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MINUTES
The
Carlynton School District Board of Education conducted its Regular Voting
Meeting on Thursday, February 18, 2010 in the cafeteria of the junior-senior high school.
Those in attendance included President Thomas Brown, Vice President Patricia Schirripa and School Directors Thomas DiPietro, Sandra Hughan, Ronald McCartney, Nyra Schell, Betsy Tassaro and Raymond Walkowiak. Also present was Superintendent Michael Panza,
Solicitor Ira Weiss, Business Manager Kirby Christy and Principals Jacie
Maslyk, Robert Susini, Courtney Tempest and Christopher Very. The audience
was comprised of 93 individuals and two members of the press.
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Call to order - The meeting was called to order by
President Brown at 7:30 pm. Crafton Elementary students Alexa Crown and Erin
Conner led the Pledge of Allegiance after reporting on a special service
project they are completing at school regarding packages of supplies and
foods for the troops.
Roll call – The roll
was called by Recording Secretary Michale Herrmann. Director Sharon Wilson was excused
from the meeting.
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PREsentation: R. L. Kimball architects John
Hummel, Peter Szymanski and Steven Ackerman led the Feasibility Study Report. Prior to the presentation, Dr. Panza made
remarks about the process of initiating the feasibility study from the bid
process through the hiring of an architectural firm to conduct the
study. The Kimball representatives
began the presentation by indicating they have vast experience as educational
planners, and provided a Power Point that outlined the history of the firm and
an overview of the company. They explained that a feasibility study has a
shelf life of two (2) years, and as planners, they must adhere to strict regulations
under PlanCon (Planning for Construction). The Power Point and verbal
presentation went on to provide a summary of the work to date, explaining
that all buildings were evaluated (excluding the field house). The architects
continued by exhibiting building assessment reports which targeted high and
medium priorities. Mr. Szymanski said the
team of evaluators did their best to be thorough and objective. While noting
some areas of high priority, such as roofs and MEP system replacements, he
commented that proactive and invariable maintenance and care of the
facilities were indicative of the buildings extended life expectancies.
Director Schell asked what
will be covered in the final report and what can be expected. Mr. Hummel said
the long-range plan is to look at the evaluation, decide what facilities need
upgrades and make recommendations; the final decision will be made by the
board who ultimately decides what works best for the district. Director Brown acknowledged
that it is fair to say the board is just seeking recommendations and have yet
to make any decisions.
Mr. Hummel, Mr. Szymanski and Mr. Ackerman said the
next phase will be to conduct interviews with individuals to gain a feel for
what the community expects or wants. Resident Jeremy Meyer asked who
would be conducting the interviews. Mr. Szymanski said the
interviews would most likely be conducted in groups with individuals of
varying backgrounds and mind-sets.
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Several
residents asked that information be posted on the district website so the
progress of the report would be available to anyone. A main concern of
residents appeared to indicate an interest in the study and how they could
best be informed of all processes. Director Brown affirmed that
the district has been candid and forthright about the project and will
continue to keep the public informed. Crafton resident Kim Cooper said she
felt the meeting could have been advertised better. Tony DeWitt, a Rosslyn
Farms resident and employee of Google, offered to meet with Superintendent
Panza to discuss
a manner by which the feasibility process could be made available to the
public via a moderated website. Crafton resident Carl Hunt reiterated
the importance of opening and publicizing meetings so all options of the
study are made available to the communities.
Mr. Hunt questioned
the architects, asking whether renovations of multiple buildings could be
lumped together under PlanCon guidelines. Mr. Hummel said it could be done in
some instances, explaining a 20 percent rule applies. Offering further clarification,
Mr. Hummel said
improvements to be conducted can not add up to a certain percentage of the
replacement costs; if costs are over, they are not reimbursable.
Resident Sean Beck asked for
a more definitive path the district might be choosing, considering one
elementary school is nearly a century old and the other needs improvements. Mr. Hummel voiced
that it was rare to find a 100-year-old building in service, noting that as a
building ages, a risk is added and renovating costs are higher. On the same
note, resident Dave Jones asked the
architects where they see the district in the future relative to demographics
and the state of the buildings. Mr. Hummel said the
feasibility study has a 10 year outlook; that said, the present study indicates
demographics have leveled.
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Carnegie
resident Mark Popovich asked if an occupancy cost study was or will be
conducted. Mr. Hummel stated
that Kimball looks
objectively at the pros and cons of renovating facilities versus razing
buildings and building a new one. Rosslyn Farms resident Patrick McNamara asked if
an analysis of current operating costs versus costs of replacing facilities were
investigated. Mr. Hummel said
regardless, major systems need replaced. Mr. Szymanski added that if the
district wishes to consider that data, another layer of options could be
added to the study. Carnegie resident Bob Popichak urged that
energy efficient and environmental or “green” options be considered if
renovating or construction does occur. He asked if the architects are LEED
certified to which they affirmed. Director Schell asked if
government reimbursement is higher under LEED certified standards and Mr. Hummel said yes,
by 10 percent.
Crafton
resident Meghan Schriver asked for more specific enrollment projections,
adding that many families are drawn to school districts with neighborhood
schools. She suggested that families may move out of the district should
Crafton Elementary be closed and wondered how this would affect enrollment. Mr. Hummel said they
follow a formula provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
Residents Mr. Smith and Mr. Clark asked what
level of detail will be provided to the public as the study continues and
does the district see a May date for the conclusion of the study. Mr. Hummel stated that PlanCon A does not
cover a schematic design of a proposal building. Dr. Panza affirmed that more
public meetings will be held with a tentative date of May to showcase the final
recommendations of the architects. Mr. DeWitt asked if Kimball has been given
a commitment to remain as the contractors for the project; the architects indicated
they are only the designers. Mr. Hunt asked if
there was a clause in the agreement with Kimball that
stated the firm will apply a monetary credit from the cost of the study if
they are retained to oversee the construction. Dr. Panza said that
was true.
With no
further questions concerning the feasibility study, the discussion ended at
9:00 pm. The board held a 10 minute recess and reconvened to resume the
voting meeting.
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public comment on business before
the board: None
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approval
of minutes:
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Director DiPietro moved, seconded by Director
Tassaro, to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2010 Agenda Setting/Committee/Voting
Meeting as presented. By a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.
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Minutes
of the February 4, 2010 Meeting
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REPORTS:
- Executive Session – President
Brown
recalled that employment and labor issues were among the items discussed
in executive session.
Ø Principals’ Reports – Mrs. Maslyk and Mr. Veri reminded
everyone that kindergarten registration will be held March 9 and 10; Dr. Susini reported
the National Honor Society induction ceremony will be held March 1 and that
the Hometown HighQ team performed well; the show will be aired February 27
and March 6
Ø Business Manager Report – Mr. Kirby
said a five percent increase to health insurance will cost the district in
excess of $150K. He also indicated that when necessary, allowance has been
granted for school districts to approve a resolution to pull money from
another line item in the budget to cover the proposed increases to PSERs.
Lastly, numbers from the state assure a
2.6 percent increase in funding for basic education while funding for Special
Education remains flat.
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- Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Panza
called attention to the calendar of events and reported on the
following:
§
The bid packet for the band uniforms was distributed
for review and will be on the upcoming agenda; a rough timeline was given:
approve bid, advertise, award bid in late April/early May, receive finished
uniforms by September
§
Student handbooks will be available for the March
agenda
§
The Pre-K Counts program is again in operation;
information is available on the district website
§
A $559 refund was received from the AIU due to
overpayment
§
Additional modifications to the policy on cellular
devices was provided to all board members
§
Make-up days were suggested for all the snow days;
tentatively, they
may be Easter Thursday and Monday, April 1 and 5, June 4, 7, 8 and 9 with a
clerical day on June 10. Seniors would graduate June 4 as originally
scheduled.
§
Kind words were shared of former employee Dorothy Mikus who
recently passed away.
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BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD:
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I.
Miscellaneous
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Director Tassaro moved, seconded by Director Hughan,
to approve the Conference and Field Trip Requests as submitted and reviewed
by administration:
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FT…Foltz/Bunch/Stagl…Interact Club…Sr. Citizen Home…2/19
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C…M.Smoller…AIU…Gifted Workshop…2/24
§
FT…A.Harrity…Mt. Lebanon… Bowling/Comm.
Instruct…2/26
§
C…K.Papst…PATTAN…Speech/Vocab Workshop…3/5, 4/16
§
FT…F.Zebrasky…Mellon Arena…Disney Ice Show…3/11
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FT…Ferro/Pedersen (Car.)…T.Jefferson HS…Elem.Singfest…3/19
§
FT…Ferro/Pedersen (Craf.)…T.Jefferson HS…Elem.Singfest…3/19
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C…C.Tempest…GT Radisson…Practical Strategies Conf…3/23
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C…M.Smoller…AIU…Gifted Resource Day…3/25
§
C…L.Myford…Hershey…PDE Conference…4/6-9
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C…MBVeri…Sheraton North…Gifted Conference…4/22
(Miscellaneous Item #0210-1) By a voice vote, the motion
carried 8-0.
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Conference
and Field Trip Requests
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II.
Finance
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Director DiPietro moved, seconded by Director
Hughan, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2010 as
presented;
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Treasurer’s
Report – January 2010
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And the January 2010 bills in the amount of $1,914,274.32
as presented.
By a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.
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January
2010 Bills
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III. Personnel
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Director Walkowiak moved, seconded by
Director Schell, to approve the addition of Eric Carothers to the 2009-2010 Day-to-Day
Substitute List as approved by administration; (Personnel Item #0210-1)
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Addition
to Day-to-Day Sub List – Eric Carothers
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Erin Martin to complete a one-year internship
position as school psychologist for the 2010-2011 school year at a stipend of
$15,000, to be paid through ACCESS funds. (Personnel Item #0210-2)
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2010-11
School Psychologist Internship – Erin Martin
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And the addition to the 2010-2011 Athletic Supplemental
List as follows:
§
John Vaughan – Varsity
Head Football Coach
(Personnel Item #0210-3) By a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.
Dr. Panza spoke
highly of Mr. Vaughan. He
provided a verbal summary of the hiring process and a synopsis of Vaughan’s resume,
noting past successes as an assistant football coach for Shadyside Academy, Central
Catholic, and most recently, North Allegheny School
District. Director Schell said she
was impressed that Vaughan placed
emphasis on the whole athlete, both athletically and academically. Director
Brown mentioned that
Mr. Vaughan has no interest in running the weight program; therefore, the
board would seek a qualified individual to run a weight training program.
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Addition
to the 2010-2011 Athletic Supplemental List
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IV. Policy
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Director Hughan moved, seconded by Director Tassaro,
to approve the final reading of the 600 series of the board policies as
presented with recommended modifications;
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600 Policy Series – Final Reading
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And the first reading of the 700 series of the board
policies as presented with recommended modifications. By a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.
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700 Policy Series – First Reading
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
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NEW
BUSINESS: Director Schirripa announced that the AIU Board
presented a book to the elementary library. She ordered a second book so that
each library would have the same.
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OPEN
FORUM: Director
Hughan complimented Kimball on the presentation, saying their process made
for a smooth transition.
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ADJOURNMENT: With
no further business to discuss, Director Hughan moved to adjourn the meeting
at 9:45
pm, seconded by Director
McCartney. By voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.
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