The
Neshaminy Board of School Directors met in public session on March 26,
2002 in the Board Room of the District Offices, Maple Point Middle School.
The following persons were in attendance:
BOARD MEMBERS:
|
ADMINISTRATORS:
|
Mr.
Steven Schoenstadt, President
|
Dr.
Gary Bowman
|
Mrs.
June Bostwick, Vice President
|
Dr.
Raymond Boccuti
|
Mrs.
Yvonne Butville
Mr. Harry Dengler, Jr. |
Mr.
Harry Jones
Mr. Richard Marotto |
Ms.
Carol Drioli
|
Mr.
Joseph Paradise
|
Mr.
Richard Eccles
|
Mr.
P. Howard Wilson
|
Mrs.
Kimberly Jowett
Dr. William Spitz |
Mr.
Bruce Wyatt
|
BOARD MEMBER NOT PRESENT:
George Mecleary, Jr., Esq.
|
SOLICITOR:
Kristina S. Wiercinski, Esq.
|
SECRETARY: Mrs.
Anita Walls
|
OTHERS: Approximately 45 persons from the public, staff and
press
|
Prior to
the meeting, the Neshaminy High School Jazz Band performed several
selections under the direction of Mr. Joe Bonjovi.
Call to Order �
Dr. Bowman called the meeting to order at 8:00 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 High School Jazz Band played the national
anthem.
Dr. Bowman
thanked the parents of the jazz band members, the students and Mr. Bonjovi
for a delightful performance. Dr.
Bowman pointed out that in the lobby was a display from the Fine Arts
Department which included a variety of works ranging from photography,
electronic arts, 3-D Design works, drawings and paintings.
Announcements: No
announcements.
Student Representative Report
� No student representatives were in
attendance.
Board Recognition
Dr. Bowman announced that the
Oliver Heckman Elementary School has been honored to receive the Fulbright
Memorial Fund Master Teacher Grant from the Japanese government.
The team consists of Mrs. Shelley Rosen, Academic Enrichment
Teacher, Ms. Bettilyn Bogia, Librarian, Ms. Jacqueline Rattigan, Principal
of Oliver Heckman School. The
school has been paired with a school in Japan to work on a joint Internet
project to help promote friendship and education between the two cultures.
Dr. Bowman was happy to welcome two Japanese teachers from the
participating Japanese school to the board meeting.
Dr. Bowman invited Mrs. Rosen to make comments and introduce the
special guests.
Mrs. Rosen
advised that in l997 the Japanese government decided to fund a program in
order to thank the United States for all the Japanese people that it
helped to educate through the Fulbright program.
The initial program funded visits to Japan of 600 American teachers
each year in order to promote cultural ties between Japan and the United
States. Oliver Heckman became Japanese literate through our
association with this program back in November 2000.
The entire school community came together to learn about the
fascinating Japanese culture. Oliver
Heckman is hosting their Japanese colleagues this week
Tadaaki Niimi and Makoto Okubo, who are fifth and sixth grade
classroom teachers. Tadaaki
Niimi was promoted to Vice-Principal and is leaving his current school and
will be going to a small island three hours from home where he will have a
total of 2l students in his school. The
Japanese teachers observed many of the classes at Oliver Heckman.
Although many things are done the same in our schools, there are
many interesting differences. The
Japanese teachers, Tadaaki Niimi and Makoto Okubo, were very surprised
with our different times for school start-up.
Mrs. Rosen explained that this was due to the bus schedule. In Japan there are no buses for students.
All students walk to elementary school, and the junior high and
high school students either walk or take public transportation.
Mrs. Rosen
further advised that not only is the Japanese government funding their
trip to America and her stay for six weeks this summer in Japan, but they
are also providing us with any needed technology to complete our project.
The district will participate in three joint projects:
�
Insect project
�
Soil project
�
Seasonal cycles of trees and plants
and their relation with climates
Each of the schools will be given a
microscope that connects to the computer to be able to identify insects
more easily, along with any software needed to video conference with the
partner school in Japan in the fall and spring of next year.
Oliver Heckman�s current fourth grade students will be the
students partnered with the students in Japan.
Mrs. Rosen advised that this summer she will live in the community
of Hatsukaichi and will be considered part of the school staff.
She will work with her Japanese colleagues to create a web site
that will be used to post the project results, as well as finalize the
joint project. Mrs. Rosen
will also be asked to teach American culture to certain classes.
Mrs. Rosen thanked the
Administration and the Board for allowing Oliver Heckman to be part of
this endeavor.
Mr. Schoenstadt presented the
Japanese teachers, Tadaaki Niimi and Makoto Okubo, with an official
Neshaminy School District pin and also a pin to be given to the principal
of Hatsuakichi.
Public Comment
- There was a three-minute time limit per
speaker. Mr. Gil Howland,
Langhorne, is a twenty-two year resident and taxpayer.
Mr. Howland expressed comments regarding the budget and stated that
the “taxpayer is in big trouble.”
Not only in Neshaminy, but also in Council Rock and Bristol.
All are encountering big increases.
Mr. Howland feels that he would like the district to go in the
direction of maintenance and improvement to the schools before providing
raises for the teachers. Mr.
Howland does not feel that teachers should be given raises every year. Mr. Howland stated that people in Harrisburg are getting
fifty percent increases upon retirement.
Mr. Howland would like the Board to review and reduce some of the
benefits to the teachers. Mr.
Howland would like the Board to get “a little hard headed” and
“start showing some starch.” Keep
the schools maintained and do not let them fall apart, plan for
maintenance.
Mr. Phil
Schieber, Langhorne, elected Auditor of Middletown Township and President
of the Villages of Flowers Mill Homeowners Association stated that he was
representing himself this evening as a private citizen, taxpayer and
voter. Mr. Schieber has serious concerns regarding the Neshaminy
School Board’s management oversight of public funds.
Mr. Schieber stated that generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP)
require management to have an effective system of internal controls.
Examples of internal controls include separation of conflicting
responsibilities and internal auditing.
Mr. Schieber understood that, in the past, the Board engaged a
resident citizen to serve as its Treasurer, and that the primary
responsibility of the Treasurer was to provide independent oversight of
the board’s expenditures. Mr.
Schieber stated that the duties of the Treasurer are now being performed
by the District Business Manager. This
individual is responsible for both the preparation of the budget and the
approval of the budget. Further,
this individual is responsible for procurement of supplies and services as
the District Manager and has fiscal oversight responsibilities as the
Treasurer. Mr. Schieber
inquired who on the school board has raised this issue, and who on the
board understands the issue.
Mr.
Schieber advised that as a member of a not for profit board he was aware
that conflicts of interest and even the appearance of conflicts of
interest are to be avoided, particularly by persons entrusted with public
funds. Mr. Schieber was
concerned that the Neshaminy School Board either does not have conflict of
interest policy or chooses not to enforce it.
Mr. Schieber stated that the Board just recently hired the
Solicitor’s private secretary to also serve as the Board’s secretary.
Mr. Schieber understood this part time position has a $l0,000
annual salary. Mr. Schieber stated it was prudent to assume that a certain
amount of the Board’s legal work also includes secretarial duties, and,
if so, are detailed records being maintained to differentiate when the
secretary is working on the Solicitor’s non-board case load versus
working on School Board activities that may be computed into the
Solicitor’s fee schedule. Mr.
Schieber inquired who in the board’s administration is verifying the
accuracy of the billings and who on the school board understands the
issue.
Mr. Scheiber further stated that one of the elected directors
of the Board is working out of the Solicitor’s office, and while this
may be valid, it does present an appearance of a conflict of interest and
each is obligated to the other in pursuit of their income. Mr. Schieber inquired who on the school board has raised the
issue and who on the board understands the issue.
Mr.
Schieber advised that this is a critical year for both the School Board
and the taxpayers of Neshaminy School District.
The Board has already predicted millions of dollars of revenue
needs. Funding of the teachers’ pension fund earnings shortfall,
renovations to buildings, alleged State under-funding of mandated
programs, and contractual teacher salary increases are once again cited.
Mr. Schieber stated the Board will once again turn to the
taxpayers. It is easier than
eliminating inefficiencies and waste. It is easier than cutting non-relevant and non-effective
programs. It’s easier than
hard line negotiating with union. Its
easier than dropping all the self-gratifying quests for peer awards.
Mr. Schieber reminded the school board that it has a responsibility
to all of the taxpayers of the district, not just the parents of school
children. Mr. Schieber stated
the property tax well is dry. Mr.
Schieber advised there is only one solution, stop spending and start
managing.
Superintendent’s Report
– Dr. Bowman welcomed Louise Gretchinger from
the Intermediate Unit. Dr.
Bowman reported the following:
·
Financial Office received the government finance office
association award for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting, as
a planning and information fiscal document.
This is the highest national award that can be received for
financial reporting. Neshaminy
has received this annually for many of the past years, and it is an
indication that we are reporting accurately and that proper processes are
in place for reporting the status of financial issues in the school
district.
·
Statewide award for community information was received on
the production “Fifty-one Days of Summer” which outlined the kinds of
repairs and programs that are in place to take care of our schools, which
was handled by Mr. Minotti.
·
Thirty-five (35) students have
successfully completed our education program at our own alternative school
with no suspended offenses. This
is an indication that the district is capable of running our own
alternative school that will be done at the Tawanka site next year.
·
First preliminary budget indicates reductions in the
expenditures side of $850,000.00,
in reference to our ability to operate our own alternative school for next
year.
·
Curriculum and instruction department
- In-Service workshop days this summer include eighty (80) different
professional staff development workshops, customized around the needs of
our staff and educational program are planned.
·
Forty-fifth annual summer school program, which is
self-supporting, will be conducted for the students in our community.
·
A committee has been established under
the direction of Mr. Marotto regarding revisions to the report card.
·
Lead Teacher for Health and Physical
Education, Mr. Charlie Schmidt, received national recognition by being
chosen to receive the National Association for Sports and Physical
Education 2002 Distinguished Leadership and Physical Education Award.
·
Thirty-four (34) staff retirements
effective for next year. By
January, 2003 an additional four (4) retirements for a total of
thirty-eight (38) retirees which will help deal with the closing of
Tawanka and which will reduce the issue of layoffs.
·
Fourth grade writing assessment scores have increased over
last year. Overall district
scores have increased with more students then ever scoring in what the
state is calling the “proficient” range.
·
Katlyn Kirshaw, 5th grade student at Oliver
Heckman, is being recognized by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Poster
Contest with the theme “Symbols of Freedom.”
She will be honored at the Pennsylvania Law Day Celebration that
will take place on April 26th at Oliver Heckman School.
The President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association will be present
for the presentation.
·
Mr. Rob Armstrong, one of four
Afro-American syndicated cartoonists in America, whose cartoon strip is
called “Jump Start”, provided a program for the Business Education
Partnership Committee at the Bucks County Technical School.
Mr. Armstrong was also at Neshaminy High School on March `19th
as part of the school’s global awareness project.
Mr. Armstrong’s presentation was an excellent overview on the
importance of school, achievement, values and character.
·
Pennsylvania Department of Education
requires all students beginning with the Class of 2003, next years’
graduating class, to complete their senior graduation project which is a
state requirement. Parents
and community members met on March 11th to learn more about the
project at which time questions were answered.
Mr. Collins and the high school staff are commended for piloting
the program last year and putting it into place.
Approval of Minutes –
Upon motion of Mr. Eccles, seconded by Mrs. Butville, the Board approved
the minutes of the February 26, 2002 and March l2, 2002 Public Meetings
with eight ayes.
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:
·
February 28, 2002 Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit
·
Bills for payment for February 2002
·
Budget Transfer Report No. 02-5
(working copy), which includes nine transactions and subtransactions
·
Personal and per capita tax
exonerations for February 2002 totaling 25 exonerations
Mr.
Paradise pointed out the Food Service Department Profit and Loss Reports
for January 2002 reflect a profit of $28,578.00 in that self-supporting
operation.
Ms. Drioli
moved the February 28, 2002 Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit,
February 2002 bills for payment, Budget Transfer Report No. 02-5 (working
copy), and February 2002 personal and per capita tax exonerations be
approved. Mr. Dengler
seconded the motion.
The Board
approved the Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit, bills for payment,
budget transfers and exonerations of personal and per capita tax with
eight ayes.
Bids –
Mr. Paradise presented the following bids for approval:
Bid No. 02-2l
- Bituminous Concrete Paving, Resurfacing and Repair
Bid Amount:
$70,050.00
The bid is
for the repair of damaged and deteriorating paving at Walter Miller
Elementary School and Herbert Hoover Elementary School.
Both items are in the current year budget.
Bid No. 03-02 – Athletic/Physical Education Supplies
Bid Amount:
$83,26l.l5
The bid is
for various supplies for physical education programs and various team
sports for school year 2002-2003 for grades K-l2.
Bid No. 03-03 – Technology
Education Supplies
Bid
Amount: $l5,082.44
The bid is
for the purchase of supplies for the instruction of industrial technology
including design, problem solving and research and development for school
year 2002-2003 for grades K-l2.
Mr. Dengler
moved the three bids be approved and Dr. Spitz seconded the motion.
The Board
approved the three bids with eight ayes.
Certified and Support Personnel Actions
–
Addendum
labeled H-3A was distributed prior to the meeting.
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 – Certified Staff
The
personnel information appears on pages H-1 through H-7 and addendum page
H-3A
Dr. Bowman
advised that there are three administrative positions concerning the
changes that are taking place and they will all be effective on July l,
2002 which would include Assistant Principal at the High School, Principal
for Tawanka Education Center, and Supervisor of Pupil Services.
Also, a contract position for a teacher on special assignment for
the Hoover Elementary School and Peer Mediation.
Page H-2
lists additional long-term substitute and nineteen (19) additional
day-to-day substitutes to be added to the approved list.
Page H-3A is an addendum which lists the resignations and leaves of
certified personnel and number of retirements and resignations.
Dr. Bowman advised that page H-3 continues the resignation and
leaves of certified staff including
retirements and maternity leaves. Page
H-4 lists the election of support personnel. Page H-6 lists resignations
and leaves of support personnel, one (1) retirement and three (3) personal
reasons for leaving.
Page H-7
lists sabbatical leaves of certified personnel.
These are individuals who have met the requirements per the
Pennsylvania School Code and there are five (5) people listed.
Two of the individuals are Principals, Dr. McKee from Tawanka
Elementary School and Dr. Davis who is asking for the approval of second
semester leave at the Sandburg Middle School.
Dr. Bowman
recommended the approval of the personnel report for support and certified
staff as presented.
Mrs.
Bostwick moved the personnel actions listed on pages H-1 through H-7 with
addendum H3-A be approved. Mr.
Eccles seconded the motion. The
Board approved the motion with seven ayes.
Ms. Drioli opposed the motion.
Motion: Participation
in Chester County School Districts’ Joint Purchasing Board
Mrs.
Bostwick presented the following motion:
WHEREAS, the district participates
in cooperative purchasing agreements with entities under the
Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of l996; and
WHEREAS, these agreements have
financially assisted the District by increasing its purchasing power
through joint purchasing with other municipalities and other governmental
units; and
WHEREAS, Chester County School
Districts’ Joint Purchasing Board has been authorized to bid certain
equipment, software, supplies, and miscellaneous items on behalf of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
that the Business Administrator be authorized to participate in purchase
contracts with the Chester County School Districts’ Joint Purchasing
Board when it is financially advantageous to the District to order and
purchase such materials, supplies and equipment when needed by the
District.
Mrs.
Butville seconded the motion. The
Board approved the motion with eight ayes.
Motion: #5l2
– High School Diploma
Mrs.
Butville presented the following motion:
WHEREAS,
in order to keep District Board Policies updated, current, new, and
revised policies are recommended by the Administration to the Board Policy
Committee for review; and
WHEREAS,
after review by the Board Policy Committee, the District is ready to
recommend a revised Board Policy
#512 – High School Diploma.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
that Policy #5l2 – High School Diploma be approved by the Board of
School Directors.
Mr. Dengler
seconded the motion. The
Board approved the motion with eight ayes.
Motion – Summer Programs – Summer of 2002
Mr. Dengler presented the following
motion.
WHEREAS,
the Neshaminy School District has operated a successful summer school
program for 44 consecutive years; and
WHEREAS,
in recent years has operated completely on a self-sustaining basis via
student tuitions; and
WHEREAS,
the following programs have been discussed with the Neshaminy Board of
School Directors:
·
Secondary Summer School (make-up and Enrichment)
·
Summer Fine Arts including Art, Dance,
Instrumental Music, and Summer Stock
·
Young Writers Workshop
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Neshaminy Board of School Directors
approves the request to operate summer programs for the 45th
year.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that students residing in Neshaminy School District
be given first preference for program involvement and related program
activities.
Mrs. Jowett
seconded the motion. The
Board approved the motion with eight ayes.
Motion – Intermediate Unit No. 22 – 2002-2003
Budget
Mrs. Drioli presented the following
motion.
WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District is one of the thirteen
school districts in
Bucks County that utilizes the services of the Bucks
County Intermediate Unit No. 22; and
WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District contributes to the support
of the Bucks County
Intermediate Unit; and
WHEREAS, the School Code requires that the Intermediate Unit budget
be presented and acted
upon by the Board of School Directors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Neshaminy Board of School
Directors
approves the Bucks County Intermediate Unit Program and
Services and Instructional Materials
Budget for 2002-2003 in the amount of $l, 762,300 with our
district share to be $ll3,l30.
Mr. Eccles seconded the motion. The Board approved the motion with eight ayes.
Motion
– Approval of IU Special Education Contracted Services for 2002-2003
Mr. Schoenstadt presented the
following motion.
WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District is required by law to
provide special education
and related services to children from
pre-school through age twenty-one; and
WHEREAS, a significant number of our students have severe mental
and physical
disabilities for which we do not operate
programs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Neshaminy Board of School
Directors
approve the contract for special education
services with Bucks County Intermediate Unit 22
for the 2002-2003 school year.
Mrs.
Bostwick seconded the motion. The
Board approved the motion with eight ayes.
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 that
has not changed from last month. There
are twenty-three different programs.
Other Board Business –
Dr. Bowman requested that the Board consider the following request: The
CYO groups have put together a track competition that will involve about
six (6) different CYO teams in our community. Normally, we do not allow
Sunday activities in our buildings or on our properties.
The CYO group involves middle school students from our local
parishes. The administration has no problem with the Board waiving that
policy and allowing them to use the facilities. The event was held at another school district last year, and
they have requested that it be held in Neshaminy this year.
Dr. Bowman requested Board authorization since it is a unique
situation where the event would be held on a Sunday.
Dr. Spitz
inquired whether it was for a season, and Dr. Bowman responded it was a
one-day event, which will be held on April 14th or April 21st, and a
response was needed immediately, because if approval was not received the
CYO would need to look elsewhere. Dr.
Spitz expressed concern as to any liability issues.
Dr. Bowman responded that Mr. Paradise requires the insurance
certificate, so that the district has no liability and the CYO will be
able to provide same.
The Board
approved the request with eight ayes.
Dr. Bowman
advised that Mr. Bill Brady is organizing the competition, and that he
would advise him of the Board’s decision.
Mrs. Drioli
stated that in light of the budget some of the costs incurred are as a
direct result of September 11th with regard to insurance, etc.
Mrs. Drioli stated that the Board did not mismanage the fund for
the teachers, but in effect, was result of the economic spiral that took
place. Mrs. Drioli suggested
that we commission the Public Relations person to begin to respond to this
with information in order that the public is aware that not all of the
expected increases are a direct result of our teacher salaries.
Mrs. Drioli reminded everyone that the President did say that the
events of September 11th were going to cost everyone.
The direct impact on health insurance and other insurances have
spiraled, while at the same time the interest rate for investments have
fallen. These results are
affecting the district. The
Board needs to direct the PR person to get this information out to the
public.
Mrs.
Butville advised that many of the school districts have been sending
letters to the Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System
objecting to the amount which is being requested to be paid by each
district and expand that over a couple of years, rather then paying it
back the way they are determining it at the moment.
Mrs. Butville inquired whether the Board wishes to wait until the
next Work Session or have a letter drafted that could be reviewed at the
Work Session.
Dr. Bowman advised that he has been in touch with the local
senators office and local representatives office. Last Friday a regional meeting with superintendents was held,
and Dr. Bowman believes that all legislators are aware of the issue.
A proposed resolution will be prepared for the Board to adopt in
April. The superintendents
are sharing those on the Internet through Penn Link, and many districts
are passing them in order to forward them to the legislators.
Dr. Bowman stated that a resolution is in order to provide the
legislators with documentation to encourage them to go forward and this
action is occurring throughout the state.
There are two issues:
·
The actuarial analysis of the retirement system was so
wealthy (50 Billion Dollars)
·
It
was actualized over ten (l0) years instead of twenty (20) years. The
market
dropped and the rates would need to increase.
Legislators
would like to keep it at twenty (20) years, and at most possibly double
the rate over what we had this past year, instead of a 500% increase that
will have a significant impact upon the budget.
Dr. Bowman is in agreement with Mrs. Drioli that the legislators
need to hear from the Board. It
will require legislation to be passed to make changes to the system.
It will be passed with the education bill that is passed in the
month of May.
Mrs. Drioli
advised that a meeting has been scheduled for April 2nd at the
Intermediate Unit at 6:30 p.m., in Doylestown.
The thirteen (l3) representatives of the Board, and the public will
meet with the legislators from Upper Bucks, Lower Bucks, and Senator
Tomlinson, to hear these grievances.
Mrs. Drioli encouraged the Flowers Mill group to come and discuss
the issues. Mr. Howard Wilson will be attending for the district.
Mrs.
Butville further advised that writing the legislators is the only option
we have because we have no other way to deal with this increase that is
being put upon the district. The
district has to pay it. The
district cannot ignore it. The
only way to lower same would be if the legislators vote that it be
lowered. Eventually, it will
need to be paid, but it does not all have to be paid this year.
Dr. Spitz
made a similar suggestion that the Board consider passing a motion or
resolution regarding the prevailing wage act issue that is currently being
debated in Harrisburg. If we
are seriously going to be considering major renovations to the High School
and other buildings within our district it could have a major impact on
our expenses, and Dr. Spitz would like to see some type of resolution in
support of the current legislation that is being considered.
Correspondence –
There was no correspondence.
Public Comment –
Mr. Gil Howland, Langhorne advised that retirees are scheduling a rally in
Harrisburg and you do not have to be a retiree to support that rally.
You can be an active teacher, travel by bus and support the rally.
Mr. Howland advised that he would freeze teacher salaries for a
couple of years. The retirees
are having a difficult time.
Mr.
Schieber expressed that he wished that honest and true information would
be given out by the public relations department.
Mr. Schieber stated that he did not believe that the Board was
mandated by the state government, but mandated by the teacher’s pension
fund.
Mr.
Schoenstadt stated that the district does not have control and it is under
the auspices of the governor and state
legislature. Further, on the
web site will be a list of names and phone numbers for citizens to contact
regarding this issue.
Mr.
Schieber stated that he is dealing with shortfalls and no one is making
them up for him. Mr.
Schieber urged the Board not to use this as an excuse to raise the taxes
unnecessarily in order to fund the school district.
Mrs. Rita
Geddes, Lower Southampton Township, whose children currently attend
Ferderbar Elementary and Poquessing Middle School, and her step-son also
went through Neshaminy School District, believes her children are
receiving a phenomenal education. Her
daughter was identified with a reading difficulty in fourth grade and just
received her PSSA and Iowa Test scores, and scored in the average range,
which is a huge accomplishment for her in reading.
This is in large part due to the efforts of the staff at the
school. Mrs. Geddes’
husband has been a teacher in the district for twenty-nine (29) years and
has worked very hard. For
someone to say that teachers with thirty (30) years of experience do not
deserve a pay raise is completely absurd.
The experienced teachers work extremely hard, just as hard as new
teachers, in turn supporting the new teachers.
An experienced staff is necessary in order to ensure that the
students of this district have a great education and opportunities
available to them, so they do become tax paying citizens, many of them
choosing to stay within Neshaminy School District because they themselves
received a great education.
Board Comment -
Mrs.
Butville agreed with Mrs. Geddes that Neshaminy has some excellent
educators in the system and they do deserve a retirement that the Board is
not against. However, the Board is against and upset about the fact that
just very recently the state has put a huge increase upon the District in
order to make up for the losses. Every
one of us has had losses because of the events of last fall. Everyone needs to make it up in their own way.
Mrs. Butville understands why the district needs to make-up the
funds and keep it solvent. Mrs. Butville believes that we do not have to make up the
entire loss this year. The
amount of the millage increase will be impossible, and it is every single
school district in the state that is facing this problem.
There is no reason why it must all be made up this year.
Mrs.
Butville responded to Mr. Schieber’s comments regarding the Treasurer
that the reason the board acted was in order to save money.
The Treasurer received compensation and by having Mr. Paradise as
Treasurer the board is saving. Outside
auditors very carefully review the books, and a good accounting system is
in place. Mrs. Butville
advised that the board conferred with the Solicitor, and Mr. Paradise was
able to act as Treasurer, and in turn save money.
Mrs.
Butville further responded to Mr. Schieber’s comments regarding the
Board Secretary position that Mrs. Walls was welcomed at the last Work
Session. When Mrs. Calvello
resigned, the position was advertised and quite a few individuals applied
for the position. Only three
(3) individuals were actually qualified for the job.
Only two (2) of the individuals decided to interview, and Mrs.
Walls was definitely more qualified and that is the reason she was chosen
for this position.
Mr.
Schoenstadt further advised that the district already has two (2)
independent audits. The state
audits the district in great detail and then the district has its own
independent auditor. The
district is in compliance with every state regulation and requirement, and
the state does not require the district to have a separate Treasurer, as
long as the district has the independent audits.
Mr.
Schoenstadt advised that the first meeting discussing the budget has taken
place, and more in-depth discussions will take place over the next sixty
(60) days, were cuts will be suggested, reviewed and analyzed.
The process does not start back in January, but this is really the
starting point for the process. Mr.
Schoenstadt advised that the next Finance meeting will take place on
Tuesday, April 23rd and anyone who really has an interest
should attend this meeting, whereat you will hear the in-depth analysis
and presentation of the cuts that are being made and considered.
Mr. Dengler
moved the meeting be adjourned and Mrs. Drioli seconded the motion.
The Board approved the motion with eight ayes. Mr. Schoenstadt adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectively submitted,
Anita E. Walls
Board Secretary |