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The
Neshaminy Board of School Directors met in public session on October 9,
2001 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 8:20
p.m. 2.
Flag Salute
Mr. Stack requested those in attendance join
in the salute to the flag. 3.
Announcements Mr.
Stack announced prior to the meeting, an Executive Session was held to
discuss personnel issues. Dr.
Bowman announced on October 11, 10:00 a.m., in the Board Room of the
District Offices Senators Conti and Tomlinson will chair a State
Senate Policy Committee Meeting on school funding.
The meeting will not include an opportunity for public testimony,
but it will be open to the public. 4.
Public Comment There
was a two minute time limit per speaker.
Ms. Hix, Happy Days Learning Center in Trevose, stated she was
speaking on behalf of the Tawanka and Ferderbar Elementary Schools�
kindergarten students who are enrolled in the Happy Days Learning Center
Program. After 13 years of
Neshaminy providing transportation for the children, notification has been
received that transportation will no longer be provided after October 31.
Currently, nine kindergarten Tawanka School students are enrolled
in the Happy Days Learning Center Program.
She noted it has been suggested parents send their children to
child daycare homes in the neighborhood.
Since child daycare in homes is not permitted in Lower Southampton
Township, this is not an option. Ms.
Hix advised the Board she has applied for a grant to purchase a van to
transport the students to school. However,
it is a very lengthy process, approximately two to six months, and will
not be completed by October 31. She
requested the Board review the current policy pertaining to transporting
students to and from child care centers.
The Happy Days Learning Center is within a one mile radius of the
Ferderbar, Lower Southampton and Tawanka Elementary Schools.
She stated it would save the District time and money by dropping
off ten children at one
location as opposed to making six to ten different stops throughout the
Lower Southampton area. Ms.
Hix stated it is devastating to the families, especially the children, to
lose a safe environment which they grew up in and are accustomed to.
Many of the children have been attending the Happy Days Learning
Center since birth. She asked the Board to review this transportation issue. Ms.
Ludwig, Oakford, explained one of her children is a Tawanka School
kindergarten student and attends the Happy Days Learning Center Program.
Both she and her husband work full time.
If transportation to the Happy Days Learning Center is
discontinued, she will have no choice but to withdraw her child from
kindergarten. Ms.
McGlone, Langhorne, advised the Board the schools she and her husband
thought her children would attend were one of the reasons they chose to
move back to Lower Southampton. She
pleaded with the Board to leave the Tawanka School community intact.
She asked the Board members to put themselves in the Tawanka
community’s place. She noted her son has achieved success the last two years at
the Tawanka School, but he is timid as are many other children.
She expressed concern some Tawanka students will not achieve
success next year if they are moved to another school.
She pointed out some of the reasons why the Tawanka School is
special. She stated she was
impressed with Dr. McKee’s genuine concern for the education and
well being of the students along with the fact that she knows every
student by name. She asked if
there will be a Dr. McKee at her son’s new school.
Will there be the same type of staff commitment and teamwork that
exists at the Tawanka School at her son’s new school?
She pointed out the Tawanka Home and School Association raised
approximately $30,000 for a playground which is only two years old.
If the Tawanka School is closed, the children will not get to enjoy
something their parents worked so hard for.
The closing of the school will force many community groups to meet
elsewhere. One such group
would be the Pennsylvania Youth Choral, which originated and has been
rehearsing at the Tawanka School for 25 years. Ms. McGlone stated like many other parents, she and her
husband are considering private schooling for their children in order to
keep a sense of sameness. We
are not losing faith in the teachers of the District, but the system
itself. Ms.
McGlone inquired about using some of the District’s modular classrooms
for the alternative school students or instituting a twilight alternative
school program. She felt in light of the tragic events of September 11, the
elementary school children should be kept as close as possible to home.
She asked how long it will take the children to get home from a
school that is farther away from their homes.
She stated the Tawanka community is growing and will grow more if
it is made appealing to young families.
Is the goal educational excellence or educational economics. Ms.
Tihansky, Langhorne, felt the Board’s decision to close the Tawanka
School is tearing apart the Tawanka community.
She stated the Tawanka School fosters a strong sense of community
in the children. Moving the
children to larger schools will break up the Tawanka family, the children
will get lost inside the schools and the sense of community will be lost.
Community is extremely important in helping the children cope with
the recent events of terrorism and war.
Tawanka is one thing the children can count on.
She compared closing the Tawanka School to ripping apart a family.
She stated she is
grateful to the Tawanka School for the quality of education and excitement
to learn she sees in the classroom. The
materials used are top notch and the class size fosters the individual
attention the children receive to excel in learning. Ms.
Tihansky noted the Board has already and is going to raise taxes, close a
community school (Tawanka) and take out a minimum bond issue of
$30,000,000 with a minimum pay back of 2.8 mills for 20 years in order to
save money. The residents
want the Neshaminy schools to be efficient and to run with regard to
boilers, secure doors and sound roofing.
Residents also want the District’s technology to be cutting edge. In order to accomplish these things, a plan that identifies
and prioritizes needs to be in place.
Ms. Tihansky asked the Board to not sacrifice a community school
(Tawanka) to save so little money. Ms.
Pirritano, Langhorne, explained her son was diagnosed with ADHD five years
ago. Since his unique needs
were not being met at the parochial school he was attending, he was
enrolled in the Tawanka School. She stated her expectations of the Tawanka School have been
both met and exceeded. The
Tawanka School is fortunate to have a principal, Dr. McKee, who has the
ability and willingness to weigh situations individually and do what is
best for the child. Ms.
Pirritano explained as a parent of a child with ADHD, she attends monthly
support group meetings at St. Mary Hospital.
When her son was in first, second and third grade, each of the
teachers gave up their own time, at least once, to attend the support
group meetings with her to learn more about what they could do to help in
the classroom and to better understand her son.
It was Dr. McKee’s open-arm reception that brought her to
the Tawanka School and has kept her at the school the last five years.
She said Dr. McKee ignited my faith in Neshaminy’s schools.
The Tawanka School’s dedicated and caring staff emulate Dr.
McKee’s same dedication day after day.
She said I am proud to say Tawanka is where I choose to stay.
She asked the Board to not separate the family of staff and
community which Dr. McKee has worked so hard to build.
She expressed concern that the closure of the Tawanka School would
drive away some of the families. A
small and personable school such as the Tawanka School is an attraction to
the area. She urged the Board
to help preserve the quality of
education for the children while enabling it to become even better.
Allow Tawanka to continue to do what it does best – provide a
quality education in a unique caring environment for children.
Mr.
Howland, Langhorne, referred to the tragic events of September 11 and
suggested the Board investigate implementing a ROTC Program at Neshaminy
High School. He noted there
is sufficient ground available at the high school to accommodate such a
program. Students could visit
Fort Dix for two weeks to learn how to fire a weapon.
Mr. Howland stressed the importance of maintaining the District’s
facilities. Mr.
Filoon, Oakford explained he was under the impression that there were ten
parcels of land available in the District.
He suggested a small office be built on the parcels and modular
classrooms be backed up to the office building.
He provided the Board members with a rough sketch of his proposal.
As an option, the modular classrooms could be removed at a later
date if they are not needed and the office building could be used as a
conference center. He advised
the Board the rule of thumb for the cost of constructing an office
building is $100 per square foot. The
Board members explained the ten parcels of land are not owned by the
District. Taxes are owed the
District on the ten parcels. Mr.
Filoon expressed concern if the Tawanka School is closed, the students
will be bused to another community. He
noted the distance the students would have to travel to the Hoover School.
He felt some parents may not enroll their children in kindergarten
because of the busing distance to the Hoover School. Ms.
Albright, Oakford, thanked the Board for accepting the invitation to
attend the October 10, 8:00 p.m., Tawanka Home and School Association
Meeting. She questioned the
Board’s rationale for selecting the Tawanka School for closure, and
asked why the Board wants to close a well functioning, community school.
She stated one of the reasons given for selecting the Tawanka
School for closure is that it is a small school in capacity and easily
converted back to an elementary school in a few years if there is any
change in enrollment. Does
this mean in a few years if there is a mistake in the facts and figures,
the children will be uprooted again?
She asked the Board to provide a stable environment for the
students. Ms.
Albright pointed out the economy is now in a recession.
Will this be a factor in changing enrollment trends?
She felt people who are trying to make ends meet might now be
looking to a more economical environment for raising and educating their
children. She noted the Board
has said until a final vote is taken on the school closure, where the
Tawanka School children will attend school will not be determined.
She questioned how the Board can reach a school closing decision
without first determining where the displaced children will attend school.
Ms.
Albright felt the Board is downplaying the alternative school agenda.
She noted the example previously given of those who will attend the
alternative school, and pointed out these are students who show no respect
for authority. She questioned
the message being sent to young children when special accommodations are
made for students with behavioral problems while students who are
respectful are disrupted and uprooted from their school. Ms.
Albright stated closing the Tawanka School will result in the students
being uprooted from their secure, small school and placed in large
capacity classrooms. She felt
once the other elementary schools realize how they will be affected by the
closing of the school, they will be forced to voice their objections.
Members of the Tawanka School’s surrounding community will be
concerned about their property values and the thought of dealing with a
school full of students with behavioral problems.
Anyone expecting to receive a savings from this will be mistaken.
She asked how are the parents suppose to support a decision that is
not a plus for the majority of elementary school age children and the Lower Southampton Township community.
Ms.
Albright pointed out the Board ratified a teachers contract which included
reducing class size in the next five years.
The Tawanka School currently has classrooms that are full or near
full capacity. Ratification of the contract indicates the Board agrees a
smaller classroom environment is more conducive to learning. If the Tawanka School is closed how many classrooms will be
at or near capacity? Why wait
five years for the students to benefit from something the Board has
already agreed to do? She
felt if classroom sizes are reduced and modular classrooms are eliminated,
no school should need to be closed. She
urged the Board to take a step forward and give all Neshaminy elementary
students these benefits instead of stepping backwards by closing a school.
Ms. Albright advised the Board over 400 signatures have been
obtained opposing the closure of the Tawanka School. Ms.
Lanhan, Trevose, referred to the Enrollment and Facilities Data
information packet distributed at the August 28, 2001 Board Meeting and
stated she found some discrepancies in information referenced in recent
Board Meetings. She stated it
has been said over the next ten years District enrollment will decline by
over 1,000 students. The
1993-2011 enrollment chart shows only a difference of 327 students between
2001 and 2011. The 1,000
student decline is for a 20 year period starting in 1993.
Ms. Lanhan questioned how the Tawanka School was selected as the
smallest school. A review of
the elementary enrollment projections indicate the Schweitzer Elementary
School has the lowest enrollment projections over the next five years. The Tawanka School has the smallest program capacity.
However, over the next five years the Schweitzer School
consistently shows lower enrollment.
Currently, the enrollment data shows the Tawanka School at 84
percent utilization, Schweitzer School at 68 percent, Lower Southampton
School at 68 percent and Heckman School at 72 percent.
She felt the information demonstrates that the Schweitzer School
would be the logical choice as the school to close since it is at only 68
capacity utilization and the five year projection reflects a 253
enrollment decline. Ms.
Lanhan stated she agrees that alternative school students deserve a
quality education and a quality school.
She suggested the Schweitzer School be utilized as the District’s
alternative school. She noted
the Schweitzer School is attached to the Sandburg Middle School.
Wouldn’t it be to the benefit of the alternative school students
to be close to students their own age?
Wouldn’t it motivate them to see what privileges they are giving
up by not making the right choices? The Sandburg Middle School parents may not want their
children to be influenced by the alternative school students. However, the alternative school would be a separate entity as
the Schweitzer School is now. There
could be separate buses, as there is now, for each of the schools.
She pointed out the Schweitzer School is located within 1.5 miles
of three other schools, Buck, Everitt and Hoover Elementary Schools.
The closing of the Schweitzer School would result in a smaller
percentage of the elementary students being redistricted to nearby
schools. She stated the
alternative schools currently located on Brownsville Road and Street Road,
which serve ten school districts, will remain open after Neshaminy
students are taken out of these schools. She felt there is not a need for another alternative
school in the township. Ms. Lanhan
stated she was opposed to closing any school.
She urged the Board if it is necessary to close one elementary
school, the Schweitzer School be closed because all the facts lead to that
conclusion. Ms. Lanhan said
our country is at war and everyone is uncomfortable.
In light of current conditions throughout the country, she
questioned if this is the right time to move hundreds of students out of
their schools, especially since there will not be a savings the first
year. In
response to Ms. Lanhan’s comments regarding declining enrollment, Mr.
Stack explained the District has between 1,500 and 1,600 less students in
the elementary schools today than it had in the elementary school nine
years ago. This is why the
Board has decided to close a building. Ms.
Hardill, Oakford, stated she supported the Tawanka School remaining open.
It is a great school and Dr. McKee is a wonderful principal. Dr.
Burg, President of Neshaminy High School Instrumental Boosters, stated we
were all wounded by the events that took place on September 11.
The imagery of that tragic day will stay with us forever.
Also tragic, although on a much different level, would be to allow
the terrorist acts to impinge on our freedom and to affect our daily
lives. The country needs to
find some way to return to normalcy.
He noted the President has urged everyone to return to normalcy and
once again resume air travel. The
mayor of New York has said the best way to help New Yorkers is to visit
New York City and to spend money there.
Dr. Burg said he realized that the safety of the students is and
should be the primary concern of the School Board and its administrators.
He said on behalf of the Instrumental Program, he respectfully
disagrees with the absolute canceling of all overnight student travel for
the remainder of this school year. Dr.
Burg referred to a statement by Dr. Bowman included in the minutes of the
September 25 Board Meeting regarding much planning and fund raising
being required for a trip to California.
Dr. Burg said while it is true a trip to California requires much
planning and fund raising, the point of no return has not been reached.
He felt members of the Board may have been lead to believe a Board
decision on the California trip had to be made in September.
This is not the case. Not
only is there still time to plan air travel, it is still possible to plan
a worthwhile trip by bus or train. The
parents in the program would like to have some input in the Board’s
decision. The students have
been looking forward to the trip for quite some time.
The seniors especially are very disappointed.
He said he realizes that world and domestic affairs may change
dramatically in the next several months.
A trip planned now may need to be reevaluated on a regular basis.
If the Board will not allow travel by air, allow an alternative
plan to be formulated that will allow the spring trip to continue.
A
Lower Southampton resident referred to the busing situation pertaining to
the Happy Days Learning Center. She
pointed out which kindergarten session, morning or afternoon, a child
attends is determined by the bus schedule.
Children attending the Happy Days Learning Center Program attend
the morning kindergarten program. If
the transportation is discontinued to the day care center, parents will
not have the option of having their children transported home because the
children in the neighborhood attend the afternoon kindergarten program.
What options are available? Would
the children have to transfer to the afternoon kindergarten program? She said it is easier for the School District to drop nine
students off at one bus stop than several different bus stops.
She urged the Board to continue providing transportation for the
Happy Days Learning Center kindergarten students.
She said the Tawanka School is a wonderful community school and
urged the Board to keep the school open.
Ms.
Parssinen, Langhorne, referred to the Enrollment and Facilities Data
information sheets distributed at the August 28 Board Meeting and noted
the data reflects a decline of 700 students over the last ten years.
A decline of an additional 400 students is projected over the next
eight to ten years. In light
of the declining enrollment data, she questioned why the Board is
considering closing only one school and the smallest District school.
She felt according to the data, the Board could choose to close any
school serving as few as 269 students (Schweitzer School) or up to 608
students (Hoover School). She
asked why the Board is not aiming to reduce the facilities by 700 to 1,000
seats by closing either the largest school or some combination of smaller
schools. She felt decreasing
student capacity by 700 to 1,000 would result in the District actually
saving some money. She said
what is the point of closing the smallest school?
Why is so much time and effort being spent to realize a tax savings
of $30 to $50? She said
closing the Tawanka School may be necessary, but it is not fair.
If the Tawanka School must be closed, transfer the students to the
next closest school. Give the
Tawanka community something back. Ms.
Reboh, Langhorne, explained she went online to obtain information as to
the criteria for classifying a child for attendance at an alternative
school. She noted the online
information stated the alternative schools are designed to meet the needs
of the students who have a history of disruptive behavior in school or
have committed a serious offense that warrants an out-of-school suspension
or expulsion from the school according to the student conduct policy and
behavior code approved by the School Board of Trustees.
Cooperative agreements may be developed amongst school districts in
order to implement innovative, exemplary programs. The definition of disruptive behavior provided was the
behavior interferes with the student’s own learning or educational
practice of others and requires attention and assistance beyond which the
traditional program can provide. It
also means behavior that results in frequent conflict of a disruptive
nature while the student is under the jurisdiction of the school, either
in or out of the classroom, or sincerely threatens the general welfare of
students or others with whom the student comes in contact.
Examples of serious offenses are violence, possession of weapons or
controlled substances and harassment or verbal abuse of school personnel
or other students. In the
case of alternative school students, all of the disciplinary actions in a
traditional school have been exhausted.
She expressed concern that the opening of an alternative school in
the Tawanka facility will affect residents’ property value.
She said who will want to purchase a home located near an
alternative school? Ms.
Heuer, Langhorne resident and Tawanka School teacher, stated alternative
school students are not students who have dyslexia.
They are not students who may have brought a beer to school.
These are students who are overly defiant and hostile toward
teachers and other students. They
are oppositional to authority and demonstrate asocial behavior.
They have brought weapons to school and have threatened teachers
and students. Educators do
not recommend placing students in an alternative school on a whim. Ms. Heuer explained she has been in special education for 25
years and contributes to plans that the ASSIST Team develops to reach
students who are not receptive to learning.
She explained an alternative school may be considered if a student
still demonstrates aggressive behaviors after a period of observation,
data collection and implementation of techniques.
She urged the School Board members to visit the Middle Earth School
and make an informed decision about Tawanka. Mr.
Rudolph explained one of the reasons he purchased his home, which is
located near the Tawanka School, was because it was close to the school
and bus transportation was provided from the Tawanka School to the Happy
Days Learning Center. Not
only does the Board want to close the Tawanka School, but it also wants to
discontinue bus transportation to the Happy Days Learning Center after 13
years. He urged the Board to
not close the Tawanka School or discontinue the bus transportation to the
Happy Days Learning Center for kindergarten students. Mr.
Rudolph stated he has reviewed the enrollment and facilities data
available. He questioned the
probability of the alternative school being a success.
He noted there are several alternative schools located in the area
that are not filled to capacity. He
said the Tawanka School is a great school and has an excellent percussion
program. He questioned the
reasons for closing the Tawanka School.
On
behalf of Mr. Crosby of Langhorne, Ms. Drioli presented his concerns
regarding the closing of the Tawanka School and the lowering of real
estate values in the area because of the Tawanka School closing. He felt
the close location of the Tawanka School and its excellent reputation was
a major factor considered by parents with whom he has spoken to when they
are buying a home in this area. There
is an excellent rapport between the parents and the school personnel
because of the closeness of the school to their homes.
With all that is happening in the world today, should we not be
putting the needs of our children above a few dollars that may or may not
be saved by closing a school, which has had a positive influence on
student life to date? Mr.
Stack referred to the comments presented regarding the Happy Days Learning
Center transportation issue, and stated the Neshaminy School District does
not provide transportation to day care centers.
He explained in the past if there were bus stops in the area and
open seats, transportation was provided.
The Transportation Department is not authorized to provide
transportation exclusively for day care.
Since there are no longer any bus stops in the area of the Happy
Days Learning Center, transportation is being provided for only a few
months so alternative ways of transporting the students can be found.
5.
Items for Discussion
a. Interfaith
Prayer Vigil Information
distributed prior to the meeting. Dr.
Bowman advised the Board a request has been received for the use of the
Maple Point Middle School auditorium for an interfaith prayer vigil.
The administration would prefer the interfaith prayer vigil be held
on a Friday evening so overtime would not have to be paid to custodians,
etc. He recommended waiving
any fees per the Board Policy regarding use of District facilities. Ms.
Drioli inquired if the speakers at the service will be paid.
Will an offering be taken at the prayer vigil?
Mr. Paradise explained the speakers would not be paid.
Mrs. Butville recommended if an offering is taken, the funds be
donated to a relief fund. Mr.
Stack requested the administration ascertain the group’s intention
regarding any offering taken at the prayer vigil.
Mr. Paradise will also discuss the issue of insurance with the
group. The
Board indicated assuming the offering is appropriate, if there is an
offering, they were in favor of allowing the group to use the Maple Point
Middle School auditorium for an interfaith prayer vigil and waiving the
fees. Mr. Stack suggested the
interfaith prayer vigil be advertised on Neshaminy’s cable channel.
b. Review
of School Trips Dr.
Bowman advised the Board that the Intermediate Unit has surveyed school
districts regarding the trip issue. The
results of the survey as of October 9 indicated that most school districts
are allowing students to take local trips in Bucks and Montgomery
Counties. Four school
districts, including Central Bucks, Centennial, Neshaminy and Quakertown,
are not allowing trips into Philadelphia at this time.
No district is allowing any day or overnight trips into New York or
Washington, D.C. Currently,
two school districts have trips on the books that include air
transportation. One of the
trips is to Florida for the Make-A-Wish Program.
The other trip is a study abroad trip.
Five school districts are providing no opportunities for air
transportation. One local
school district has approved a senior trip to Florida and another school
district is going to reevaluate the issue after Thanksgiving. Three trips between now and Thanksgiving have been canceled.
The Pennsbury School District’s trips to New York have been
changed to other destinations. Dr.
Bowman advised the Board he has canceled Neshaminy’s trips to New York
and Washington, D.C. The Sandburg Middle School student trip to Costa Rico was
canceled. The foreign
language trip to Quebec, which involved air travel, has been canceled. The trip to Anaheim, California has been canceled and
alternatives to the trip are being reviewed.
A possible alternative is a competition in Toronto, Canada.
The students could travel to Toronto by bus.
Another possibility would be a combined vocal and instrumental trip
next year. There are adjudications around the country that require a
school district compete in both the vocal and instrumental categories.
Historically in Neshaminy, the directors have preferred to have
their own instrumental and vocal adjudications.
Dr.
Bowman advised the Board at this point in time, the junior class trip,
which is a bus trip, has been canceled.
A big part of the junior class trip is Busch Gardens and the dinner
cruise in the harbor. If for
some reason a decision were to be made to close the harbor or bridges,
there would be a unique situation. If
a junior class trip is not held this year, possibly there could be a
combined junior/senior trip next year. Dr.
Bowman reported he received an e-mail stating canceling trips is the wrong
thing to do. He stated when
300 to 500 students leave Neshaminy on a trip, it becomes his
responsibility. He said he
will err on the side of safety and welfare of the students. He stated he recognizes that the Board agrees that there
should be no compromise on the issue of safety and welfare of the
students. He pointed out
trips are a valuable experience for students.
However, at this time there will be some inconveniences.
Dr. Bowman said he is open to alternative opportunities for
trips. He advised the Board
he will bring trip information back to the Board for review on a monthly
basis. Mr.
Stack inquired about the timeline for the junior class trip.
Dr. Bowman explained as of last week, the travel agent arranging
the trip was looking for the trip deposit.
Due to the current status of tourism, the travel agent may revise
the timeline. The junior class trip has been canceled.
Ms. Drioli suggested consideration be given to only canceling
the harbor cruise portion of the trip and students visit other sights in
the area. Dr. Bowman
explained a minimum number of students must participate in the trip or it
becomes too expensive. Mr.
Stack recommended junior class trip alternatives be reviewed.
Dr. Bowman recommended the groups planning the trips present
alternatives to the administration. There was Board consensus for Dr. Bowman’s recommendation.
c. Standard
and Poor’s Report Information
distributed prior to the meeting. Dr.
Bowman noted the Standard and Poor’s Report is a statistical analysis of
various aspects of the School District.
The report states students in Neshaminy are getting a very good
quality education, but it is at a high cost.
The administration is permitted to present up to a two page
response to the report, and the administration is currently assembling its
response. Dr.
Bowman pointed out the report only mentioned one risk in the District,
which is above average operation and maintenance spending, coupled with
below average debt, may indicate a deferment of capital needs.
Dr. Bowman concurred with the risk and stated this is why a bond
issue is being considered. He
noted the report states the District is providing a quality education at a
high cost. The District can
continue to provide a quality education while reducing costs by operating
fewer buildings. He said he
knows closing buildings is a very difficult thing to do.
Ms.
Drioli pointed out the Council Rock School District has the highest cost
of transportation. It is the only school district in Lower Bucks County that
contracts it transportation through an outside agency.
Over the years it has been suggested Neshaminy contract out its bus
service, which would not be financially beneficial to the District.
She said four school districts, Bristol Borough, Bristol Township,
Morrisville and Neshaminy, were mentioned in the report as being totally
built out. Of the four school districts, Neshaminy held its own and did
very well. She stated the
Board has to be creative with its resources and restructure its existing
resources. Mrs.
Bostwick stated the Standard & Poor’s school evaluation services
site can be reached through the Courier Times Web site.
She encouraged the residents to review the information. 6.
Items for Approval
a. American
Education Week - November 11-17, 2001 Dr.
Bowman announced November 11-17 has been designated as American Education
Week. Parents will be invited
to visit the schools on November 14 and 15.
b. Revised
2001-2002 School Calendar Information
distributed prior to the meeting. Dr.
Bowman said the calendar will need to be revised because of the Act 80
Days for the teacher testing program.
Since the possibility exists that there will be further changes to
the calendar later in the year due to snow days, the revised calendar will
be presented for approval toward the end of the school year.
c. Approval
of Bids and Budget Transfer No
bids were presented for review. Mr.
Paradise advised the Board Budget Transfer Report No. 02-1 was the first
budget transfer report of the year. It
includes seven transactions with subtransactions.
Board members having any questions about the report should contact
Mr. Paradise. 7.
Items for Information
No items for information were reviewed. 8.
Superintendent’s Report Dr.
Bowman reminded the Board members they received an invitation to attend
Celebrate Education 2001 on October 18 at 9 a.m.
The Pennsylvania Secretary of Education will be present to make a
special announcement. Dr.
Bowman said the maintenance staff does a wonderful job of taking care of
the District’s facilities. Over
the summer months the maintenance staff does repair work that extends the
life of the buildings. Mr.
Paradise reported a lot of facility improvements were made over the
summer. He introduced the
following members of the Facilities and Engineering Department present at
the meeting: Mr. Minotti, Mr.
Shillingford, Mr. Whitlock and Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Paradise presented a video presentation titled “A Facilities
and Operations Presentation” of the work performed at the various
facilities over the summer months. The video tape was produced by Mr.
Shillingford mainly on his own time with his own equipment.
The presentation included before and after pictures of the
facilities (Sandburg Middle, Schweitzer, Maple Point Middle, Poquessing
Middle, Lower Southampton, Buck, Hoover, Neshaminy Middle, Heckman,
Everitt Schools and Neshaminy High School). Mr.
Paradise advised the Board that some of the vendors that provided products
to the School District for the maintenance work this summer have agreed to
have their names listed on the credits of the video and pay funds
(alternative source revenue) for the advertisement when the video is
played on Neshaminy TV. Dr.
Bowman stated the Executive Board of the Neshaminy High School
Instrumental Boosters is one of the most active groups in the District.
He noted one of the members of the group, Dr. Burg, was in
attendance at the meeting and spoke earlier in the meeting.
He said members of the group spend many hours supporting the
activities of the instrumental music program.
He thanked them for doing a wonderful job for the students in the
Neshaminy School District. 9.
Committee Reports
a.
Educational Development
Committee The
committee is scheduled to meet November 20 at 7:00 p.m.
b. Educational
Foundation Committee Mr.
Dengler reported the Endowment Wall will be dedicated at 7:00 p.m. on
October 23, 2001. Individuals
can still purchase a plaque.
c. Building
Utilization/Finance Committee Mr.
Schoenstadt reported the committee discussed the bond issue and
identifying architects to perform an evaluation of the District’s needs
and present their ideas. He
noted major renovations have been delayed for almost ten years, which has
minimized the impact on local taxes.
It has also caused the need to examine a list of needed major
projects. The BASCO Report,
which was commissioned two years ago, includes many recommendations for
major repairs and renovations at many of the District’s facilities. The recommendations total approximately $235,000,000.
The repairs and renovations need to be prioritized.
The combined Building Utilization/Finance Committee will analyze
the issue from both a physical plant and financial point of view.
The process will carry into next year.
The first step is to select an architect.
Mr. Paradise has been authorized to begin the architect review
process. Mr.
Schoenstadt advised the Board the committee has authorized Mr. Paradise to
examine opportunities to obtain revenue from those companies that are
mentioned or advertise on Neshaminy
TV. Ms. Drioli recommended a
policy be established pertaining to obtaining revenue from vendors.
Mr. Paradise stated a legal opinion is needed and a clear cut
policy is also needed to address issues such as what is an allowed type of
advertising, the fee charged, etc. After
a brief discussion, it was determined the first step would be to obtain a
legal opinion.
d. Intermediate
Unit Board
No report presented.
e. Board
Policies Committee Mrs.
Butville reported the committee will meet on October 11 at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting agenda includes the continued review of policies
pertaining to home schooled students and incorporating the issue of use of
drug sniffing dogs into an existing policy.
f. Technology
Committee Mr.
Stack reported the committee will meet on October 16 at 7:00 p.m.
g. Technical
School
No report presented. 10.
Future Topics Since
Mrs. Butville will be attending the PSBA Convention next week, interested
Board members should advise her of their comments and/or preferences
regarding the PSBA’s legislative platform.
Mrs.
Butville inquired which Board members will be participating in the October
12 “Speak Your Piece” radio program.
She also inquired which topics will be discussed on the program.
Mr. Stack noted Dr. Bowman has suggested the featured topic be a
take off of the State Senate Policy Committee Meeting, which will be held
on October 11. Dr. Bowman and
Mrs. Butville will be attending the October 11 State Senate Policy
Committee Meeting. Mrs.
Butville, Ms. Drioli and Mr. Schoenstadt indicated they would participate
in the radio program. Mrs.
Butville reported a number of names and addresses of Neshaminy graduates
actively serving in the military have been received and the District is
still seeking additional names and addresses.
Names and addresses can be submitted to Mrs. Butville or to the
District’s Central Office. The
elementary students are writing to the Neshaminy graduates actively
serving in the military. 11.Agenda
Development for the October 23, 2001 Public Meeting Dr.
Bowman reviewed the agenda for the October 23 Public Meeting. 12.Correspondence Mr.
Stack advised the Board he received a letter, dated August 22, from the
Matrix Development Group, Inc. requesting to address the Board with
respect to their plans for Middletown Township.
Mr. Stack stated it is his opinion that the developer’s
plans for Middletown Township are not a School Board issue.
Their representative is welcome to attend a Board Meeting and
present input as any other member of the public.
After a brief discussion, the Board members indicated they
concurred with Mr. Stack and he should respond to the letter as such.
13.Other
Board Business Mr.
Dengler thanked Dr. Bowman and Mr. Paradise for providing assistance to
the Ridge Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Saturday during the
tragic fire. Dr. Bowman
stated Mr. Blasch deserves the credit for providing Neshaminy buses to
help transport the residents. Dr.
Frank referred to the large American flag painted on the Maple Point
School lawn. She said we owe
a lot thanks to those responsible for the work.
Mr. Paradise advised the Board Messrs. Connolly and Whitefield,
Facilities and Engineering Department employees, painted the flag and were
responsible for obtaining paint donations from a local painting company.
Mr.
Stack referred to Mrs. Butville’s comments at the September Public
Meeting regarding the District’s hiring procedures and Personnel Report,
and reported she will be meeting with Mr. Jones to review the hiring
procedures. After her
meetings with Mr. Jones, she will present a recommendation to the Board.
Ms.
Drioli noted the schools throughout the District have been involved in
various tributes to those affected by the tragic events of September 11.
She suggested pictures of those tributes be posted on the
District’s Web site. Mr.
Stack requested Board members advise him of their attendance at the
October 12 Tawanka Home and School Association Meeting.
Mr. Schoenstadt noted the Board Meetings do not allow for a
dialogue between the Board members and community members.
The Home and School Association Meeting will allow for such a
dialogue. He said the Board
members attending the meeting will try to clarify information and provide
the factual information that the Board used to base its decision on the
school closing issue. Mr.
Schoenstadt referred to Mr. Howland’s comments, which were presented
earlier in the meeting, regarding a ROTC Program at the high school. He
stated there was a program at the high school from the mid 60s to the mid
70s, and it was a good program. However,
as the Vietnam War became more accelerated, enrollment in the program
declined to the point that it was withdrawn from the high school.
There was not enough enrollment to sustain or justify the program.
There is always the opportunity to ask the Army to reexamine the
ROTC Program. He felt there
probably would not be sufficient enrollment to justify a program.
However, a survey could be conducted by the Army to determine if a
program would be justified at the high school.
If there is sufficient interest, the Board would have to review the
issue because there is a cost involved with the program.
Mr. Schoenstadt stated when the program was in place, the District
had a rifle range near the football practice field.
Dr. Frank stated schools districts can no longer have rifles
in the schools. Mrs.
Bostwick moved the meeting be adjourned and Dr. Frank seconded the motion.
The Board approved the motion with seven ayes.
Mr. Stack adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m. Carol
A. Calvello |
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