The Neshaminy Board of School Directors met in public session on February 26, 2002 in the Board Room of the District Offices, Maple Point Middle School.  The following persons were in attendance:

Prior to the meeting, the Neshaminy Middle School Jazz Band performed several selections.  In Ms. Magrann’s absence, the Neshaminy Middle School Jazz Band performed under the direction of Ms. Cloak. 

Prior to the Public Meeting, an Executive Session was held to discuss personnel issues.

Call to Order – Dr. Bowman called the meeting to order at 8:20 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance- Dr. Bowman requested those in attendance join in the salute to the flag.  Following the pledge of allegiance, the Neshaminy Middle School Jazz Band played the national anthem. 

Student Representative Report – Miss Foster and Miss Ziemer, student representatives, reported the following:

·         Last week’s production of “Laughing Stock” resulted in $1,500 being raised for the Drama Club.

·         Gym Night will be held on March 1 and March 2.  The theme is good versus evil.  Several fund raisers will be held in conjunction with Gym Night.

·         Reviewed the status of the sports teams.  Ten members of the girls winter track team will be competing in the state competition.  Steve Miller was named to the All American Team for soccer.  In men’s bowling, Jordan Haft placed 15^th, Jim Walker placed 17^th and Kevin Landis tied for 23^rd place at the SOL championship games. 

·         The Greater Philadelphia Club is collecting used prom dresses for the Give-A-Girl-A-Prom Foundation. 

·         The cast has been selected for the play “Happily Ever Once Upon”.

·         The winter musical “Anything Goes” was a huge success.

·         The senior picnic is in the planning stage.

·         The following students have been named National Merit Finalists:  Matt Butt, Dave Post and Jon Toner. 

·         The Feasterville Rotary Club students-of-the-month are Ken Birk and Heather Quartucci.

·         Changes to students’ course selections may be made until May 1.

·         The Ski Club trip to Killington, Vermont, is scheduled for March 8-10. 

·         The Science Club competed in the recent National Science Bowl.

·         The junior prom will be held on March 23 at King’s Caterers.

·         The senior prom will be held on May 25 at the Princeton Hyatt.

·         At a recent competition, the junior varsity and varsity cheerleading squads placed first in their division.

Dr. Bowman announced the boys basketball team won their February 26 game and will be playing in the state play-off games 

Board Recognition

Pennsylvania Assistant Principal of the Year – Dr. Bowman stated Neshaminy has one of the finest assistant principals in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Karen Wychock.  Karen Wychock has been named Pennsylvania Assistant Principal of the Year.  On behalf of the Board, Mr. Schoenstadt presented a gold apple pin to Ms. Wychock in recognition of her being named Pennsylvania Assistant Principal of the Year.  Dr. Bowman announced Ms. Wychock is being recommended for the position of principal of the Neshaminy Middle School.

Dr. Daggett presented a bouquet of flowers to Ms. Wychock.  He stated he was very proud of Ms. Wychock and the flowers were a small representation of the feelings of love and hope of the greatest success by the Neshaminy Middle School staff. 

Ms. Wychock explained after working in other District schools, she came to the Neshaminy Middle School three years ago and knew this is where she belonged.  The Neshaminy Middle School is home and hopefully will be home for quite awhile.  She said the Neshaminy Middle School has become my extended family.

World Trade Center – Patriotic Quilt Project

Dr. Bowman pointed out patriotic quilts were on display in the lobby.  He explained in 1994 the Caring Kids Organization was created.  The organization provides a way for Neshaminy students to contribute a valuable service to the community and develop intergenerational relationships with residents who are senior citizens.  He reviewed the organization’s various activities this year.  Two Neshaminy staff members, Linda Wallace and Elaine Wyatt, work with the organization and are also involved with the program Quilts for Kids.  They looked to the community for help and sent letters to senior citizens asking them to join the students in their efforts.  The Langhorne Gardens Nursing Home, Neshaminy Senior Center and two members of the Newtown Young Energetic Seniors agreed to make quilts.  Individuals also responded to newspaper articles and announcements made in school.  The Family Living Class worked with senior citizen partners in the making of the quilts, and The Caring Kids Organization members took fabric home to make quilts in their spare time. 

Ms. Wallace explained they were overwhelmed with the response and attractive quilts.  Ms. Wallace introduced the seniors who had participated in the program and Mr. Schoenstadt presented a Certificate of Recognition to each participant.  No representative from the Langhorne Gardens Nursing Home was present.   A certificate will be delivered to the Langhorne Gardens Nursing Home.  Certificates of Recognition were presented to the following:

·         Neshaminy Senior Center – Stella Fredenfeld and Jeannette Clark

·         Beatrice Tannenbaum – Saw article in paper and volunteered to make quilts.

·         Newtown New Life Church – Young Energetic Seniors – Alice Kass and Alice Kennedy

·         Linda Gaul – Neshaminy Middle School instructional assistant

Ms. Wyatt explained several members of Caring Kids worked on the quilts with the community volunteers.  The following students received Certificates of Recognition: Lydia Capriotti, Lauren Chase, Suzie Drescher, Laura Labovitz and Maria Vishnevskiy (Maria Vishnevskiy was not present at the meeting).  Ms. Wyatt stated this week the director of Quilts For Kids will be picking up the quilts.  By the beginning of next week, the quilts will be delivered to those families that lost someone in the World Trade Center.

Dr. Bowman thanked Ms. Wallace, Ms. Wyatt and the staff at the Neshaminy Middle School for working so hard to make the Neshaminy Middle School very special for the students and community.  He said the Neshaminy School District is gifted and blessed to have the quality of people that are present tonight.  He thanked them for their leadership and making a difference for kids in the Neshaminy community.

In order to allow everyone to enjoy the refreshments provided at the meeting, Mr. Schoenstadt recessed the meeting at 8:50 p.m.  Mr. Schoenstadt reconvened the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

Public Comment – No public comment was presented.

Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Bowman announced the Neshaminy boys basketball team beat William Tennent’s basketball team by 20 points and will be playing in the state play-off games.

Approval of Minutes – Upon motion of Mrs. Butville, seconded by Ms. Drioli, the Board approved the minutes of the January 22, 2002 Public Meeting with eight ayes.  Mrs. Bostwick was not present at the time of the vote on the approval of the minutes.

Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills for Payment, Investments, Budget Transfers and Exonerations of Personal and Per Capita Tax – Mr. Paradise presented the following for approval:

·         January 31, 2002 Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit

·         Bills for payment for January 2002

·         Two investments

·         Budget Transfer Report No. 02-4 (working copy), which includes five transactions

·         Personal and per capita tax exonerations for January 2002 totaling 82 exonerations

Ms. Drioli moved the January bills for payment and January 31, 2002 Treasurer’s Report be approved, subject to audit.  Mrs. Butville seconded the motion. 

Mr. Eccles inquired what the asterisk represents next to names on the check register.  Mr. Paradise explained the asterisk indicates the individual is a District employee.  The larger check amounts are usually for tuition reimbursement and the smaller amounts are probably travel reimbursement for mileage.  Mr. Eccles pointed out the reimbursable funds for January total almost $30,000 and inquired if $30,000 is an average monthly reimbursement amount.  Mr. Paradise will obtain data on the average monthly reimbursement amount. 

Dr. Spitz expressed concern about the way the check register is presented.  He suggested a year-to-date column be added to the check register for each vendor listed.  This would allow the Board to be aware how much is being paid to each vendor in the current year.  He suggested as an alternative to the year-to-date column, information be provided on the check register as to what budget function (i.e., instructional, support, etc.) each check refers to.  This would provide the Board with information as to where the money is being spent.  The current check register is just a list of checks issued in alphabetical order.  Mr. Paradise recommended revisions/options to the check register be discussed at a Finance Committee Meeting.  Mrs. Butville recommended any changes made to the check register be effective the beginning of the new fiscal year.  None of the Board members objected to possible check register options and revisions being discussed at a Finance Committee Meeting.

The Board unanimously approved the January 31, 2002 Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit, and the January 2002 bills for payment.

Ms. Drioli moved the two investments, Budget Transfer Report No. 02-04 (working copy) and January 2002 exonerations of personal and per capita taxes be approved and Mr. Eccles seconded the motion.  The Board unanimously approved the motion. 

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

Bid No. 02-19 – Exterior Door Replacements at Neshaminy High School, Neshaminy Middle School, Schweitzer and Ferderbar Elementary Schools

Bid Amount:  $112,100.00

The bid is for the replacement of eight doors at Neshaminy High School, six doors at Schweitzer Elementary School, one door at Ferderbar Elementary School and three doors at Neshaminy Middle School.  The bid is within the parameters of the existing budget.

Bid No. 03-01 – General School Supplies

Bid Amount:  $156,086.69

The bid is for various classroom and office supplies for use throughout the District for the 2002-2003 school year.  The bid is approximately $25,000 less than last year’s bid.

Bid No. 03-04 – Purchase of Used School Buses (6)

Bid Amount:  $312,300.00

The bid is for the purchase of six 78-passenger used school buses and the trade-in of six 1991 buses.  The District will be purchasing its own buy-back buses.  The six buses will replace eleven year old buses presently in the District’s bus fleet.  

Bid No. 03-08-Buy-Back of Twenty-One School Buses

Bid Amount:  $135,500.00

The bid is for the buy-back of twelve 78-passenger, forward control buses; eight 78-passenger rear engine buses and one 20-passenger bus for school years 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. 

Mr. Eccles moved the four bids be approved and Ms. Drioli seconded the motion.

Ms. Drioli noted it is cheaper for the District to maintain its own fleet of buses than it is to contract out the service.  Dr. Spitz inquired about the note included on bid no. 03-08, which states “This bid includes a clause allowing the District to increase the number of buses which may be purchased.”  Mr. Paradise explained the note draws attention to the fact that this year a clause was included in the bid because there is a possibility it might be cost effective to use a leased or buy-back bus for the PASS Program. It would be a changed quantity and it would not affect the regular transportation number of buses. 

The Board unanimously approved the four bids. 

Dr. Bowman recognized Dr. Richard Coe’s, Executive Director of the Intermediate Unit, attendance at the Board meeting.

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

The personnel information appears on pages H-1 through H-6 and addendum pages H-3a and H-6a

In addition to the personnel actions listed on pages H-1 through H-6a, Dr. Bowman recommended the approval of the following administrative appointments:

·         Marsha Franke to principal of the Pearl Buck Elementary School

·         Nicholas Iampietro to principal of the Albert Schweitzer Elementary School

·         Dawn Kelly to assistant principal at the Maple Point Middle School

·         Christine McKee to principal of the Samuel Everitt Elementary School

·         Colin Trickel to assistant principal at the Poquessing Middle School

·         Karen Wychock to principal of the Neshaminy Middle School

·         Brian Kern to assistant principal at the Neshaminy Middle School

Dr. Bowman requested approval of the contract issues discussed and agreed to concerning the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association.  The eight items replace the related items in the current contract that would be so amended.  He recommended approval, as per the discussion in the Executive Session, of the tentative agreement with the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association through the year 2008-2009.

Mr. Eccles moved the personnel actions listed on pages H-1 through H-6a, the administrative appointments and the contract changes/tentative agreement with the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association through the year 2008-2009 be approved.  Dr. Spitz seconded the motion.  The Board unanimously approved the motion. 

Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report – Dr. Bowman presented for approval the Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report dated February 26, 2002, which totals $10,465.  The report includes salaries for baseball and softball coaches at the Neshaminy Middle School.

Mr. Mecleary moved the Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report dated February 26, 2002 be approved and Mrs. Butville seconded the motion. 

In response to Mrs. Butville’s question, Dr. Bowman explained the salaries included in the report are budgeted and negotiated as a part of the certified contract.  Mrs. Butville inquired if positions are not filled, what happens to the budgeted funds.  Dr. Bowman explained the unused budgeted funds go into the fund balance. 

The Board unanimously approved the Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report motion.

Motion:  Settlement and Release Agreement for Student

Mrs. Butville presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, in lieu of formal due process hearing rulings, the District solicitor’s office recommends fair compromise.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Neshaminy Board of School Directors accepts placement of a Neshaminy student in an appropriate alternative school.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, following this action, the student shall be named with the Board Secretary.

Mr. Schoenstadt seconded the motion.  The Board unanimously approved the motion.

Motion:  Appointment of Ten Trustees to the Neshaminy Student Loan Fund

Mr. Dengler presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Trust of the Neshaminy School District Student Loan Fund requires that twelve trustees oversee the fund; and

WHEREAS, currently there are ten vacant trustee positions; and

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Trust of the Neshaminy School District Student Loan Fund authorizes the Neshaminy Board of School Directors to appoint individuals to serve as trustees.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of School Directors of Neshaminy School District hereby appoint the individuals on the attached list (see attachment I) to serve as trustees of the Neshaminy School District Student Loan Fund.

Mr. Schoenstadt seconded the motion. 

Mrs. Butville inquired if there was any conflict with the trustees being school district employees.  Dr. Bowman explained school district employees can serve as trustees of the Neshaminy School District Student Loan Fund.  Previously, school district employees have been trustees.  A Neshaminy Education Foundation Board member cannot be appointed as a trustee.  The administration has been working closely with the solicitor’s office on the issue.  Once the appointment of trustees is approved, the trustees can meet, vote to dissolve the program and transfer approximately $17,000 into the Neshaminy Education Foundation Fund. 

The Board unanimously approved the appointment of ten trustees to the Neshaminy Student Loan Fund.

Federal Programs – Dr. Bowman reported entitlement grants equal $852,733 and competitive grants equal $830,294, which is a total of $1,683,027 in grant funds.  The latest grant received is the Busch Gardens/Sea World Grant for $10,000.  The $10,000 grant will provide the funds for several students’ round trip to Sea World in Orlando, Florida, and most likely provide funds for the students’ trip to Costa Rico next year, if the trip is approved.  Dr. Bowman commended Dr. Costanzo and those working with her for securing grants for the District. 

Other Board Business – Mr. Schoenstadt noted Dr. Spitz had recommended a review be conducted of the structure and content of high school elective courses, its impact on the budget this year and in future years and how any changes would impact on the educational programs.  A suggestion was made that an Ad Hoc Committee, rather than the Educational Development Committee, be formed to review the issue.  Mr. Schoenstadt recommended Dr. Spitz be chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee and he and Mrs. Jowett serve on the committee.  He also recommended the administrative liaisons to the Ad Hoc Committee be Dr. Boccuti, Mr. Collins, Mr. Paradise and Mr. Wyatt and the administrative management overseer be Mr. Wilson.  He suggested a target date of March 20 be set for the committee to present updated information or a recommendation to the Board.  There was Board consensus to form the Ad Hoc Committee as recommended by Mr. Schoenstadt. 

Dr. Spitz expressed concern about the March 20 deadline.  Mr. Schoenstadt stated the March 20 deadline was a recommendation and suggested Dr. Spitz work with the administration to establish an appropriate  deadline.  Dr. Spitz felt it would not be likely that anything could be done by March 20 that would affect the placement of students into classes for the 2002-2003 school year.  It is a big topic and a longer term issue.   Mrs. Butville pointed out the course selection booklets have already been distributed for course selection for the 2002-2003 school year.  Therefore, it would be difficult to impact the 2002-2003 school year.  The issue could be studied for the following year. 

Dr. Bowman suggested a starting point for the Ad Hoc Committee would be a snapshot of what is in place this year, which the administration can provide in a couple of weeks.  The committee’s review of the base data will allow the committee to review the courses offered, number of students enrolled in each course, number of sections and class size.

Ms. Drioli referred to a Playwickia article published on page 7 regarding the Guidance Department being overwhelmed and students being frustrated because the Guidance Department is understaffed.  She felt the article was interesting because it was from the students’ prospective.  Dr. Bowman explained the Guidance Department issue is being addressed appropriately to improve guidance services to the students.  Even if those are perceptions, perceptions need to be cleared up whether they are accurate or not accurate.  Mr. Wilson has already held one meeting regarding the issue.  Dr. Bowman felt over time the situation will improve. 

Mrs. Butville stated the Bucks County School Directors Legislative Council has announced with revenue shortfalls approaching $700,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, the rainy day fund has been tapped for $550,000,000.  The proposed budget includes for basic education funding an increase of 1 percent for public schools and 1.5 percent for special education funding.  The budget also includes $75,000,000 for the Philadelphia School District in addition to the 1 percent increase all the school districts will receive.  Therefore, the Philadelphia School District will receive an $82,000,000 increase for their schools.  While the other 500 school districts combined will receive a total of $32,000,000.  Of the total increase for funding of public education, the Philadelphia School District will receive over two-thirds of the available funds and the other 500 school districts will have to split under one-third of the available funds.  Dr. Bowman pointed out Neshaminy’s share of the additional funds is approximately $170,000, which is not even one mill.  The District’s budgetary increases far exceed the total state increase of 2.5 percent (1 percent for public schools plus 1.5 percent for special education). 

Mrs. Butville asked Dr. Daggett to convey to the Neshaminy Middle School Jazz Band how excellently they performed and the Board appreciated their performance.  She said the band has one of the best conductors on the east coast (Ms. Magrann) and it shows in their performances.

Correspondence – There was no correspondence.

Public Comment – There was a two minute time limit per speaker.  Mr. Johnson, Penndel, recommended the Board, with the help of the administration, develop a comprehensive one, five and ten year plan, which would include fiscal, educational and building issues.  This would help the community know the focus of the Board’s goals and provide the Board with more input.

Board Comment – Since this was the last meeting Mrs. Calvello would be serving as Board Secretary, Mr. Schoenstadt thanked Mrs. Calvello for her service over the years to the Board and wished her well in her future endeavors. 

Ms. Drioli invited Mrs. Butville to attend the Intermediate Unit Board Meeting with legislators.  

Mr. Eccles moved the meeting be adjourned and Mrs. Jowett seconded the motion.  The Board unanimously approved the motion.  Mr. Schoenstadt adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

Respectively submitted,

Carol A. Calvello
Board Secretary

Secretary’s Note:

I would like to thank the current and previous School Board members for allowing me the opportunity to serve the Neshaminy School Board the past twenty years.  It has been a great experience.  Thank you.