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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 15th, Jim Walker placed 17th and Kevin Landis tied for 23rd 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 RecognitionPennsylvania
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 ProjectDr. 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 SuppliesBid 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 BusesBid 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 StudentMrs. 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 FundMr.
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. Carol A. Calvello 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.
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