Minutes 2024-12-16

York Suburban Board Of School Directors
Regular Monthly Meeting
December 16, 2024 – 7 p.m.
York Suburban High School Cafeteria
M I N U T E S
(Approved January 13, 2025)

  1. General Business – Mrs. Schroeder, Board President
    1. Mrs. Schroeder called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
    2. Board Members Roll Call
      1. Present: Pinal Desai, Ellen Freireich, Nicole Hesson, Richard Robinson, James Sanders, Rolanda SanMartin, Lois Ann Schroeder, Steve Sullivan, and Ashley Turner. 
      2. Absent: None.
    3. An opportunity was provided for public comments on agenda items.
      1. Dan Barker (Springettsbury Township) commented on the December 3, 2024, Reorganization and Planning Committee Meeting minutes. 
      2. Dawn Bentivegna (Springettsbury Township) commented on the High School’s new and modified courses for the 2025-26 school year. 
      3. Michael Darrah (Spring Garden Township) commented on the capital projects.
      4. Chris Sanders (Springettsbury Township) commented on the Intermediate School project.
      5. Joel Sears (Spring Garden Township) commented on the Intermediate School project.
      6. Harry Strohman (Spring Garden Township) commented on the new courses for the High School. 
      7. Mark Treider (Springettsbury Township) commented on the Treasurer’s Report.
      8. Beth Ann Walp (Spring Garden Township) commented on the Intermediate and High School Renovation Projects.
    4. Approval of Minutes
      1. The minutes from the reorganization and planning committee meeting conducted on December 3, 2024, were approved.
  2. Treasurer’s Report – Reported by Mrs. Kendig
    1. The Board unanimously approved the following financial reports for November 2024 as part of a consent agenda:  
      Motion, Desai; Second, Sanders. Approval. Roll Call Vote, 9 members present, Motion passed unanimously 9-0.

      1. Treasurer’s Report
      2. General Fund Revenue Report
      3. General Fund Expenditure Report
      4. Summary Reports
        1. Capital Project
          1. Intermediate Project
          2. HS Renovation Project
        2. Food Service
        3. Capital Reserve
        4. Student Activity Fund
      5. Check Summary Reports
        1. General Fund
        2. Food Service
        3. Capital Project
        4. Capital Reserve
        5. Student Activity
      6. General Input Budget Transfers
  3. Board President’s Report – Mrs. Schroeder
    1. No report was provided.
  4. Student Board Representative Report – Nicole Escano Henriquez
    1. Ms. Escano Henriquez provided information on the following items:
      1. Link Crew Winter Wonderland Event for Freshman
      2. Olivia Diehl’s Artwork 
      3. YSMS Musical, Dear Edwina, Jr.
      4. YSEF Impact Foundation’s Holiday Event
      5. Spelling Bee Winners
      6. National Honor Society Holiday Giving
      7. Childhood Nostalgia Night
      8. Athletic Accomplishments
      9. Winter Break
  5. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Krauser
    1. Dr. Krauser provided the following report, including the District Holiday Card winner and finalists.
      1. The December 2024 Enrollment Reports were shared with the Board.
  6. Business Office Report – Mrs. Kendig
    1. Mrs. Kendig provided a Fund Balance Overview presentation.
    2. The Board unanimously approved the following items as part of a consent agenda.
      Motion, Desai, Second, Hesson. Approval. Roll Call Vote, 9 members present, Motion passed 9-0.

      1. The Administration recommends Board approval for the Bilingual Evaluation Agreement with Jessica Betancourt Perez to conduct a bilingual evaluation at a total cost of $1,600, which is a $100 increase from 2023-24.
      2. The Administration recommends Board approval for the Memorandum of Understanding with The Allegheny Intermediate Unit to provide TransPerfect AI Portal Translation at a one-time, annual fee of $500.
      3. The Administration recommends Board approval for the Memorandum of Understanding with The Allegheny Intermediate Unit to provide TransPerfect Telephone Interpretation Services at an annual fee of $120, $0.95/minute, and video translation services at a rate of $3.25/minute beginning February 10, 2025, through February 10, 2026. No change in rate from the prior contract. 
      4. The Administration recommends the approval of the transfer of $300,000 from the 2023-24 Unassigned Fund balance to the Capital Reserve Fund for use in future capital projects. 
      5. The Administration recommends Board approval of the renewal of our insurance with Pareto Health for the calendar year 2025. The renewal is a 17% increase in our rates at a per-member rate for employees at $75.59/ month and a family rate at $299.75/month.
  7. Academic Standards & Curriculum Committee Report – Dr. Sullivan
    1. The Board approved the following items as part of a consent agenda:
      Motion, Sullivan, Second, Turner of consent agenda items 1a – 1h, 2a – 2f, and 3. Approval. Roll Call Vote, 9 members present, Motion passed 9-0.

      Motion, Sullivan, Second, SanMartin of consent agenda item 2g. Approval. Roll Call Vote, 9 members present, Motion passed 8-1. (Nay Vote: Hesson)

      1. Recommend the Board to approve the development of the following new courses:
        1. Data Science (Math)
        2. Remote Pilot Certification (Math/AET)
        3. Sports Officiating (Wellness)
        4. Functional Pottery II (Art)
        5. Advanced Instrumental Techniques (Music)
        6. Advanced Vocal Techniques (Music)
        7. Current Events and Media Literacy (Social Science)
        8. Pop Culture Through the Ages (Social Science)
      2. Recommend the Board to approve the modification of existing courses to become the following:
        1. Financial Literacy
        2. Economics & CP Economics
        3. Child Development II
        4. Modern Communication & Podcasting
        5. Principles of Leadership
        6. Digital Photography 1 & 2
        7. Weighting of  Advanced Elective courses to 1.1
      3. Recommendation for Board approval to change the graduation requirements for the graduating class of 2027 to include a mandatory 0.5 credit Financial Literacy course. This change will reduce the total elective credit requirement to 3.5 credits.
  8. Communications Committee Report – Mrs. Freireich
    1. No report was provided. 
  9. Personnel Committee Report – Mr. Robinson
    1. The Board unanimously approved the following items as part of a consent agenda.
      Motion, Robinson, Second, Desai; Approval. Roll Call Vote, 9 members present, yes. Motion passed 9-0.

      1. Employment
        1. Recommend the Board to approve Tara Ruppert, part-time Administrative Assistant for Attendance at Indian Rock Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year, at $15.50 per hour. This represents step 4 of the YSESPA negotiated agreement. This offer is contingent upon the successful completion of onboarding requirements. 
        2. Recommend the Board to approve Lauri Holmes, full-time Administrative Assistant for Attendance at York Suburban High School for the 2024-2025 school year, at $15.10 per hour. This represents step 3 of the YSESPA negotiated agreement. This offer is contingent upon the successful completion of onboarding requirements. 
      2. Retirement
        1. Recommend the Board to accept the retirement of Kathleen Green, Teacher at York Suburban High School, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Kathleen dedicated 28 years of service to the York Suburban School District. 
        2. Recommend the Board to accept the retirement of Cheryl Johnson, Teacher at Valley View Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Cheryl dedicated 22 years of service to the York Suburban School District. 
        3. Recommend the Board to accept the retirement of Lorie Meckley, Teacher at Valley View Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Lorie dedicated 16 years of service to the York Suburban School District.
      3. Resignation
        1. Recommend the Board to accept the resignation of Erin Lewis, Paraprofessional at Valley View Elementary, effective December 20, 2024. 
      4. Volunteers
        1. Holly Hanley
        2. Jakob Kempinski
        3. Elizabeth Rohrbaugh
        4. Angela Wolfgang
      5. Bus Drivers
        1. Doddie Benton
        2. Ralph Jones
  10. Property & Finance Committee Report – Mr. Desai
    1. No report was provided. The next meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2025, at 5:00 pm in the YS High School Cafeteria.
  11. Lincoln Intermediate Unit Report – Mrs. Freireich
    1. No report was provided for the LIU or the LIU Joint Operating Authority.
  12. York Adams Academy Report – Mrs. Freireich
    1. No report was provided. 
  13. Legislative Update – Mr. Robinson
    1. Mr. Robinson reported that the House and Senate will reconvene on January 7, 2025. 
  14. York Adams Tax Bureau Report – Mrs. Kendig
    1. No report was provided.
  15. York County School of Technology Report – Mrs. Schroeder
    1. No report was provided.
  16. Mrs. Schroeder thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
  17. A list of upcoming events was provided.
  18. The board meeting and committee schedules were provided.
  19. A second opportunity was provided for public comment. 
    1. Dan Barker (Springettsbury Township) commented on a right-to-know request. 
    2. Mary Beliveau (Springettsbury Township) commented on the Intermediate School Construction project. 
    3. Dawn Bentivegna (Springettsbury Township) commented on the High School curriculum.
    4. Chris Sanders (Springettsbury Township) commented on right-to-know requests.
    5. Cathy Shaffer (Spring Garden Township) commented on board governance and the Intermediate School Construction project.   
    6. Harry Strohman (Spring Garden Township) commented on the Intermediate School Construction Project. 
    7. Two (2) electronic public comments were received for Board review:
      1. Jenna Jansen (Spring Garden Township) commented on the Intermediate School Construction project. 
      2. Craig Egger (Spring Garden Township) emphasized the importance of respectful and constructive communication.  
  20.  Board Comments / Recognitions
    1. Dr. Hesson noted that the Board carefully considers taxes and the best interests of students when making decisions, adding that they are also taxpayers and five board members currently have children in the District. 
    2. Dr. Sullivan commented on Board Governance and Leadership. 
    3. Mr. Desai clarified that Board members do not approve right-to-know requests.
    4. Mr. Robinson addressed comments made during the reorganization and planning committee meeting on December 3, 2024.   
    5. Mrs. Schroeder clarified that no decision has been made yet regarding the future of Indian Rock Elementary School.  
  21. Adjournment
    1. The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 pm.
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