Saucon Valley School District

 

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

September 26, 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 and legal issues.

 

I.          Call to the OrderMr. Ralph Puerta, President, presiding

 

II.         Pledge of Allegiance

 

III.        Recording of Attendance Mr. David Bonenberger, Secretary

 

IV.       Announcement of Executive Sessions

                        September 26, 2006

 

V.        Recognition

           

VI.       Presentations

            A.        High School Presentation – Todd Gombos

            B.        PSSA Multiyear Comparisons – Ira Hiberman

                                    PSSA Results – An Executive Summary (2006)

                                    2006 PSSA Math Comparisons

                                    2006 PSSA Reading Comparisons

               

VII.      Superintendent’s ReportDr. Sandra Fellin, Superintendent

            A.        Final approval of the 2006-07 District Goals

 

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

 

IX.       Presentation of BillsDavid Bonenberger

           A.         General Expenditures ~ General Expenditures

            B.        Health Benefits - Health Benefits

            C.        Cafeteria Benefits - Cafeteria Benefits


 

 

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

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

            B.        Expansion Project Finance Report ~Expansion Project

            C.        Activity Accounts:

                        1.  High School

                        2.  Middle School

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

National HS Wrestling Championships

1.         Approve the request to attend the high school wrestling championships for coaches should there be wrestlers that qualify.  All expenses to be paid by the Saucon Valley Wrestling Club or through private donations.  The only expense would be substitutes.  Attached rationale.

 

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Professional Resignation

1.         Approve the resignation of Angela McFetridge, 6th grade science/social studies teacher, effective September 15, 2006.

 

Leave without Pay

2.         Approve the leave without pay for Ed Stine, Transportation, Bus Driver, for April 4, 10, 11, 2007.

 


 

Middle School Ski Club Chaperones

3.         Approve the following volunteer middle school ski club chaperones:

 

Robert Kachmar                      Chuck Austin

Howard Heffelfinger                 Robert Boyer

Felicia DeLosReyes                 Thomas Halcisak

 

Substitutes

4.         Approve the following substitutes:

 

Ann Marie Greenwood - Emergency

Erik Litsch – Social Studies

Joan Phelan – Emergency

Gwendolyn Davis – Emergency

Sudantha Vidanage - Emergency

 

Conferences

5.         Approve the attached conference.

 

Data Specialist

6.         Approve Sharon Shipe as the data specialist effective September 28, 2006 for one complete year (ending September 27, 2007) at a salary of $53,600.  Salary and benefits per the technology agreement.

 

Substitute Bus Drivers

7.         Approve Nancy Mackes and Harry Brown (effective 9/26/06) and Milagros Pomales (effective 9/27/06), as Substitute Bus Drivers, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis.  The rate of pay for riding is $10 per hour and the rate of pay for driving is $14.59 per hour, no benefits.

 

8.         Approve the rate of $10.80 per hour as the salary for a substitute maintenance employee who is not covered by an employment agreement and works on a “call as needed” basis with no benefits.

 

Substitute Custodian/Maintenance

9.         Approve Harry E. Brown as a Substitute Custodian and Maintenance person to be employed on a “call as needed” basis at an hourly rate of $9.51 for custodial work and, if approved, $10.80 per hour for maintenance work, no benefits, effective September 26, 2006.

 

Substitute Food Service

10.       Approve Diane Bucko and Patricia Weber as Substitute Food Service workers to be employed on a “call as needed” basis at an hourly rate of $8.97, no benefits, effective September 12, 2006.

 

Substitute Aide/Clerical

11.      Approve Katie Palenchar as a Substitute Aide and as an addition to the Substitute Clerical listing, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis and paid an hourly wage of $9.15 for each position, no benefits, effective immediately. 

 

Substitute Aide

12.      Approve Linda Bettler as a Substitute Aide, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis and paid an hourly wage of $9.15, no benefits, effective immediately.  (Ms. Bettler will provide coverage needed during extended sick leave of a non-instructional aide) 

 

Transfer of Administrative Sick Days

13.       Approve the transfer of 25 sick days from Allentown Area School District to Saucon Valley School District for Middle School Assistant Principal Thomas Halcisak and banking 29.5 days for catastrophic illness.

 

Support Staff Employment Contract

14.       Approve the Employment Contract between the Board of School Directors and the Saucon Valley Education Support Professionals, ESP/PSEA/NEA effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2010. Contract Attachment

 

Resignation of Athletic Director

15.       Approve the resignation of Douglas Sheriff as athletic director effective November 22, 2006.

 

Professional Employees

16.       Approve the following professional employees.  They are entitled to salary and benefits per the current teachers’ contract:

 

            Sharon Bender – MS full-time teacher - effective September 27, 2006 at a salary of $39,629 (Bachelors, Step 2), which will be prorated. Mrs. Bender was originally hired for the 2006-07 school year as long term substitute.  Mrs. Bender is replacing the contracted position vacated by Angela McFetridge, who recently resigned.

 

            Candace Ploskina – HS English – upon release from current employer at a salary of $49,810 (Master+18, Step 1), which will be prorated.  Mrs. Ploskina is replacing Lisa Esopi, who resigned.

 

Increased Time For Teacher

17.       Approve Heather Borger as first grade teacher.  Mrs. Borger is currently a .6 reading teacher that will be moved to full-time.  This is due to the increase enrollment at the first grade level.  Her salary will reflect this increase.

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Capital Maintenance List

1.         Approve the reclassification of the $__________ in construction fund to capital projects as listed.  Attachment

 

Surplus Equipment

2.         Approve the list of projectors as surplus district equipment:       

 

                        NEC 97001459U

                        NEC 97001549U

                        InFocus 5KW02001202

                        InFocus 5KW02500422

                        InFocus 5KW02001328

                        InFocus AMMC42300971

                        InFocus AMMC42300927

 

                                  

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________   _______________

 

 

Tax Commission

1.         Update/Report from the Tax Commission Committee.  Attachment

 

 

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 - Policy 237

1.         Approve the second and final reading of Policy 237.

 

First Reading of Policies

2.         Approve the first reading of the following policies:

 

Section – Administrative Employees

311 – Suspension and Furloughs

            312 – Evaluation of Superintendent

            313 – Evaluation of Administrative Employees

314 – Physical Examination

314.1 – HIV Infection

316 – Non-tenured Employees

317 – Conduct/Disciplinary Procedures

317.1 – Weapons

319 – Outside Activities

320 – Freedom of Speech in Non-school Settings

321 – Political Activities

322 – Gifts

323 – Tobacco Use

 

Section – Professional Employees

411 – Suspension and Furloughs

            412 – Evaluation of Professional Employees

            413 – Evaluation of Temporary Professional Employees

414 – Physical Examination

414.1 – HIV Infection

416 – Non-tenured Staff Members

417 – Conduct/Disciplinary Procedures

417.1 – Weapons

418 – Penalties for Tardiness

419 – Outside Activities

420 – Freedom of Speech in Non-instructional Settings

421 – Political Activities

422 – Gifts

423 – Tobacco Use

 

Section – Classified Employees

511 – Suspension and Furloughs

            512 – Evaluation of Classified Employees

            514 – Physical Examination

514.1 – HIV Infection

517 – Conduct/Disciplinary Procedures

517.1 – Weapons

518 – Penalties for Tardiness

519 – Outside Activities

            523 – Tobacco Use

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Resolution 06-13

1.         Approve the attached Resolution 06-13 to accept Environmental Planning and Design as Planning Consultant for the Saucon Valley Partnership multi-municipal comprehensive plan and authorizing board president to sign agreement.

 

Agreement Between Saucon Valley Partnership and

Environmental Planning and Design

2.         Approve the attached agreement between the Saucon Valley Partnership and the Environmental Planning and Design. 

 

Saucon Valley Partnership Meeting

3.         The next meeting of the Saucon Valley Partnership is scheduled for October 11, 2006 beginning at 7 pm at the Hellertown Borough Hall.

 

 

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

 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

 


 

XIII.     Solicitor’s Report

 

XIV.     Citizen’s Inquiries and CommentsVisitors should state their name and address.

 

XV.      Announcements

 

            Future Meetings ~    October 10, 2006 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          Elementary Large Group Instruction Room

 

                          October 24, 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