The Neshaminy Board of School Directors met in public session on August 28, 2001 Tawanka Elementary School.  The following persons were in attendance:

Call to Order - Mr. Stack called the Work Session portion of the Public Meeting to order at 9:20 p.m.

Motion:  Agenda

I move the August 28, 2001 Work Session and Public Meeting agendas be combined.  I further move a motion regarding the Assistant Superintendents contracts be added to the Public Meeting portion of the agenda following the student/advisor attendance at PASA/PSBA conference motion. 

Dr. Frank seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with eight ayes.

Announcements - Mr. Stack announced prior to the Public Board Meeting, an Executive Session was held to discuss personnel items and contract issues. 

Mr. Dengler announced he will abstain from voting on the personnel actions because his daughter�s name  is included on the report and the Extra-curricular Staffing and Salaries Report (see attachment I).

Items for Discussion

�         District Handbook - Handbook distributed at the meeting.  Dr. Bowman advised the Board all District employees receive a copy of the handbook, which lists the policies, practices and procedures of the School District.  The administration hopes to eventually make the handbook available on the District�s Web Site.

�         High School Graduation Project - Information distributed prior to the meeting.  Dr. Bowman explained every public high school student in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must complete a graduation project to meet the requirements to receive a high school diploma.  Neshaminy�s approach to the high school graduation project is that it is educationally sound and good for students.  It is a challenging project.  In order to provide training to the staff, the first three days of high school will be half days.  By the end of the week, every high school tenth and eleventh grader will be matched to a mentor.  Every teacher will be mentoring a group of students at Neshaminy High School.  A pilot program was conducted in 2000-2001 and the District is ready to fully implement the program this year.  Implementation is scheduled to begin in September.

Mr. Mecleary stated the Educational Development Committee discussed the high school graduation project at its recent meeting.  He explained when the faculty vote was taken on the project, it passed by a vote of 113 to 13.  Neshaminy�s project program is the Cadillac of graduation projects.  It is a project to learn from and something to accomplish.  It is the committee�s recommendation that the Board support the proposed high school graduation project program.  

�         Communities that Care Program - Information distributed prior to the meeting.  Dr. Bowman informed the Board the Communities that Care Program involves all communities in Bucks County.  It is a nationwide program.  A large grant of funds has been made to the County Commissioners.  Lower Southampton Township, Middletown Township and the four Boroughs located within Neshaminy are involved in the program.  The program facilitator is Nat Cooper, a resident of Langhorne.  The Neshaminy community has received a $40,000 grant for implementation.  Some of the program activities include planned after school activities.  Currently, a review is being conducted to determine availability of District facilities for after school activities.

�         Revised 2001 Board Meeting Calendar - Information distributed prior to the meeting.  Dr. Bowman informed the Board in order to coordinate its fund raising event for the wall of plaques, the Neshaminy Education Foundation has requested the October 23 Board Meeting be held at Neshaminy High School.  There were no objections to the meeting location change.  Advertisements of the meeting will list the new meeting location. 

Items for Approval

·         Overnight Trips - Information distributed prior to the meeting ia self-explanatory.  Dr. Bowman presented the following trips for approval:

·         Wrestling Team - Philipsburg Tournament - Neshaminy High School, Philipsburg, PA, December 8-9, 2001

·         Wrestling Team - Manheim Tournament - Neshaminy High School, Manheim High School, Lancaster, PA, December 27-28, 2001

·         Foreign Language Trip - Neshaminy High School, Quebec, April 17-21, 2002

There was Board consensus for the three overnight trips.

·         Student Attendance at PASA/PSBA Conference - October 16-19, 2001 - Dr. Bowman advised the Board that a motion to authorize the attendance of two students and their advisor at the PASA/PSBA Conference, October 16-19, 2001, will be presented at the Public Meeting portion of the August 28 Board Meeting.  It is a valuable experience for students and participation in the conference benefits the local student government program. 

·         Approval of Bids - Mr. Paradise reviewed the following bids:

Bid No. 02-15 - Musical Instruments

Award Amount:  $24,568.05

The bid is for musical instruments and accessories for grades K-12 instruction throughout the District.

Bid No. 02-16 - Stationery Supplies

Award Amount:  $40,000.00 (estimated)

The bid is for miscellaneous office supplies purchased throughout the school year as needs arise.  The discount is based on the United Stationers catalog which is used by many retailers in our portion of the country. 

The bids will be presented for approval at the Public Meeting portion of the August 28 Board Meeting.

Items for Information

·         Summer School 2001 - Information distributed prior to the meeting.  Dr. Bowman reported 229 students attended Neshaminy’s Summer School.  Of the 229 students, 189 were Neshaminy students and 40 were students from other school districts.  It was a well attended program.  The Summer Stock Program was extremely successful.  The Summer School has been a self-supporting program.  A cost analysis of the program will be presented to the Board in October.  Due to the high energy costs, there is a concern about the need to increase tuition if the program is going to continue to be self-supporting.

·         PSBA Award of Honorable Mention for Annual Report to the Community - Information distributed prior to the meeting.  Dr. Bowman announced the District received honorable mention under the special publications category from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association for the Neshaminy 2000 Annual Report.

·         ASBO Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award - Information distributed prior to the meeting.  Dr. Bowman advised the Board that the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International has awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award to the Neshaminy School District for excellence in the preparation and issuance of the fiscal year end 2000 comprehensive financial report.  Since its inception in 1972, the program has gained the distinction of being a prestigious national award.  It is recognized by accounting professionals, underwriters, securities analysts, bond rating agencies, state and federal agencies and education, teacher and citizen groups.  This accomplishment is reflected in the District’s high bond rating.  The District obtains favorable results when it goes out to obtain funding for bonds.  Dr. Bowman congratulated Mr. Paradise and his staff.

Committee Reports

·         Educational Development Committee - Mr. Mecleary advised the Board the committee is developing its agenda for the next few months.  Anyone who has an issue they would like the committee to review should advise Mr. Mecleary or Dr. Boccuti. 

·         Educational Foundation - Mr. Stack announced Mr. Dengler will be replacing Mrs. Bostwick on the Educational Foundation.

Mr. Stack requested the committees begin to schedule their meetings and advise him of the committee meeting dates.

Future Topics - There were no future topics discussed.

Agenda Development for the August 28, 2001 Public Meeting - The agenda for the Public Meeting was previously distributed.

Correspondence - There was no correspondence.

Other Board Business - There was no other board business discussed.

Adjournment - Mr. Stack adjourned the Public Work Session portion of the meeting at 9:35 p.m.

Call to Order - Mr. Stack called to order the Public Meeting portion of the meeting at 9:35 p.m.

Flag Salute - Mr. Stack requested those in attendance join in the salute to the flag.

Public Comment - There was a two minute time limit per speaker.  Mrs. Reboh, Langhorne, pointed out the alternative school will include students from other school districts.  She questioned why $50,000 is budgeted for a drug and alcohol abuse counselor  for the alternative school.  How many of the alternative school students have drug problems, have been truant or have been violent?   She felt the residents deserve to know this type of information about the alternative school students who will be attending the school located in their community.

Mrs. Pulcinella, Langhorne, asked the Board members how much it will cost to turn the Tawanka School into an alternative school.  Why is it necessary to have a drug and alcohol abuse counselor on staff at the alternative school?  She said when she voted for her Board representatives she felt they would keep education and not the almighty dollar as the top priority.  She stated she was very disappointed that the Board members she voted for have voted to close a school.  Hopefully, for the next election all the residents will be better informed of the School Board candidates’ position on the issues. 

Mr. Filoon said it was his understanding in order to solve the District’s problems, the District needed to close two elementary schools or one middle school.  What has changed that the closing of only one elementary school will solve the problem?  Is the closing of one elementary school a band-aid or will it solve the District’s financial problem?  If the action is only a band-aid, why has the decision been made to close the Tawanka School?  Will the student busing decisions be made by the School Board or will a private company be hired to design a plan?  He noted the Board is only committing to closing the Tawanka School.  There has been no commitment as to which school the Tawanka students will be transferred to once the school is closed.  He questioned if the Board had all of the facts before making the decision to close the Tawanka School.  He felt if the Board had all of the facts, it might have made a different decision. 

Mrs. Heuer, Langhorne, said if the Tawanka School is supposed to be the smallest school, why is the projected 2002 enrollment for two other District elementary schools lower than Tawanka’s projected enrollment.  The percentage of use is lower in five other schools than the Tawanka School.  She questioned why the Board decided the Tawanka School is the school to be closed. 

Mrs. Lanhan, Feasterville, referred to the alternative school proposal and questioned if sufficient staff is projected for the alternative school.  She inquired about the cost of retrofitting the school to accommodate the alternative school students.  She inquired if the special education students, who have no behavioral problems, attending the alternative school will be integrated with the students who have behavioral problems.  She said she would not want a special education student to be subjected to a student with behavioral problems. 

Mrs. MacDonald, Langhorne, stated she knew of a child attending an alternative school due to truancy.  She said her children care about their school, the Tawanka Elementary School.  She questioned why the Board wants to take the Tawanka School away from the students and parents who care for someone who does not care.  At the Tawanka School the staff knows all of the students and appreciates family participation in the school.  She felt by closing the school, a message was being sent to the students that they are not important. 

Mrs. Winther, Langhorne, inquired if the Board has made its final decision on the closing of the Tawanka School.  Mr. Stack explained the final decision will be made at the end of November.  Mrs. Winther pointed out  the Tawanka School’s music room is a very small closet space.  The art teacher, Home and School Association and school store all share one closet.  Last year her son’s fifth grade class was at full capacity.  She questioned how the determination was made that the Tawanka School is under utilized. 

Mrs. Schmidt, Tawanka School parent, indicated she was opposed to the Tawanka School being closed.  She felt due to disrupting and relocating the Tawanka students, in the future some of the Tawanka students may become a part of the alternative school population.  She said every room in the school is utilized.  Therefore, the school is being used to its full capacity.  Placing 52 students in an alternative school would result in under utilizing the facility.  She questioned who authorized the overtime to cut the Tawanka School’s lawn on a Sunday. 

Mrs. Dubiel, Feasterville, stated her children will be entering first and third grade at the Ferderbar School and both of those grades are full to capacity minus two children.  How is the Board proposing those classes will decrease when they are already at capacity?

Mr. Lanhan, Feasterville, questioned the savings that will result from closing the Tawanka School.  He said the cost of operating the facility as an alternative school will be greater than the savings resulting from closing the school.  He questioned if the Board understands the requirements to deliver an alternative school program.  He inquired about the costs for security, benefits and retrofitting the facility.  He felt the cost of operating an alternative school will be very close to what it currently costs the District to educate the alternative education students at out-of-district schools. 

Mr. Brut, Langhorne, inquired what type of students will be attending the alternative school.  He requested a dollar for dollar analysis of the administrative restructuring be provided.  He inquired about the screening/search process for a Superintendent to replace Dr. Bowman, who is retiring. 

Superintendent’s Report - Dr. Bowman reported the following:

·         Personnel Report, which will be presented later in the meeting, will provide the necessary staffing to open Neshaminy’s 14 schools. 

·         The District will be accommodating over 10,000 students. 

·         The first year of the new reading program will begin this school year. 

·         The teaching staff has been involved in workshops throughout the summer.

·         The buildings are ready to accommodate the students.  Improvements have been made to the facilities in accordance with the funds budgeted.

·         The transportation schedules are available on the District’s Web Page. 

·         The schools’ door will be ready to be opened to 10,000 students on September 5. 

·         The District has a tremendous teaching staff.  The service staff is committed to making the District a good place for students. 

Approval of Minutes - Mr. Schoenstadt moved the minutes of the June 5, June 12, June 26 and August 8, 2001 Public Board Meetings be approved and Mr. Eccles seconded the motion.  The Board approved the minutes with eight ayes.

Treasurer’s Report - Mr. Paradise presented for approval the June 30 and July 31, 2001 Treasurer’s Reports, subject to audit.  Dr. Frank moved the June 30 and July 31, 2001 Treasurer’s Reports be approved, subject to audit.  Mr. Dengler seconded the motion.  The Board approved the June 30 and July 31, 2001 Treasurer’s Reports, subject to audit, with eight ayes.

Approval of Bills and Investments - Mr. Paradise presented the following for approval:

·         Bills for payment for June and July 2001

·         Six investments

Mrs. Butville moved the June and July bills for payment and six investments be approved and Mr. Dengler seconded the motion. 

Mr. Schoenstadt noted the bills for payment included some large PECO Energy bills and fuel oil bills.  He inquired how the bills compare to the budget projections.  Mr. Paradise stated the new fiscal year includes additional monies, which the District was required to budget for the increased energy costs.  The bills are within the allotments at this point, and the expenditures are within the budgeted amounts.  The Board approved the June and July bills for payment and six investments with eight ayes.

Bids - Mr. Paradise presented the following bids for approval:

Bid No. 02-15 - Musical Instruments

Amount:  $24,568.05

The bid is for musical instruments and accessories for grades K-12 instruction throughout the District.

Bid No. 02-16 - Stationery Supplies

Amount:  $40,000.00 (estimated)

The bid is for miscellaneous office supplies purchased throughout the school year as needs arise.  The discount is based on the United Stationers catalog which is used by many retailers in our portion of the country.

Mr. Mecleary moved the two bids be approved and Mr. Dengler seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with eight ayes.

Certified and Support Personnel Actions - Dr. Bowman presented the following for approval:

·         Elections - Certified Staff

·         Resignations and Leaves of Absence - Certified Staff

·         Elections and Changes of Classification - Support Staff

·         Resignations and Leaves of Absence - Support Staff

·         Sabbatical Leaves of Absence - Certified Staff (For Board Information Only)

Dr. Frank moved the certified and support personnel actions be approved and Mr. Mecleary seconded the motion.  The personnel information appears on pages H-1 through H-11.

Mrs. Butville noted several individuals listed on the Personnel Report are Neshaminy graduates who have graduated from college and came back to work where they received their education.

Dr. Bowman recommended the Board exclude item no. 18 on page H-3 of the Personnel Report, because there is a certification issue that needs to be resolved.  Not approving item no. 18 will not have an impact on the start of the new school year. 

In response to Mr. Stack’s question about new elementary level certified positions listed on the Personnel Report, Dr. Bowman explained the collective bargaining agreement establishes class size.  When class enrollment exceeds the maximum class size number, a new class must be opened.  Two new classes have been authorized for the Tawanka School, one for the Lower Southampton School and one for the Hoover School.  The additional positions are within the budget financial allocation.  Over a three year period, the number of elementary teachers has been declining.  However, sometimes it is necessary to split classes due to the class size issue.  Due to the class size issue, a .2 additional position has been authorized at the Sandburg School.  Since an additional 100 students enrolled in Neshaminy High School over the summer, one additional position has been added to the high school staff.  Staffing costs are within the budget appropriation for salaries. 

Dr. Bowman explained the District does have a sister schooling program.  After the beginning of the school year, if a situation arises that warrants sister schooling the situation will be examined carefully.  The last few years there has not been any sister schooling done over the summer months.  No further adjustments are anticipated at this time.  There may be some additional changes after the opening of school. 

Amendment to Certified and Support Personnel Actions Motion

Mr. Stack presented the following amendment:

I move the certified and support personnel actions motion be amended to state item no. 18 listed on page H-3 be excluded from approval of the personnel actions.

Mr. Mecleary seconded the amendment.  The Board approved the amendment with eight ayes.

Amended Motion:  Certified and Support Personnel Actions

Mr. Stack presented the following amended motion:

I move the certified and support personnel actions, excluding item no. 18 listed on page H-3, be approved.

Ms. Drioli seconded the amended motion.  The Board approved the amended motion with seven ayes and one abstention, Mr. Dengler.

Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report - Dr. Bowman presented for approval the 2001-2002 Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report dated August 28, 2001.  Mr. Eccles moved the Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report dated August 28, 2001 be approved and Mr. Mecleary seconded the motion. 

Mr. Stack noted the Board members received from the PSBA a  2000-2001 supplemental salary booklet.  A review of the booklet indicated Neshaminy’s supplemental salaries are in the middle of the salary ranges. 

The Board approved the Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report with seven ayes and one abstention, Mr. Dengler. 

Motion:  Student/Advisor Attendance at PASA/PSBA Conference

Mrs. Butville presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the Neshaminy Board of School Directors encourage student delegates and their advisor to participate in the workshops and activities of the annual PASA/PSBA Conference; and

WHEREAS, in the past it was found that student participation in the conference benefited the local student government program and helped students to understand the purpose and activities of a Board of School Directors.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that two students and their advisor are authorized to attend the 2001 PASA/PSBA Conference to be held in Hershey, Pennsylvania from October 16-19, 2001, and that related conference fees and costs be paid by the District.

Dr. Frank seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with eight ayes.

Motion:  Assistant Superintendents Contracts

Mr. Stack presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the Board of School Directors appointed P. Howard Wilson and Dr. Raymond J. Boccuti as Assistant Superintendents at the June 26, 2001 Board Meeting; and

WHEREAS, the Board President and Vice President met with the Assistant Superintendents to negotiate their respective contracts.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Neshaminy Board of School Directors authorizes the Board President and Secretary to execute the contracts (see attachment II) for P. Howard Wilson and Dr. Raymond J. Boccuti effective July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2006.

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of School Directors authorizes the Superintendent, Board President and Secretary to execute the applications for the commission of P. Howard Wilson and Dr. Raymond J. Boccuti.

Mr. Eccles seconded the motion.

Mr. Stack stated he is very pleased with the selection of both Mr. Wilson and Dr. Boccuti to step into lead positions in Neshaminy.  With Dr. Bowman on board, there is the opportunity for Dr. Bowman to assist them in their efforts to be prepared to assist Neshaminy in the future. 

Mr. Stack referred to a question asked earlier in the meeting and stated Neshaminy has one Superintendent.  The District has other individuals who are being groomed to assume additional responsibilities in the District.

The Board approved the Assistant Superintendents contracts motion with eight ayes.

Other Board Business- There was no other board business discussed.

Correspondence - There was no correspondence presented.

Board Comment - In response to residents’ questions raised earlier in the meeting, Mrs. Butville explained the public information packet distributed does not include nearly all of the information that has been provided to the Board.  The cost of sending students to out-of-district alternative schools is more than double the cost to educate the students in a District alternative school.  A large part of the alternative school cost savings pertains to the savings in tuition payments. 

Mr. Stack noted the alternative school proposal includes for the first year using the alternative school for Neshaminy students only.  If the program goes well, the District may open the program to students from other areas in succeeding years.  He stated the District has only one Superintendent.  Other District administrators are being groomed for positions in the District. 

Mr. Stack noted a public hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. at the Tawanka School to allow the Tawanka area residents to present their comments.  He said there will be other sessions to discuss transition issues and/or changes.  The final decision as to whether a facility will be closed will be made at the end of November.  In advance of November, some steps will be taken so everyone can understand the situation.  All the details will not be available, but an effort will be made to provide available information. 

Dr. Bowman explained  drug and alcohol abuse counselors are currently used in the District through contracted services.  When dealing with a large population, 10,000 students, and many different families, there are issues that must be addressed.  The same type of issues will have to be dealt with in an alternative school.  The first year of operation there will be regular education placements in the alternative school.  The second year of operation there would be special education placements in the alternative school.  Seats can also be made available to outside school districts after the first year of operation.  The cost of benefits are included in the alternative school costs listed in the public information packet. He pointed out an alternative school is currently located down the street from the Tawanka School.  He stated as more Board Meetings are held, more information will be available to address the questions presented by the community members.  Some of the questions have been answered in previous Board Meetings, because the Board has been discussing the issue for quite a long time.

Mr. Eccles moved the meeting be adjourned and Mr. Dengler seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with eight ayes.  Mr. Stack adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol A. Calvello
Board Secretary    

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