The Neshaminy Board of School Directors met on November 14, 2000 in the Board Room of the District Offices, Maple Point Middle School.  The following persons were in attendance:

1.   Call to Order

      Mr. Stack called the meeting to order at 8:25 p.m.

2.   Pledge of Allegiance

      Mr. Stack requested that those in attendance join in the salute to the flag.

3.   Announcements

Mr. Stack announced an Executive Session was held prior to the Work Session to discuss negotiation issues.

4.   Public Comment

      No public comment was presented.

5.   Items for Discussion

      a.  BASCO Facilities Report

Information (Executive Summary) distributed prior to the meeting.  Mr. Paradise advised the Board most of the District�s facilities were built between 1951 and 1969 and there are renovation issues that need to be addressed.  Mr. Paradise briefly reviewed the contents of the BASCO Facilities Report.  He noted Section I of the report provides specific cost information for Neshaminy High School, Neshaminy Middle School and Poquessing Middle School.  The report includes a cost range of $36,000 to $45,000 for renovations at Neshaminy High School.  The report outlines the condition of the buildings, renovation recommendations and critical areas that need to be addressed.  The renovations outlined in the report would bring the buildings up to year 2000 standards.  The  renovations would be similar to the type of renovation work done at the Sandburg, Miller, Maple Point, Ferderbar Schools and portions of Neshaminy High School.  The report is primarily geared toward the secondary schools.

Mr. Paradise explained the recommended renovations for the Neshaminy High School, Poquessing Middle and Neshaminy Middle buildings would extend the life of the buildings 20 to 30 years.  The renovations would be complete wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor renovations.  The renovation cost is a standard per square foot number.

Dr. Bowman noted some of the renovations listed have already been accomplished.  The report is a starting point for discussion.  Bonds could be floated to fund the items.  Mr. Paradise explained the District could apply for state subsidy for the renovation project.  Since the District cannot apply for state subsidy any more than every twenty years, the project needs to be tackled in one lump.

Dr. Bowman urged the Board members to review the report.  He noted the Board does not have to do everything on the list.  All the critical information is included in the report.

Mr. Stack inquired if there are any IDEA compliance issues that need to be addressed.  Is there a large need for renovations in any of the facilities?  If not included as a part of a large renovation project, are there particular issues and concerns in particular facilities that need to be addressed within a year or two? 

Mr. Paradise explained the administration continues to tackle the roof and boiler issues.  When a complete renovation is done, there is the opportunity to do much more extensive work, i.e., complete redesign of the boiler system, separate power plant to heat the high school, etc.  Mr. Stack said what are the things that need to be done in the District?   He inquired if needed repairs/renovations that will result in large expenditures, should be included in a larger bond issue.  Mr. Paradise explained the original BASCO facility audit addressed the things that needed to be done.  Page 5-5 of the report compares the costs of the facility needs versus a complete renovation.  Many of the items included in the original 1990 audit have been addressed.  The District has a five year capital cost budget for such items, i.e., boilers, roofs, etc.

In response to a question raised by Mr. Schoenstadt, Mr. Paradise explained when conducting the facility renovation study, the education programs were taken into consideration.  Mr. Eccles recommended the report be kept readily available to review various scenarios and renovation issues.

In response to Mr. Stack�s request for information regarding repairs/renovations that need to be addressed at the secondary level, Dr. Bowman explained a boiler and roof repair/replacement schedule is being developed.  The schedule and any other pertinent additional information will be provided to the Board.

      b.  Strategic Plan

Information distributed prior to the meeting.  Dr. Bowman advised the Board that the submission of the District�s strategic plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Education was extended from September 30, 2000 to September 30, 2001.  Dr. Boccuti is the internal facilitator and Mrs. Perotti (Intermediate Unit) is the external facilitator for the strategic plan. 

Dr. Boccuti briefly reviewed the memorandum entitled �Strategic Planning Recommendation� which was distributed to the Board members.  The Strategic Planning Team will consist of 21 members who will be representative of the Neshaminy community (Board members, administrators, teachers, parents, retired citizen, business representative, etc.).  The process will fall between a full strategic planning endeavor and strategic plan update.  There will be three to four high impact strategies highly focused on teaching and learning.  The timeline includes a Strategic Planning Team full evening meeting on January 3 and a full day meeting on January 4.  On January 24 the strategies will be presented to the Action Team leaders.  April 4 is the target date for the Action Team leaders to present the strategies back to the Strategic Planning Team.  On April 24 the strategic plan will be presented to the Board for approval.

Dr. Bowman stated the strategic plan timetable is aggressive and the Planning Team is well balanced.  The goal is to present the strategic plan to the Board for approval on April 24.  The three Board members serving on the Strategic Planning Team will be Mrs. Butville, Ms. Drioli and Dr. Frank.  Dr. Bowman explained an effort will be made to have a parent from each level (elementary, middle and high school) and each region serve on the team.  Also, an effort will be made to have a retired senior citizen, who is not a retired teacher or retired administrator, serve on the team.  There are two ways to participate in the process, which are:

·         Member of Strategic Plan Team

·         Member of an Action Team

Every Board member will have an opportunity to be a part of an Action Team.

      c.  PSSA Writing Assessment

Information distributed prior to meeting.  Dr. Bowman advised the Board that the state is requiring all school districts to administer a third PSSA assessment test, an eleventh grade writing test.  This test is in addition to Reading and Mathematics tests.  The test needs to be taken very seriously, because it will be representative of the quality of education in Neshaminy. 

Mr. Wyatt advised the Board the sixth and ninth graders took the PSSA writing test in October.  He reviewed the memorandum entitled “Neshaminy High School 2000-2001 PSSA Assignments” which was distributed to the Board members prior to the meeting.  (See memorandum for detailed information.)  He pointed out the eleventh grade writing assessment test will be administered on three days between February 5-16.  There will be 80 minutes of testing each of the three days.  Approximately 35 to 40 classrooms will be utilized for the test.  The eleventh grade Reading and Mathematics assessments will be administered on two selected days between March 26 and April 27. 

In response to Dr. Frank’s question, Mr. Wyatt explained the writing assessment is a very detailed procedure.  The tests are reviewed by trained teachers, not Neshaminy teachers.  The tests are read and high and low scores are thrown out.  If an agreement cannot be reached, another person reads the test again to break any deadlock.  Each student’s writing test is carefully assessed by teachers who have been trained to assess the tests.  The scores do not change regionally.

In response to Mrs. Butville’s question about the testing days, Mr. Wyatt explained the three writing assessment days in February will be scheduled for a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  If one of those days becomes a snow day, another day that week will be added to the schedule. 

Mrs. Butville inquired about the cost of having the writing assessment tests evaluated and graded.  Dr. Bowman explained funds for the expenditure is included in the state’s budget.  He noted there are costs associated with local testing.

Mr. Stack inquired about the tenth and twelfth graders not in school during the testing days.  Mr. Wyatt explained on the writing assessment days, all tenth and twelfth graders will attend school.  However, tenth and twelfth graders will begin classes two hours later than normally. Tenth and twelfth graders for the most part will not attend school the two days of the Reading and Mathematics tests.  Approximately 200 to 250 tenth and twelfth graders will attend school those days for graduation projects, AP seminars, etc.  A third of the population will be in school those days.

Due to the number of students not in school the testing days, Ms. Drioli expressed concern that the District may not qualify for state funding for those days.

      d.  Elementary Enrollment Projections by PEL

Information distributed prior to the meeting and additional information distributed at the meeting.  Dr. Bowman briefly reviewed the PEL (Pennsylvania Economy League) Summary Report for Elementary Schools information sheet, which was distributed at the meeting.  He noted over a five year period, 2000-2001 to 2005-2006, an enrollment reduction of 506 elementary students or 12 percent reduction is projected.  The Districts’ enrollment projections are in agreement with the PEL’s projections.  Dr. Bowman also briefly reviewed the Neshaminy School District - Enrollment Data information sheet distributed at the meeting.  The information sheet lists the 2000-2001 enrollment and 2005-2006 enrollment projections for the elementary schools.

Dr. Bowman explained pre-first projections are included in the first grade enrollment projections, because the PEL does not sort the two out by grade level.  The Neshaminy School District - Enrollment Data information sheet indicates from October 1999 to October 2005, there will be an elementary enrollment reduction of 687 students.  Dr. Bowman noted in the last nine years, there was a 500 student reduction at the elementary level. 

Dr. Bowman pointed out before making any decisions, it is necessary to review the enrollment data for five to six years so there is only one change for at least a generation (grades K-5) of elementary students in school at the time of the change.

In response to Mr. Stack’s question, Dr. Bowman explained the census grid information is used to project the data for each building.  The District and PEL’s projections are very close.  Dr. Bowman advised the Board that the enrollment data will be shared with the Enrollment/Facilities Study Committee at their November 15 meeting.

6.   Items for Approval

      a.  Overnight Trip

           1)  December 28-29, 2000 - High School Basketball Team to Knights of Columbus Christmas

                Tournament, Shamokin, PA

Information distributed self-explanatory.  There was Board consensus for the trip.

      b.  Acceptance of 1999-2000 Audit Report

Mr. Paradise advised the Board a motion to accept the 1999-2000 audit report will be presented at the November 28 Public Meeting.  Board members who wish to receive a copy of the report should complete and return the report request form to Mr. Paradise’s office.

      c.  Approval of Bids and Budget Transfers

There were no bids to be presented for approval.  Mr. Paradise advised the Board Budget Transfer Report No. 01-02 (working copy), which has six transactions and subtransactions, will be presented for approval at the November 28 Public Meeting.  Board members who have questions about the report should contract Mr. Paradise prior to the November Public Meeting.

7.   Items for Information

      a.  Enrollment History - 1950

Dr. Bowman advised the Board he was the keynote speaker at the Siles School’s recent reunion.  Information distributed to the Board members provided a brief history of the school and enrollment data from September 18, 1950.  Dr. Bowman briefly reviewed the information sheet.

      b.  Draft of 2001-2002 School Calendar

Information distributed prior to the meeting.  Dr. Bowman advised the Board the 2001-2002 school calendar lists the first day of school for students as September 5, the Wednesday after Labor Day.  The last student day is scheduled for June 19.  There is very little flexibility within the calendar.  If there are a few snow days, school would be extended to the last week of June.  The calendar has been shared with the bargaining unit.

In response to Board members’ questions, Dr. Bowman explained the Lower Bucks County Superintendents have not discussed the calendar issue yet.  If the Charter Schools commence school before Neshaminy, the District will not provide busing to the Charter Schools until Neshaminy starts busing its own students.  Ms. Drioli suggested parents and teachers be advised not to make plans for the spring recess, because those days will most likely be used as snow make-up days.  Mrs. Butville suggested the days designated as snow make-up days be noted on the front of the calendar. 

8.   Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bowman reported the following:

Neshaminy School District Information Packet

Information distributed at the meeting.  The information packet is provided to realtors, libraries and the press.  Every member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce will receive one of the information packets.  The packet includes information on the quality of the Neshaminy School District’s programs, etc.  Most of the information is also available on the District’s web site.  Mr. Eccles suggested the information also be made available on a computer disk.  He also suggested any correspondence the District sends out include the Neshaminy’s web site address.  Dr. Bowman stated pens that will be distributed at the National School Boards Association Conference will have the District’s web site address imprinted on them.  Ms. Drioli suggested the information packets also be provided to area businesses.  Ms. Drioli also suggested the information packet include a listing of the Advanced Placement courses offered at Neshaminy High School.

Fullbright Fellowship in Japan

Mrs. Shelly Rosen, Oliver Heckman Elementary School teacher, has been selected for a Fullbright Fellowship in Japan.  She has established a web site so she can communicate with the students at the Heckman School.

Wildlife and Garden Habitat

Lower Southampton Elementary School’s “Wildlife and Garden Habitat - Schoolyard Habitat #131 - Nature Today for Our Earth Tomorrow” program binder was presented to the Board members for review. 

National School Boards Association Presentation

Two Neshaminy Middle School staff members, Elaine Wyatt and Linda Wallace, will present two Neshaminy programs at the National School Boards Association Conference.  A 75 minute presentation will be made and there will be a display and exhibit at the Educational Excellence Fair.  It is an opportunity for Neshaminy to show their program nationally.

American Education Week

The week of November 13-17 is American Education Week.

WISE Program

Three days this week individuals from the business world will shadow teachers and educators for a day.  Eight business leaders will visit Neshaminy as a part of the program. 

9.  Committee Reports

      a.  Educational Development Committee

Dr. Boccuti reported at the November 6 committee meeting an update on the new Advanced Placement Physics course was presented and discussed at length.  There are twenty students enrolled in the course.  An update on the grades K-6 Language Arts adoption process was presented to the committee.  The choices have been narrowed down to two series.  Thirty-six pilot teachers are involved in the process.  It is anticipated a recommendation will be presented to the committee at the end of the school year.  The minutes of the meeting will be sent to all Board members and all attachments from the meeting will be included with the minutes. 

Mr. Mecleary reported the committee heard a proposal regarding a new Advanced Placement Psychology course for the year 2001-2002.  If accepted, this would bring the total number of Advanced Placement courses to twelve.  Dr. Boccuti explained students who take the Advanced Placement courses have a SAT score of 1100 or higher.  The Advanced Placement Psychology course will not only target students with a 1100 SAT score or higher but also students who are enrolled in honors and college prep courses.  Therefore, the course will be available to a larger number of students.  The course would be offered in grade 12.  The course would be in place of a student taking Psychology as a first semester course and another Social Studies elective. 

Dr. Frank stated eight years ago the Council Rock School District started offering the Psychology course and it became a very popular course.  It is also very useful to all students.  Mr. Mecleary explained even though two teachers will be trained to teach the course, initially only one teacher would teach the course.  The total cost will be $8,000.  However, $2,000 will be funded through the Eisenhower Grant Fund.  Therefore, the initial one-time cost will be $6,000.  It would not be necessary to hire any  additional teachers to provide the course.  If the course becomes very popular, the teachers could teach the course up to five periods per day.  All the committee members in attendance at the committee meeting were in favor of the course. 

Mr. Stack expressed concern that there are an over abundance of Advanced Placement courses at the twelfth grade level.  He felt it would be beneficial to the students if there were Advanced Placement courses available to students in grades 10 and 11.  Mrs. Butville pointed out students who would enroll in the Advance Placement Psychology course would likely not be taking other Advanced Placement courses.   

Ms. Drioli questioned why two teachers would be trained to teach the Advanced Placement Psychology course.  Mr. Mecleary explained two teachers would be trained, but only one teacher would teach a class.  The two teachers would not work as a team teaching one class.  If the class becomes popular, as anticipated, it may be necessary to have two teachers trained to teach the course.  Ms. Drioli questioned whether another Advanced Placement course is needed.  She expressed concern about training two teachers to teach the one course.  She expressed concern since the Eisenhower Grant would be used to train the two teachers, the grant funds will not be available for another purpose.

Mr. Mecleary stated offering an additional Advanced Placement course raises the level of education at the high school.  The cost of the program for a ten year period would only be $6,000 to $8,000.  Mrs. Bostwick said when do you draw the line on providing college level classes at the high school?  Mr. Mecleary stated since the cost is so minimal, why is it necessary to draw the line?  Mrs. Butville stated students must take Advanced Placement courses and/or college courses during the summer in order to be considered for acceptance at some of the higher level colleges.  Some higher level colleges require a year’s worth of college credits for admittance into their college.  Advanced Placement courses are needed to satisfy the needs of the higher level achieving students.  Mr. Wyatt reported the following number of students have taken Advanced Placement courses:

·         1998  -  209

·         1999  -  225

·         2000  -  256

Dr. Bowman explained this time of year the seniors are competing to get accepted to their first choice college through early acceptance.  After the SAT score factor, the next factor seriously reviewed is the level and quality of courses taken in high school by the student.  A factor in students being accepted into the quality colleges is the quality of the courses they have taken in high school.  One of the factors reviewed when conducting studies on quality high schools in America is the number of Advanced Placement courses offered in the curriculum.  The more advanced courses, the higher the quality of the high school.  Neshaminy has a population large enough that there is be good utilization of the Advanced Placement courses.  Dr. Bowman pointed out if enough students do not enroll in an Advanced Placement course, the course is not offered.  If students take Advanced Placement courses, they are not taking other courses.  Therefore, it balances out the staffing. 

Mrs. Butville pointed out the students pay the fee to take the Advanced Placement test at the end of the year.  Since grant funds will be used to fund the teacher training for the new course, the only cost to the District will be the textbook cost. 

Mr. Boccuti advised the Board a survey of Bucks County school districts revealed that the number of Advanced Placement courses offered in the high schools range from one to fourteen.  Central Bucks West High School offers fourteen Advanced Placement courses and Council Rock High School offers eight Advanced Placement courses. 

Mr. Stack indicated he was in favor of reviewing Advanced Placement courses for tenth and eleventh grade students.  Dr. Bowman stated a list will be developed of all Advanced Placement courses and at what grade level they are available.

There was Board consensus for the addition of the Advanced Placement Psychology course. 

      b.  Educational Foundation

Mrs. Bostwick reported the Foundation’s recent auction was a success and raised approximately $4,000.

      c.  Enrollment/Facilities Study Committee

Copy of the minutes distributed to the Board members.  Mr. Schoenstadt reported at the last meeting the committee members met in small groups to review the various possible options.  At the November 15 meeting the committee members will review assumptions and enrollment projection data.  The review is of the District as a whole.  The committee will be developing specific options available to the Board.  There seems to be good interaction among the committee members.

      d.  Finance Committee

Mr. Eccles reported $149,000 was budgeted for the Aquatic Program and to date approximately $44,000 has been received.  The rental facility budget included a budgeted amount of $169,000 and approximately $52,000 has been received to date. 

Mr. Eccles advised the Board the committee reviewed the soda/beverage contract issue again.  Recently handouts estimating the income generated were found on non-food service vending machines.  Information will be obtained as to what is done with the income generated by the vending machines.  A review of the soda/beverage contracts has indicated that Canada Dry seems to be the most lenient as to a nonexclusive agreement.  It is possible that an arrangement could be reviewed including all machines and leaving out the Food Service Department vending machines.  More data will be collected and reviewed. 

Mr. Stack noted the area school districts that entered into soda/beverage contracts, were initially provided with a large up front payment.  The proposals being presented to Neshaminy include only 10 percent of what was provided to the other school districts.  He questioned what accounts for this.  Mr. Paradise explained over five years, the Food Service Department has netted $1.1 million.  Long before any of the other school districts considered entering into soda/beverage contracts, the Food Service Department was using vending to support their bottom line.  The vending machines are in the Food Service Department and are keeping the department afloat. In order to enter into a soda/beverage agreement, the District would have to decide whether to include or exclude the Food Service Department.  If the Food Service Department is excluded, there would be nothing to work with, which is why the District would not receive a large sum of money.  If the Food Service Department is included, it would create a problem and the District would basically be taking the business away from the Food Service Department.  Mr. Stack asked how other school districts maintain their Food Service Departments.  Mr. Paradise said the other school districts either contract the service out or general fund monies are used to help support the Food Service Department.  Currently, the focus is on machines that are located outside of the Food Service Department areas.  Mr. Eccles said machines could be added in different areas and the District could go back to the companies for a revised proposal.  Possibly a company would sponsor the stadium sales.  Mr. Paradise stated the problem is that the companies want to control every product that the District sells, including the Food Service Department. 

Mr. Eccles reported the committee reviewed various possible sources of income.  Possible considerations are advertising in the football/soccer stadium, vending in the stadium, advertising on District vehicles and recognizing donations by having a room in a school named after the donor.  Currently, the District does not have someone who has the expertise and knowledge to solicit companies regarding these ideas.  Mr. Eccles felt there is a great deal of revenue available that the District is not realizing. A person with the appropriate expertise and knowledge would be an asset to the District and help provide resources to the District.  Ms. Drioli inquired if there is an alumni group or some other type of group that could solicit contributions for the School District.  Mr. Dengler explained when he was a member of the Education Foundation, an effort was made to solicit contributions.  At that time, Mr. Fleck ruled that the alumni lists belong to the schools and the Foundation was not allowed to use them for fund raising purposes.  Mrs. Bostwick suggested this type of information be listed on the District’s Web Page.  Ms. Drioli suggested graduating students sign a form stating the District has permission to contact them as an alumni. 

      e.  Intermediate Unit Board

Ms. Drioli reported the Board reviewed Dr. Coe’s leadership abilities and his ability to be the Director of the Intermediate Unit.  Dr. Coe has set goals as to expanding the services of the Intermediate Unit in regard to Charter Schools. 

      f.  Intermediate Unit Legislative Committee

          No report was presented.

      g.  Board Policies Committee

Mr. Wyatt reported the committee has not met to review the attendance policy.  The committee will review the attendance issue and the emphasis will be on how the Middletown Township daytime curfew ordinance will help the District’s attendance policy.

      h.  Technical School Board

Mr. Dengler reported the installation of a climbing wall at the Technical School was recently approved.  Both the open house and back to school night were very successful.  On November 15 the report of the auditors will be available. 

In response to questions raised by Mr. Schoenstadt, Mr. Dengler reported the school’s enrollment is approximately 1,300 and its capacity is approximately 1,600 students.  There was a reduction in the number of students enrolled in the junior and senior classes, because some students elected to return to their home school and graduate from their home school.  The ninth grade program is an exploratory program and it is anticipated the enrollment will increase in the upcoming years.  Mr. Schoenstadt noted this year Neshaminy did not meet its enrollment allotment by 150 to 200 students.  Dr. Bowman explained the major issue this year was to open the comprehensive technical school and have the new curriculum in place.  The Technical School’s representatives will be visiting the schools and recruiting students earlier this year than they did last year.  The school now has a program in place that can show students what the school is like and what occurs in the classrooms.  There is more information available.  Dr. Bowman felt a greater percentage of Neshaminy’s students will decide to attend the comprehensive technical school and fewer students will return to Neshaminy after making the decision to attend the Technical School.  Ms. Drioli felt the enrollment will increase over time.  She pointed out students in grades 11 and 12 did not want to change to a full-time program at the Technical School, because they were already committed to Neshaminy High School.  Ms. Drioli said she hopes the District will be able to get back the spaces it did not use this year.  Dr. Bowman explained the District will receive the spaces back beginning with the entry class.  Once a tenth grade spot is given away, it is gone for grades 11 and 12. 

Dr. Bowman said Mr. Snyder and his staff need to be commended because they had monumental issues to address.  They got the school open in September with an educational program in place.

      i.  Technology Committee

Mr. Stack reported the committee met on October 17.  The committee was advised the fiber optic connections would be completed by February.  The committee discussed staff development and proficiencies for students and staff.  It was recommended this issue be further discussed by the Educational Development Committee.  The committee reviewed the various technology projects that have been completed.  Ms. Bostwick recommended the high school library project be completed this year. 

Dr. Bowman explained last year during the budget review process, a number of items were removed from the budget.  The budgetary reserve is always established at $500,000.  When the budget was approved in June, there was an additional $80,000 in the reserve account.  The November Budget Transfer Report includes a transfer request of $12,000 to complete the library project (purchase library catalog hardware and software). 

Mr. Stack stated there have been technology initiative ideas/requests submitted by staff members totaling approximately $9,000,000.  The District does not have $9,000,000 available to grant the technology ideas/requests.  Therefore, a priority list of technology issues needs to be developed.  Issues to be considered are as follows:

·         PCs in classrooms

·         Review/update elementary school labs

·         Proposals regarding the inclusion of technology in different subject areas

Mr. Stack stated the District needs to make technology investments that will carry over to the curriculum.  He urged the Board members to consider what should be the technology priorities of the School District.  He noted the Council Rock School District is pursuing a digital grant.  He said Neshaminy has been very successful in the past obtaining grants and needs to continue to pursue grant funds.  The Board needs to consider the future technology direction of the District.

10. Future Topics

Dr. Bowman advised the Board that he will be meeting with the parent who addressed the Board twice regarding the issue of home schooled students participating in the District’s co-curricular activities.  At some point, this issue will probably be a topic for discussion by the Educational Development Committee and future topic for the Board. 

Ms. Drioli noted she had requested the Educational Development Committee review the elementary level health curriculum. Dr. Bowman stated the issue has been referred to the Educational Development Committee.  Mr. Mecleary explained the Educational Development Committee probably will not meet again until January. 

11. Agenda Development for the November 28, 2000 Public Meeting

      Dr. Bowman reviewed the agenda items for the November Public Meeting.

12. Correspondence

Mr. Schoenstadt reported he received a letter from Linda Brescia regarding a lack of bus transportation for ninth grade athletes to Neshaminy High School.  Her main concern is that the ninth grade students are not being given an equal opportunity to qualify for sports at the high school.  Since there is no busing provided for the ninth grade students, they cannot participate in high school sports.  Dr. Bowman stated this has been an ongoing problem.  Years ago the Board had stated the ninth grade students could participate in the high school sports, but extra buses would not be provided to transport the ninth graders to the high school.  It is the parent’s responsibility to transport the students. 

Mr. Schoenstadt stated if there is a way to deal with the issue without creating a monumental expense to the District, it might be a worthwhile issue to review.  A ninth grader does have a better opportunity to make the varsity team if he/she is playing in a higher level of competition. Dr. Bowman said he will review the three year history of the issue, how many students have participated, cost associated with busing, etc. 

Ms. Drioli stated at the bottom of her letter from Ms. Brescia there was a note requesting she call her.  Ms. Drioli called Ms. Brescia and advised her she was not in support of busing the ninth grade students to Neshaminy High School.  She suggested Mrs. Brescia and other concerned parents present their concerns to the Board at a Board Meeting. 

13. Other Board Business

Mr. Eccles advised the Board that at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, at the War Memorial Field, Doylestown, the Carl Sandburg Football Team will be playing for the Middle School PIAA Bucks County Championship.

Mr. Stack adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol A. Calvello
Board Secretary