Board of School Directors Meeting
New Hope-Solebury School District
180 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA 18938
June 23, 2014 6:30 p.m.
District Office Conference Room Per Policy 006.2 all Board of School Directors meetings are audio recorded.
Agenda
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. ROLL CALL
IV. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES (*Denotes Attachment)
It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the May 5, 2014 Minutes and June 2, 2014 Minutes of the Regular Meetings of the Board of School Directors. *
V. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT * VI. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
Board Committee Reports Community Engagement Committee – Mrs. Weisbrot Curriculum Advisory Committee – Mrs. Deussing/Mrs. Keyes Facilities Committee – Mr. Adar Finance Committee – Mr. Dougherty Policy Committee – Mrs. Atkinson Special Education Committee – Mrs. Deussing
Board Liaison Reports Bucks County Intermediate Unit – Mrs. Weisbrot MBIT – Mrs. Atkinson PSBA Liaison – Mr. Harraka
VII. OLD BUSINESS Discussion/Information Items
Comprehensive Plan Update – Dr. Boccuti, Mr. Yanni Cyber Education Program Update * – Dr. Boccuti, Mr. Perrone, Mr. Radaszkiewicz, Mr. Yanni 2014-2015 Enrollment Report Update * – Dr. Boccuti
Board Discussion
Public Comment
VIII. NEW BUSINESS Discussion/Information Items – Summer Board Meeting Schedule – Mr. Harraka, Dr. Boccuti Board Discussion (Agenda Items Only)
Public Comment (Agenda Items Only)
Action Items
A. Finance
1. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve and ratify the following list of bills totaling $408,857.05. *
2013-2014 Officials Checks for Approval Check Numbers – 10039356 to 10039358 Totaling – $372.00
2013-2014 General Fund Checks for Approval Check Numbers – 10039359 to 10039489 Totaling – $355,249.35 And
Check Numbers – 10039490 to 10039496 $53,235.70
2. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the attached budgetary transfers for the 2013-2014 fiscal year and that they be made part of the permanent minute book. *
3. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors authorize the Administration to execute a contract for waste removal services with Waste Management, effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017, with two renewal options extending the contract through June 30, 2019. *
4. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors authorize the Administration to execute a contract for copier services with Ricoh USA, Inc., effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2019. *
5. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors authorize the Administration to execute a lease agreement with Hewlett Packard Financial Services for computer equipment at a cost of $600,723.50, for a term of 36 months beginning July 1, 2014. *
6. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the renewal of a transportation agreement with Plumstead Christian School for the transportation of their students at a cost of $7.58 per student per day for the 2014-2015 school year. *
7. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the following educational services agreements:
– The Midland School, Student No. 6186021793, 2014-2015 school year at a cost of $56,322.00.
– New Road School of Somerset, Student No. 1292909773, 2014- 2015 school year at a cost of $49,849.80.
B. Personnel
1. In the interest of hiring the finest candidates for vacant positions during the summer, it is recommended that the Board of School Directors authorize the Superintendent to hire the Superintendent’s recommended candidates for vacant positions previously approved in the 2014-2015 budget. Let it further be resolved that all summer hires will be brought to the Board for formal approval at the next scheduled public Board meeting.
2. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors ratify/approve the following personnel actions, contingent upon meeting all requirements of law and district policy:
[Table of resignations, retirements and leaves]
3. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors appoint Dr. James Rigney as School Physician for the 2014-2015 school year at annual fee of $4,000, no per student charge.
4. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors appoint Dr. Steven Covino as School Dentist for the 2014-2015 school year at a $5 per student charge and no annual fee to the school district.
5. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the following EDR contracts for the 2013-2014 school year:
Name Athletics: Gwen Smith Betsy Dougherty
EDR Activity
MS Intramural Field Hockey/Lacrosse MS Intramural Field Hockey/Lacrosse
Stipend
$220.78 $220.78
6. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the Superintendent’s recommendation of establishing a new position titled “Teacher on Special Assignment/Dean of Students-Grades 6-12 and the proposed job description included in the Superintendent’s Report. Let it be further resolved that the Administration is authorized to immediately post the new position and also post for a subsequent long-term substitute to fill the position of the recommended candidate.
7. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors increase the .5 High School/Middle School Special Education Teacher position to .8 to accommodate the needs of the special education students in grades 6 through 12. *
8. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the proposed collective bargaining unit agreement negotiated by committees of the Board and New Hope-Solebury Education Association, which was subsequently ratified by the Association. The proposed agreement has been posted since June 20, 2014 on the school district’s electronic eDocs system accessed through the school district’s website with the documents for this public Board meeting. *
9. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the 2014- 2015 school year salary increases for the Superintendent, Administrators, and Confidential Staff members. Let it further be resolved that the total salaries of these employees, including increases, represents $74,045, or 4.2% increase in total salary costs from the 2013-2014 school year.
C. Policy & Program
1. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve a Waiver of Expulsion Hearing and Stipulation Agreement for Student No. 5572043756.
2. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors authorize the Administration to purchase the Scholastic Book Room resources to support Core Literacy Programs at the Lower and Upper Elementary Schools, at a cost of $36,350 for the 2014-2015 school year. *
3. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the following new/revised/deleted Policies: *
Revised/Merged Policies
Policy 217.4 Awarding of Credit through Virtual or Online Courses Policy 330 Overtime Policy 331 Job Related Expenses Policy 332 Working Periods
Policy 333 Professional Development Policy 334 Sick Leave Policy 340 Responsibility for Student Welfare
Deleted Policies – from merged policies above
Policy 331; 431; 531 Policy 432; 532 Policy 333; 433 Policy 334; 434; 534 Policy 440
D. Plant & Equipment
1. Whereas the Facilities Committee has recommended the Architect’s plan Option #1 as ideal and plan Option #2 as minimal, and the Finance Committee has recommended a debt level comfort of $20M to $25M, it is recommended that the Board of School Directors authorize the Administration to pursue the campus revitalization plan in the most cost effective manner possible. The Board authorizes the Finance Committee Chair and Business Administrator to assemble the required financial team to advise the Finance Committee and Board on the project. In addition, the Board authorizes the Administration and Architect to continue design and development of the project with the oversight of the Facilities Committee. Let it further be resolved that the Board will provide approval of the final plan prior to the initiation of the bidding process and approval of all awarded construction contracts.
2. In accordance with the Finance Committee’s careful review, it is recommended that the Board of School Directors appoint Public Financial Management (PFM) as the school district’s financial advisor for the campus revitalization plan. Let it further be resolved that PFM will work with Finance Committee Chair and Business Administrator in assembling the required financial team to guide the Finance Committee and Board on the finances of the plan inclusive of restructuring the school district’s current outstanding debt.
3. In accordance with the Facilities Committee’s careful review, it is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve a gift from the Home and School Association (HSA) in the amount of $10,000 as well as the proceeds from a brick fundraising endeavor for a project to improve drainage on the Lower Elementary School playground. Let it further be resolved that the HSA will coordinate with the Director of Operations on the project.
4. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors authorize the Administration to purchase a used Howard baby grand piano for $1,200, moving cost of $250, and piano dollies/jacks for $600, for total of $2,050.
5. It is recommended that the Board of School Directors accept a donation of a shed from the New Hope-Solebury Field Hockey Booster Club for storage of field hockey equipment. *
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT (Non-Agenda Items)
X. BOARD DISCUSSION
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Regarding Item #8 under Personnel which deals with the approval of the collective bargaining contract between the teacher’s union and the district. Whereas the school board and rank and file teachers have been given constant updates regarding the progress of talks, the taxpayers are kept in the dark.With this being said and the fact that the taxpayers only have three days to review the contract before it comes to a vote, the question is, will the school board do what it did the last time a new contract was up for a vote which was to have the Board’s attorney present to answer questions from the public?
If the public’s questions are not answered, is this an example of democracy or hypocrisy?