The Neshaminy Board of School Directors met in public session on June 26, 2001 in the Board Room of the District Offices, Maple Point Middle School.  The following persons were in attendance:

Call to Order - Mr. Stack called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

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

Announcements - Mr. Stack announced Mrs. Bostwick and Mr. Schoenstadt were not able to attend the meeting.

Mr. Stack noted a revised meeting agenda was in the Board members� Board folders.  Dr. Frank stated she objected to the revised agenda and requested the Public Meeting be held first as listed on the original agenda.  She said there are certain Public Meeting agenda items that need to be reviewed by as many people as possible. 

Mr. Stack explained he anticipated the Information Session would only last 60 to 90 minutes. If the review of the item for discussion goes beyond 7:45 p.m., the meeting will be recessed and the Public Meeting held.  He stated generally, a Work Session is held first and then the Public Meeting is held.  He pointed out the original agenda did not include agenda item 3c, approval of Board Policy No. 552 - Student Attendance.

Mr. Eccles protested the agenda change.  He noted the Board was only provided with a few minutes notice of the revised agenda.

Ms. Drioli expressed concern if the Public Meeting was not held prior to the Information/Work Session Meeting, the Board may not have the necessary votes to approve the motions listed for the Public Meeting. 

Mrs. Butville pointed out the original agenda did not include the Student Attendance Policy.  The policy needs to be in effect for September 2001 and included in the student handbook.

Motion:  Agenda

Mr. Mecleary presented the following motion:

I move the revised June 26, 2001 meeting agenda be amended to reflect that the Public Meeting will be held prior to the Information and Work Session Meeting as listed on the original agenda.

I further move approval of Board Policy No. 552 - Student Attendance be included as an agenda item under Items for Approval of the June 26, 2001 Public Meeting.

Dr. Frank seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with six ayes and one abstention, Mrs. Butville.  As a result of the agenda motion being approved, the Attendance Policy was included under items for approval of the Public Meeting agenda.

Dr. Bowman announced a letter has been received from the Neshaminy Education Foundation.  In order to begin fund raising early in the school year, the Foundation has requested the endowment fund wall dedication ceremony be held at Neshaminy High School on October 23.  There was Board consensus to change the October 23 Board Meeting location from the Tawanka School to Neshaminy High School.

Public Comment - There was a three minute time limit per speaker.  Ms. Pulcinella, Langhorne, asked how much it is costing her, as a taxpayer, to renovate the Lower Southampton Elementary School.  Why is carpeting needed in the Lower Southampton Elementary School office?  She felt the funds would be better spent on books.  She suggested the Lower Southampton Elementary School be closed rather than a school that does not need renovations.  She stated as a taxpayer and future senior citizen, she was opposed to closing any school.  She questioned how larger class sizes will provide students with a quality education.  She felt since the teacher will have to share her time between more children, the child who needs extra help will not receive the same amount of help he or she receives now.  This could result in taxpayers and senior citizens paying more taxes to help support the child as he or she becomes older, because the individual will not be able to secure a good paying job.  Welfare rolls will increase.

Mrs. Pulcinella stated there is a rumor circulating that the Tawanka School is the school that will be closed.  The newspaper stated the school may be sold to a developer.  If the property is sold to a developer, there will be more students moving into the School District.  Where will the students be attending school?  She stated the area near the old Maple Inn on Route 213 is being cleared for the construction of houses.  Why is the Board planning to close schools when more houses are being built in the District?

Mr. Schieber, Village of Flowers Mill, stated there is a growing segment of taxpayers who are getting tired of paying more and more.  People are getting to the point where they cannot afford to pay any more taxes.  Village of Flowers Mill residents are paying for their homes out of the equity built up over the years in their former properties.  The residents of the Village of Flowers Mill do not receive any direct benefits from the school taxes.  The residents would like to get something back.  The best thing would be less taxes.  Mr. Schieber referred to the Board�s earlier discussion regarding the agenda and said it would be much better to have public comment after the Board deliberates the issues.

Mr. Clark, Levittown, stated he appreciates the process the Board is going through, and understands no matter what decision the Board makes the public will not be happy.  He explained the declining elementary enrollment    issue    was    first    discussed    in    1991-1992. The Board has been reviewing   the enrollment numbers every year for ten years. He commended the Board for involving the public in the process.

Mr. Clark explained three years ago the Building Utilization Committee discussed the renovation of the main core of Neshaminy High School.  The 1989 BASCO Report indicated Neshaminy High School needed to be renovated.  To date, only bits and pieces of the high school have been renovated.  He pointed out even though the renovations will cost the District money, they need to be done.  Five years ago, where the students would be placed during the renovations was a problem.  With a reduction in enrollment, there will be more flexibility for student placement during the renovations.  Mr. Clark stated the Poquessing Middle School also needs to be renovated.  He urged the Board to consider renovating Neshaminy High School and to continue the renovation process so the District can continue to provide a worthwhile product.

Mrs. Mitchell, Tawanka School parent, stated class size at the Tawanka School is already at 31 students.  If the Tawanka School is closed, there will be no area playground for the neighborhood children.  She indicated she was opposed to the Tawanka School being closed and used as an alternative school.  She expressed concern an alternative school will adversely affect the value of the homes in the area.

Mr. Stack explained the Board has not made a decision to close any facility.  The issue is in the discussion phase.  The Board has eliminated the possibility of closing a middle school, and is reviewing the possibility of closing an elementary school.  There are no plans nor has there been any Board discussion to sell any facilities or properties and open it up for future development.  The Board plans to retain ownership of all of the District’s facilities and properties.  If a facility is closed, within five to ten years it may be necessary to use the facility again.

Mrs. Butville explained due to declining enrollment, the Board is considering closing a school.  There are fewer students in each school.  The empty spaces in the schools will be filled by students from another District school.  Class size will not be increased.

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

·         Election - Certified Staff

·         Resignation - Certified Staff

Dr. Bowman noted the Personnel Report includes his retirement.  He stated the decision to retire is a decision he struggled with personally and with his family.  He said it is a struggle for him to announce his retirement as Superintendent of Schools effective July 2 after 26 years of service to the Neshaminy School District and 37 years of service in public education.  He noted he has lived in the community all 37 years. It  is a wonderful community and he will continue to live in the community.  He said I am announcing my retirement and asking the Board to act upon it.  I will work with the Board over the next year to have an orderly transition with the new leadership so it will be an almost seamless transition.  He thanked the current Board and all previous Boards that he has served with as Superintendent of Schools, Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principal and several other positions.  He explained he will be leaving the District in wonderful shape because of the quality people the Board has hired and are currently working in the School District.  He said I tenure my retirement reluctantly.  He thanked the Board for working so closely with him in doing what is best for children and the community. 

Dr. Bowman explained he will be the Acting Superintendent next year to deal with the tremendous amount of  things that need to be done as a part of the leadership transition.  He anticipates sometime after January, the Board will announce its selection of a new Superintendent. 

Mr. Dengler noted he was the only current Board member who voted to hire Dr. Bowman as Superintendent.  He thanked Dr. Bowman for all the years he has given to Neshaminy and a job well done. 

Dr. Frank moved the certified personnel actions be approved and Mr. Dengler seconded the motion.  The Board approved the personnel actions with seven ayes..

Motion:  Election of Acting Superintendent

Mr. Dengler presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the position of Superintendent of Neshaminy School District is vacant as of July 3, 2001; and

WHEREAS, the District is now in need of an Acting Superintendent to provide for the day to day leadership and management and to assist in the search, mentoring and transition of a replacement Superintendent; and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent vacancy creates an emergency that would increase the workload and create serious impairment of service to the public.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Dr. Gary L. Bowman be elected as Acting Superintendent for the Neshaminy School District effective July 3, 2001 in accordance with the Pennsylvania School Code of 1949 and in accordance with the General Assembly language and provisions related to emergencies as amended by Act 23 of August 5, 1991, subsection B and Act 9 of 2001.

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the term of employment be in accordance with the provisions of Act 9 of 2001 and shall not exceed the 95 day provision of employment after January 1, 2002.

FURTHER, the terms and conditions of employment shall be those currently provided to the Superintendent under contract executed July 8, 1997 with the exception of the retirement provisions. 

Mr. Eccles seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with seven ayes.

Motion:  Election of Assistant Superintendents

Mr. Stack presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the retirement of the Superintendent of Schools creates an opportunity to reorganize Central Office and address the short and long term leadership needs of the School District; and

WHEREAS, the reorganization of Central Office can take place without adding any additional administrative positions; and

WHEREAS, two Assistant Superintendent positions are vacant as a result of a previous retirement and a recent job change.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Acting Superintendent, I move that Mr. P. Howard Wilson be elected to the position of Assistant Superintendent-Deputy and Dr. Raymond J. Boccuti be elected to the position of Assistant

Superintendent provided a mutually acceptable contract between the District and parties is negotiated and accepted by the Board no later than August 31, 2001.  The election of Assistant Superintendents shall be for terms of five years each effective July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2006.

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the President and Vice President are hereby authorized and directed to negotiate contracts with the above mentioned Assistant Superintendents in the name of and on the behalf of the Neshaminy School District for this purpose.

FURTHER, I move that the President and Secretary are hereby authorized and directed to execute the applications for commission upon execution of contracts for Mr. P. Howard Wilson and Dr. Raymond J. Boccuti which are to be submitted to the Department of education so as to complete the election made herein.

Mr. Mecleary seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with seven ayes.

Mr. Stack noted at the June 12 Public Board Meeting, there were some questions about the proposed changes to the Senior Citizen Tax Assistance Program.  At that time, the Board requested the solicitor review the Board’s actions.  The request is being withdrawn.  The Board will act upon the program and will assume responsibility in recognition of the long standing practicing of providing the Senior Citizen Tax Assistance Program, and its interest to maintain the program in concurrence with the state’s program.  Mr. Stack recommended the Board act on the existing motion.

Motion:  Senior Citizen Tax Assistance Program

Mr. Dengler presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District has provided a Tax Assistance Program for senior citizens since 1977.  The funding for this program has been increased seven times since its inception, along with increases in both the rebate amounts and income levels which determine eligibility.  Since 1977, the District has distributed more than $1,000,000 to qualifying senior citizens in our community; and

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District continues to be concerned with the increased burden on senior citizens caused by escalating real estate taxes; and

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District recognizes that a number of senior citizens have become ineligible due to small increases in social security income over a number of years.

NOW, THEREFORE, in an attempt to keep pace with this tax burden and today’s high cost of living for those on fixed incomes, I move to modify the Senior Citizens Tax Assistance Program as follows:

·         To require that senior citizens report only ONE-HALF of all applicable Social Security, SSI Payments and Railroad Retirement benefits for purposes of determining eligibility and tax assistance amounts and

·         To provide tax assistance if total household income from all sources is less than $14,999.

Mr. Stack seconded the motion. Mr. Stack noted with the changes in the program, more senior citizens will be eligible for the tax rebate.  The Board approved the motion with six ayes.  (Mr. Eccles was not present at the time of the vote.)

Motion:  Board Policy No. 552 - Student Attendance

Mrs. Butville presented the following motion;

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy Board of Education believes that regular attendance in the classroom is conducive to learning; and

WHEREAS, continuity of learning leads to improved student achievement; and

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy Board of Education believes that clear student attendance expectations are needed for students, parents, and the medical community; and

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy Board of Education believes that students and parents are entitled to a review and appeal process; and

WHEREAS, after careful review by the Board Policy Committee, the District is ready to recommend Policy No. 552  - Student Attendance.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Policy No. 552 be approved by the Board of School Directors (see attachment I).

Mr. Mecleary seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with seven ayes.

Other Board Business - Dr. Bowman noted a “Legislative Alert Bulletin” was distributed to Board members regarding the amusement tax.  There is activity in Harrisburg to eliminate the amusement tax, which would have an adverse affect on the Neshaminy School District and Middletown Township. If the tax were eliminated, the District would lose approximately $600,000 in revenue.  The information has been shared with Mr. Burke, Middletown Township.  Currently, 40 school districts across the state levy the amusement tax.  It is important to communicate with the legislators the importance of the amusement tax to the District.  Dr. Bowman has expressed his concerns to Senator Tomlinson.  No action will be taken on the proposed legislation this session.  However, the Board needs to be vigilant. 

Ms. Drioli stated she has learned a cap has been placed on the amount of money cyber schools can charge school districts.  Dr. Bowman explained when House Bill 485 was passed with the budget, it included a clause pertaining to cyber education.  The specifics of the clause have not been received. 

Upon motion of Mr. Dengler, seconded by Dr. Frank, the Board approved the adjournment of the meeting with seven ayes.  Mr. Stack adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol A. Calvello
Board Secretary