Agenda 2024-05-13

York Suburban Board Of School Directors
Planning Committee Meeting
May 13, 2024 – 7 p.m.
York Suburban High School Cafeteria 

A G E N D A

  1. General Business
    1. Call to Order – Mrs. Schroeder, Board President
      1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
      2. Roll Call
      3. A reminder to please silence your cell phones during the meeting.
      4. Public Comments
        1. 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.
      5. Discussion and Action on Board Minutes
        1. Approval of the minutes of the regular monthly meeting conducted on April 29, 2024. [Approval as submitted/corrected]
  2. Board President’s Report – Mrs. Schroeder
    1. The Board met in Executive Session on May 13, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., as permitted by Section 707 of the Sunshine Act, to discuss labor relations. No official action was taken.
    2. Appointment of up to two Voting Delegates for the PA School Boards Association Delegate Assembly on November 2, 2024. The deadline to notify PSBA is Friday, August 30, 2024, by 5:00 pm.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
    3. Recommendation for Michelle Kendig to be appointed Board Secretary beginning May 13, 2024, as part of the responsibilities in her contract and job description as the Chief Financial and Operations Officer.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  3. Student Board Representative Report – Sophia Scalet
  4. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Krauser
    1. The following item is presented for discussion. It will be recommended for approval during the regular monthly meeting scheduled for May 28, 2024.
      1. The Administration recommends that the Board authorize the District Administration to employ personnel for positions previously approved by the Board from May 29, 2024, to August 12, 2024, subject to limitations imposed by the 2024-2025 General Fund Budget. 
  5. Business Office Report – Mrs. Kendig
    1. The following business office items are being presented for discussion. They will be recommended for approval during the regular monthly meeting scheduled for May 28, 2024.
      1. The administration recommends the Board approve the Service Agreement with Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 to provide a Bilingual Speech Evaluation for a student at a rate of $100 per hour for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year. 
      2. The administration recommends that the Board approve the two (2) year Agreement with Substitute Teacher Service (STS) from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, at a daily rate as outlined in Appendix A of the agreement.
      3. The administration recommends the Board approve the agreement for participation in Child Nutrition Programs with the York County School of Technology for the 2024-2025 school year. 
      4. The administration recommends that the Board approve the Software Services and Support Agreement with Talking Points. From May 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, this agreement will provide a two-way, multilingual texting platform at a total annual cost of $16,603.50.
      5. The administration recommends the Board approve the 2024-25 breakfast and lunch prices as presented. There is no proposed increase over the 2024-25 school year.
        Lunch
        $2.50 Elementary
        $2.75 Secondary
        $3.70 Super Meal
        $4.02 Adult
        $4.70 Adult Super Meal
        Breakfast
        $1.40 Elementary
        $1.40 Secondary
        $2.07 Adult
      6. The administration recommends that the Board approve the following 2024-25 depositories:
        1. ACNB – Adams County National Bank
        2. PSDLAF – Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset Fund 
      7. The administration recommends that the Board approve Stock and Leader, Attorneys at Law, as the School District Solicitor for 2024-2025. 
      8. The administration recommends the Board authorize the Business Office to perform all year-end budget transfers, make all necessary revisions to the district fund budget upon the auditor’s final adjustments to financial records, and assign fund balance amounts in accordance with the PA Public School Code and PA Department of Education regulation; and further, the Business Office will report said revisions to the Board during the meeting following the completion of the fiscal year audit.
      9. The administration recommends that the board appoint Michelle Kendig as the primary YATB delegate and Loree Marchese as the alternate delegate.
      10. The Administration recommends the board approve the three-year renewal contract with IXL Learning to provide real-time diagnostic data with personalized student learning plans and differentiated instructional resources beginning August 20, 2024, through August 20, 2027, at a total cost of $76,710.00.

        Year 1

        $38,355 (50%)

        Year 2

        $19,178 (25%)

        Year 3

        $19,177 (25%)
      11. The Administration recommends Board approval of the three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Harrisburg Area Community College to provide dual credit coursework to qualified York Suburban High School students.
      12. The Administration recommends Board approval of the Dual Credit Agreement with the University of Pittsburgh to provide dual credit coursework to qualified York Suburban High School students for the 2024-25 school year. 
      13. The Administration recommends Board approval of the Act 48 Program Agreement for services with River Rock Academy LLC to deliver alternative education services for disruptive youth for the 2024-25 school year. 
      14. The Administration recommends Board approval of the Extended School Year Agreement with Specialized Education of Pennsylvania, INC at High Roads of Southern York to provide behavioral health, social, emotional, and special education services to students. The term of this agreement will begin on June 24, 2024 and end on July 25, 2024 for a total cost of $10,682.00.
      15. The administration recommends the Board approve two Amendments to the Professional Services Agreements with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates.
        1. 3703 Enviro: Supplemental environmental engineering services as outlined in the Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. proposal for scope only. The compensation adjustment as stipulated in Articles 4 and 11 of the Prime Agreement:

          Lump sum $6,000
          10% markup $600
          Total Fee $6,600
        2. 3703 Petrographic Testing: Supplemental petrographic testing services as outlined in the American Engineering Testing proposal #P-0032150 dated March 23, 2024, for scope only. The compensation adjustment as stipulated in Articles 4 and 11 of the Prime agreement:

          Lump sum $7,312
          10% markup $731
          Total Fee $8,043
  6. Academic Standards & Curriculum Committee Report – Dr. Sullivan
    1. Review of data
    2. Summer Professional Development
  7. Communications Committee Report – Mrs. Freireich
  8. Personnel Committee Report – Mr. Robinson
    1. 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]
      1. Employment
        1. Recommend the board approve Annika Reed, Marching Band Assistant #2, at York Suburban High School for the 2024-2025 school year with an annual salary of $759.50 (25% split position) in accordance with the YSEA bargaining agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork. 
        2. Recommend the board approve Deny Rodriguez, Head Custodian, at York Suburban High School, for the 2023-2024 school year (beginning on or around May 27, 2024), at $19.63 per hour in accordance with the YSESPA agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.  
        3. Recommend the board approve Breana Henry, Full-Time Second Shift Custodian at York Suburban Middle School, for the 2024-2025 school year (beginning on or around June 6, 2024), at $15.93 per hour with a $0.35 shift differential as represented in the YSESPA agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful completion of new hire paperwork.  
        4. Recommend the board approve the following appointments for ESY staffing 2024:
          1. Marguerita Mann, Elementary Autistic Support (AS) Teacher
          2. Shelley Drahusz, Elementary Learning Support (LS) Teacher
          3. Haley Laird, Secondary Learning Support (LS) Teacher
          4. Laura Flinchbaugh, Elementary AS Paraprofessional
          5. Meghan Wildermuth, Elementary AS Paraprofessional
          6. Debbie Richards, Elementary LS Paraprofessional
          7. Angela Knee, Secondary LS Paraprofessional
      2. Resignations/Retirements 
        1. Resignations
          1. Recommend the board accept the resignation of Diana Loomis, Library Paraprofessional at York Suburban Middle School, effective May 30, 2024
          2. Recommend the board accept the rescinded offer of employment for Kamisha Yumang,  AS Personal Care Assistant for Indian Rock Elementary School, for the 2023-2024 school year. 
        2. Retirements
          1. Recommend the board accept the retirement of Wendy Hauck, Teacher at Yorkshire Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Wendy has served 26 years in Public Education with 21 years dedicated to York Suburban School District.
      3. Substitute
        1. STS
          1. Melanie Garcia
          2. Taylor Cornelius
          3. Haidyn Shaffer
      4. Volunteers
        1. Michelle Bateman
        2. Michelle D’Ettorre
        3. Rebecca Gembe
        4. Diana Lake
        5. Deborah Quaye
        6. Rita Tye
        7. Heidi West
    2. Approval of the Agreement with YSESPA. The Board negotiating team recommends approval of the proposed Agreement between the Board of School Directors of the York Suburban School District and the York Suburban Educational Support Association (YSESPA), effective July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2028.  [Motion; Discussion; Roll Call Vote]
  9. Property & Finance Committee Report – Mr. Desai
  10. Lincoln Intermediate Unit Report – Mrs. Freireich
    1. The highlights are presented from the LIU Board Meeting held on May 7, 2024.
    2. LIU Joint Operating Authority Report 
  11. York Adams Academy Report – Mrs. Freireich
  12. Legislative Update – Mr. Robinson
  13. York Adams Tax Bureau Report – Mrs. Ciaciulli
  14. York County School of Technology Report – Mrs. Schroeder
    1. The following attachments are presented from the Joint Operating Committee meeting held on April 25, 2024:
      1. Mini-Board Report
      2. JOC Presentation
  15. Recognition of Visitors
  16. Upcoming Events
  17. Board Meeting & Committee Meeting Schedules
  18. Public Comments
    1. 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.
  19.  Board Comments / Recognitions
  20.  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.

  1.  

14 Comments

  1. John on May 13, 2024 at 7:40 pm

    I would like to say that James Sanders behavior and actions towards Mrs Reineker was totally inappropriate at this evenings School Board meeting. Didn’t his mother stand up a few weeks ago and ask for Board members to consider their body language and their facial expressions during the public meetings? Why did she not tell her son the same thing? Or is he somehow above it all?

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    • Alex Horan on May 13, 2024 at 2:45 pm

      I would like to voice that WE SUPPORT the planned construction, fully knowing the costs involved. My family and have lived in the district for 16 years and have stayed in the district because we knew Suburban was the best district to make these tough decisions and ensure that our young family gets the best public education needed to excel and thrive in the future.

      BEST STUDENTS.
      BEST TEACHERS.
      BEST BUILDINGS.

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      • Charles weaver on May 13, 2024 at 12:47 pm

        You need to vote no on this I can not afford this tax raise I am ss

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        • Michael Park on May 13, 2024 at 12:23 pm

          I agree with your assessment on our group Lori Ehrlich. It seems lopsided because it is. We are winning. Spring Garden is late to the party. I told the School District what to expect six months ago and they ignored me. The fun is only just beginning!! I’m looking forward to continuing this debate well into the next few years till the project is killed forever.

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          • Courtney Miller on May 13, 2024 at 12:16 pm

            Residents and Taxpayers in the district should not feel intimidated when attending a school board meeting. They come to voice their concerns and even their appreciation; some even come to just hear themselves talk, calling out the names of people in the community; talking about Facebook groups (which I don’t recall seeing as an agenda item…ever); you want to put the brakes on something- start there! I ask that you vote NO to the revision reducing the public’s time to comment.
            In the last meeting it was said, I believe concerning grant money and I’m paraphrasing “We don’t like to spend money we don’t have.” -So I’m confused, do you have 120+ million dollars for this project? Answer is no, obviously… and we don’t either! Don’t spend the money you don’t have and send your residents into financial distress. Instead, provide the public with a strategic plan, with options to responsibly tackle the needs of the existing buildings and present it in a town hall format. People feel blindsided and as I said before, intimidated, they shouldn’t have to email you to get an answer; or have a computer and internet to go down a rabbit hole on your website. Many people appreciate and respect a good old fashion in person conversation, and it really looks like you want to run as far away from that happening as possible!

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            • Lori Ehrlich on May 13, 2024 at 9:32 am

              First, I was very pleased with the presentation that Dr. Krauser and Mr. Wentz made at the 4/29 meeting. It is pitiful that a large majority of the “teachers not buildings” group didn’t have the interest or the respect to remain at the meeting long enough to hear the detailed explanations that were given for 10-years-worth of carefully-made decisions about the building projects. For people who claim to have such concerns about the project, they certainly didn’t have much interest in learning about it. And for those in that group who DID stay, their behavior was appalling. Shouting out during the board proceedings rather than waiting until the public comment period at the end. Shouting out and heckling other speakers. Just outright rude.

              Second, I appreciate the open discussion that was had about Policy 903, and the explanation how the PSBA was the catalyst for the proposed amendments. I fully agree that the public commenting time should be more orderly and more focused. I do NOT find a 3-minute cutoff time to be limiting. I will just need to be certain that I am very clear and to the point about my messaging. Cutting back on commenting time will result in meetings that do not run excessively long (which the “teachers not buildings” group complained about) Online posting will always be available for anything I would like to say that cannot fit into my live comment.

              Third, I want to piggyback on what Mrs. Schroeder said at the end of the 4/29 meeting. The YSSB is a group of unpaid, elected volunteers. Spring Garden & Springettsbury residents elected them by a LARGE majority in both 2021 and 2023. They were chosen because of their experience in the fields of economics, technology, finance, mental-health advocacy, and education.

              The community representation in the meeting room may seem somewhat lopsided because the “teachers not buildings” folks are loud and persistent in their message. But the reason for the smaller number of PRO-project speakers is because the majority of our YS residents put their TRUST in these school board members to make the decisions that are best for YSSD. They don’t feel the need to speak publicly because they KNOW that the board represents them (it’s why they voted for them in the first place). I have been told this by MANY people in our community who are stunned by all of the disinformation and rumors that have been spread.

              I applaud most of our board members and administration for their diplomacy, their integrity, their professionalism, and for their commitment to the students in our district. As Mrs. Schroeder stated, the board will never be able to please everyone, so they must base their decisions on what they feel is best overall. Dr. Krauser has spoken numerous times about sustainability in the district, and I believe that the new construction is the most economically-sound, and most sustainable solution for our YS students.

              Thank you.

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              • Erick Hartman on May 13, 2024 at 8:43 am

                What I am seeing in this proposed new building, is we the taxpayers are being told, not asked, to pay for. Upgrades to a building built in 1958, the closing of a building built in 1972, and the demolition of a building built in 1957. If we can do upgrades to a school built in 1958, why not to a building built in 1972 & 1957??? That is the question that most of us want answered. The majority of your taxpayers do not want to fund this project, because we simply CAN NOT AFFORD IT!!!!! I for one cannot afford the proposed taxes in my soon to be retirement years. I am not working full time in my retirement to pay rent to my school board for my home that is already paid for. I had a budget for my retired years and 10k or more a year in school rent is not in it. Please vote “NO” to this proposed plan, the majority of the residents who voted you into your positions CAN’T AFFORD IT!!!!!!!

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                • Danny Barker on May 13, 2024 at 7:55 am

                  When driving through East York these days, one can’t help but notice the numerous yard signs, calling for the looming tax increases to be halted. Many of us ask ourselves when we see these signs; what tax increase? I haven’t heard anything about that! In a few short months school board attendance has risen from a handful of residents to nearly a hundred. Dig a little deeper and it’s discovered that the administration has been working on a multi-million dollar Renovation and Construction planning option for several years. How could this be, I’m a taxpaying resident? How could I not know this? In order to answer that question, we need to ask a different question.
                  What kind of a system could have the authority to plan and spend that kind of money without the taxpayers at large knowing it was happening. The Commonwealth System of Public Education Is the answer and it is a very well-designed system. But, the system is only as good as the commitment, of those in charge of operating it, to implement a Successful Operating Strategy. This strategy pivots on excellent leadership, which is the most important of eight elements. As the great American expert on leadership John C. Maxwell often explains, everything rises or falls on leadership.
                  The first element of the strategy is an Underlying Philosophy, which in this case is the Public School Code of 1949. This document, in excellent fashion, lays out the general principles or laws of this activity. Among other things, this document defines those principles and laws for the operation of a local school district. It is bedrock.
                  The next element of the strategy is Reliable Equipment and Facilities. This is where a systematic and regular program of maintenance and upgrades is created & implemented. Also, at York Suburban School District this element happens to be one of the five fundamental failure elements which seem to be leading toward a system crisis. Claims of wholesale system failures indicate a failed maintenance approach.
                  The third element of the strategy is having Well-defined Operating Boundaries. While there are some constraints external to the district, it is easy to identify three significant boundaries which prudence would dictate that the local board would determine and adhere to. Graduation and scholastic performance minimum targets along with a logically developed debt load limit do not seem to be present. This is the second of the five fundamental failure elements.
                  The fourth element of the strategy is Valid Procedures & Policies. This element of the strategy is definitively strong and an inherent strength of the system.
                  The next element of the strategy is an Effective Operating Structure. As with the above element, this structure or backbone is strong. It is comprised of the board, committees and the superintendent with his staff.
                  The sixth element of the strategy is Alert Well-informed Stakeholders. This element includes primarily the students, the administration, and the residents. And it should be obvious to the most casual observer that without the residents, there is no system at all. For reasons which will be unwrapped in the final two elements of the strategy, this is the third of the five fundamental failure elements which seem to be leading to a system crisis.
                  The next element of the strategy is A Collaborative Approach (Teamwork). This element is made up of an ongoing collaborative process, two-way communication, community engagement, a responsiveness to the community, dialogue, and inclusion in decision making. This element places a tremendous responsibility upon the administration to ensure that communication is received by the residents and is inextricably connected to the Alert Well-informed Stakeholder Strategy Element. It is the fourth of five fundamental failure elements in the operation of this school district.
                  The eighth and final element of a Successful Operating Strategy is Superb Leaders. In the context of the local school board these leaders are made up of the school board directors of which one is the President or Executive Officer and the Superintendent. I argue that the most culpable of these leaders is the President of the board and the Superintendent. This is the fifth and final failure element in the operation of this school board. Also, it is the one operating element in the strategy that directly affects the effectiveness of the other four fundamental failure elements. Just as the grounding of the supertanker Exxon-Valdez was attributed to five fundamental failure elements and the Captain bore great responsibility for the failure, so is the course set before this district leading. Even as the Board President and Superintendent are clearly most culpable, the remaining board members will do well to remember that by emulating sheep instead of analyzing, questioning, and taking a strong stance for prudent decision making they too are strong candidates to give an account.

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                  • Rebecca Deal on May 12, 2024 at 8:49 pm

                    As a resident of York Suburban School District, I am against Policy 903 and am instructing you to vote NO. I am aware that public comments may be time consuming but how else are you to know how the residents feel. Emails aren’t responded to, so we never know if you actually read them. I should be able to come to any meeting and discuss any topic. If the board is unaware of an issue, why would it be on the agenda?

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                    • Susan Bachant on May 12, 2024 at 7:21 pm

                      I am a retired widow and I still hold a very lengthy mortgage payment! I cannot afford upkeep on my property if I am paying for unnecessary new school buildings! This will force me out of my home and possibly on the street!
                      I went to Central and also to North Hills elementary for 1st and 2nd grade. I am almost 66. I worked at this school 5 yrs ago for 2 yrs. The school has had upgrades, additions and has been maintained and is still going strong! Same with Central Middle school! These schools were built in the 50’s! So my question is a school that was built in the 70’s as Indian Rock, why has it not been maintained over the years?
                      Also as far as Buildings, my late husband acquired a very good education in a Quon’set hut! So my point is that the buildings are not important to receive a good education But a good teacher is!

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                      • Danny Barker on May 12, 2024 at 5:40 pm

                        On the basis of 1. Diametrically opposing statements concerning who public comments must be directed toward (Policy Comment section, sentence #1 and sentence #7), and 2. The overly restrictive nature of the new time limit; given the history of a longer time and the well articulated desire of the Administration/Board to have robust two-way, collaborative, responsive dialogue and decision making communication with the stakeholders (YSSD Policy Code 910), I am instructing the President of the Board and the remaining Directors to reject the proposed revisions to Policy 903 by removing it from the approval process or voting “NO” at the appropriate point in the process. I am giving these directions to you as the general agent of the residents, on the basis of and “In Accordance With” this relationship between the residents of the District and the School Board, as delineated in the YSSD Policy Code 002, Powers subsection, paragraph #2, sentence #1. Hopefully, each of you will resist the temptation to take offense at this guidance and thereby be found to be disingenuous in regards to your Policy Code 910. I only mention this in light of concern recently voiced by an Administration employee in a discussion concerning questions over missing data on the Tax Impact Calculator, and the fear that it would be disingenuous to include that data.

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                        • Bridget C Gallagher on May 12, 2024 at 5:29 pm

                          I, as a resident of York Suburban Schooll District, am instructing you as the elected officials that you are to vote NO on the proposed revisions to Policy 903.

                          The lack of transparency on the excessive spend is unacceptable; there needs to be accountability for the school district budget, just like any household or business – stop utilizing the taxpayers as a bank to spend money it does not have. The current inflationary economic environment is already straining individuals, families, and elderly residents – don’t make things worse by increasing taxes for projects that don’t need to be done.

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                          • Donald Bahn on May 12, 2024 at 4:13 pm

                            When will a Town Hall meeting happen?

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                            • Chris Sanders on May 12, 2024 at 11:04 am

                              I, as a resident of York Suburban School District am instructing you, as our general agent, to vote “NO” to the proposed revisions to Policy 903, due to their overly restrictive nature.

                              Please complete the following information to provide an electronic public comment for the Board agenda posted above.