The Neshaminy Board of School Directors met in public session on March 28, 2000 at the Carl Sandburg Middle School.  
The following persons were in attendance:

Prior to the meeting, the string members of the Sandburg Middle School Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Kyle, performed several selections.  Dr. Bowman thanked Mr. Kyle and the orchestra members for their fine performance.  Dr. Bowman thanked Dr. Davis, Sandburg School principal; Mr. McDonough, Sandburg School assistant principal; the custodial staff and PTO for hosting the meeting.

Dr. Bowman reviewed the Carl Sandburg Middle School’s instrumental music programs and choral programs.  He noted this spring the school’s production will be “Camelot”.  He pointed out the students’ artwork was on display in the lobby area, which included seventh graders’ 3-D sculptors, eighth graders’ original cartoon drawings, ninth grade portraits and art majors’ still life hand exhibit.  He thanked the Fine Arts Department for providing the exhibit.

Call to Order - Mr. Stack called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance - Mr. Stack requested those in attendance join in the salute to the flag.

Student Report - Miss Getz and Miss Geiger, student representatives, presented the following report:

·         On April 13 NOVA (Network of Victims Assistance) will present the production “Yellow Dress”, which emphasizes violent relationships with verbal, emotional and physical abuse.

·         The March of Dimes event will take place on April 30.

·         Beautify the Borough Day will be held on May 7.

·         The junior prom was held on March 25.

·         The sophomore dance will be held on March 31.

·         The senior prom will be held on May 27 at the Princeton Hyatt.

·         On March 22 Rick Williams spoke to Neshaminy High School students about the Crime Stoppers Program.

Public Comment - There was a three minute time limit per speaker.  Mrs. Kirk, Trevose stated she was speaking on behalf of the Ferderbar School parents.  She stated the parents are concerned about the class size of grades one through three, which are critical learning years.  She explained it was her understanding that the Board reviewed, at a Work Session, the class size issue and determined the class sizes were fine.  She requested the Board to reconsider the class size issue.  She stated some of the class size data is not accurate, because the special education students are not reflected in the totals.  If the special education students were included in the class totals, it would provide a more accurate picture of class size.  Some of the special education students are in the class for two subjects, which detracts from the rest of the class’ progress as a whole.  She said the teachers are excellent and are doing the best they can.  She expressed concern that the borderline students may be adversely affected by the situation.  She urged the Board to review the class size issue.

Mrs. Geddes, Feasterville, explained in November, 1999 Dr. Bowman and the Board were asked to look into overcrowding at the Ferderbar Elementary School.  She expressed concern that four months have passed by, the parents’ concerns have not been properly investigated, none of the Ferderbar parents have been contacted nor has a special committee, as suggested by Ms. Drioli at an earlier meeting, been established to review the issue. 

Mrs. Geddes stated Lower Southampton Township is districted along economic lines, and Lower Southampton Township has five apartment complexes located within the Ferderbar School’s current boundaries.  Such districting creates a disparity of student populations among the elementary schools in the township.  The Ferderbar School has a disproportionate high percentage of transient, at-risk, special education, ESL and discipline problem students when compared to the Lower Southampton and Tawanka Elementary Schools.  At one time, the level of services at the Ferderbar School may have been sufficient to address the needs of  the special education, gifted, regular education and at-risk students.  She felt the current level of services at the Ferderbar School is not sufficient to address the special education, at-risk, regular education and gifted students’ needs.  She stated the reading specialist cannot work with the above average readers, because her entire caseload is Title I students.  The Title I Program should not be at the expense of the above average reader.  The gifted teacher cannot go into the classrooms to supplement the curriculum for the gifted and above average students, because the teacher is assigned to the school only 2.5 days a week.  The Ferderbar School has nearly 200 more students than the Tawanka School and has the same amount of gifted support services.  The Ferderbar School has 150 more students than the Lower Southampton School, but only has half of the gifted support services as that of the Lower Southampton School.  Even though the Ferderbar School has 150 more students than the Lower Southampton School and a more complex student population, both schools have one guidance counselor, one gym teacher, one music teacher, etc.

Mrs. Geddes pointed out last year over 60 new students registered at the Ferderbar School in August.  When the first grade classes reached the maximum student level before August 31, a new class was not opened.  Additional students were sister schooled to the Lower Southampton School.  She felt this practice undermines efforts to create a community school and impairs the educational process for the first grade students.  She questioned if these factors were considered before announcing the Ferderbar School was not overcrowded.

Mrs. Geddes pointed out the Ferderbar School has over 50 students who are identified as special education students, which is an average of 11 to 12 students per grade.  Due to the way the special education students are accounted for in the classes, the class size numbers do not reflect the true class size.  The Schweitzer School is the only other elementary school that has an equal or higher percentage of special education students compared to the Ferderbar School.  The Schweitzer School is at approximately 60 percent of its maximum.  The majority of Schweitzer School special education students attend self-contained classes rather than being fully included in regular education classes as at the Ferderbar School.

Mrs. Geddes stated according to Dr. Bowman’s statistics, the Ferderbar School can hold a maximum of 592 students.  Currently, there are 542 students enrolled at the Ferderbar School, which is 91.55 percent of the school’s maximum enrollment level.  According to the statistics released by the administration, this is the highest percentage in the School District.  The school’s enrollment increases each year, but the services have not been increased to match the increase in enrollment other than the school now has a full-time guidance counselor.

Mrs. Coin, Feasterville, explained one of her sons attends the Poquessing Middle School and her other son attends the Ferderbar Elementary School.  She thanked the Board for reviewing and addressing the security concerns at the Poquessing Middle School.  However, she expressed concern that the building aide position is only a temporary position.  She urged the Board to have a security plan in place at the Poquessing Middle School for next year.

Mrs. Coin advised the Board her son’s Ferderbar School first grade class at the beginning of the year had 27 students.  There are three or four students in the class who do not speak English and the teacher has to stop teaching on a regular basis to help these students.  Due to the number of students in the class, there are numerous distractions which take away from the learning time.  The only time her son receives any one-on-one time with a teacher to learn how to read is during Title I sessions.  She said the other two first grade classes are just as large as her son’s class.  A fourth second grade class is needed for the 2000-2001 school year.  She expressed concern about class discipline problems because there are so many students in the class and borderline students not receiving the attention they need to succeed.  She emphasized the importance of students learning the basics of reading, writing and math in grades one through three.

Mrs. Coin stated she pays taxes and expects the Ferderbar School to receive what every other District school receives.  She stated the Lower Southampton and Tawanka Schools have smaller classes than the Ferderbar School. She urged the Board to address the class size issue.

Mrs. Kemmerer, Feasterville, advised the Board her child is in second grade at the Ferderbar Elementary School.  She explained the Ferderbar School parents are committed to the education of their children, and urged the Board to investigate the Ferderbar School parents’ concerns.  She said if redistricting is not the answer, perhaps additional support staff is the answer.  She said the Ferderbar School parents are united in their cause and will continue to raise the issue at Board Meetings until their concerns are investigated.

Mrs. Kemmerer stated she spent seven months trying to get her daughter into the AE Program.  She found there were no consistencies.  She expressed frustration with the difficulty of obtaining accurate information.

Mrs. Giordano, Trevose, explained her son attends the Poquessing Middle School and her daughters attend the Ferderbar Elementary School.  She expressed concern that students refer to the Poquessing School as the “Poorquessing” School.  She explained when her son graduated from fifth grade, she was scared to send him to the Poquessing Middle School.  After meeting with the Poquessing Middle School’s guidance counselor, her fears were relieved.  She expressed concerns about the class of people living in the apartments in the Ferderbar School’s attendance area, some of the children attending the Ferderbar School not speaking English, class size and safety issues.  She said she has no complaint with the teachers.  Mr. Bauer, Ferderbar School principal, and Mr. Stanford, Poquessing Middle School principal, are wonderful principals.  She urged the Board members to review the parents’ concerns.

Mr. Peters, Lower Southampton, on behalf of the Lower Southampton Elementary School fourth grade parents, thanked Dr. Bowman and the Board members for listening so diligently to the Lower Southampton School parents’ issues.  He explained one of the issues that came out of a meeting of fourth grade parents is that the maximum class size of 34 for grades four and five is too high.  A majority of the parents present at the fourth grade parent meeting indicated they would be willing to pay more in taxes to reduce the class size.  He explained the issue of redistricting was discussed with the Lower Southampton PTA and there was some resistance to redistricting and spot redistricting.  However, if the time is taken to discuss the issue with the parents, the parents are quite reasonable.  Mr. Peters said after discussing the redistricting issue further with the Lower Southampton parents, he will advise the Board of the parents’ reaction to the issue.

Mrs. Cummings, Langhorne, stated it is her understanding that the budget includes funds for repairs/renovations at the Poquessing Middle School.  She urged the Board to not cut the Poquessing Middle School project funds from the budget, because the repairs/renovations are needed at the school.

Ms. Drioli noted most of the residents addressing the Board are from the Lower Southampton area.  She said she was glad that the residents are concerned about their community and willing to work together.  She pointed out even though the residents expressed their concerns and complaints, they indicated the schools have good teachers.  Even though the residents have found fault with some aspects of the schools, there is a lot that is good also.  She said everyone should work together as a community and make Lower Southampton an area to be proud of .

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

·         Blue Ribbon School Evaluation - The recent Neshaminy Middle School Blue Ribbon evaluation went well.  A very favorable response was received from the evaluator.  The District will be advised in May if the Neshaminy Middle School will be recognized as a Blue Ribbon School.  Almost all of the Board members and a group of parents met with the evaluator.

·         Caring Kids Program - A senior prom was held for senior citizens at the Neshaminy Middle School on March 24.  Over 300 senior citizens attended the prom and it was a tremendous success.

·         District Elementary Music Festival - On March 29 the District’s elementary music festival will be held in the Sandburg Middle School auditorium.

·         Graduation Date - Neshaminy High School’s commencement will be held on Wednesday, June 7.

In order to allow everyone an opportunity to enjoy the refreshments provided by the Sandburg Middle School PTO, Mr. Stack recessed the meeting at 8:35 p.m.  Mr. Stack reconvened the meeting at 8:55 p.m.

Approval of Minutes - Mr. Dengler moved the minutes of the February 23, 2000 Public Meeting be approved and Mr. Schoenstadt seconded the motion.  The Board approved the minutes with seven ayes.

Treasurer’s Report - Mr. Paradise presented for approval the February 29, 2000 Treasurer’s Report.  Mr. Schoenstadt moved the Treasurer’s Report be approved, subject to audit.  Mr. Eccles seconded the motion.  The Board approved the February 29, 2000 Treasurer’s Report with seven ayes, subject to audit.

Approval of Bills for Payment, Investments, Budget Transfers and Exonerations of Personal and Per Capita Tax - Mr. Paradise presented the following for approval:

·         February 2000 bills for payment

·         Investments totaling $2,000,000

·         Budget Transfer Report No. 00-5 (working copy) with seven transactions and subtransactions

·         Exonerations of Personal and Per Capita Tax totaling 571 for February 2000

Ms. Drioli moved the February bills for payment, investments, Budget Transfer Report No. 00-5 (working copy) and February exonerations of personal and per capita tax be approved and Mr. Mecleary seconded the motion. 

In response to Mr. Mecleary’s question about oil prices, Mr. Paradise explained the District is paying a very low price for oil, because of the price received as a part of the bid process last year.  The bid price expires at the end of June.

The Board approved the bills for payment, investments, budget transfers and exonerations of personal and per capita tax motion with seven ayes.

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

Bid No. 01-02 - Technology Education Supplies

Amount Awarded:  $11,174.79

The bid is for supplies for the instruction of industrial technology including design, problem solving and research and development.

Bid No. 01-03 - Athletic & Physical Education Supplies

Amount Awarded:  $83,471.16

The bid is for supplies for physical education programs and various team sports

Mrs. Butville moved the two bids be approved and Ms. Drioli seconded the motion.  The Board approved the bids with seven ayes.

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

·         Elections - Certified Personnel

·         Resignations and Leaves of Absence - Certified Personnel

·         Elections and Changes of Classification - Support Personnel

·         Resignations and Leaves of Absence - Support Personnel

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

Personnel information appears on pages H-1 through H-8 and addendum page H-4a. 

Dr. Bowman noted the listing of resignations and leaves of absence for support personnel includes the retirement of his secretary, Alice Lafferty, who has been employed in the District for 33.1 years.  He said Mrs. Lafferty will be retiring on May 12 and she will be missed. 

Dr. Bowman advised the Board that all three individuals listed under the sabbatical leaves of absence section of the report meet the requirements for professional development.

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

Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report - Dr. Bowman presented for approval additional 1999-2000 extra-curricular staff and salaries as budgeted and provided for in the certified staff contract.  The report includes two positions at Neshaminy High School and seven positions at the Neshaminy Middle School.  The total expenditure is $14,853.

Ms. Drioli moved the 1999-2000 Recommended Extra-Curricular Staff and Salaries Report dated March 28, 2000 be approved and Mr. Schoenstadt seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with seven ayes.

Motion:  Summer Programs - Summer of 2000

Mr. Dengler presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District has operated a successful summer school program for 42 consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, in recent years has operated 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 Summer Stock, Dance, Art and Instrumental Instruction

·         Computer Camps for elementary school students

·         Elementary Writing Program

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Neshaminy Board of School Directors approves the request to operate summer programs for the 43^rd year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that students residing in the Neshaminy School District be given first preference for program involvement and related program activities.

Ms. Drioli seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with seven ayes.

Motion:  Intermediate Unit No. 22 - 2000-2001 Budget

Ms. 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 2000-2001 in the amount of $1,570,200 with our District share to be $114,754.

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

Motion:  Act 29 Green Tech Energy Conservation Contract

Mr. Eccles presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District wishes to replace the lighting fixtures in the Oliver Heckman and Lower Southampton Elementary Schools and Poquessing Middle School; and

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District has solicited Request For Quotations under Act 29 which will allow for these improvements to be paid from the energy savings; and

WHEREAS, the lowest price and highest energy savings were obtained from GreenTech Energy Services.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the District enter into an agreement with GreenTech to provide these lighting improvements.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions acceptable to the Solicitor and Business Administrator and that the Business Administrator be authorized to execute this agreement on behalf of the Neshaminy School District.

Mrs. Butville seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with seven ayes.

Motion:  Audit Report from the Pennsylvania Auditor General

Mr. Mecleary presented the following motion for approval:

WHEREAS, each year the School District is audited by both an independent auditing firm and the Auditor General’s Office of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, in January 2000, the Auditor General’s Office submitted its audit of the School District records for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1997, and June 30, 1998; both audits confirm proper and effective internal control procedures and compliance with the applicable federal and state regulations and fairly present the financial position of the Neshaminy School District; and

WHEREAS, this recently completed audit by the Auditor General indicated a recommendation to the District; therefore, it is now necessary for the Board of School Directors to officially respond in accordance with the Governor’s Office Management Directive No. 305.1.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of School Directors accepts the audit report as submitted.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the Administration to prepare a response in accordance with the directives from the Department of Education.

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

Motion:  Sale of Property in Langhorne to the First Baptist Church of Langhorne

Mrs. Butville presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the District owns a small piece of land that it no longer needs; and

WHEREAS, the First Baptist Church of Langhorne has expressed an interest in purchasing this parcel of land; and

WHEREAS, an offer has been received and presented to the Board of School Directors for a consideration of $8,000 which is the exact amount of the recently received appraisal.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the proposed sale be accepted and that the Solicitor and the Business Administrator review all documents associated with the sale.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Board be authorized to sign the Deed, settlement sheet and any other documents on behalf of the District in order to transfer the aforesaid land to First Baptist Church of Langhorne and complete settlement thereon upon payment of the consideration in the amount of the appraisal.

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

Motion:  Board Policy No. 551 - Behavior Management

Mr. Schoenstadt presented the following motion for approval:

WHEREAS, in order to keep District Board Policies updated, current, new and revised, policies are recommended by the Administration to the Board Policies Committee for review; and

WHEREAS, after review by the Board Policies Committee, the District is ready to recommend a new Policy No. 551 - Behavior Management.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Policy No. 551 be approved by the Board of School Directors.

Mr. Eccles seconded the motion.

In response to a question raised by Mr. Stack, Mr. Wyatt explained the Behavior Management Policy is a new policy.  Dr. Bowman pointed out the policy is required as a result of behavior management plans being placed in IEPs.  The policy was needed to provide guidance to the administration and to rely on in regard to meetings with parents and potential hearings. 

The Board approved the Board Policy No. 551 - Behavior Management motion with seven ayes.

Motion:  2000-2001 - Proposed School Calendar

Mr. Stack presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, each year the Board of School Directors must establish an official school calendar for the coming year; and

WHEREAS, the six participating school districts of the Bucks County Technical School strive to establish a common school calendar; and

WHEREAS, the Board of School Directors reviewed the proposed calendar at the March 14, 2000 Work Session; and

WHEREAS, the proposed calendar was forwarded for comments to each of the employee bargaining groups.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Neshaminy Board of School Directors adopt the attached school calendar for the 2000-2001 school year (attachment I).

Mr. Mecleary seconded the motion. 

Mr. Stack requested that every effort be made to make the 2000-2001 school calendar well known so people can plan in advance.  He suggested the calendar be posted on the District’s Web Page and cable station.

The Board approved the 2000-2001 proposed school calendar motion with seven ayes.

Federal Programs - Dr. Bowman reported the total of $1,322,693 for federal grants consists of entitlement grants of $680,648 and competitive grants of $642,045.  The latest grant was for a Title I Program for Youth Service, Inc.

Other Board Business - No other board business was discussed.

Correspondence - There was no correspondence.

Public Comment - There was a two minute time limit per speaker.  Mrs. Giordano inquired about the dates of the first day and last day of school for the 2000-2001 school year.  She explained the first day of school being scheduled before Labor Day is a hardship for her family, because they are usually away on vacation until Labor Day.  Mrs. Giordano was advised that the first day of school for students will be September 6 and the last day of school will be June 18 for the 2000-2001 school year.

Ms. Sylvester, newly elected teacher, thanked the Board for approving her election to a teaching position at the Lower Southampton Elementary School.

Board Comment - Ms. Drioli reported at the last Intermediate Unit Board Meeting she was impressed with Neshaminy’s student representative attending the Intermediate Unit Student Forum.  She explained the student gave an impromptu report because the student who was scheduled to present the report was absent.  The Neshaminy student’s report was informative and was presented articulately.  She said she was very proud of the student. 

Mr. Stack stated he was astonished that there had been no comment from any member of the public with regard to a potential tax increase in the Neshaminy School District.  The Board is seeking public input on the issue.  He said if there is no public input, there may be certain actions taken that may be unsatisfactory to some groups.  He pointed out the Board has to make decisions, and it is best to have as much public input as possible.  He urged the members of the public to address the Board and make their thoughts known. 

Mr. Schoenstadt moved the meeting be adjourned and Mr. Dengler seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with seven ayes.  Mr. Stack adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol A. Calvello
Board Secretary