Agenda October 17, 2011
Item 5
Meeting MinutesOctober 3, 2011
HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
OCTOBER3, 2011
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
MEETING
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Board of School Directors of the Harrisburg School District held a meeting on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 6:34p.m. in the boardroom of the Administration Building, 2101 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA, pursuant to due notice to each Board Member. Sonja Houston, President of the Board of School Directors, called the meeting to order followed by the flag salute. The following members were present: Arlene Burno, Roy Christ, Esther Edwards, Wayne Henry, Lola Lawson, Jeunetta Lewis,Tiffiney Penn, and Patricia Whitehead-Myerswere present.
Present:Dr. Sybil Knight, Superintendent
Jeff Bader, Business Administrator/Assistant Board Secretary
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms Houston announced that executive sessionswere held regarding personnel matters onSeptember 21, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on October 3, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Assistant Secretary announced that once the meeting is called to order no public comment slips will be accepted by the board. Public comment is limited to Harrisburg City residents only. School District Policy 903 will be followed during the Board of School Directors public meeting. Copies of this policy are on the table in the back of the room.
The Assistant Secretary also announced that an addendum to the agenda was included to the Personnel item.
Approval of Agenda with the Addendum
Motion: Ms Penn
Second: Ms Lawson
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
Approval of Minutes – September 6, 2011and September 19, 2011 Meetings
Motion: Mr. Christ
Second: Ms Penn
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
Public Comment – Agenda Items
- DariaAugeste – 3216 N. 6th St. –asked for a clarification on the purpose of the Resolution to amend the lease/sublease agreement and if it will allow the District to lease closed buildings to charter schools. Mr. Bader explained that the .purpose of the amendment to the lease/sublease agreement was to replace the Riverside School, which is scheduled for sale and the closed school buildings as collateral in the agreement with John Harris. This is one of two steps necessary to give the Board the option of leasing or selling the closed school buildings. The second step is that PDE must accept an alternate spending plan for the 2010 QSCB bonds that were earmarked for projects on the closed schools.
- Stanley Lawson –116 Pine St. – spoke in support of hiring Mr. Samuel Cooper as Solicitor.
Reports
6.1Academic, Instruction, and Student Services Committee – Mr. Christ reported that the Committee will be holding a meeting on October 20, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. to review the Charter School Law with an attorney.
6.2 Ad Hoc Labor Negotiations Committee – Mr. Christ reported that no meetings have been held as yet.
6.3. Community Relations Committee – Ms Penn indicated that there was no report this time.
6.4. Finance Committee – Ms Lewis reported that the Committee met on September 29, 2011 to review the lease/sublease amendment and the QSCB allocation.
6.5 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Knight-Burney thanked everyone who participated in the clothing drive this past Saturday. She also thanked the different groups who have been donating school supplies to the schools. Dr. Knight-Burney introduced Dr. Mark Greenberg from Penn State Univ. who talked about his research that shows the benefits in student achievement from participating in Pre-K. He also explained the work he has
6.5 Superintendent’s Report-continued
been doing with the District through the PATHS grant and his plans to complete the research this year. Dr. Knight-Burney then introduced Cheryl Capazolli, CAIU, who reviewed the Districts’ PVAAS scores. PVAAS shows the amount of student improvement from the prior year.
Budget Administration
7.1Check Register-September 16, 2011-79995-80170
7.2Check Register-September 23, 2011-80171-80245
Motion: Ms Lewis
Second: Mr. Christ
Ms Burno asked how much we pay to Cyber Charter Schools and if that money was included in the budget. Mr. Bader responded that he did not know the breakdown between cyber and bricks and mortar charter schools off the top of his head, but that the District pays approximately $3.1M to charter schools and that the District does budget those funds.
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonno
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 8 ) voted yes
( 1 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
7.3 Budget Transfers
Motion: MsLewis
Second: Ms Edwards
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
Other Fiscal Matters
8.1 Use of Facilities
Motion: Ms Penn
Second: Ms Lawson
Ms Lewis raised a question concerning the custodial fees on requests A and C. Mr. Bader explained that he would need to pull the actual requests, but he thought that there was a typo on the start time for item A and that it should be 5:00 pm instead of 5:00 am.
A motion was made to amend the current motion to approve the facilities requests to reflect that approval would be contingent on the fees charged being correct.
Motion: Ms Lewis
Second: Ms Whitehead-Myers
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
A motion was then made to approve the amended motion.
Motion: Ms Lewis
Second: Ms Burno
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
8.2 Resolution to Exchange Properties Included in the 2009 Lease/Sublease Agreement
Motion: Ms Lawson
Second: Ms Lewis
Mr. Christ requested a clarification of what the resolution was doing and why the District would be doing it. Mr. Bader explained that the Riverside School was one of the properties that was included in the lease/sublease agreement and needed to be removed to allow for its sale, which is scheduled for closing on October 7. He also explained that the closed schools (Steele, Lincoln, Hamilton, and Shimmell) were also included in the release to allow the Board the option to sell or lease those properties if they would chose to. If it were to be done at a later point in time, it would cost the District additional fees. Comments were made by Mr. Henry, Ms Burno, Ms Penn, and Ms Lawson.
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryno
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 8 ) voted yes
( 1 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
Personnel Items
9. Appointments and OtherItems
A motion was made to approve items A through C under the Professional Employees section.
Motion: Ms Penn
Second: Ms Lewis
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yesMOTION CARRIED
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
Amotion was made to approve items D through F with the exception of D.5 under the Professional Employees section.
Motion: Ms Lewis
Second: Ms Penn
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
A motion was made to approve item d.5 under the Professional Employees section.
Motion: Ms Lewis
Second: Ms Whitehead-Myers
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christabstain
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 8 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 1 ) abstained
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
9. Appointments and Other Items-continued
Amotion was made to approve item A under the Classified Employees section.
Motion: Ms Penn
Second: Ms Lewis
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
A motion was made to approve items B through D under the Classified Employees section.
Motion: Ms Penn
Second: Ms Whitehead-Myers
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
9. Appointments and Other Items-continued
A motion was made to approve the Explore section of the Personnel agenda.
Motion: Ms Lewis
Second: Ms Burno
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
Policies and Procedures
10.1Memorandum of Understanding with Communities in Schools
Motion: Mr. Christ
Second: Ms Lawson
Ms Burno requested an explanation of the purpose of the memorandum. Dr. Knight-Burney explained that this is an ongoing project to collect data and that there is no cost to the District.
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
10.2Contract with Etter Education to provide Supplemental Education Services per NCLB
10.3 Contract with Sylvan Learning Center to provide Supplemental Education Services per NCLB
10.4 Contract with Attain Learning Center to provide Supplemental Education Services per NCLB
A motion was made to approve items 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4.
Motion: Mr. Christ
Second: Ms Penn
Ms Lewis asked why these contract were not brought to the Finance and Operations Committee for discussion before being brought to the Board. Dr. Knight-Burney explained that these were contracts for supplemental education services for students who meet the eligibility criteria and are funded by Title I. Mr. Henry and Ms Burno asked that the progress of these agreements be followed up in the Finance and Operations Committee.
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnoyes
Mr. Christyes
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryyes
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennyes
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 9 ) voted yes
( 0 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
11. Approval of Dilworth Paxson Fee Schedule
Motion: Ms Lawson
Second: Ms Lewis
Mr. Christ asked about the length of the agreement noting that several Board seats would be turning over in December. He also commented that the proposed rate of $275/hr was hirer that what most of the firms had quoted in their RFPs. Comments about the process for selection of a Solicitor were made by Ms Burno, Ms Houston, Ms Lawson, Ms Penn, and Ms Lewis
ROLL CALL:
Ms Burnono
Mr. Christno
Ms Edwardsyes
Mr. Henryno
Ms Houstonyes
Ms Lawsonyes
Ms Lewisyes
Ms Pennno
Ms Whitehead-Myersyes
( 5 ) voted yes
( 4 ) voted no
( 0 ) absent
MOTION CARRIED
Old Business
12.1 Update to inquiry about pencils and supplies
Dr. Knight-Burney thanked the many gropus and organizations who have come forward with donations of school supplies for the schools. She explained that the Assistant to the Superintendents were in the process of taking book inventories in all of the schools and will be ordering additional books where needed.
12.2 Status of Wordsworth Contract
Dr. Knight-Burney noted that Krystal Palmer had met with the Wordsworth staff and was putting together a transition plan for the students who were there.
Public Comment – Non-Agenda Items
- Sylvia Rigal – 609 Curtain St. – reported that Comcast was offering internet access for $9.95/mo. and a laptop for $149 for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. She also noted that Susquehanna Township SD puts the class assignments and in some case textbooks online. Dr. Knight-Burney explained that the District has been in discussion with Comcast about their offer.
- DariaAugeste – 3216 N 6th St. – reported that the uniform drive this past weekend was a great success. She asked how the District can provide greater access to the clothing banks at Ben Franklin and Foose schools to make sure
Public Comment – Non-Agenda Items-continued
that all families in need of clothing have access to it. Ms Augeste also commented on the PVAAS scores presented earlier. She said that while they show significant growth, the level of achievement is still very low and that it is much easier to show large growth when you start with a low base.
- Nichole Echols – 1006 N. 18th St. – asked what the District’s plan was for Woodward School.
- Stanley Lawson - 116 Pine St. – noted that the NAACPO partnered with the District to distribute backpacks for the student. He also emphasized the need for leadership in order for the District to be successful.
Motion to adjourn –Ms Penn
Meeting adjourned at 8:42p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeffrey S. Bader
Assistant Board Secretary
AMENDED TIME FOR 2011 MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT
Notice is hereby given that all meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the board room on the first floor of the Administration Building, 2101 North Front Street, Building 2, Harrisburg, PA.
Monday, February 7, 2011 Tuesday, February 22, 2011 (February 21 is Presidents’ Day)
Monday, March 7, 2011 Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011 Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011 Monday, June 20, 2011
If you are a person with disabilities or require other accommodations, please contact the Board Secretary at (717) 703-4066.
Julie A. Mackey, Board Secretary
Insertion Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011
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