Regular Board Meeting - February 24, 2003
Minutes
BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY
24, 2003
REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Bethlehem Area School
District was held on Monday, February 24, 2003, beginning at 7:16 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 Amato, Craig, Haytmanek, Koch, Leeson, Venanzi, and
Williams - 7. Members absent: Directors Gallagher and Heske - 2. Student
member representatives Nadine Kotlarz and Molly Lare were also present.
OTHERS PRESENT
Others present: Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, Superintendent of Schools; Jeffrey T.
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
President Williams requested that the audience observe a moment of silent
meditation.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
President Williams reported that an executive session of the Board of School
Directors was held this evening. Student discipline and land acquisition were
discussed.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS
President Williams offered courtesy of the floor to visitors. Speakers are asked
to come to the podium, stating their name and address. Personal attacks are not
permitted. It is not the custom for the board to enter into a dialogue about
concerns. However, the board does listen with care to issues raised. Speakers
will be responded to, in some form, by the administration. The following person
addressed the Board of School Directors:
1. Paul Pimental stated he is from Rhode Island and wanted to address the
board about a situation that could possibly affect the district. He spoke on
behalf of the LaborersÕ Mid-Atlantic Regional Organizing Coalition which
represents a number of trade unions in the Allentown area, across Pennsylvania
and the Mid-Atlantic Region. On Wednesday the district will have a bid opening
concerning Northeast Middle School. One contractor on the project is known as
Lobar Incorporated. He stated that this is not a union versus nonunion issue. It
is about taxpayer, worker, and student safety. Lobar has a poor track record. In
the Manheim Township, Lobar built a school scheduled to open in August 2002. The
school has been delayed until August of next year due to a number of problems the
township faced with Lobar. The situation was so bad that the township had to
place an employee full-time to watch over LobarÕs work. The Donegal School
District, as well, has had structural problems with a number of buildings built
by Lobar. In Schuylkill County, there have been water problems and problems with
a gym built recently by Lobar. The contractor did not attend school committee
meetings held in Manheim Township over the issue of their projectÕs one-year
delay. They have had 39 serious health and safety violations. This past
November a worker was killed when a 900-pound 60-foot steel beam fell on his head
a month after the birth of his child. Mr. Pimental stated that nine contractors
are bidding on the contract. Eight are nonunion. Whether union or nonunion
contractor, what matters to the coalition is the health and safety of the
children of the district and the responsiveness Lobar will hold towards the board
and taxpayers. He offered additional documentation if desired.
President Williams stated that the board has a packet of information and the
solicitor is aware of some of the concerns mentioned.
Mr. Tucker stated that he knows the district where Lobar was the target. Lobar
has a different view of things and is contemplating suing the union for
defamation. They feel that some information in the packet is not accurate.
SUPERINTENDENTÕS REPORT
Dr. Lewis announced that due to the recent snow days school will be open on
Thursday, April 17, and Monday, April 21. Those will be makeup days for
students, teachers, and staff.
Dr. Lewis reminded the board and public of a change in the schedule of March
committee meetings. On March 3 at 6:45 p.m. there will be a board finance
committee meeting instead of curriculum committee meeting. On March 10, the
board curriculum committee meeting will be held in lieu of the regularly
scheduled finance committee meeting at 6 p.m. Also on March 10 will be a special
board meeting at 7:30. The purpose of the change is to deal with potential bond
refunding initiatives being investigated on behalf of the district.
Dr. Lewis stated that Mr. Huntsberger, art teacher at Nitschmann Middle School,
informed him that five of his students entered artwork in the 2003 Regional
Scholastic Arts Contest. Monica Bates and Caitlin Donnelly have work that is
included in the Regional Exhibition that was running at the Allentown Art Museum
in January and February. Caitlin also received recognition with an honorable
mention award. Students who also submitted work are: Alex Schlener, Jennifer
Kerchner, and Michael Bothwell. The National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
is the nationÕs oldest and most prestigious art and writing competition.
Dr. Lewis announced that the Senior CitizensÕ Nights at the Theater have been
scheduled for April 3 at Freedom for "West Side Story" and May 1 at Liberty for
"Music Man." This year two nights have been scheduled because of the popularity
of the event rather than alternating between the high schools. Seniors should
look for the ads.
INSTRUCTIONAL REPORT
Mr. Anthony Villani, Principal of Freedom High School, provided a report on the
technology scholars program. It is a partnership program between the Bethlehem
Area School District, Discovery Science Center, and Lehigh University. The
partnership is sponsored by Lucent Technologies, Bell Labs, and the Lucent
Foundation. Through some grant funding, the district has offered an exciting
program to approximately 37 Freedom students exploring various job-related
opportunities in the areas of science and technology. A steering committee
comprised of members from the Discovery Center, Lehigh University, and the
Bethlehem Area School District, particularly Freedom High School teachers, has
worked diligently over the past two years in shaping the two-year program in a
meaningful way. Jeff Countess, tech scholars program director from Discovery
Center, spoke about the program.
Mr. Countess stated there were three program goals. (1) Introduce students to
local businesses that use science or technology as part of their everyday
business. (2) Get students involved with corporate mentors for them to see what
goes on in everyday business at places like Air Products and Chemicals, St.
LukeÕs Hospital, Coca-Cola, and others. (3) During the second year give students
some hands-on experience with career fields these companies offer.
At the beginning of their junior year the students met at Lehigh University for
one week to learn basic skills of web design, such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop,
I-movie, and Quick Time VR. That allows students to develop their first year
projects which is a general website about their companies. The goal was to meet
with companies at least once a month beginning in late October or early November.
Milestones were set up to be met by students throughout the course of the first
year. One was a company overview due early in the school year, a narrative about
the companies they were working with. Story boards were done when students were
getting ready to develop their websites which also provided information and the
layout of how they were going to design and develop their websites for the end of
the first year and that they were going to do for their second year. The first
year group is now in the process of collecting media Quick Time VR at 360 degree
panoramic and company interviews with personnel which gives information about
what that person does, the science and technology they use on a daily basis, and
educational requirements they had to get their jobs. The final end of first year
project was a website showcased in May where students talked about what they had
learned technology-wise and also from the science and technology aspect of their
companies. Students have done a great job meeting the milestones set for them.
They are hard workers and very motivated. Students were expected to be very
professional, set up all meetings with the companies, make sure program directors
were informed so that they could attend and evaluate the students, be punctual,
and be prepared. Many compliments from the involved companies have been received
about the students.
Freedom students: Patricia Wetherill, Kyle Rinderer, Crystle Dzienis, and Dave
Dimaria spoke of their experiences in the technology scholars program.
Mr. Villani acknowledged the following members of the steering committee from
Discovery Center who have been instrumental in the development of the program:
Lin Erikson, Jeff Countess, and Karen Knecht, one of the teachers who spent a lot
of time with students on Wednesday evenings; Freedom High School teachers: Wayne
Marish, social studies department; Diane Jordan, business department chair, and
Dan Kunkle, science department chair. The program is being evaluated by Dr. Al
Bodsin, Lehigh University professor in the science department.
Director Amato asked if we are duplicating efforts between what is taught in the
home school and in the vo-tech school. Mr. Villani replied that he does not see
it as such.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FACILITIES COMMITTEE Jack Wittenberger reported that the Facilities Committee
met on Monday, February 3. TonightÕs facility agenda items were reviewed. In a
construction update, it was reported by administration that bids for the
Northeast Middle School project were sent out the week of January 20 and will be
received on February 26. Bid results will be brought to the board at the March 3
Facilities Committee meeting for approval at the March 17 regular meeting.
Groundbreaking on the Northeast Middle School project should occur in April or
May of this year. The East Hills Middle School cooling tower project is also on
schedule.
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE Director Venanzi reported that the Curriculum Committee met
Monday, February 3. Mrs. Leeson expressed concern regarding the PSSA test scores.
Dr. Lewis told her that several strategies are currently being reviewed. He
will provide more information at a later date. Mr. Villani, principal of Freedom
High School, gave a presentation about the proposed high school portfolio system.
FINANCE COMMITTEE Director Amato reported that the Finance Committee met on
Monday, February 10. Director Koch questioned budget impact of the new "No Child
Left Behind" program. Mr. Majewski stated that the program will increase
reporting requirements, expenditures and demands on school district personnel in
administering this mandated program. Director Craig inquired about a
"Sale/Lease-Back" program which may reduce the cost of new construction within a
school district by avoiding prevailing wage requirements. The program was
discussed. The Northampton Community College proposed budget was presented by
Dr. Robert Kopecek and Helene Whitaker. The proposed budget represents an
increase of 1.04% for the Bethlehem Area School district, or $17,974, bringing
the districtÕs contribution to $1,740,889. Dr. Kopecek announced that due to his
retirement Dr. Arthur Scott will assume the position of President of Northampton
Community College, effective July 1, 2003. Mr. Majewski explained a need for
additional electrical work at the Rosemont Building was discussed at a special
board meeting on January 7, 2002. The board never officially approved the actual
change order. The work has been completed, the item is on this eveningÕs agenda
for approval.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Director Craig reported that the Human Resources
Committee met on Monday, February 10. The proposed boundary change between
Broughal and East Hills was discussed. High school graduation dates were
discussed. Liberty High School will graduate on Thursday, June 12. Freedom High
School will graduate on Friday, June 13. Both ceremonies will take place at
Stabler Arena.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Director Koch reported that the Board
of Trustees of the Northampton County Area Community College met on Thursday,
February 6. Work on the Middle States update has begun. This is extremely
important because it is needed for their accreditation. The committee was happy
to hear Helene WhitakerÕs report on the Monroe County campus. Enrollment is up
quite a bit.
PSBA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Director Koch reported that the legislative
priorities meeting was held during the PSBA meeting on February 9 and 10 in
Hershey. This meeting is a culmination of a yearÕs activity of putting together
a booklet of their legislative platform from which the three most important items
are selected. This yearÕs choices which the lobbyists will be promoting are:
- Support legislation to increase the state contribution for special education
services based on actual costs incurred and students served.
- Oppose legislation that will subject the authority of boards of school
directors to public referendum.
- Support and continue to provide leadership for the coordinated efforts of
basic education community in seeking an equal partnership between local
school districts and state government in the funding of public education. The
association believes state funding must appropriately reflect actual pupil
enrollment and cost of instruction, the needs of small districts and the
number of students living in poverty, and it must be equitably distributed
among school districts.
BETHLEHEM AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL Director Amato reported that the
vo-tech board met on February 4. Major discussion under programming was for the
math scheduling and math staffing for next year. Math is presently taught at the
vo-tech school for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. This will shift back to
the home school. Various substitutes and long-term subs were approved. A new
joint protection services program in conjunction with the CIT and the Northampton
County Community College was discussed. Strategic planning for the short term
and long term was discussed.
STUDENT REPORTS
LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL Molly Lare stated that the new semester has started off
smoothly and is the last semester of high school for the class of 2003. College
acceptance letters are beginning to arrive in the mail. Seniors are excited to
know that the graduation date has been set for June 12. Because of last weekÕs
enormous school storm, some activities and sports events were interrupted.
Everyone was excited by the blizzard. The students are very appreciative of the
mountains of snow which were plowed away from the student parking lot. Juniors
have been taking the PSSAÕs for the past couple of weeks. Registration for the
AP tests for seniors will be held soon. On February 13 students expressed their
love for each other by having pink, white, and red carnations delivered to each
otherÕs homerooms. There has been much discussion in classrooms and at lunch
tables about the United StatesÕ situation with Iraq. Some students are for war;
some are against it. The next issue of the newspaper will include a feature of
studentsÕ opinions on the matter. A few students attended peace rallies in
Washington, D.C., and New York City this past month. On March 1 at Wesley United
Methodist Church there will be a silent auction and pasta dinner. The proceeds
from the dinner will benefit the LHS Grenadier Band. The prom fashion show is
being planned. Seniors will parade through the cafeteria at lunch time
showcasing tuxedos and evening gowns. River Fusion 2003 will be held on May 4,
an event sponsored by the IllickÕs Mill project, on Sand Island, featuring
various musical performances, art showcases, games, and food stands. Young
Writer is in the middle of putting together their literary magazine, asking for
students at Liberty to submit their poetry, prose, and art work to be published.
Auditions for the teen variety explosion, LibertyÕs talent show, will be held
this week. The event will be hosted by the Latino Youth Leadership Club. In
sports, winter sports teams have been wrapping up their seasons with LVC and
district championships. Teams are doing their best to qualify as many students
for state championships that they can. Spring sports will be starting soon, as
will all the spring activities at Liberty. It will be very busy.
FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL Nadine Kotlarz stated that the most amazing thing happened
last week Š thanks to Mother Nature, she spent a total of two days out of a full
week at school. It was somewhat reminiscent of a storm in the mid-nineties.
Otherwise, February has been a pretty basic month. College letter time in late
March and April is getting closer. The consensus now is that all you can do is
sit on your hands and hope for an acceptance letter. Or, you could go to a
Freedom High School pen and ink open mike night and vent your frustration. A day
before ValentineÕs Day, FreedomÕs literary magazine held somewhat of a gala in
room 205 which was formerly known as Mr. KleistÕs English room but was
transformed into a lounge split down the middle, half for the "love is lovely"
advocate and the other half for those who believe "love stinks." It was
interesting to see the talent at Freedom directed into poetry, songs, music, and
short skits. Although it is cold and icy, Freedom High School keeps busy both
academically and athletically. Spring sports will kick-off in the not too
distant future with the beginning of girls soccer, baseball, softball, and track.
The cast of this yearÕs musical, "West Side Story," continues to prepare for
their early April show time. The best news possible is that a graduation day for
the class of 2003 has officially been set for June 13. The countdown has begun.
Dr. Lewis recognized the efforts of Jack Wittenberger and his entire staff over
the last several days following the snowstorm, working all hours into the night,
an amazing feat to get our lots and walks open. Dr. Lewis also recognized Dave
Himmelberger in his efforts of actually going out to see if our buses could
traverse the narrow streets. Those kinds of measures nobody hears about. Both
divisions and their leaders did a marvelous job of getting the district through
the past week.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Directors Koch and Leeson to approve the minutes of the
January 13, 2003, Special Board Meeting and January 27, 2003, Regular Board
Meeting. The motion carried by voice vote.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Lewis presented the recommendations of the administration.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS
No one wished to address the Board of School Directors.
ADJOURNMENT
Directors Craig and Haytmanek moved to adjourn the meeting which carried by voice
vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Attest,
Stanley J. Majewski, Jr.
Board Secretary
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