.
- Communications Committee Report – Mrs. Freireich
- 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 Kamisha Yumang, as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) at Indian Rock Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year, at $13.80/hr as represented in the YSESPA agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of all new hire requirements.
- Resignations/Retirements
- Resignations
- Recommend the board accept the rescinded offer of employment from Darryl Doleman Jr, Personal Care Assistant at Valley View Elementary School, for the 2023-2024 school year.
- Recommend the board accept the resignation of Carol Brown, part-time paraprofessional at Valley View Elementary School, effective March 14, 2024.
- Recommend the board accept the resignation of Marisa Haggerty, Autistic Support Teacher at Valley View Elementary School, effective April 2, 2024.
- Retirements
- Recommend the board accept the retirement of Michael Siple, Head Custodian at York Suburban High School, effective July 31, 2024. Michael has dedicated 26 years of service to York Suburban School District.
- Recommend the board accept the retirement of Hazel Price, Custodian at York Suburban Middle School, effective June 3, 2024. Hazel has dedicated 20 years of service to York Suburban School District.
- Recommend the board accept the retirement of Gregory Gulley, Principal at Indian Rock Elementary School, effective October 19, 2024. Greg is retiring after serving 31 years in public education, of which he has served 21 with York Suburban. Greg was a YS Teacher for 5 years before he spent the remaining 16 years as an Elementary Principal.
- Resignations
- Substitute
- STS
- Carly Jackson
- Maggie Re
- Chloe Ford
- Krysten Corbett
- Linnea Prudell
- Chelsea Kozak
- Brittany Jennings
- Rebecca Hatchell
- Cassandra Shannon
- STS
- Whitsons Food Service
- Linda Knopp
- Volunteers
- Matthew Bardolf
- Natalie Cabrera
- Marieandonia Calderone
- Jennifer Grassel
- Miya Haynes
- Brianna Herbst
- Thomas Koontz III
- Melissa Martin
- Ofier Veiss
- Stephanie Veiss
- Felix Olivencia
- Bus Drivers
- Christel Emenheiser
- Catherine Santiago
- Employment
- The administration recommends the replacement of the Coordinator of Communications and Administrative Services position with the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent position. [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
- 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. Desai
- Lincoln Intermediate Unit Report – Mrs. Freireich
- The highlights are presented from the LIU Board Meeting held on April 2, 2024.
- LIU Joint Operating Authority Report
- York Adams Academy Report – Mrs. Freireich
- The highlights are presented from the York Adams Academy Joint Board of Directors’ Meeting held on March 26, 2024.
- Legislative Update – Mr. Robinson
- York Adams Tax Bureau Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
- York County School of Technology Report – Mrs. Schroeder
- The mini board report is presented from the Joint Operating Committee meeting held on March 28, 2024.
- 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.
- Board Comments / Recognitions
- 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.
We SUPPORT the proposed NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. Its important to our family that we make this investment in buildings AND teachers.
Please consider holding future meetings in the cafeteria or auditorium. Sad to see 15 members of the public not able to get in the door. I am very much in favor of a question and answer session concerning the FFP.
Addendum to my previous comment. I am requesting a town hall style meeting so the District can present and contrast the various options that would meet the future needs of the community. I would like to better understand the expected total costs of the new facility as opposed to renovating the existing facilities. Right now I believe most of the community is basing their options on hearsay.
I just stood up to make a public comment at the board meeting in support of the school building project, and I would like to put on record that I found the people in that room who are opposed to the project to be EXCEPTIONALLY RUDE! I was trying to speak, and the folks behind me were clucking behind me like a bunch of chickens every time I said something that they disagreed with. That is extraordinarily unprofessional behavior for any sort of meeting such as this. I am fully in favor of this building project, and if others are not, they are free to comment on their own, but not during the time when others are speaking. My comment ran over-time because I had to stop several times to ask the folks behind me to cease from speaking over my comments. I trust the district administration and the school board to make INFORMED, well-researched, decisions about our district, and am fully in favor of moving forward with the new Intermediate Center.
I would like to thank the board for all of their hard work on this project. Many do not realize the time and energy put into being on the board is all volunteer. I feel many do not realize that the board members are also residents, neighbors and taxpayers. I am sure they look at these decisions with significant fiscal responsibility – as everyone hopes they do – since it affects them as well.
Correct me if i am wrong, but to renovate the building is going to cost almost the same amount of money as building a new building that will have all new infrastructure? I am sure as homeowners, we all know when we start a renovation project at home it is full of surprises, especially when we are talking about 60+ year old buildings. I would be willing to say that if they renovate the existing buildings, the cost in the end will far surpass what it would be to build a new building when all of the inevitable surprised are discovered and addressed.
We do all need to remember that a project like this will benefit the children of the district for years to come. It will be a safer environment, and with the technology infrastructure to allow the teachers to better teach our children.
I support the administration and the school board as they work to find an economical solution to the district’s building facility issues while also looking to update our facilities to serve our communities well into the future. These projects have been discussed for a long time and gone through many changes over the years and years of those discussions. The sudden uproar is, quite frankly, exhausting. Thank you to all of the school board members for volunteering their time to serve the district and the larger York Suburban community. Thank you to the administration for working to ensure our staff and students have modern, functioning facilities. If folks truly want to get involved with our schools, there are plenty of more productive ways to go about it.
Regarding the proposed construction of a consolidated intermediate school in East York, I offer the following comments:
According to documents distributed by the district at the Feb 28 Community Meeting at East York Elementary (and available on the district’s website), it appears that the difference between the cost to construct a new school and the cost to make repairs and updates to both Indian Rock Elementary and East York Elementary is not significant. Indian Rock Elementary is approximately 52 years old. East York Elementary is approximately 67 years old. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, which is the primary statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Education, after a school has reached 40 years of age the building begins rapid deterioration, and after 60 years most schools are abandoned. It makes sense to construct a new building. New buildings cost less to operate and maintain than old ones. One building costs less to operate and maintain than two. These future savings will help offset the additional investment required for new construction, which, if my calculations are correct, is only $60,000.
On another note, I encourage my neighbors to learn about Pennsylvania’s expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible adults with incomes less than $45,000. Eligible individuals are: Age 65 and older, age 50 and older if widowed, age 18 and over if disabled. More information is available by calling the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue at 1-888-222-9190 or visiting their website.
In closing, I extend my appreciation to the YS administration and volunteer board members who serve our community. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Thank you, Dr. Greg Gulley, for your unwavering dedication to every student, every day, in every moment. You have made a tremendous impact. You’ve made a difference in countless lives – students, parents and community citizens alike. Our family will always be grateful to have known you as an amazing educator. Thank you will never be enough.
I would encourage the board to practice and promote psychological safety when members of the public are offering their comments. Multiple constituents have reported observing board members rolling their eyes, smirking, multitasking (rather than paying attention), chatting with one another, and similar actions during public comments. While I am sure this is innocent behavior, it does not promote a free and open sharing of ideas. Instead, it sends a clear message that you do not care, that public comments are unimportant, that our ideas and thoughts are not valued. It sends a message that you consider yourself as distant and unanswerable to your constituents, rather than elected officials leading the charge.
As I’m sure you know, psychological safety not only leads to members of the group feeling more engaged, but also leads to a more diverse range of perspectives being heard and considered, which leads to better decision-making. It is a critical foundation for each of the board’s core principles. It sets the example for your constituents, the teachers, parents, students, and the community at large.
Can we put the vote on a referendum ballot? I would like to have a direct say as the future of my community and schools. The proposed budget is in the MILLIONS. Taxes to pay for brand new school buildings will increase over 10 years. If you are on a fixed incme come to the meeting or post your thoughts here. You may face a tax foreclosure and lose your home to a new school building. What happened to renovate and repair? Are the proposals for new buildings to keep up with Dover High School and Dallastown High School? Is this a case of ‘KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES?’
i am a 25-year resident of the district. I am the mother of 2 YS graduates (2018 & 2023). As there is so much information (and possible dis-information) being provided by both the School Board and the Concerned Taxpayers group, I would like to see the district hold a Town Hall meeting so that correct information can be shared and communicated. Emotions and tempers have been heightened on both sides, so it would be ideal if the Town Hall meeting could be facilitated/monitored by an outside party. It is great to be passionate about something we stand for, but we need to be respectful to each other.
My husband and I oppose the plans for this huge, expensive and unrealistic construction project for the York Suburban school district.
We believe that common sense repairs/renovations should be done as needed to the existing school buildings.
Also, stop avoiding the fact that a town hall meeting is much needed for this situation!
My sincere and heartfelt thanks, Mike Siple, for your outstanding dedication and service to York Suburban. I am certain you will be missed! Wishing you much happiness and good health in your retirement.
Also my sincere and heartfelt thanks, Dr. Greg Gulley, for your unwavering commitment to public education. Thank you for your calm and respectful demeanor! Thank you for your remarkable touch to reach countless students! Thank you for always smiling! Thank you for returning to York Suburban to complete your stellar career! My very best wishes to you for a long, healthy and happy retirement.
Lastly, thank you to the administration and to the board majority for your progressive vision. I appreciate the difficulty in this decision making process. Reviewing the cost benefit analysis for renovations to both East York and Indian Rock vs. one new intermediate school is significant. The $ 19.2M East York renovations and the Indian Rock $ 23.7M renovations cannot address unknown existing infrastructure issues within the estimated total of $ 42.9M. The new intermediate building estimate is $ 43.56M, not including future cost savings, i.e. efficiency of staff and resources, enhanced safety/security to name a few. Again, this analysis is significant.
I’m grateful that you’re looking to the future of the community for the next 70 years! I’m also grateful that you aren’t kicking the proverbial can down the road by relying on “bandaid” remedies or “whack a mole” strategies for our aging facilities. Thank you.
I oppose the plans for new construction projects in the district. Renovate, repair and maintain the existing structures.Teachers are the key. Not new buildings.
I oppose the plans for new construction projects in the district. Renovate, repair and maintain the existing structures.
A child’s education is not based on the size or how elaborate the school buildings are. Are we now trying to compete with the Central School district ? I have lived and payed taxes in YS school district for 40 years. Have not had children in school for 30 years, retired and a widow, which I think applies to several YS residents. This whole scenario the school board is presenting to the residence is totally outrageous beyond all reasoning. As one of many YS residence, I have no intentions of getting a job at my age to offset this unrealistic tax increase. It also is a struggle for the young couples that do have children in school, but both work to try and make ends meet. Time to think of the majority and not the rich that can afford such an increase.
My family loves to go camping. We put up a tent in the woods, build up a fire and go off hiking/biking. My family derives a great deal of enjoyment from camping. We talk and laugh. We cook foods over the fire and we bond as a family. We hike through the woods and learn about nature. We sleep better in the woods and, at the end of the weekend or, when we’re really lucky, after a whole week of camping, we come back to the real world and feel refreshed.
Camping adds value to our lives. It brings us together as a family. It’s a time when we can really get to know each other better.
You know what we don’t need to make our camping experiences better? A bigger tent. Sure, a bigger tent might make us feel better. But a bigger tent would be heavier. It would take up more space in our vehicle so that we can’t add more food or a sturdier sleeping bag.
The bigger tent isn’t going to bring our family closer together around that camp fire. The bigger tent isn’t going to teach us to respect the forest or give us new understanding of the trees. It’s just a bigger tent that cost more money and doesn’t add value to our appreciation of the world. The bigger tent takes up more of our limited space in the vehicle.
This construction project is merely a bigger tent. It’s going to be pretty. It’s going to have more space for the teachers to store their stuff. It’s going to have more space so that we can absorb more students into each classroom. It’s going to have a fancy cafeteria and a pool.
But in the end, this construction project isn’t going to help our kids or our families. It’s simply going to take more of our resources – and won’t add value to our kids’ futures.
I OPPOSE THESE BUILDING PROJECTS.
I oppose the renovation project and I believe the taxpayers deserve transparency. The costs are far greater than the school has disclosed and there are still residents without children in your buildings who will be blindsided.
When they showed up in numbers to voice their opposition years ago, you shut down the meeting because you wanted to make a statement because people were there without masks. Suburban, it’s time to take your mask off! The taxpayers deserve a town hall to voice their concerns with how you plan to spend our money.
FISCAL IMPACT OF YORK SUBURBAN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND ONGOING OPERATIONS
As a tax paying resident of FISCAL IMPACT OF YORK SUBURBAN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND ONGOING OPERATIONS
As a tax paying resident of Springettsbury Township and York Suburban School District, I am writing you about York Suburban School Board’s new plan which includes:
– $120+ million for a new intermediate school for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders on the East York Elementary School property, demolition of East York, and closure of Indian Rock Elementary School ($44.4 million); major upgrades and a swimming pool at the high school ($63.4 million); other capital projects in the district ($10.6 million); and bond placement fees (approximately $2 million).
– $70+million for the district’s annual operations.
– $15,000+ in additional taxes over the next ten years from the average taxpayer to pay for the construction, renovation, new capital projects and operations.
As a 16 year resident since 2018 and son of 57 year residents since 1960 of the district, who is childless but forced to pay for other peoples’ children to be educated, I STRONGLY URGE YOU and the board to make ONLY THE NECESSARY, RESPONSIBLE CAPITAL REPAIRS based on priority, which will cost significantly less money.
In addition, I have some questions about certain phrases and metrics in your plan, including the following:
1.What dose “Equitable” mean?
2. What is meant by “modern teaching and best instructional practices” and how the building projects will meet those statements.
3. How will “enhanced mental and physical safety/security” be handled.
4. What is “efficient use of staff and resources and provide quantitative and financial measures”.
5. How is “Program Pathways for enrollment, enlistment or employment that are fully developed and supported” defined?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Sincerely, Donald Bahn
We are 25 year residents and love our neighborhood and don’t want to pushed out because we can’t afford to live here anymore! We (myself, my husband Doug and daughter Courtney) want a town hall meeting! We understand making some changes is necessary, but the extent of the proposal is way too much and will cost the taxpayers to be forced out of their homes! Please be advised we oppose this project!!!
Thank you!
Christine Boll
FISCAL IMPACT OF YORK SUBURBAN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND ONGOING OPERATIONS
As a tax paying resident of Spring Garden Township and York Suburban School District, am writing you about York Suburban School Board’s new plan which includes:
– $120+ million for a new intermediate school for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders on the East York Elementary School property, demolition of East York, and closure of Indian Rock Elementary School ($44.4 million); major upgrades and a swimming pool at the high school ($63.4 million); other capital projects in the district ($10.6 million); and bond placement fees (approximately $2 million).
– $70+million for the district’s annual operations.
– $15,000+ in additional taxes over the next ten years from the average taxpayer to pay for the construction, renovation, new capital projects and operations.
As a 20 year resident of the district, who is childless but nonetheless forced to pay for other peoples’ children to be educated, I STRONGLY URGE YOU and the board to make ONLY THE NECESSARY, RESPONSIBLE CAPITAL REPAIRS based on priority, which will cost significantly less money.
In addition, I have some questions about certain phrases and metrics in your plan, including the following:
1. Please define “Equitable”.
2. Please detail what you mean by “modern teaching and best instructional practices” and how the building projects will meet those statements.
3. Please detail how you will have “enhanced mental and physical safety/security”.
4. Please define “efficient use of staff and resources and provide quantitative and financial measures”.
5. Please define “Program Pathways for enrollment, enlistment or employment that are fully developed and supported”.
Thank you in advance for your response.
Sincerely,
Bradley Schmehl
I want to acknowledge the announced retirement of Dr Gulley and express gratitude for the difference he has made in the lives of so many children and families in our district. He is an exceptional educator and an even better human and his kindness and compassion will be missed. My daughter summed it up when she said that when she thinks of a principal, she thinks of Dr. Gulley. Indeed, he has set a standard that will be difficult to match in education. Dr Gulley was always the first person to offer his help…I’ve seen him vacuum the school carpet after a Fall Festival because he didn’t want the custodian to have to do it. I’ve seen him deliver holiday food boxes to families. He and his wife have volunteered at the Impact Pantry. He’s been in dunk tanks, worn costumes, and participated enthusiastically in countless fundraisers and assemblies. He’s worked alongside teachers and students and families for decades of hands-on education, mentoring, and just plain caring. To say he will be missed is a tremendous understatement.
I know that for me, and I think for many families, “the Greg Gulley experience” is what makes the planned elementary school consolidation that results in the closing of Indian Rock so difficult to accept. Many of us have benefited by having a principal truly come to know students, siblings, and whole families because of his devotion to Indian Rock. It felt like community; a neighborhood school supported by a wonderful team of teachers led by an outstanding principal. I have mixed feelings about all the planned changes for YSSD. I have listened to the educational, philosophical, and financial justifications. While I appreciate the need, I still wonder if this plan is truly the best way forward. But I do not question the motivation of the administration or anyone who serves on the Board. I believe that everyone who works to serve the education of their community is doing so because they believe that they have something to offer to make YS better. Change isn’t always easy to understand or accept, but there isn’t progress without change.
I wanted to express this today, to the Board and administration, because sometimes in the analysis of benefits and costs and programmatic changes, we lose sight of the emotion and the heart of the elementary school experience and what certain places and people mean to our lives. Today, amid what may be a public comment session full of passionate community members expressing their views, I just want to take a minute to acknowledge Dr Gulley. And to urge all those making decisions and commenting on decisions to appreciate that there is a lot of heart that goes into raising and educating young learners. It’s not all class sizes and educational philosophy. It’s not all curriculum and testing. It’s not all numbers and tax implications and bond issues. It’s kids. It’s families. It’s relationships. Thank you, Dr Gulley, for all the heart you put into your work and into your students and into our community.