Carlynton School District

 

Regular Voting Meeting

September 17, 2009

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

 

Minutes

The Carlynton School District Board of Education conducted its Regular Voting Meeting, September 3, 2009 in the library of the junior-senior high school. Attendance included President Thomas Brown, Vice President Patricia Schirripa and Directors Thomas DiPietro, Ronald McCartney, David Roussos, Betsy Tassaro and Sharon Wilson. Also present was Superintendent Michael Panza and Solicitor Ira Weiss. Administrators in attendance included Business Manager Kirby Christy and Principals Jacie Maslyk, Robert Susini and Courtney Tempest. The audience was comprised of 12 individuals and three members of the press.

 

 

Call to order - The meeting was called to order by President Brown at 7:30 pm. Carnegie High School Class of 1959 representatives Jerome Dantry and Betty Dayton, as honored guests, led the pledge. The roll was called by Recording Secretary Michale Herrmann. Directors Hughan and Walkowiak were excused from the meeting.

 

public comment on business before the board: Resident and parent Suzanne Brown came forward to protest the dismissal of junior high football coach Josh Ficorilli. Mrs. Brown said she collected over 140 names on a petition, and could have garnered more had time permitted, in support of Mr. Ficorilli. She stated the kids “love” their coach and are upset by this decision.

 

approval of minutes:

Director Roussos moved, seconded by Director McCartney, to remove the minutes of August 20, 2009 from the table. By voice vote, the motion carried 7-0.

 

Director Roussos moved, seconded by Director Tassaro, to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2009 Regular Voting Meeting as amended and presented;

 

And to approve the minutes of the September 3, 2009 Agenda Setting/Committee/ Voting Meeting as presented. 

By voice vote, the motion carried 7-0.


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 – Mrs. Maslyk reported that the “Meet the Teacher Night” was well attended and that the elementary schools recently completely the 4Sight Benchmark exams.

Ø      Director of Pupil Services’ Report – Mrs. Myford provided a handout to illustrate all the grants being utilized within the district and how monies are being distributed.

Ø      Business Manager Report – Mr. Christy noted that the State remains at a budget impasse but again reassured directors that the district budget contains sufficient funds to tide it over for some time.

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

§   An administrative meeting will be held on September 18th and includes a speaker on Differentiated Instruction

§   A letter regarding the G-20 Summit is being sent home to parents

§   Greetings to the Carnegie High School Class of ’59 who will celebrate their 50th reunion the weekend of September 18 with a tour of the elementary building, attendance at the football game (with a presentation of a playground bench donation) and an evening at Peter’s Place. Crafton High School alum will celebrate their reunion the weekend of September 25th, kicking it off with a tour of Crafton Elementary

§   The Band Festival has been rescheduled to October 8

§   At the next board meeting, plans are to discuss policies. Time permitted, a presentation of the PSSA test scores will also be given.

·         Pathfinder Report – Did not meet as of this date

·         Parkway West CTC Report – Did not meet as of this date

·         SHASDA – Did not meet as of this date

·         PSBA-Legislative – None

 

I. Miscellaneous

 

Director Tassaro moved, seconded by Director DiPietro, to approve the list of conference requests as presented and approved by administration:

§         C…J.Loos…Monaca, PA…ACCESS PA Training…9/23

§         FT…A.Harrity…SnS/Carnegie PD…Social/Comm Skills…9/29

§         FT…M.Vayanos…South Fayette HS…Yearbook Workshop…9/29

§         C…L.Rowley…AIU…Federal Programs Mtg…9/29, 10/15

§         FT…M.O’Neil…Gateway HS…Honors Band Auditions…10/5

§         FT…A.Harrity…Triple B Farms…Community-Based Skills…10/7

§         FT…Carnegie 1st G. Tchrs…Triple B Farms…Farm Lessons…10/7

§         C…M.Kozy…LaRoche College…AP Calculus Updates…10/13

§         FT…M.O’Neil…McKeesport HS…Band Festival…10/17

§         C…J.Maslyk…Summit Inn…Presenter/TSS Council…10/20-21

§         FT…M.O’Neil…Bloomfield, PA…Halloween Parade…10/27

§         C…J.Sweeney…Pgh Marriott North…A/CA PA Mtg…10/30

§         FT…A.Harrity…Target/CiCi’s…Social/Comm Skills…11/23

§         C…C.Tempest…PATTAN…Training for SAP…12/1-3

§         C…L.Cramer…Doubletree Hotel/Moon…CPI Training…9/22-24

§         FT…HS GATE Tchrs…Pgh Zoo & Aquarium…Career Dev…10/7

§         C…C.Bevan, S.Donnelly, R.Fusan, C.Garland, E.Jones, N.Kelly, D.Kuhn,  J.Trombetta…AIU…Math/Science Collaborative…10/13

§         C…S.Canty…LaRoche College…AP Coord. Workshop…10/13

§         C…C.Badger…LaRoche College…AP Chem Updates…10/13

§         C…L.Begg…LaRoche College…AP History Updates…10/13

§         C…N.Martin…LaRoche College…AP English Updates…10/13

§         C…W.Palonis…LaRoche College…AP Biology Updates…10/13

§         FT…W.Palonis…Bver Cty Environ Ctr…Eco-Bio Study…10/15-16

§         FT…MB.Veri…N.Allegheny HS…Gifted Competition…10/22

§         FT…C.Badger…Soldiers/Sailors Hall…Faraday Lecture…11/18

                   (Miscellaneous Item #0909-1 REVISED)

By voice vote, the motion carried 7-0.

 

II.    Finance

The following items were approved in one motion:

Director Wilson moved, seconded by Director McCartney, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of August 2009 as presented;
 

August 2009 bills in the amount of $6,201,684.70 as presented;

The September 2009 Rosslyn Farms Real Estate tax refund as presented;

One-year renewable Shredding Services Agreement between the district and The Paper Exchange as presented;  (Finance Item #0909-1)

Dr. Panza explained that this agreement will be a cost-saving measure and the contract is renewable at the same rate for the next three years.

 

Three-year Letter of Agreement between the district and Cloverleaf/ South Hills Area YMCA for the operation of the summer Camp AIM program as presented by administration and reviewed by the solicitor;  (Finance Item #0909-2)

Dr. Panza said the executive director of the “Y” is pleased with the agreement, which also includes the right for any district student to attend at no cost. President Brown added that the program employs many Carlynton High School students.

 

Letter of Agreement between the district and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for remedial reading and math instructional services in the 2009-2010 school year in conjunction with the Title I Reading program at St. Philips School;  (Finance Item #0909-3)

 

Athletic Fund Report for the month of August 2009 as presented;
(Finance Item #0909-4)

 

Activities Fund Report for the month of August 2009 as presented;  (Finance Item #0909-5)

 

Appointment of Dr. Michael Panza as the alternate voting delegate to the county Tax Collection Committee;

 

And the July-August 2009 Cafeteria Report as submitted by Aramark Educational Services.  (Finance Item #0909-6)

By ROLL CALL VOTE, the motion carried 7-0.

 

Renew the annual membership with the Pennsylvania Schools Board Association; HOLD until next meeting.

It was decided that since Director Walkowiak was absent and he originally voiced a strong concern with PSBA, that the board would hold off until the next meeting before voting on this item.

 

III.  Personnel

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

§   Jessica Dayhoff – Secondary English, 7-12

§   Alana Welch – Secondary Social Studies

                   (Personnel Item #0909-1)

 

The additions and deletions to the 2009-2010 Supplemental Athletic List as presented:

§   Bridget Ward – Grade 8 Girls’ Basketball

§   Andrew Smith – Grades 7-8 Head Boys’ Soccer

§   Robert Kietz – Grades 7-8 Assistant Boys’ Soccer

§   Kimberly Steiner-Squires – Assistant Varsity Girls’ Soccer

§   Richard Milson – Grades 7-8 Assistant Football

§   Josh Ficorilli – removal from position of Junior High Football Coach

                          (Personnel Item #0909-2 REVISED)

 

The resignation of high school cafeteria worker Shirley Lamb, effective August 17, 2009, as presented, and to approve the anticipated posting.  (Personnel Item #0909-3)

 

The following educators to teach the Saturday morning SAT Prep courses for the 2009-2010 school year:

§   Michael Kozy – Math

§   Melinda Oravitz – English

             (Personnel Item 0909-4)

 

Pete Banaszak for the position of after-school study hall monitor as presented; (Personnel Item 0909-5)

 

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

§   Kelly Papst – Carnegie Elementary Peer Helper Sponsor

(Personnel Item #0909-6)

By a voice vote, the motion carried 7-0.

 

 

IV.  Student Services

Director Wilson moved, seconded by Director DiPietro, to approve the list of bus drivers for the 2009-2010 school year as presented by First Student and reviewed by administration;  (Student Services Item #0909-1)

 

The list of van drivers for the 2009-2010 school year as presented by Roenigk Van Services and reviewed by administration.  (Student Services Item #0909-2)  By a voice vote, the motion carried 7-0.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

  • Discussion: The 300, 400, 500 and 600 Policy Series – Dr. Panza noted that Director Walkowiak had previously made some comments about the policies and requested that the discussion take place when he is present.

 

NEW BUSINESS: Dr. McCartney inquired as to any updates on broadcasting the board meetings on Verizon cable. Mrs. Herrmann said it was learned that the equipment in the video lab would need to be addressed and updated to be compatible with Verizon’s programming and equipment. Dr. Panza suggested the matter be investigated and researched further.

 

Dr. Panza offered a message to encourage students to sign up for the SAT Prep Course.

 

OPEN FORUM: Mr. Jeff Stephan came forward to preface a proposal from the Troiani family, owners of Papa J’s Restaurant in Carnegie. As a commercial realtor in the Carnegie area, Mr. Stephan explained that the sale of property in Carnegie has been difficult since the flood in 2004. The Troiani family, represented by Michael Troiani and Attorney Pete Thompson, then came before the board to inform that the Troiani family has purchased property adjacent to Papa J’s. They plan to raze the building to expand the restaurant and build a parking lot. However, prior taxes on the building are quite extensive and have not been paid since 2002; approximately $44,000 is owed to the school district; another $8,500 to Carnegie Borough and some $6,500 to Allegheny County. Mr. Thompson stated that he understands the district has no obligation to do so, yet he was requesting relief on the taxes due, in part or in whole. He added that typically when a school district offers consideration, other entities follow suit. The board asked if the Troiani’s were aware of the back taxes when the purchase of the building was made. Mr. Thompson said yes. He provided a document that outlined the purchase of the property, the original assessed value and taxes owed from 2002 to 2009, and plans for demolition, noting that the building was purchased for $45,000 and it will cost about $50,000 to demolish it. In closing, he said the proposal was being offered now so the board can discuss the matter and offer direction to the Troiani family so they can proceed with plans. President Brown said the matter would be taken under advisement and discussed.

 

Mrs. Suzanne Brown came before the board again, asking why their view on the Ficorilli issue was not considered or discussed before the vote. President Brown explained that her comments were not dismissed, and the subject was discussed in length during the executive session due to the fact that it is a personnel issue and confidentiality comes into play. To that, Mrs. Brown stated that many do not agree and believe the dismissal of Mr. Ficorilli was political. Another parent offered a job description of an athletic director, suggesting it is the athletic director’s responsibility to collect all clearances and required paperwork. Mrs. Lang came forward to state that her son was very upset, noting that the football program is finally starting to grow and realize some success. Director Roussos interjected by saying that his son was coached by Mr. Ficorilli and his daughters are taught (physical education) by him; he personally likes Mr. Ficorilli. But during the discussion in the executive session, he was made aware of information and fully agrees with this decision. President Brown added that he fully supports the football team and attends most of the games. The board does indeed care about the program, as well as all athletics.

 

Director Wilson reported that meetings for the May 2010 Relay for Life West have begun and a fall fashion show will kick off team sign ups. It will be held November 7 at the Greentree Radisson.

   

ADJOURNMENT:  With no further business to discuss, Director Roussos moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 pm, seconded by Director McCartney. By voice vote, the motion carried 7-0.