minutes
The Carlynton School District Board of Education
conducted its Agenda Setting/Committee/Voting Meeting
Call to order: The meeting was called to order by President Brown
at President
Brown asked audience member Reverend Ed Bowen to come forward. Mr. Brown read
and provided a citation to Rev. Bowen, recognizing and thanking him for the
many outreach programs and services he has provided to students of the Carlynton
School District and the community at large. approval of minutes: Director
Roussos moved, seconded by Director Wilson, to approve the minutes of the
Ř
Principals’
Reports – Each
principal distributed a newsletter with information about happenings within
the schools. They highlighted certain activities and called attention to
several upcoming events. Ř
Director of
Pupil Services’ Report – Before Mrs.
Myford provided her report, President Brown congratulated her for writing and
gaining a grant for the district regarding a school-based health program for
behavior interventions specifically at Carnegie Elementary. Mrs. Myford
distributed a handout to illustrate how stimulus monies will be spent in the
areas of technology and after-school programs for at-risk and failing
students. Director Tassaro asked why interventions are being directed at
Carnegie Elementary alone, to which Mrs. Maslyk said that Crafton does not
qualify based on lack of behavioral incidence
reports (numbers are too low). Ř
Business
Manager Report – Mr.
Christy said he will attend a tax collection committee meeting on November
12. He also reported that letters for
the homestead/farmstead relief act will be mailed out to anyone who has yet
to file for the exemption. Lastly, he said the district will receive some
$45,000, which was identified by the Department of Treasury as unclaimed
property. Solicitor Lubenski
distributed a memo from Attorney Aimee Rankin regarding unclaimed property.
§
The board will need to select a later date for the
reorganization meeting due to a redefining of the law §
The Safety Committee met and members were trained by
the Gleason Agency §
Mr. Gentzel of PSBA is willing to come to a board
meeting in December to speak to the board; directors suggested January might be a better time §
The Department of Health is sending antibacterial
gels and dispensers for student and faculty use §
The SAS conference is scheduled §
A sample band uniform is being made and will be
presented to the board; money is in the budget. It is the goal to have new
uniforms in time for the start of the 2010 marching season §
The playground equipment discussed at the last
meeting has been installed and is being used by the children §
The Relay for Life will host a fashion show/luncheon
on November 7 at the Greentree Radisson Hotel §
In regards to questions about volunteers in schools,
Solicitor Lubenski suggested the following three-tier process: 1) those who
have minimal contact with students, such as helping with school parties and
field trips, do not need clearances; 2) individuals who chaperone an
overnight event would need Act 34 and 151 clearances; 3) volunteer coaches
who are in continual contact with students must obtain all clearances
including a TB test. Director Roussos asked who pays for the clearances. Dr.
Panza said the individual is responsible. Director Roussos suggested that by
subsidizing the cost, it could be beneficial to the district. Dr. Panza said
the matter can be discussed further as we reach that point in the policies
and new guidelines can be set in place. §
Directors Roussos and Hughan were presented with
certificates for service on the school board (courtesy of PSBA). Director Roussos
has eight years of service; Director Hughan has 20 years under her belt. Both were congratulated. Ř
Pathfinder
Report – Director
Wilson reported that 78 students are currently enrolled in the school; the
AIU conducted a safety study at the school that went well; the new playground
opened and is being used and enjoyed; an RFP has been issued for energy
upgrades to the facilities, which would include windows, lighting, HVAC and
other energy saving measures. Director Roussos noted that the district now
enjoys many benefits due to its membership in the Pathfinder consortium as
opposed to those who decided to pull out several years ago. I. Miscellaneous Director
Tassaro moved, seconded by Director Wilson, to approve the list of conference
and field trip requests as presented and approved by administration: §
FT…M.Mishkin…PA Youth Leadership Network…Valued Info…11/6 §
C…R.Mickolay…Reg. Learning §
FT…R.Foltz…Club @ Nevillewood…Rotary Career Meeting…11/12 §
C…S.Donnelly/E.Tupi…Station Sq…Science Olympiad Conf…11/13 §
FT…MBVeri…Heinz History Ctr…GATE Competition/gr.6-8…11/18 §
FT…MBVeri…Heinz History Ctr…GATE Competition/gr.4-5…11/19 §
FT…MBVeri…Duquesne U…GATE Competition/gr.5-6…11/20 §
FT…M.Lear…Belle §
FT…M.Smoller/MBVeri…Frick Art/Hist Ctr…GATE Trip…11/25 §
FT…T.Longo…Car/Craft Elem. Schools…Tech Theatre Perf…11/25 §
FT…V.Ferro… Heinz Hall…Symphony Performance…12/3 §
FT…A.Harrity… §
FT…M.Lear… §
FT…M.Lear…PPG Wintergarten…Caroling Performance…12/16 §
FT…M.Lear…Club @ Nevillewood…Christmas Concert Perf…12/17 §
FT…V.Ferro…Heinz Hall…Concert Performance… §
FT…V.Ferro…W.Jefferson Schools…Elem. Singfest x 2 elem.…3/19 §
FT…V.Ferro…Heinz Hall…Symphony Performance…3/25 §
C…M.Priore…D.L.Lawrence Conv. Ctr…PMEA Conf.…4/21-24 §
FT…M.Smoller…Duquesne U…Calcusolve Comp, gr 9-10…11/10 §
FT…M.Smoller…Duquesne U…Calcusolve Comp, gr 11-12…11/13 §
FT…R.Foltz…Pgh Convention Ctr…Interact/Rotary Institute…11/18 (Miscellaneous Item #1109-1 REVISED) By a voice
vote, the motion carried 8-0. II.
Finance Treasurer’s Report for the month of October 2009 as
presented; PLACE ON AGENDA
The September 2009 cafeteria operating report as
submitted by Aramark Education. (Finance Item #1109-1) PLACE ON AGENDA Director Roussos moved, seconded by Director Wilson,
to approve the Crafton Real Estate Tax Refunds for November 2009 as
presented; The contract agreement with the
Secretarial-Cafeteria-Aides Bargaining Unit for the years July 1, 2009
through June 30, 2014, as presented;
(Finance Item #1109-1) And the program placement agreement between the
district and PHASE 4 Learning Center, Inc., as presented. Costs are incurred only when services are
rendered. (Finance Item #1109-2) By
ROLL CALL VOTE, the motion carried 8-0. III. Personnel Director Roussos moved, seconded
by Director Walkowiak, to approve the addition to the 2009-2010 Day-to-Day
Substitute List as presented and reviewed by administration: § Nadia Schweizer – Elementary (Personnel Item #1109-1) The additions to the 2009-2010
Supplemental Athletic List as presented and reviewed by administration: § Bridget Ward – Equipment Manager § Josh Valentine – Assistant Varsity Wrestling Coach § David Dedola – Assistant Jr. High Wrestling Coach § Joe Scully – Assistant Jr. High Football Coach § Kaitlyn Merks – Varsity Girls’ Assistant Basketball
Coach
(Personnel Item #1109-2 REVISED) The following professional staff
members as after-school tutors for the 2009-2010 school year (the program will
be funded with grant monies): § Reneé Carter § Heather Casserly § James Nagorski § Tracy Demchak (Personnel Item #1109-3
REVISED) Carnegie Elementary teacher Mary-Anne
Clark as a tutor for the after-school community-based tutoring position for
the 2009-2010 school year. The
position is funded by a grant through the Grable Foundation. (Personnel Item #1109-4) And the requested Leaves of Absence of Employee #CFT09-14
and Employee #SCA09-15 as presented. (Personnel Item #1109-5) By a
voice vote, the motion carried 8-0. IV. Policy 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) PLACE ON AGENDA It was
noted that the first reading of the above excluded policies would appear on
the next agenda for approval, thus providing the 30-day notice as required by
law. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Director Hughan directed a comment about
the provided list of services and vendors and the contract renewal dates.
President Brown said he felt it was a good idea to generate such a list. NEW
BUSINESS: President Brown said that after giving it much
thought, he felt compelled to write a letter to the editor of the Signal Item
regarding the editorial about the football program in last week’s paper. He
read the letter aloud to the board. Director Roussos applauded Mr. Brown for
taking a stand, saying he is grateful to Coach Gevaudan for instilling
discipline in the team. He continued by stating that its easy to look at the
football program based on wins and losses, but the coach is a selfless
individual and has made a difference in many young boys’ lives. OPEN
FORUM: Rev. Bowen
announced that the after-school tutoring program at his church is running
well; the church has hired district social studies teacher Rachel Foltz to
work with students. In addition, the church community nurse is offering a
program about proper hand-washing techniques for students in the primary
grades, and the church is coordinating efforts with Crafton Elementary
Principal Maslyk and physical education teacher Josh Ficorilli for some
upgrades to the schools’ gymnasium. ADJOURNMENT: With
no further business to discuss, Director Hughan moved to adjourn the meeting
at |