Carlynton School District

 

Regular Voting Meeting

October 15, 2009

Carlynton Jr.-Sr. High School Library – 7:30 p.m.

 

minutes

The Carlynton School District Board of Education conducted its Regular Voting Meeting October 15, 2009 in the library of the junior-senior high school. Attendance included President Thomas Brown, Vice President Patricia Schirripa and Directors Thomas DiPietro, Sandra Hughan, Ronald McCartney, David Roussos, Raymond Walkowiak and Sharon Wilson. Also present was Superintendent Michael Panza and Solicitor Ira Weiss. Administrators in attendance included Business Manager Kirby Christy, Pupil Services’ Director Lee Myford and Principals Jacie Maslyk, Courtney Tempest and Christopher Very. The audience was comprised of six individuals and two members of the press.

 

 

Call to order: The meeting was called to order by President Brown at 7:30 pm. Crafton Elementary principal Jacie Maslyk introduced four students to lead the pledge: Marin Exler, Katelyn Kelly, Jonah Schriver and Christian Wichelns. These students were selected and recognized because they earned perfect scores on a section of the Spring 2009 PSSA test. The roll was called by Recording Secretary Michale Herrmann. Director Tassaro was excused from the meeting.

 

public comment on business before the board: None

approval of minutes:

Director Roussos moved, seconded by Director DiPietro, to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2009 Committee/Agenda Setting/Voting Meeting as presented.  By a voice vote, the motion carried 6-0-2, with Directors Hughan and Wilson abstaining due to absence from the meeting.

 


REPORTS:

 

  • Executive Session – President Brown reported that personnel, legal and labor issues were discussed in executive session in accordance with Board Policy 006, Section 11.

Ø      Principals’ Reports – The principals provided updates of happenings within the schools.

Ø      Director of Pupil Services’ Report – Mrs. Myford said the district will offer an after-school tutoring program for Special Education students with stimulus funding. She added that tutoring will focus on academic work. She also has several other projects in the works including an intervention rotation process for specified academic groups and a speakers program for parents related to drugs and alcohol.

Ø      Business Manager Report – Mr. Christy announced the State passed a budget and money is beginning to flow in.

  • Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Panza reviewed the calendar of upcoming events and reported on the following:

§         The district will host a spaghetti dinner to benefit a Carlynton alum who was injured in the LA Fitness shooting

§         Students will be offered the ASVAP exam on October 23

§         Relay for Life will host a fashion show/luncheon on November 7

§         PSBA president Tom Gentzel has offered to come and speak; several board members expressed interest

§         The first check from Clear Choice Energy was received in the amount of $1,356

§         Grim’s Ghostly Golf will go on; an agreement is ready for approval

§         Funding for safe schools has been cut significantly

·         Pathfinder Report – Meeting is next week

·         Parkway West CTC Report – Director McCartney said enrollment stands at 598 students; an Open House will be held November 2; Dr. Panza is the new Superintendent of Record. Director DiPietro asked Mrs. Hughan if the person was hired to raise enrollment, to which she said yes (even though the board expressed a “no” vote). He would like a follow-up report to see if the position is effective.

·         SHASDA – Director Schirripa said the speaker at the last meeting was very good and expressed that school districts are always remembered by their test scores. He believes it crucial to teach and practice good test-taking skills. As a board member at the AIU, Mrs. Schirripa said Linda Hippert has drafted a letter voicing concerns about the Keystone Exams. Lastly, just returning from the PSBA Conference in Hershey, Director Schirripa reported that a new system for standard guidelines will be unveiled in January, called “Every Child by Name” or Standards Aligned System (SAS), that is geared to place Pennsylvania in the race for the top in education.

·         PSBA-Legislative – Director Walkowiak said that PHEAA announced today that grants to be awarded to college-bound students would be approximately $2,728 per recipient. He reported that Rendell has stated that stimulus funds have been crucial to educational funding by making up for a  shortfall within the state budget

 

I. Miscellaneous

Director McCartney moved, seconded by Director Wilson, to approve the list of conference and field trip requests as presented and approved by administration:

§         FT…D.Mitchell…Pgh Zoo/ Aquarium…Linking Language!...10/21

§         C…S.Canty…Marriott Pgh…College Admissions Info…10/23

§         FT…MBVeri…Just Ducky Tour …GATE Architecture…10/28

§         C…J.Rishell…PATTAN Pgh…Access PA Training…10/30

§         C…MBVeri…USC HS …South Hills Gifted Consortium…10/30

§         C…M.Smoller…USC HS…South Hills Gifted Consortium…10/30

§         FT…MBVeri…B.Martin Home…Crftn History/Architec…11/4, 6

§         FT…M.Priore…Heinz Hall…Pgh Symphony…12/3, 3/3, 3/25

§         FT…R.Pedersen…CHS…Choral Concert Rehearsal…12/17 x 2

§         FT…R.Pedersen…CHS…Choral Concert Rehearsal…12/18 x2

§         C…V.Ferro…Pgh Convention Ctr…PMEA Conf…4/22-24/10

§         C…M.Lear…Pgh Convention Ctr…PMEA Conf…4/22-24/10

§         C…R.Pedersen…Pgh Convention Ctr…PMEA Conf…4/22-24/10

§         FT…MBVeri…Falling Water…Architectural Study…5/3/10

§         FT…R.Pedersen…CHS…Choral Concert Rehearsal…5/12/10 x 2

§         FT…R.Pedersen…CHS…Choral Concert Rehearsal…5/17/10 x 2

§         FT…Craft. 1st G. Tchrs…Car Mus/Playhouse…Enrichmt…5/14/10

§         C…MBVeri…N.Alleg HS…Prep for Competition…10/16

§         FT…N.Milsom…Heinz Field… Sports Marketing...10/22

§         C…J.Sweeney/M.Panza…Holiday Inn…Homeless Conf…10/22

§         C…K.Papst…PATTAN…Continuing Ed/S-L Pathology…11/13

                   (Miscellaneous Item #1009-1 REVISED)

 

And to approve the lease agreement between the district and Crafton Borough for the use of the miniature golf course property as presented.  (Miscellaneous Item #1009-2)  By a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.

 

II.    Finance

 

Director Roussos moved, seconded by Director Walkowiak, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of September 2009 as presented;

 

September 2009 bills in the amount of $5,490,528.72 as presented;

 

The Athletic Fund Report for the month of September 2009 as presented; (Finance Item #1009-1)

 

And the Activities Fund Report for the month of September 2009 as presented.  (Finance Item #1009-2)  By a ROLL CALL VOTE, the motion carried 8-0.

 

The agreement between the district and physician Russell Adams regarding home football games in cooperation with athletic trainers and Nova Care. (Personnel Item #1009-3)  REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA

 

III.  Personnel

Director Wilson moved, seconded by Director Hughan, to approve the additions to the 2009-2010 Day-to-Day Substitute List as presented and reviewed by administration;

§   Stacie Conley – Elementary

§   Michele Sipe – Information Technology, K-12

§   Susan Brossman – Health/Physical Education, K-12

§   Mara Kramer – Elementary

§   Stephanie McGervey – English 7-12

§   Ross Jaron - Paraprofessional

                   (Personnel Item #1009-1 REVISED)

 

The following individuals for positions in the cafeteria under the terms and conditions of the Secretarial-Cafeteria-Aides Bargaining Unit Agreement:

§   Carol Ganoe, Crafton Food Service Worker

§   Florence Brown, Crafton Elementary Lunchroom/Playground Aide   (Personnel Item #1009-2)

 

A Leave of Absence for Employee CFT09-13 as presented.  (Personnel Item #1009-3)

 

And the addition to the 2009-2010 Activities Supplemental List as presented:

§   Michelle Smoller – Senior High National Honor Society Sponsor

(Personnel Item #1009-4) By a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.

 

IV.  Policy

Director Roussos moved, seconded by Director DiPietro, to approve the first reading of the 300, 400 and 500 series of the Board Policies as presented, excluding Policy Numbers 338, 338.1, 438, 438.1, 424, 524 and 530.  (Policy Item #1001-1)   By a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.

Dr. Panza explained that the excluded policies are being reviewed by the solicitor’s office.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  None

NEW BUSINESS:  None

OPEN FORUM:  Mr. Pagula and Mr. and Mrs. Diulus came forward to ask permission to install three pieces of equipment to complete the Carnegie Elementary playground. Mr. Very said paperwork was submitted to have the equipment installed by maintenance, but they have yet to find time to complete the work. President Brown and Dr. Panza assured the family the issue would be addressed and resolved.  Mr. Diulus said the new bench has fallen over on its side and needs to be uprighted.

Mrs. Nyra Schell said the tutoring program offered by the Crafton United Presbyterian Church is offering assistance with mathematics, social studies and Foreign Languages for students in grades 7, 8 and 9.

Director Wilson announced that the Crafton Library mural was dedicated and is beautiful.

Director Roussos encouraged the community to get out and vote in the upcoming election and apprised everybody of the open spot on the board.

ADJOURNMENT:  With no further business to discuss, Director Roussos moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm, seconded by Director Hughan.  By voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.