Board Meeting - March 19, 2001
Minutes
BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MARCH 19, 2001
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 March 19, 2001, beginning at 7:01 p.m., in the Auditorium of
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 - 7. Members absent:
Director Amato and President Koch - 2. Student member representative Katie Jo
Righi was present for roll call. Student member representative Patricia
Matthews arrived at 7:18 p.m.
OTHERS PRESENT
Others present: Thomas J. Doluisio, Superintendent of Schools; Jeff Tucker,
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
Vice President Williams requested that the audience observe a moment of silent
meditation.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Vice President Williams reported the following executive session of the board:
¥ An executive session of the Board of School Directors was held this evening.
Personnel and legal matters were discussed.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS - SPELLING BEE AWARDS
The following person addressed the Board of School Directors:
1. Barbara Fowler, vice president of the Bethlehem Education Association,
spoke to recognize the winners of the BEA/BASD spelling bee which was held at
Spring Garden Elementary School on February 21, 2001. All participants received
a certificate and a Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee pin. This year's
contest lasted 17 rounds and 229 words. "Cabriole" was the winning word. She
introduced the district's winner and runners-up. These students have certainly
exceeded the standards. The district winner was Andrea Miller, seventh grader at
Nitschmann Middle School, daughter of Jim and Sheila Miller. She received a
Spelling Ace sweatshirt, a $100 gift certificate to Borders Book Store, and a
plaque which Ms. Fowler presented to her. First runner-up was Kyle Ammon, son of
Scott and Alida Ammon. Kyle is an eighth grader at Nitschmann Middle School.
Second runner-up was Dominic Salerni, eighth grader at Broughal Middle School,
son of Paul Salerni. Runners-up received a Spelling Ace sweatshirt, a $50 gift
certificate to Borders, and the plaque. These exceptional spellers represented
the Bethlehem Area School District at the regional bee held at Lafayette College
on March 13. Dominic Solerni went on to win the regional bee which entitles him
to represent this region and the Bethlehem Area School District at the National
Spelling Bee competition in Washington, D.C., held during the last week in May.
Good luck was wished to Dominic.
Mr. Doluisio, on behalf of the Bethlehem Area School District, offered
congratulations to the three young people introduced tonight. These three
students bring much honor and prestige to their families, the Bethlehem Area
School District, and their respective schools. Mr. Doluisio also congratulated
the Bethlehem Education Association who does 99% of the work associated with this
event. These are dedicated teachers who, outside of their classroom duties,
spend a great deal of time on behalf of these young people to put forth this
spelling bee competition.
Vice President Williams added her congratulations to the students, teachers, and
BEA on behalf of the board. She commented on having read in the paper what some
families do to help prepare their children for the spelling bee.
At Mr. Doluisio's invitation, the three spelling bee winners introduced their
families.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Facilities Committee Ð Director Heske reported that the Facilities Committee met
on Monday, March 12. An update was received from Mr. Villani regarding current
projects which are all on schedule. The board voted 7-0 to bring tonight's
construction and facilities items to this meeting. Discussion items included the
Miller Heights Elementary School sidewalk south of Pine Street, Farmersville
Elementary School improvements along William Penn Highway and Meyer Lane, and
Freemansburg Elementary School remediation.
Finance Committee Ð Director Glancy reported that the Finance Committee met on
March 12. Dr. Joseph Mickley, Jr., presented an overview of the Colonial
Intermediate Unit 20's general operating budget for the 2001-2002 school year.
The budget includes educational support services, curriculum and instructional
support services, human resource and research services, instructional materials,
and educational technology services which total $2,030,290. The overall increase
is 3.90%. The total portion of that budget to be withheld from school districts
is $405,974. Bethlehem Area School District's contribution for 2001-2002 will be
$84,373. This is an increase of $3,245 from 2001-2001. This item is on this
evening's agenda. Mr. Majewski apprised the board of the 2001-02 tax payment
plan which is also included in this evening's agenda.
Human Resources Committee Ð Director Gallagher reported that the Human Resources
Committee met on March 12. The first reading of the proposed realignment of
middle schools was heard. The remainder of the meeting was in closed session.
Northampton Community College Ð Director Craig reported that the Northampton
Community College Board of Trustees met on Thursday, March 1. Rules have been
passed regarding the use of their new electronic mail system. A revised refund
of tuition policy was approved, providing incremental refunding whereby the
further a student is into a course, the smaller the refund granted if the student
drops the course. Grant money was discussed. Total grant money for the
2000-2001 year was almost $4,200,000. New construction was discussed. The
parking lot at the main campus will be about triple in size with a new access
road. There will be some new ball fields and other activity fields. One problem
has to do with Bethlehem Township. New construction and expansion of roadways
now are required to have curbs and sidewalks. The college wants to widen Green
Pond Road as it passes the main part of the campus. They are working with the
township to get a variance or help with the curbs and sidewalks.
Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School Ð Director Venanzi reported that the
Joint Operating Committee of Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech met on Tuesday, March 6.
Administrative realignment of duties to more efficiently run the school was
discussed. A policy change taking away a one-year probationary period for
classes in which the enrollment seems to be consistently low for a couple of
years was approved. The remainder of the meeting was in executive session.
Curriculum Committee Ð Vice President Williams reported that the Curriculum
Committee met on Wednesday, March 7. A March 5 meeting was canceled due to the
threat of snow. The report from the Academic Standards Committee was presented
with recommendations for phase two. Mr. Doluisio presented the philosophical
foundation of the Academic Standards initiative. He also presented the
chronological development of New Standards in the Bethlehem Area School District.
A report representing a culmination of effort, though not the final word, was
received from five study groups which summarized seven distinct areas:
alignment, academic interventions, comprehensive grading system for K through 12,
performance-based project, promotion policy and procedures, differentiated
diplomas, and evaluation implementation. It was a highly instructive evening
with much discussion and interest.
Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 Ð Vice President Williams reported that the
Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 Board met on Wednesday, February 28. Of particular
interest was a report of a principal cohort between Lehigh and East Stroudsburg
Universities. Dr. Mickley had met with representatives from Lehigh and East
Stroudsburg to discuss the development of a joint program that would train
teachers to become principals in a cohort fashion at a cost that could be
customized to meet the needs of the districts. The internship could, perhaps,
take place while the teacher would still be in the school system and research
papers could be related specifically to the school district. East Stroudsburg
had approved participation and Lehigh was expected to follow. Also discussed was
the report of the auditor general. The audit report contained no written findings
or recommendations.
Bethlehem Recreation Commission Ð Director Leeson reported that the Bethlehem
Recreation Commission met on Thursday, March 8. Basketball leagues are
concluding and will probably finish at the end of this month. The ice rink
revenue is up over $15,000 higher than last year. The ice rink has a new
generator which will allow for opening earlier in the season. For the year 2001,
the ice rink will continue its commitment to the Cancer Boutique, the skate park,
and Earth Day, but will open the rink in October for contract ice with hockey
teams and figure skating. The recreational season will continue approximately
the way it is now. The Monocacy path is scheduled to be refurbished this year.
The commission is currently waiting for plans from the students for skate park
ideas. The Easter Egg hunt will be Saturday, April 7, at 10 a.m., at Memorial.
STUDENT REPORTS
Freedom High School Ð Katie Jo Righi reported that March has been an exciting
month for students as well as faculty. Adam Weber and Brian Heath will represent
Freedom High School at the VIA All Star Basketball Classic which will be held on
March 28, 29, and 30. The girls' basketball team will also be represented at the
VIA All Star Classic game by Alexandra Psathas and Marisa DeStasio.
Freedom's wrestling team has also created quite a stir around the school. Dave
Koehler placed first in the District XI and Northeast Regional Wrestling
Tournament, which also had him qualify for the PIAA state championships. Another
Freedom student, John Steiner, placed third in the District XI and Northeast
Regional Tournament. He also qualified for the PIAA state championship and
placed seventh. The wrestling team was also ranked fourth in the state for most
of this amazing season.
On March 14, Freedom High School turned their library into the talk of the
school. Sponsored by the parents' organization, Freedom held a "latte library."
The idea was to bring students into the library and familiarize them with the
facility. Books were also available for sale at very reasonable prices.
Students were given the option to trade in a book for a different selection. The
cost of $1 entitled you to a coffee, cappuccino, or hot chocolate along with a
cookie to complement your reading experience. This was a wonderful idea that will
definitely become an ongoing trend.
The National Honor Society decided to take another visit to the Salvation Army
this past Sunday. A group of about 15 students volunteered to cook and serve a
hot meal for those in need. This has been the second visit made to the Salvation
Army by the National Honor Society.
The Freedom High School Theater Company is ready and anxiously awaiting the debut
of their spring musical, "South Pacific," during the week of March 30.
Liberty High School Ð Patricia Matthews reported that on March 9 athletes from
Liberty went to Calypso Elementary School and read to the students in honor of
Dr. Seuss's birthday.
Last week Liberty's orchestra returned from an exchange in Puerto Rico. This was
a wonderful opportunity for Liberty musicians to meet with other students
involved in the music program. The entire trip was financed by the Puerto Rican
government. Students had a great time.
On Friday, March 16, the Latino Youth Leadership Club hosted a team variety show.
The 19 acts varied from singing, dancing, and acting. There was a fantastic
turnout from the student body.
Tomorrow the senior class will be voting for class speaker for graduation.
Winter sports ended recently end. All sports had a fantastic season. Wrestling
and swimming sent numerous athletes to districts and states. Boys' basketball
made it to the district playoffs. The girls' basketball team made it to the
second round of state playoffs. Spring sports have started with everyone looking
forward to a great season.
The student government is considering entering the Big Brother/Big Sister program
in the elementary school and, for next year, selling bus tickets for students to
attend big games, such as states and districts, to support the school.
The junior class is preparing for the PSSA testing that will occur next week and
hoping to do as well, if not better, than their predecessors.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Directors Gallagher and Heske to approve the minutes of the
February 26, 2001, Regular Board Meeting. The motion carried by voice vote.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Doluisio presented the recommendations of the administration.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS No one wished to address the Board of
School Directors.
ADJOURNMENT
Directors Gallagher and Heske moved to adjourn the meeting which carried by voice
vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Attest,
Stanley J. Majewski, Jr. Board Secretary
:mg