Board Meeting: April 25, 2000
Minutes
BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT APRIL 25,
2000 BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Bethlehem Area School
District was held on April 25, 2000, beginning at 7:08 p.m., in the Auditorium,
at East Hills Middle School, 2005 Chester Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
MEMBERS PRESENT
The Board Secretary called the roll:
Members present: Directors Craig, Gallagher, Glancy, Heske, Leeson, Venanzi,
Williams, and Koch - 8. Members absent: Directors Amato - 1.
OTHERS PRESENT
Others present: Thomas J. Doluisio, Superintendent of Schools; Paul Stevens,
Solicitor; Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., Board Secretary; administrators; members of
the press and other interested citizens and staff members.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At this point in the meeting, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
SILENT MEDITATION
President Koch requested that the audience observe a moment of silent meditation.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Mr. Doluisio reported the following executive session of the board:
¥ An executive session of the Board of School Directors was held this evening.
Student discipline and legal matter were discussed.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS
The following persons addressed the Board of School Directors:
1. Edward Furlong, 2042 Fairland Avenue, spoke on an issue regarding his son,
Kevin Furlong, a senior at Liberty High School. His son was suspended several
weeks ago. Mr. Furlong stated he was not there to defend nor criticize Liberty
High School and the principles involved. He has issues with the manner in which
the suspension was handled. He stated he went through the expected channels. He
spoke with an assistant principal of the high school, objecting to the severity
of the suspension, the loss of class, a failing grade, and a five-day suspension.
He also spoke to the principal of Liberty, along with Mr. Freeh, head of the
computer department. At this meeting he expressed concern over the penalties
Liberty High School could impose. Three days later, on Monday, April 3, he
received a telephone call from his son's guidance counselor informing him of
suspension. Neither his son nor he received written notice of the suspension or
the Code of Conduct referral, until a meeting with thesuperintendent, assistant
superintendent, principal, vice principal, and Mr. Freeh almost a week after the
suspension was over. The suspension/expulsion board policy is clear in that the
parents of the child are to receive notification in writing immediately when a
student is suspended. This was not done. Mr. Furlong stated he received his
copy the week following suspension. During this meeting issues were brought up
that have been of grave concern to his wife, a teacher assistant at Broughal
Middle School, and himself. During the meeting Mr. Freeh asked if he was aware
of his son's web page. He let him know that he was aware of his web page. At
that point, Mr. Freeh indicated that he had found the web page very disturbing
and proceeded to hand out copies of it to the superintendent and assistant
superintendent. Mr. Furlong asked what his son's web page had to do with his
being suspended. As Mr. Freeh pointed out, the web page is through the public
air waves. Any student or teacher could access his son's web page through the
school's computer or at home. At this point, the superintendent expressed
concern at his son's web page. Mr. Furlong pointed out that, indeed, a
suspension was deserved and that, as a parent, he should be concerned. Other
issues were brought out such as the grade changing that occurred at Freedom High
School last year. As bad as that was, Mr. Furlong was horrified that the
district could in any way compare the events of his son for being responsible for
what happened at Columbine High School this past year. This comparison may not be
made nor inferred in any way that his son's action knows of some sadistic
killers. The superintendent deemed that the meeting was over, the ruling would
stand, and that all matters pertaining to this event would not be heard again
from the superintendent, that neither his wife nor himself be heard from again.
He asked, then, why his son was taken out of his programming class on April 12
and informed that Mr. Freeh did not want him in that class. No reason was given.
Mr. Furlong stated he finds it hard to believe this action is not some form of
punishment. His son is a senior with less than 30 days of school left and he has
been taken out of two classes. He asked if it is the job of the school district
to teach or to punish. Mr. Freeh stated, for the record, that his son does his
community work for the school district on computers at Broughal Middle School.
This entire matter has turned out to be a fiasco. He hopes the school board will
look into this matter and, as soon as possible, at least restore the programming
class that has been taken away.
FEDERAL PROGRAMS UPDATE
Mr. Doluisio stated that Mrs. Cintr—n informed him of some news worthy of passing
on to the board and community. Title I funding for next year has, basically,
been level funded compared to this year. Title VI is the class-size reduction
money. The district was informed it will receive an increase of $24,000 to that
fund, totaling $425,353.
PRESIDENT'S COMMUNICATIONS
President Koch stated she often gets large stacks of papers to sign. She
questioned what she was signing over and over again and found out it was teachers
and administrators who had taken the first aide and CPR classes and has passed
them. She was thrilled because she is nagging all the time to get people
trained. To her, this is the best step to take to safeguard our schools. We can
put up all kinds of hardware to protect our children. At least if people in the
buildings know first aide and CPR, chances are that we have a lot more people who
would survive any catastrophe that might happen.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Curriculum Committee - Director Williams reported that the Curriculum Committee
met Monday, April 10. In open forum there was discussion on when the board would
be receiving recommendations from the five academic standards committees and how
these recommendations might impact the budget for 2000-2001. These
recommendations are expected to be on the agenda for the administrative workshop
in June. The recommendations having significant financial impact probably will
not be implemented until the 2001-2002 school year. The committee received a
presentation on academic standards in the middle schools. Aside from the testing
in grades 4, 8, and 10, it is thought that students should be assessed on their
accomplishments with the standards at each grade to identify deficiencies and to
provide continual reinforcement and remediation to ultimately reduce the number
of students not meeting standards by the end of grade eight. Approximately 35%
of middle school students are identified to need remediation. Discussion also
included the importance of sending a clear signal to parents early in the process
of the expectations and implications of unmastered standards and the impact on
their child's academic placement, as well as what options are available for the
students not meeting standards.
Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 - Director Williams stated the Colonial
Intermediate Unit 20 met on the fourth Wednesday of last month. Central office
expansion at the IU was discussed. It is an approximately 35,000 square feet
addition that will occur in the near future. Board approval was given to the
internship contract with Lehigh University which is to provide assistance with
the World Class Learning and Leadership Initiative. On March 29 Carbon-Lehigh
Intermediate Unit 21 and Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 are having a joint meeting
to discuss collaborative efforts, in particular bulk purchasing, expansion of the
health trust, data processing, technology, etc.
Facilities Committee - Director Heske reported that the Facilities Committee met
on Monday, April 17. A construction update was received. All projects are on
schedule. The committee reviewed and unanimously approved the facilities-related
items on this agenda. There were two discussion items. The committee reviewed
the updated capital improvement plan and reviewed and discussed an athletic
committee proposal. Finance Committee - Director Glancy reported that the Finance
Committee met on April 17, chaired by Director Williams in his absence. There
was discussion about the Bethlehem Education Foundation update. John Reynolds,
secretary of the foundation, gave an update on the foundation's accomplishments
for the past year. The foundation has issued approximately $12,000 in grants for
six enrichment programs in the Bethlehem Area School District. The committee
heard a mid-year food service report by the Wood Food Service Management Company.
Accomplishments since the district contracted with Wood in September 1999 were
reviewed. Some of those include implementing three daily lunches choices at the
elementary schools, consolidation of food distribution schools from four to two,
implementation of food courts at secondary schools offering up to 12 choices per
day, and expansion of a la carte sales of hot foods. Mr. Majewski pointed out
that the point of sale system, in addition to moving the lunch lines along,
identifies children with allergies and provides additional information to
parents. Dual-purpose paper bids were discussed. Mr. Majewski informed the
committee that the low bid will not be recommended because the price is
guaranteed only until July 31 which would mean receiving the entire paper order
at one time. The district does not have space to house this paper at one time.
The discussion went on to include the fact that the proposed Ed Center addition
will add storage space. At the time that is completed, we would be able to
accept such a bid.
Human Resources Committee - Director Gallagher reported that the Human Resources
Committee met in executive session.
Bethlehem Recreation Commission - Director Leeson reported on the Bethlehem
Recreation Commission meeting of March 23. The basketball league is now
concluded, the ice skating rink closed. Ice skating revenue, in spite of a
shorten season, was matched for 1999. The softball league will be starting in
May with three divisions. The Easter egg hunt was held April 15 with an expanded
program because of the millennium celebrations. The playgrounds are going to be
revitalized. Six will be done this year, a total of 10 in the next two years.
The Sand Island western end project will be starting very soon. Sand Island will
have biking. Boating should have started in April. A million dollars will be
spent to revamp Sand Island into the River Place.
President Koch announced that Director Leeson is the district representative to
the Bethlehem Recreation Commission.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Directors Craig and Heske to approve the minutes of the
March 20, 2000, Regular Board Meeting. The motion carried by voice vote.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Doluisio presented the recommendations of the administration.
NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Director Williams stated she attended the Senior Citizens' Day on April 6. It
was a wonderful opportunity to meet a lot of senior citizens. The PSEA billboard
next to Teachers' Credit Union advertising teacher appreciation week in May looks
neat. She stated she was pleased to see in tonight's agenda that a large number
of our students are going to PJAS.
NCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Director Koch stated that Northampton Community College has informed the district
that two seats have expired on their Board of Trustees. One is being filled by
Director Williams. She was appointed a few months ago. Director Heske nominated
Director Williams to continue in that position. Director Venanzi seconded the
motion. Director Glancy nominated Director Craig to fill the second seat.
Director Williams seconded the motion. The two nominations were approved by
unanimous voice vote.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS
The following persons addressed the Board of School Directors:
1. Tomea Knight, athletic sales and promotions manager at Lehigh University,
spoke about a Lehigh football contest entitled Community Day. Last year,
Community Day was sponsored by St. Luke's Hospital on September 18 on Lehigh's
Goodman Campus. Community Day recognized the community and Lehigh University
together. The purpose of the event was to showcase community talent while
establishing ties in the community to generate a positive atmosphere for a Lehigh
athletic contest. Last year the mayor of Bethlehem appeared to make the coin
toss. Cheerleaders and football teams from local schools were also invited to
attend. Bands from Nitschmann, Broughal, East Hills, and Northeast Middle
Schools had the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd of more than 5,000
fans at a televised, collegiate athletic event. Some band members also appeared
on television. Lehigh's athletic department funded the transportation for the
bands to attend the event. After game half-time, the bands were invited for free
hot dogs and soda provided by Lehigh athletics. Prior to the event, several
members of the Lehigh athletic staff approached the school district's
transportation services regarding transportation to the event. At that time,
they were told to address their concerns next year to the school board directly.
Lehigh is planning to run Community Day again at the September 16 contest against
the University of Pennsylvania. The goal is to build upon the success of last
year's event. In doing so, it would be their pleasure to have the middle school
bands attend again, but Lehigh is asking for help from the district by providing
funding for transportation of these students to and from the event. Last year's
transportation cost was approximately $1,800. Estimated cost this year is $1,500
to $2,000.
2. Leonard Zavacky, principal of East Hills Middle School, thanked the school
board for accepting his resignation so that he could retire after 38 years. He
has enjoyed his association with the school district and appreciated the
opportunity to serve this community.
Mr. Doluisio remarked that Mr. Zavacky will be a real loss to the district. He
is a friend and a true team player. Bethlehem School District will miss him.
Directors Heske and Williams moved to adjourn the meeting which carried by voice
vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. ADJOURNMENT
Attest,
Stanley J. Majewski, Jr. Board Secretary
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