The Neshaminy Board of School Directors met in public session on March 28, 2001 at the 
Lower Southampton Elementary School.  The following persons were in attendance:

Prior to the Public Meeting, a program was held to celebrate Lower Southampton Elementary School’s 50^th anniversary.

Call to Order - Mr. Stack called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m.  He thanked the Lower Southampton Elementary School’s PTO for providing refreshments at the meeting.

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

Student Report - Mr. Michael Taylor, student representative, presented the following report:

·         Since Kelly Schailey, student representative, was at a college visitation, she was not able to attend the meeting.

·         At the recent Gym Night, the Student Council raised over $600 for charity.

·         The status of the sport teams is as follows:

*         Baseball 2 and 0

*         Girls Soccer 1 and 1

*         Track 2 and 0

*         Basketball Won title for their division

·         On May 11 the Student Council will sponsor a volleyball night.  The winning team will play the Middletown Township Police Department’s team.

·         March 31 the junior prom will be held at King’s Caterers. 

Board Recognition - Mr. Stack presented to Mr. Paradise a framed certificate from the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials in recognition of his certification as a Pennsylvania Registered School Business Administrator.

Public Comment - There was a three minute time limit per speaker.  Mr. Schneider, Langhorne, noted he has presented comments to the Board several times on the issue of home-schooled youngsters’ inability to participate in the District’s extra-curricular activities.  He stated home-schooled youngsters are the children of taxpayers who fund the Neshaminy programs.  He advised the Board he has had several very good meetings with Dr. Bowman and members of the administration on this issue.  He pointed out the home-schooled children’s programs are overseen by the District, the parents are paying for the programs themselves and home-schooled children have the flexibility to participate in the activities.  Mr. Schneider distributed to each Board member copies of the correspondence he has had with District personnel on the issue.  He noted the correspondence addresses many of the concerns raised in the meetings by Dr. Bowman, Mr. Kelly, Ms. Murphy and Mr. Wyatt.  He asked the Board to consider the issue so the children who are being home schooled, in his son’s case for reasons of a disability, are not penalized for making an educational choice that is best for them.

In response to Mr. Schneider’s comments, Mr. Stack stated at the next Work Session the Board will address how to further handle the issue.

Superintendent’s Report - Dr. Bowman reported he recently returned from the National School Boards Association Conference.  Two Neshaminy staff members, Karen Wychock, Neshaminy Middle School assistant principal, and Barbara Epting, Neshaminy Middle School teacher, provided a 75-minute program presentation at the National School Boards Conference.  Ms. Wychock and Ms. Epting were also selected to present the Caring Kids Program at the Education Excellence Fair.  One-hundred programs were selected from across the country for presentation at the fair.  Ms. Wychock and Ms. Epting made a very professional and dignified presentation.

Dr. Bowman announced the junior prom will be held Saturday, March 31, and the basketball banquet will be held on Sunday, April 1.  Two Neshaminy High School students have been named as Merit Finalists. 

Minutes - Mrs. Butville moved the minutes of the February 27 and March 13, 2001 Public Board Meetings be approved and Dr. Frank seconded the motion.  The Board approved the minutes with six ayes.

Treasurer’s Report - Mr. Paradise presented for approval the February 28, 2001 Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit.  Mr. Eccles moved the February 28, 2001 Treasurer’s Report be approved, subject to audit, and Mr. Schoenstadt seconded the motion.  The Board approved, subject to audit, the February 28, 2001 Treasurer’s Report with six ayes. 

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

·         Bills for payment for February 2001

·         Budget Transfer Report No. 01-05 (working copy), which includes four transactions and subtransactions.

·         Personal and per capita tax exonerations for February 2001 totaling 59 exonerations.

Mr. Schoenstadt moved the February bills for payment, Budget Transfer Report No. 01-05 (working copy) and the February exonerations of personal and per capita tax be approved and Mrs. Butville seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with six ayes.

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

Bid No. 02-02 - Technology Education Supplies

Amount:  $16,409.96

The bid is for supplies for the instruction of industrial technology including design, problem solving and research and development for school year 2001/2002.

Bid No. 02-03 - Athletic/Physical Education Supplies

Amount:  $78,645.23

The bid is for supplies for physical education programs and various team sports for school year 2001-2002.

Mr. Mecleary moved the two bids be approved and Dr. Frank seconded the motion.  Mr. Stack pointed out the bid tabulation forms now include the prior year’s award amount. This information will be helpful to the Board when reviewing the bids.  The Board approved the two bids with six 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 Personnel (For information only)

Personnel information is listed on pages H-1 through H-6.

Dr. Frank moved the certified and support personnel actions be approved and Mr. Eccles seconded the motion.  The Board approved the certified and support personnel actions with six ayes.

Motion:  Summer Programs - Summer of 2001

Mr. Mecleary presented the following motion:

WHEREAS, the Neshaminy School District has operated a successful summer school program for 43 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 44^th year.

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

Dr. Frank seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with six ayes.

Motion:  Intermediate Unit No. 22 - 2001-2002 Budget

Mr. Schoenstadt 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 2001-2002 in the amount of $1,632,500 with our District share to be $114,354.

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

Motion:  2001-2002 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 13, 2001 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 adopts the attached (attachment I) school calendar for the 2001-2002 school year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2000-2001 school year calendar be amended as attached (attachment II).

Mr. Schoenstadt seconded the motion.

Mr. Stack stated with the revision to the 2000-2001 calendar, the commencement date has been established to be Wednesday, June 13.  Mr. Stack said he does not like the school year to go too late into the month of June.  Since the schools are not air conditioned,  the schools become very hot in June and do not provide the best environment for teaching and learning.  He said he is of the opinion that starting the school year before Labor Day is an advantage.  The students are prepared to go back to school and a number of other school districts have scheduled the first day of school prior to Labor Day.  He said he will not support the motion.

The Board approved the 2001-2002 proposed school calendar motion with five ayes and one nay, Mr. Stack.

Federal Programs - Dr. Bowman reported the District has received $696,139 in entitlement funds and $572,293 in competitive grant funds, which is a total of $1,268,432.  The District continues to apply for grants.

Other Board Business - Mrs. Butville reported she recently attended the National School Board Convention held in San Diego and found it very informative.  She will be distributing the material she brought back from the convention to the appropriate department heads.  Possibly some of the fantastic programs that are in place around the country can be implemented in the District.  She presented each Board member, who was not able to attend the convention, with a National Affiliate pin. 

Correspondence - Dr. Bowman reported a thank you card was received from the Turner family for helping their daughter gain access to the second floor of the Heckman Elementary School.  He explained a Heckman School student’s handicap prevented her from accessing the school’s second floor facilities.  After doing some research, a device was found through the Internet that would meet the student’s needs.  The Board has authorized the purchase of the devise. 

Public Comment - No public comment was presented.

Board Comment - Mr. Eccles reported he received a letter dated March 9, 2001 from a Neshaminy educator thanking the Board for the contract offer presented to the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers.  The letter stated the contract offer was unique and exceptionally reasonable in light of today’s labor market both in schools and the corporate world.  It indicates a sincere effort on the Board’s part to continue to build a strong Neshaminy community. 

Dr. Frank moved the meeting be adjourned and Mr. Eccles seconded the motion.  The Board approved the motion with six ayes.  Mr. Stack adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol A. Calvello
Board Secretary

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