Saucon Valley School District

 

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

August 22, 2006 – 7:30 pm

Elementary Large Group Instruction Room

 

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Welcome to the meeting of the Saucon Valley School Board.  Our objective is to serve the students, parents, and residents of our community.  You are an important part of this meeting and we look forward to your questions and comments.

 

We are all here for the same reason.  All opinions are welcomed and equally valuable.  Our only request is that we address each other with civility and respect.  Our courtesy toward each other is the best way to show our students how much we respect them as well.

 

Agenda

 

6:30 pm – Executive Session for the purpose of personnel.

 

I.          Call to the Order – Mr. Ralph Puerta, President, presiding

 

II.         Pledge of Allegiance

 

III.        Recording of Attendance – Mr. David Bonenberger, Secretary

 

IV.       Announcement of Executive Sessions –

 

V.        Recognition

            A.        Chelsea Hill – First Place in the Bethlehem City Public Library Contest for

                        Original Book.

           

VI.       Presentations

            A.        Academic Core/Title I - 2005-2006 - Annual Performance Report –

                        Karen Swartz

            B.        Elementary Briefing – Ro Frey

            C.        Citizen Taxpayer Commission – Ralph Puerta

                           

VII.      Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Sandra Fellin, Superintendent

            A.        Final Approve of 2006-07 District Goals

 

VIII.     Citizens’ Comments – Agenda Items Only – Visitors should state their name and address.

 

IX.       Presentation of Bills – David Bonenberger

           A.         General Expenditures ~ General Expenditures

            B.        Health Benefits ~ Health Benefits

           


 

X.        Treasurer’s Report – George Torrella/David Bonenberger

            A.        Cash, Investment and Bond Activity ~ Cash Investment Bond Activity

            B.        Expansion Project Finance Report ~ Expansion Project

            C.        Activity Accounts:

                        1.  High School - High School Activity

                        2.  Middle School – Middle School Activity

 

XI.       Items for Discussion and Possible Resolution

             

XII.      Motion to Approve Agenda

 

 

A.        Education Committee – Susan Baxter/Ira Hiberman

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Surplus Textbooks

1.         Declare the attached lists at surplus textbooks:

 

            Elementary List

            Middle School List

 

Recommendation:  To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Education.

 

B.        Personnel Committee – Eric Schenkel/Sandra Fellin

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Middle School Assistant Principal

1.         Approve Thomas Halcisak as assistant middle school principal effective upon release from his employer at a salary of $75,000. Mr. Halcisak is entitled to all benefits per the current Act 93 agreement.

 

 

Support Staff Resignation

2.         Approve the resignations:

 

            Heather Ehritz, MS Cafeteria Aide, effective August 28, 2006

            Mary Seip, HS Food Service Cashier, effective August 28, 2006

 

Coaches

3.         Approve the following 2006-07 coaches:

 

            Megan Crouthamel – MS Assist Field Hockey Coach - $2,319

            David Miller – Assistant Volleyball Coach - $2,639

 

Leave without Pay

4.         Approve the following employees for leave without pay:

           

            Eric Cooper – Transportation – November 15,16,17, 2006

            Jeffrey Good – Transportation – November 15,16,17, 2006

            Nancy Saks – Third Grade Teacher – October 5 & 6, 2006

            Walter Smith – Transportation – November 15,16,17, 2006

            Donald Zettlemoyer – Transportation – November 22,28, 2006

 

Tenured Teachers

5.         Congratulate the following teachers on receiving tenure:

 

            Olivia Andrews – High School

            Courtney Best – Elementary

            Heather Borger – Elementary

            Jamie Conrad – Elementary

            Tami Coughlan - Elementary

            Susan DeSmet – Elementary

            Jennifer Falcaro – High School

            Becky Harvey - Elementary

            Melissa Janis – Middle School

            Kevin Karetsky – High School

            Meredith Lesney – Middle School

            Maryellen Prager – Middle/High Schools

 

Psychologist Consultant Agreement

6.         Approve Colleen Bell as psychologist consultant for the 2006-07 school year at a salary of $350/day on an as needed basis but not to exceed 75 days.

 

Fine Arts Consultant Agreements

7.         Approve the following consultant agreements for the 2006-07 school year:

 

            Paul Goldie – MS Acting Coach - $750

            Paul Goldie – HS Acting Coach - $1,000

            Beth Jensen – MS Fall Production Assistant - $750

            Beth Jensen – HS Spring Production Assistant - $1,500

            Kevin O’Connell – HS Spring Musical Director - $2,500

            Patti O’Connell – HS Spring Vocal Director - $2,000

            Sal Ritz – MS Fall Production - $2,500

            Sal Ritz – MS Fall Coordinator of Workshops - $2,000

            Sal Ritz – HS Spring Producer/Director - $4,000

 

2006-07 Substitute List

8.         Approve the 2006-07 substitute list.

 

 

Professional Employee

9.         Approve the following professional employee effective August 22, 2006.  He is entitled to salary and benefits per the current teachers’ contract:

 

            Bradley Godshall – HS Technology - $39,092 (Bachelors, Step 1).  Mr. Godshall is replacing Steven Hertzog, who recently resigned.

 

Mentors

10.       Approve the following mentors for the 2006-07 school year at a salary of $500, per the current professional contract:

 

            Jamie Conrad – for Kristen Peters

            Robert McGlade – for Bradley Godshall

 

Sabbatical – Change in Date

11.       Approve the change in date for the sabbatical leave for Beth Birli.  Mrs. Birli will be staying until February 12, 2007 instead of at the beginning of the second semester.

 

Support Staff  -  Food Service Head Cashier

12.       Approve Michelle Chavar  for the Head Cashier position in the Food Service Department with a $1 per hour added to her base pay each year as per the terms of the current Food Service Employment Agreement, effective August 28, 2006.

           

Support Staff  -  Building Aides

13.       Approve Amanda Heffelfinger as a Non-Instructional Aide in the Middle School Cafeteria at an hourly salary of $12.16 per the terms of the current Building Aides Employment Agreement effective August 28, 2006.  

 

14.       Approve Erin Clavier as a Middle School Instructional Aide at an hourly salary of $12.63 per the terms of the current Building Aides Employment Agreement effective August 28, 2006.

 

15.       Approve Karen Schulze as a long-term substitute Nursing Assistant at an hourly salary of $14.72 effective August 28, 2006.

 

Food Service Department Reorganization

16.       Approve the reorganization of the district food service

            department for the 2006-2007 school year for central food preparation at the middle school and satellite services to the high school, this involves reduction of staff (one head cook and one cashier) and personnel hour reassignment (elimination of Second Chance Academy Satellite) along with financial rezoning. Reorganization Food Service

 

 

PSBA Voting Delegates

17.       Approve _____________ and ____________as voting delegates to participate in the 2006 PSBA Legislative Policy Council Meeting to be held on Thursday, October 12, 2006 during the School Leadership Conference in Hershey.

 

 

Professional Resignations

18.       Approve the following professional resignations:

 

            Lisa Esopi, high school English, teacher effective August 17, 2006.

 

            Vicky Romagnoli, Supervisor of Technology Services, effective October 31, 2006.

 

Sabbatical Request

19.       Approve the sabbatical request for Lois Frederick, elementary teacher, for the first semester of the 2006-07 school year for health reasons.

 

Long Term Substitute

20.       Approve the following long-term substitute for the 2006-2007 school year.  She is entitled to salary and benefits per the current teacher’s contract.

 

            Kristen Peters – Second Grade – 1st semester – $39,092 (B, Step 1), which will be prorated.  Ms. Peters is replacing Lois Frederick who will be on a sabbatical leave.

 

Driver Agreement

21.       Approval of full-time driver agreement.

 

Recreational Swim Program

22.       Approval of Recreational Swim Program employees and salaries for the 2006-2007 school year. Swim Program Employees Salaries

 

Volunteer of Technical Systems

23.       Approve Thomas J. Rieger as volunteer to oversee the technical systems in the high school auditorium and for the SVSD Board Meetings.  He would be able to set-up and program the ETC computerized lighting system, along with computerized sound system, wireless microphone, hearing assistance and clear-com communications.  In addition, he would be able to properly train high school students, Bob Frey, and the high school administration to run the day-to-day operations of the high school auditorium.  Also, he would also set-up for in school activities such as concerts and programs.

 

 

 

 

Recommendation:  To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Personnel.

 

C.        Facilities Committee – Herb Payung/Wally Zimpfer

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    _______________    _______________

 

 

Swimming Pool Diving Board

1.         Approval to remove the high school pool diving board, based on current state requirements which outline a 12-ft. water depth to be maintained beneath a 1-meter diving board or platform.

           Diving Board

 

Surplus District Equipment

2.       Approval to declare a 1988 GMC Van #18, VIN#

            1GJGG35K2J7524984 surplus.

 

3.         Approval to declare a Kent Floor Machine surplus.

 

Storm Water System – Second Phase

4.         Discuss/approve the storm water system – second phase.

 

Pool Repair/Renovation

5.         Discuss/approve the pool repair/renovation.

 

Capital Maintenance List

6.         Discuss the Capital Maintenance List.

 

 

Recommendation:  To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Facilities.

 

D.        Finance Committee – George Torrella/David Bonenberger

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________   _______________

 

 

Arbitration Settlement

1.         Approve the Arbitration Settlement File No. 129.0008 in the amount of $1,237.71.

Management Information and Budgeting

2.         Discuss/approve Management Information and Budgeting

 

Capital Debt Reconfiguration

3.         Discuss/approve Capital Debt Reconfiguration.

 

Real Estate Assessment Program

4.         Discuss/approve Real Estate Assessment Program.

                                               

Recommendation:  To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Finance.

 

E.        Policy Task Force Committee – Lachlan Peeke/Sandra Fellin

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________   _______________

 

 

Second and Final Reading of Policies

1.         Approve the second and final reading of the following policies:

 

            230 – Public Performances by Students

            231 – Social Events and Class Trips

            232 – Participation in School Affairs

            234 – Pregnant Students

            235 – Student Rights

            238 – Parental Custody/Access to Information

            241 – Early College Admission

            247 – Hazing

            250 – Student Recruitment

            251 – Homeless Students

 

First Reading – Policy 237

2.         Approve the first reading of Policy 237.

 

            237 – Electronic Device

 

 

Recommendation:   To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Policy.

 

F.         Community Outreach – Susan Baxter/Herb Payung/Sandra Fellin

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

No Report or Recommendations

 

 

Saucon Valley Partnership Meeting

1.         The next meeting of the Saucon Valley Partnership is scheduled for September 13, 2006 beginning at 7 pm at the Saucon Valley School District.

 

Recommendation: No recommendations..

 as listed above in Education.

G.        Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech School – Edward Inghrim/Lachlan Peeke

            (Meetings are first Tuesday of every month)

 

 

H.        Colonial Intermediate Unit – Susan Baxter

            (Meetings are fourth Wednesday of every month)

 

I.          PSBA – Sandra Miller/Herb Payung

 

J.         Northampton Community College – Charles Bartolet

            (Meetings are first Thursday of every month)

 

K.        Hellertown/Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce – George Torrella

 

L.         New Business

            1.         Project Overview – 2006-2007 School Year – Ralph Puerta

 

            2.         Appoint ________________as the Board Representative to the

                        Tax Study Commission, effective September 14, 2006. 

 

XIII.     Solicitor’s Report

 

XIV.     Citizen’s Inquiries and Comments – Visitors should state their name and address.

 

XV.      Announcements

 

            Future Meetings ~    September 12, 2006 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          Elementary Large Group Instruction Room

 

                          September 26, 2006 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          Elementary Large Group Instruction Room

 

XV.      Motion to Adjourn Meeting

 

 

The Saucon Valley School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap