DRAFT NOT APPROVED BY THE BOARD QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Transcription

1 DRAFT NOT APPROVED BY THE BOARD QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS DISTRICT SERVICES CENTER 100 Commerce Drive, Quakertown, PA Minutes of the Thursday, June 4, 2015 Work Session I. Call to Order 7:00 pm President Stepanoff called the meeting order and announced the meeting is being recorded. An Executive Session was held prior to tonight s meeting regarding a legal issue and a real estate issue. II. Flag Salute III. Roll Call Board of School Directors Present Absent Mr. Paul Stepanoff, President Mrs. Joyce King, Vice President Mr. Dwight Anderson Mr. Ronald Jackson Mr. Steaven Klein Mr. Stephen Ripper Mr. Charles Shermer Mr. Robert Smith Mrs. Fern Strunk Dr. William E. Harner, Non-Voting Member Mrs. Alice K. Bishop, Non-Member Secretary Others Present Ms. Nancianne Edwards, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Laverick-Stone, Assistant to the Superintendent Mr. Robert Riegel, CPA, Business Administrator/Treasurer Mr. Jeffrey P. Garton, Esquire, Begley, Carlin & Mandio, LLP Mr. Devon Dean, Student Representative IV. General Public Comment Manuel Alfonso, Milford Township commended the board for addressing the pension crisis and commented on PSBA s response to the district. 1

2 Darby Keller, Milford Township and Laura Stackhouse, Richland Township, and high school students addressed the board regarding the high school choir schedule and requested the choir period be changed from first period to later in the day. Jessica Gall and Isaiah Buzdygon, Milford Township and high school students addressed the board regarding dual enrollment and band and the difficulty with having band scheduled first period. Julia Donahue, Milford Township and a choir student addressed the board regarding the schedule of choir during first period and the damage it can do to a student s voice to sing so early in the morning. President Stepanoff commended the students for their excellent public speaking. Karen Quinn, Milford Township addressed the board regarding the high school scheduling and the impact to the students of having choir scheduled during first period and asked for the board s consideration. Kayla DiCara high school student and choir student was in a vocal therapy session today and her coach was adamantly against singing first thing in the morning. Adam Rizzo, high school student and band student is concerned with scheduling band during first period of the day. He explained the need for more warm up time and that it s physically painful to sing first thing in the morning. He asked the board to consider rescheduling band and choir. Sara Galloway, Richland Township, will serve as the drum major next year and is concerned that students will choose not to be involved in band and there will be a greater chance of students arriving late if the schedule includes band during first period. President Stepanoff asked administrators how students can be involved in the decision. Dr. Harner explained the complexity of creating a high school schedule. The computer generated schedule placed band and chorus during the first period of the day. Bucks County Community College is working with the high school so there will not be a conflict with dual enrollment. Dr. Harner will evaluate research information from Mrs. Quinn and Mr. Lechner. Mr. Finnerty explained the reason why band and chorus came up on the computer as first period and the impact of the Upper Bucks Technical School students schedule. Board discussion ensued on other options and ideas on scheduling. Dr. Harner noted that it is a big job and difficult to do without a computer and he is not ready to make a definite decision on this issue. Tom Hoff, Milford Township addressed the board regarding last year s graduation speech by the board president. He would request that this years speech be positive and congratulatory for the graduates and without a political agenda. Lisa Jackson, Quakertown Borough addressed the board regarding remediation and as a teacher, she is interested in students mastering the material. She asked the board to consider a 2

3 compromise by averaging a remediation grade with the original grade to provide an opportunity for students to improve their grades. Sara Galloway, Richland Township and next year s head drum major thanked Mr. Finnerty and Dr. Harner for their consideration and reiterated that music is important to many students as math is important for others. She added that P.R.I.D.E is also important to the students. V. Reports Superintendent s Report Dr. Harner reported that the board is considering an Arts Academy to include a dance studio in the high school renovations. Student Showcase Adam Rizzo Dr. Harner introduced Adam Rizzo, junior at QCHS. Adam entertained the board by performing three songs on his oboe and french horn for the board. ESL Students trip to West Chester University Teacher, Kelly Shaak reported on their recent visit to West Chester University to attend a College and Career Ready conference. She introduced the five ESL students who were from El Salvador, China, and Argentina. They expressed interest in attending college and appreciated the experience of attending the conference. National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-Eastern Chorus Mr. Lechner announced that three of Quakertown's finest singers, Ron Jon Cubbage, Caitlin DiCara and Danielle Verguldi participated with 320 top high school singers from 13 Eastern states at the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-Eastern Chorus. Mr. Lechner provided a DVD of their performance in Nashville. Dr. Harner presented certificates to the students. Sports Awards - 1st Team All-League Dr. Harner introduced Olivia Morano and congratulated her for her accomplishment in volleyball and presented her with a certificate. Dylan Flor and Spenser Gray were unable to attend the meeting. They were awarded 1 st team status in softball (Dylan) and Softball (Spenser). World Travel QCHS Spanish teacher Alaina Wert described their plan to take Spanish students to Costa Rica during spring break Mrs. Wert explained how the trip will provide educational experience for the students and how the students will fund their trip. Dr. Harner is looking for board support for world travel. Two students explained how their past travel to Germany taught them new things and they gained new 3

4 friends. The Board supports travel and President Stepanoff suggested the support goes both ways and hopes to have foreign students come to Quakertown. Digital Learning Chad Evans provided an overview for grades 1-5 on digital literacy for the school year, how they will use the internet to learn and how the internet can amplify their learning. Elementary students will learn keyboarding, internet safety, coding and computer science and media and technical skills. A. Student Representative Report Mr. Devon Dean presented a report on current student activities including the senior awards night on June 9. National Honor Society is donating this years proceeds of $750 to Quakertown Cares. The Board presented Devon Dean a proclamation and thanked him for his service to the board during the school year. The Board Secretary read the proclamation and President Stepanoff presented him with a signed proclamation. WHEREAS, Devon Dean has served as a Student Representative on the Board of School Directors of the Quakertown Community School District during the school year; and WHEREAS, the Board of School Directors commends Devon Dean for doing an outstanding job of keeping the Board informed of student achievements and activities and for fulfilling all of his responsibilities as an elected student representative to the Board of School Directors; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of School Directors directs the Secretary to include this Proclamation in the minutes of the Board meeting on this 4 th day of June, A.D., 2015; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, to extend to Devon Dean best wishes for continued success in future endeavors and to forward a copy of this Proclamation to him as a lasting reminder of the Board's appreciation for a job well done. The board thanked Devon for a job well done and wished him well. B. Standing Committee Reports Education/Curriculum Committee Mr. Anderson reported on the June 3 education curriculum committee meeting where the planned course statements and textbooks were reviewed. They will be on the June 25 agenda for board approval for the school year. He thanked the administration for all the work this year on the curriculum. 4

5 Facilities Committee In Mr. Ripper s absence, Ms. Edwards reported on tonight s Facilities committee meeting including the change orders that became available earlier this week. She gave an update on the Facilities study and the status of phase one of the high school renovation project. Mr. Moore explained the three change orders that the board will be reviewing for approval. Finance Committee Mr. Shermer reported that there was no finance committee meeting, and the final budget will be on tonight s agenda. Policy Committee Mrs. King reported that the next policy committee meeting will be held June 18 at 6:00 pm. D. President Report 1. Student Survey Mr. Stepanoff began a discussion on the student survey and noted the students desire to hold graduation at Stabler Arena. The board will make a decision in the future. Dr. Harner was pleased to see that students had a lot of contact with their guidance counselors and asked Devon Dean to comment on the survey results. Devon was surprised about the negative comments about the lunches and believes that the high stress level indicated on the survey was due to the new grading system. President Stepanoff was interested in comparing last years survey to this years survey especially on the student s stress level. The board asked for a survey to be conducted next year and President Stepanoff asked for a survey of students who have been in college for one year. 2. Secondary Grading Recommendations Ms. Edwards reported on the recommendations that created the new secondary guidelines for grades Administration is recommending some modest incremental changes for next year to address specific issues from unintended consequences from the first year. Mr. Smith noted that there has been a lot of requests for the remediation grade to be increased higher than 75%. Dr. Holler explained the reasoning behind the percentage of the remediation grade. Board discussion ensued. Ms. Edwards suggested the board take a look at this issue next year to see the results. Board members expressed their support for the recommendation with some language included to give teachers some flexibility with catastrophic events in their students lives. The board president amended the guidelines to change the percentage of a D to and a F would be below Revised Board Newsletter Volume 1, June 2015 The board secretary will post the newsletter on the website. 5

6 VI. Items for Discussion 4. Graduation Speech Mrs. King began a discussion on the issue of having a board member speak at graduation. She would like to keep the speech short, positive and not controversial. QCSD tradition has included a speech by the board president at graduation. The board decided to leave the decision on whether to speak at graduation up to the board president. 5. QCSD response to PSBA re: PSERS President Stepanoff began a discussion on PSBA s response to the district, He suggested sending PSBA a letter regarding their participation in PSERS. The Board would like our solicitor to review the letter and then send it out. Policy and Programs 1. Discussion of Upcoming Action Items - Policy and Programs The following courses are presented to the Board for consideration for approval for the school year: RELA Plus 4 RELA Plus 5 RELA Honors 6 RELA Honors 7 RELA Honors 8 College & Career Readiness 6 College & Career Readiness 7 College & Career Readiness 8 Social Studies 6 Social Studies 7 SHS Jazz Ensemble Digital Literacy Grade 1 Digital Literacy Grade 2 Digital Literacy Grade 3 Digital Literacy Grade 4 Digital Literacy Grade 5 2. The following curricular materials are being recommended by administration for the school year: COURSE TETBOOK TITLE PUBLISHER AP World History Traditions & Encounter: A Global Perspective of the Past (Sixth Edition) Bently, Ziegler, Streets-Salter COPY RIGHT

7 AP Probability and Statistics AP Probability and Statistics Social Studies 6 & 7 The Practice of Statistics: For the AP Exam (Fifth Edition) Workshop Statistics: Discovery with Data (Fourth Edition) Discovering Our Past: A History of the World, Early Ages Bfw Freeman 2015 Wiley 2012 McGraw Hill 2014 The textbooks will be available to review in the Curriculum Office until the June 25 school board meeting. 3. Independent Study Request Overview Adam Rizzo Adam Rizzo is a member of the Class of He is planning to take the following courses during his senior year: AP Government, AP Music Theory, AP English Literature, AP Statistics, German IV Honors, and Instrumental Music. Adam s future goals are to pursue a double major in Music and Microbiology in college. The objective of Adam s independent study is to explore the world of microbiology with a focus on pathogens. This independent study will give him an opportunity to work independently on the focus area of microbiology in order to prepare for collegiate study. Adam would like to complete the Microbiology Independent Study for 1.0 credit. The board would like to approve the independent study request at tonight s meeting. End of Work Session The board took a 2 minute recess. Regular Voting Meeting I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the May 28, 2015 meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Quakertown Community School District. Motion: Second: Result: DwightAnderson Ronald Jackson Motion passed unanimously 7

8 II. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Manuel Alfonso, Milford Township addressed the board regarding foreign languages courses and the importance of learning a foreign language. III. ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION A. INDEPENDENT STUDY REQUEST Adam Rizzo is a member of the Class of His future goals are to pursue a double major in Music and Microbiology in college. The objective of the independent study is to explore the world of microbiology with a focus on pathogens. He would like to complete the Microbiology Independent Study for 1.0 credit. May I have a motion to approve the above request. Motion: Second: Result: Joyce King Fern Strunk Motion passed unanimously PUBLIC COMMENT ON FISCAL ITEMS PRESENTED FOR A VOTE B. FISCAL CONSENT AGENDA 1. FINAL BUDGET The Final Budget for fiscal year totals $100,336,126. This amount includes $800,000 in Budgetary Reserve. The proposed millage rate is , an increase of 3.08 mills, or 2.1%, over the millage rate of mills. The proposed expenditures are $4,112,396 more than the budget, for an increase of 4.27% May I have a motion to approve the above resolution. Motion: Charles Shermer Second: Steaven Klein Discussion: Board noted that the increased expenditures is due to the PSERS increase and next year the board will take the exceptions offered in Act 1. ROLL CALL VOTE: Stephen Ripper Absent Ronald Jackson Aye Joyce King Aye Steaven Klein Aye Dwight Anderson Aye Charles Shermer Aye Fern Strunk Aye Robert Smith Aye 8

9 Paul Stepanoff Aye Result: With a vote of Eight (8) Ayes and One (1) absent, the motion passed ANNUAL TA LEVY RESOLUTION RESOLVED, by the Board of School Directors of Quakertown Community School District, that taxes are levied for school purposes for the school year beginning July 1, 2015, subject to the provisions of the Local Tax Collection law, as follows: Real Estate Tax. Real estate tax of mills (or $ per $100 of assessment) on the assessed value of all real property taxable for school purposes in this School District. (Levied under School Code 672.) Interim real estate tax. Interim real estate tax of mills (or $ per $100 of assessment) on the assessed value of taxable real property, as stated in interim real estate assessment notices, that constitutes construction of a building, an improvement to a building, or other improvement to real property, not otherwise exempt from taxation. The interim real estate tax is part of the real estate tax levy, and applies to the assessed value of taxable real property not included in the initial tax duplicate used in issuing initial real estate tax notices for the school year. Tax assessors are directed to inspect and assess all taxable real property in the School District to which any improvement has been made, and to give notice of change in assessed value as required by law. The interim real estate tax applies for that proportionate part of the School District fiscal year remaining after the property was improved. (Levied under school Code ) Utility realty used to generate electricity. The real estate tax and the interim real estate tax apply to all real property taxable for school purposes, including all property listed in the definition of utility realty under 8101-A (3) of the Public Utility Realty Tax Act, that was classified in such definition as utility realty prior to January 1, 2000, and that removed from such definition effective January 1, 2000, used in generating electricity. The tax applies to such property to the maximum extent permissible under the Pennsylvania Constitution and the Public Utility Realty Tax Act. Tax due date/delinquent status. The real estate tax is due and payable on July 1, 2015 and this will be the date of the tax notice issued to the owner for real estate tax other than interim real estate tax. Unless installment payment has been elected under the Quakertown Community School District Real Estate Tax Installment Payment Plan, the real estate tax is delinquent if not paid in full within four (4) months after the date of the tax notice issued to the owner by October 31, 2015, for tax other than interim real estate tax. The interim real estate tax is due and payable on the first day of the month after the month in which any improvement or addition to real property has been made. The 9

10 interim real estate tax is delinquent if not paid in full within four (4) months after the date of the tax notice issued to the owner. Discount and penalty. All taxpayers are entitled to a discount of two percent (2%) from the amount of the real estate tax, interim real estate tax or per capita tax by making payment of the entire tax amount within two (2) months after the date of the tax notice, for tax other than interim real estate tax. Unless installment payment has been elected under the Quakertown Community School District Real Estate Tax Installment Payment Plan, a taxpayer will be charged a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the tax, which penalty will be added to the tax, if the tax is not paid in full within four (4) months after the date of the tax notice, for tax other than interim real estate tax. Severability. The provision of this resolution are severable and, if any section, clause, sentence, part or provision is determined to be illegal, invalid or unconstitutional, such determination will not affect or impair any of the remaining sections, clauses, sentences, parts or provision of this resolution. It is declared to be the intent of this school district that this resolution would have been adopted even if any such illegal, invalid or unconstitutional section, clause, sentence, part or provision had not been included in this resolution. Continuation of other taxes. The Board has previously imposed other taxes that do not require an annual levy. Without modifying or amending such taxes in any manner, the Board ratifies continuation of the following previously imposed taxes that do not require an annual levy: Real estate transfer tax. Real estate transfer tax of 1.0%. (School District received.5%, and municipalities receive.5%. Levied under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Transfer Tax Act and the Local Tax Enabling Act, Act 511.) Earned Income and net profits tax. Earned income and net profits tax of 1%. (School District receives.5% School District tax levied under the Local Tax Enabling act, Act 511 and.5% School District tax levied under the Occupation Tax Elimination Act, Act 24.) HOMESTEAD AND FARMSTEAD REAL ESTATE TA ASSESSMENT REDUCTIONS RESOLVED, by the Board of School Directors of Quakertown Community School District, that homestead and farmstead exclusion real estate tax assessment reductions are authorized for the school year beginning July 1, 2015, under the provisions of the Homestead Property Exclusion Program Act (part of Act 50 of 1998) and the Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 1 of 2006), as follows: 10

11 Aggregate amount available for homestead and farmstead real estate tax reduction. The following amounts are available for homestead and farmstead real estate tax reduction for the school year beginning July 1, 2015: a. Gambling tax funds. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has notified the school District that PDE will pay to the school district during the school year pursuant to Act 1, 53 P.S (b), as a property tax reduction allocation funded by gambling tax funds, the amount of $1,824, b. Philadelphia tax credit reimbursement funds. PDE has notified the School District that PDE will pay to the School District during the school year pursuant to Act 1, 53 P.S (3), as reimbursement for Philadelphia tax credits claimed against the School District earned income tax by School District resident taxpayers, the amount of $244, Aggregate amount available. Adding these amounts, the aggregate amount available during the school year for real estate tax reduction is $2,068, Homestead/farmstead numbers. Pursuant to Act 50, 54 Pa. C.S. 8584(i), and Act 1, 53 P.S (g)(3), the County has provided the School District with a certified report listing approved homesteads and approved farmsteads as follow: Homestead property number. The number of approved homesteads within the School District is 9,090. Farmstead property number. The number of approved farmsteads within the School District is 63. Homestead/farmstead combined number. Adding these numbers, the aggregate number of approved homesteads and approved farmsteads is 9,153. Real estate tax reduction calculation. The school board has decided that the homestead exclusion amount and the farmstead exclusion amount shall be equal. Dividing the aggregate amount available during the school year for real estate tax reduction of $2,068, by the aggregate number of approved homesteads and approved farmsteads of 9,153 (before considering the assessed value of approved homesteads and approved farmsteads having an assessed value below the preliminary calculation of the maximum real estate assessed value reduction amount to be established as the homestead and farmstead exclusion amount), the preliminary calculation of the maximum real estate tax reduction amount applicable to each approved homestead and to each approved farmstead is $ Based on calculations provided by the School District Business Office from the best available information and carefully evaluated by the School Board, considering the assessed value of approved homesteads and approved farmsteads having an assessed value below the preliminary calculation of the maximum real estate assessed value 11

12 reduction amount to be established as the homestead exclusion and the farmstead exclusion amount, an additional aggregate amount of $1, will be available during the school year for real estate tax reduction applicable to approximately 9,121 homesteads and farmsteads, resulting in an additional real estate tax reduction amount available for each homestead and farmstead of $.19. Adding this additional amount to the preliminary calculation of the maximum real estate tax reduction amount of $225.98, the final maximum real estate tax reduction amount applicable to each approved homestead and to each approved farmstead is $ Homestead exclusion calculation. Dividing the maximum real estate tax reduction amount of $ by the School District real estate tax rate of ) mills (.14973) the maximum real estate assessed value reduction to be reflected on tax notices as a homestead exclusion for each approved homestead is $1,511.00, and the maximum real estate assessed value reduction to be reflected on tax notices as a farmstead exclusion for each approved farmstead is $1, Homestead/farmstead exclusion authorization July 1 tax bills. The tax notice issued to the owner of each approved homestead within the School District shall reflect a homestead exclusion real estate assessed value reduction equal to the lesser of: (a) the County-established assessed value of the homestead, or (b) the maximum real estate assessed value reduction of $1, The tax notice issued to the owner of each approved farmstead within the School District shall reflect an additional farmstead exclusion real estate assessed value reduction equal to the lesser of: (a) the Countyestablished assessed value of the farmstead, or (b) the maximum real estate assessed value reduction of $1, For purposes of the Resolution, approved homestead and approved farmstead shall mean homesteads and farmsteads listed in the report referred to above and received by the School District from the County Assessment office on or before May 1 pursuant to Act 1, 53 P.S (g)(3), based on homestead/farmstead applications filed with the County Assessment office on or before March 1. This will apply to tax notices issued based on the initial tax duplicate used in issuing initial real estate tax notices for the school year, which will be issued on or promptly after July 1, and will not apply to interim real estate tax bills. May I have a motion to approve the above resolution. Motion Dwight Anderson Second: Joyce King ROLL CALL VOTE Ronald Jackson Aye Joyce King Aye Steaven Klein Aye Dwight Anderson Aye Charles Shermer Aye Fern Strunk Aye Robert Smith Aye Stephen Ripper Absent 12

13 Paul Stepanoff Result: Aye With a vote of Eight (8) Ayes and One (1) absent, the motion passed. 3. APPROVE TECHNOLOGY LEASE FOR Business Services recommends approval of a 4-year lease agreement with Municipal Capital Finance for the acquisition of HP Chromebooks, Standard Desktops, and other technology equipment in an amount not to exceed $600,000 (Principal and Interest) subject to solicitor review. 4. AGREEMENT WITH BCIU FOR TECHNOLOGY POOL COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES for Administration is recommending the approval of an agreement with Bucks County Intermediate Unit for legal services with Sweet Stevens Katz & Williams in a consortium including BCIU member School Districts for a Technology Pool Counsel Legal Services Consultation Agreement at an annual cost of $ HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION CHANGE ORDER GENERAL AND PLUMBING The Facilities Committee is recommending approval of the following High School Renovation Change Orders General Construction G-051 Renovate Toilet Rooms D-128 and D-129 $71, Plumbing Construction P-029 Renovate Toilet Rooms D-128 and D , Total $89, HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION CHANGE ORDER - HVAC The Facilities Committee is recommending approval of the following High School Renovation Change Orders HVAC Construction M-005 Replace Existing Kitchen Canopy Grease Hoods and Provide replacement of two existing exhaust fans and replacement of existing walk-in freezer and cooler split system units Total $212, May I have a motion to approve the above fiscal items as presented. Motion: Second: Result: Ronald Jackson Steaven Klein Motion passed unanimously 13

14 VII. Information Items A. Suspension Reports VIII. DATES FOR BOARD MEMBERS CALENDARS Friday, June 5, :15 8:45 am Board Breakfast Tohickon Valley Elementary School 2360 Old Bethlehem Pike Thursday, June 11, :00 pm Commencement Services Class of 2015 Lehigh University, Stabler Arena Friday, June 12, 2015 Last Day of School Thursday, June 18, :00 pm Policy Committee Meeting Board Caucus Conf Room #3 Monday, June 22, :30 pm 6:00 pm Board Retreat Dinner Community Room A Board Retreat/Workshop Community Room Thursday, June 25, :00 pm Regular Voting Meeting Community Room Ms. Edwards announced that a Facilities meeting will be held on June 22 at 5pm prior to the board retreat. I. ADJOURNMENT May I have a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion: Second: Result: Dwight Anderson Robert Smith Motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 10:40 PM Paul Stepanoff, Board President Alice K. Bishop, Board Secretary 14