Regular Board Meeting - May 19, 2003
Minutes
BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 19, 2003
REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Bethlehem Area School
District was held on Monday, May 19, 2003, beginning at 7:08 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, Haytmanek, Heske, Koch, Leeson,
Venanzi, and Williams - 8. Members absent: Director Amato - 1. 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.
UNITED WAY REPRESENTATIVES
President Williams stated that, while it is not an item on the agenda, in
deference to special visitors from United Way, she would call on Dr. Lewis. Dr.
Lewis requested that Peter Carpino, Ron Achey, and anyone else representing
United Way come to the podium. Dr. Lewis stated that it is exciting that this
year had an extensive United Way campaign. The district more than doubled its
contributions from last year. As a district we are now over $37,000 in our
contribution to United Way. Peter Carpino, president of United Way, expressed
personal thanks on behalf of United Way and the entire community. He stated that
last year the entire district raised $18,000. For the district, as a whole, to
have raised $37,000 including six gifts of $1,000 or more, is a testament to Dr.
Lewis' leadership, the cooperation from the Bethlehem Education Association,
Teamsters 773, Hotel and Restaurant Employees local, support personnel at the
schools, and students. This campaign is a model campaign. The results will be
shared will other districts throughout the Lehigh Valley. Peter Carpino presented
United Way's Community Caring Award to Dr. Lewis and Barb Fowler. Mr. Carpino
also wished to recognize Tom Thomasik, the silent organizer behind the United Way
initiative.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
President Williams reported that an executive session of the Board of School
Directors was held this evening. Student discipline was 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 persons
addressed the Board of School Directors:
1. Scott Brantingson, 4510 Greenfield Road, Bethlehem, provided a heart-felt
appeal to reconsider the decision of the superintendent, on counsel of the
board, to cancel an abstinence-based education program that was scheduled to
convene on May 15 at Freedom and Liberty High Schools. He referred to a
letter of appeal which he delivered to Dr. Lewis' office. He asked what
consideration was given to the fact that approximately seven months ago,
principals William Burkhardt and Anthony Villani had agreed to participate in
a Pam Stenzel Assembly, signed contracts for her services, and initiated
fund-raising efforts to raise the $6,000 honorarium. He questioned if
principals no longer have the authority to book assemblies. He asked what
criteria the board used in determining the appropriateness of Pam Stenzel's
message - federal guidelines or state curriculum? Mr. Brantingson asked the
board members to publicly state their positions in order to make it a matter
of public record. He believes the parents of the community deserve to know
where each board member stands on an issue so critical to the well being of
their children. He asked for serious reconsideration of such an important
message to the youth of America as abstinence education and reconsider the
possibility of Ms. Stenzel coming to the area to help our school children.
2. Victoria Bedford, 495 Schoolhouse Road, Nazareth, stated she has a
student in the Bethlehem Area School District and is an employee of the
district. She explained that she deals with students from every school in the
district and hears conversations daily of school-age children beginning in
middle school years of their sexual activities and recreational activities
which include bisexual, homosexual, and heterosexual activities. She is
appalled by those conversations. She is appalled as a parent and employee
that the board decided to cancel the presentation that was to be made to
encourage students to make decisions on their sexual activity based on
medical facts. She encouraged the board to reconsider its decision. Ms.
Bedford attended the Pam Stenzel presentation at one of the other area high
schools and was extremely impressed by her message of love, warmth,
acceptance of students, as well as the true medical facts. We need to
present these medical facts to our students to stop the activity that is
going on.
3. Lauren Brantingson, 4510 Greenfield Road, Bethlehem, stated she also had the
opportunity to experience Ms. Stenzel's presentation. She stated that as a
student and a 17-year-old girl, she wished to express that her presentation
and personal lovingness and truth she seeks to tell students has changed her
life. She asked the board to please reconsider this presentation.
Director Leeson proposed that the cancellation of the Pam Stenzel Assembly be
discussed by the board under new business.
4. Robert Van Aken stated he lives in Emmaus. He is associated with the Care Net
Pregnancy Centers which has an office in Bethlehem to service this area. He
stated the Centers use Pam Stenzel's material extensively in counseling
sessions. Basically, the Care Net Pregnancy Centers counsel young women and
men who are facing unplanned pregnancies and have contracted an STD. A
strong abstinence message needs to be presented to balance the culture that
is yelling elicit lifestyle at our children from TV, movies, and music. Many
girls who are counseled think that they are practicing safe sex. They are
amazed that, with the use of a condom, they have still contracted a disease.
For example, it is medically documented that condoms will do nothing to
prevent human papillomavirus. It is the number one cause of cervical cancer
which kills more young women in this nation every year than AIDS and HIV.
Mr. Van Aken stated his intention is to eliminate the need for the kind of
work that he does. Most young girls that become pregnant, if they do not
have the support of their parents, will live below the poverty line for the
next 20 years of their lives. The only responsible action is abstinence. He
provided to the board a report on Uganda's policy on preventing AIDS. Uganda
went from an AIDS infection rate basically threatening the existence of the
country to becoming the only African nation that has reduced its rate of
infection. He also provided a report on responsible factors for declines in
pregnancy, birth, and abortion in America. Mr. Van Aken feels that to do
anything else than to preach abstinence to our children is like telling them
that it is OK to play Russian roulette, just be sure to use blanks.
5. David Feaver, resident of Allentown, alumnus of Freedom High School class of
1970, and parent wanted to add his vote to what has been said. He has never
heard, to his satisfaction, an argument that says those that those who
propose or are in favor of abstinence are in any way intolerant. In order to
balance an educational environment, to make informed decisions, and
judgments, both sides must be heard.
6. Ted Debracky, resident of Emmaus, provided a set of handouts. He stated that
he hopes his comments will inspire and encourage the board and staff to
continue to do good things. Extraordinary is the word that Dr. Angelo,
superintendent of the Allentown School District, used in one of her
publications to describe the extraordinary impacts upon the budget such as
increased retirement benefits of nearly a million dollars. The main reason
the pension contributions must go up is the stock market decline in the last
three years. During the late nineties, the overheated market produced so
much income that both the Commonwealth and the school districts were able to
enjoy a pension cost holiday. If you heard that Bethlehem Area School
District's pension costs were increasing from $1,700,000 to almost $2,000,000
next year you may be shocked. But, by comparison, PSERS quotes a normal rate
of 7.2% based on their standard actuarial assumptions, with another .97%
going toward medical premium subsidies. That is compared to the 3.7%
contributions will be next year. Those numbers are for a normal investment
market. In 1991 the pension costs were 19% of salary. If that rate was in
effect today, Bethlehem's costs would be almost $11,000,000 using constant
2002 salaries. On that basis, it isn't really fair to say that these
increases are extraordinary, nor should they have been unexpected. The
increases should have been expected and planned for long ago. Mr. Debracky
concluded with four points:
- All Pennsylvania school districts have enjoyed a pension costs holiday for
the last few years, allowing districts to hold down taxes while, in
Bethlehem's case, spending nearly $11,000,000 more in programs.
- The bad news is basically the same as the good news, with a slightly
different twist. Every Pennsylvania school district has had a freebie over
the 10 years. Nobody reduced taxes when pension costs went down, instead
spending more money on programs, perhaps without the same accountability or
scrutiny as if they had needed to raise taxes. That presents an opportunity.
Can spending be identified that might not have been added during the pension
cost holiday or can you identify spending that could otherwise be eliminated.
If there is any of this, it is time to cut it. Otherwise, taxes will need
to be raised. He trusts the board and administration will have the wisdom to
make the right decisions.
- Another reason pension costs are going up in addition to the decline in
assets and income is that the pension years of service benefit multiplier has
been increased from two percent to two-and-a-half percent in 2001. That
caused the plan's liabilities to increase by a sudden 20% jump which creamed
the funding ratio. It is unproductive to blame why that happened. That 20%
increase is really a benefits and salary increase. That should be used for
guidance in future actions.
- Don't lobby the legislature to delay the increased charges. That is just
whining and not taking responsibility. Delaying contributions can only make
the costs go up even more.
7. Jan Siegfried, 3610 Church Road, has two children that attend Freedom High
School. One common myth surrounding STDs is that they are not a problem
among teenagers. In reality, two-thirds of STD cases occur in adolescents
and young adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have noted
that one in four sexually active teens will contract an STD before graduating
from high school. One reason teens, as a group, are at a particularly high
risk for infection from STD is that teens who are sexually active are likely
to exhibit one or more of the following behaviors: having more than one
partner rather than committing to a single, long-term relationship; engaging
in unprotected sex; selecting partners at higher risk such as those with a
history of multiple sex partners or intravenous drug use. Risk factors are
magnified by the fact that when teens do contract an STD, they are less
likely than adults to seek medical attention. Through denial and
rationalization, they ignore signs and symptoms of infection. Contracting an
STD can dramatically change the course of a teen's life. In her talks to
high school age children, Ms. Stenzel brought these facts to light in a
compelling and heart-felt speech. At least twice during the presentation she
begged these young girls that are sexually active to get tested. Pregnancy is
not their biggest problem. A sexually transmitted disease that will stay
with them the rest of their life is. Mrs. Siegfried stated that the facts
she read are from her ninth grade daughter's health book. She begged the
board to consider having this woman come and speak. Many of these children
will not get to page 634 in their health book this year. Pam Stenzel
presented these same facts in a riveting manner and the children heard her.
At the speech she heard, every child in the auditorium stood up and gave her
a standing ovation. She hopes the board and administration will reconsider
having this woman come to Bethlehem.
8. Brandon Mattes, lives in Bethlehem, and is a 2001 graduate of Freedom High
School. He stated he doesn't think he ever got a B in health class, but if
someone would ask him if he could transmit HPV to a girl or if it could be
transmitted to him through even having sex with a condom, he would have
thought they were lying. He did not know that could happen. He stated he
got an A every year and thought he knew what he was doing. He went to see
the speaker last week at another area high school because he was interested.
He learned some things he did not know that could affect his health later on
in life. He doesn't want to get married to a woman and carry a virus he did
not know he had, which you could get tested two years after having sexual
intercourse with someone else and it could not show up because it needs three
years to show up. That was something else he did not know. He would not
want to marry a woman and transmit a disease to her that could kill her
through cervical cancer. Without seeing that presentation, he would never
have known that. The presentation could save a life.
9. Craig Stores, 3305 Harvard Place, Bethlehem, is a parent having three
children in the school district. Two attend East Hills, one attends Asa
Packer. As a concerned father, his wife handed him the e-mail stating that
this would be discussed today. He said he had to attend to let the board
know how parents feel. Parents are doing everything possible to impress on
their children the proper way to handle themselves and their bodies.
Children come home and say "other kids...." He stated he is fighting an
uphill battle and needs every resource at his disposal. Canceling Pam
Stenzel is shutting down a very strong resource for parents. From what he
has heard, the other items students will learn in high school health class
are repulsive. He will encourage his children to walk out when that is being
taught. We are not on the right track.
Dr. Lewis stated that the board, if it chooses, will discuss the Pam Stenzel
assembly issue as requested at new business. He has had several conversations
with Mr. Brantingson and wanted to clarify some points made in all of the
speakers' presentations. The board does not disagree with the premises presented
relative to abstinence. The board has dialogued about this particular speaker's
mode of presentation. The point is that a more balanced approach would have been
preferred. The board and the curriculum it has endorsed delivers a message to
students that abstinence is the only way to be 100% sure that you would not
transmit STDs, is the only way to guarantee that you will not become pregnant as
a young woman. Abstinence is the primary delivery of focus of the curriculum.
However, the curriculum does address other issues relative to protection. That
is what is being talked about - the balanced approach. We are not about to begin
to design or deliver morality to any parent. That is not the purview of public
education. Regarding principals engaging in contracts, the only individuals who
can engage in contracts by the school code in the state of Pennsylvania are the
nine people that reside on the board. The board can direct staff to coordinate,
negotiate, and sign contracts with their approval, but are the ones who can
technically engage the district in a contract. It is unfortunate that this was
not brought to the administration's attention earlier in the process. House Bill
3734 does stress abstinence. There are federal and state guidelines relative to
sex education. This district conforms will all of those guidelines. This board
does not vote on what assemblies come in and out of the school. The board guides
the administration in making those decisions. Should they choose to discuss
their personal viewpoints under new business or in private with any individual,
that is their right. Dr. Lewis stated he wanted to make it very, very clear that
the district is not involved in the business of morality and he will not drag the
board into that discussion. These are delicate issues. The courts have been
very clear on the separation of church and state and the separation of issues of
morality. This is not a religious issue. It is our obligation to be sure that
it doesn't even lean toward that possibility.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Lewis announced that a teacher a Calypso Elementary School, Donna McCallum,
was named Walmart teacher of the year. He thanked Walmart for supporting public
education and congratulated Ms. McCallum. Calypso Elementary School will receive
a $1,000 donation in her name.
Dr. Lewis recognized two students. Jessica Granson from Freedom High School and
Richard Santee from Liberty High School were recognized on May 5 at the 2003
Donnelly Awards for Excellence. Dr. Lewis stated he attended that luncheon and
sat with both parents. The students certainly represented the district well.
Dr. Lewis stated he also attended the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical awards
on May 7 at the vocational school. Three scholarship winners were Jonathan Jenny
from Liberty High School received $2,500, Todd Sedlock from Freedom High School
received $1,000, and Lori Zimmerman from Freedom High School received $1,500.
The district is proud of all three students who are involved in our
vocational-technical program.
Dr. Lewis announced that the recent National History Day competition held at Penn
State University resulted in one of our students, Brenna Brady, a senior at
Liberty High School, placing second in senior performances. She advances to
national competition which will be held in Maryland on June 15. Her advisor is
Mr. Craig Zieger.
Dr. Lewis stated that on Friday evening he was invited to introduce the District
10 Pennsylvania Music Education Association Intermediate School Band and
Orchestra Festival, hosted by Nitschmann Middle School, held at Zoellner Arts
Center. It was an incredible performance. He recognized the efforts of Ron
Haas, Nitschmann's music director, who organized the program. It was an
extraordinary example of not only the power of music, but the power of collected
professionals from all 85 participating schools in District 10, 45 of which were
represented that night.
Dr. Lewis stated that the Bethlehem Education Association will be recognized. He
asked Barb Fowler to stand on behalf of all the teachers. We are coming off
National Teacher Recognition Week. He stated that all recognize the teachers'
efforts everyday in the classroom with the students of the Bethlehem Area School
District. He thanked Ms. Fowler and our teachers.
INSTRUCTIONAL REPORT
Mr. James Bertoni, Principal of Spring Garden Elementary School, provided a
report about reading recovery. It is the tenth anniversary date of the reading
recovery program in the Bethlehem Area School District. He introduced Charlene
Weaver, reading recovery teacher at Spring Garden for nine years; Carol Jacoby,
reading recovery teacher for 10 years in the first class and for the last six
years the teacher leader of reading recovery; Mia Fernandes, the other RR
teacher, and Doris Correll, who is in charge of reading recovery.
Carol Jacoby stated that reading recovery is one of our best interventions for
children. She quoted from the Pennsylvania Department of Education web site, "We
must start them off early and right." Children need to have a good start with
their reading and writing. We need to prevent failure before it begins. That is
what reading recovery does. Reading recovery is an early intervention program
for only first grade students who are at risk of learning how to read and write.
It needs to be provided by a trained reading recovery teacher. Each day the
child receives an individual tutorial lesson with the reading recovery teacher.
It is supplementary to the classroom teaching, in addition to reading the child
gets in the classroom. It is a short-term, early intervention. A typical term
in reading recovery is only 12 to 20 weeks. Children who successfully
discontinue from reading recovery usually do not need any other intervention to
stay on track. In a typical tutoring session, the only things worked on are
reading, writing, and letter work. The teacher plans an individually sequenced
lesson for each child based on the child's needs.
Mrs. Jacoby showed a video of Spring Garden Elementary School showing some parts
of a lesson. The best thing that happens in the lesson is the child reads a book
that was introduced and read one time the day before. While that book is being
read, the teacher takes a running record. The results of that running record
guide the teacher's decisions on teaching points that will be made after the book
is read. Next is letter work, where phonics comes into the lesson. The child
will be working with magnetic letters. In the early program it can be learning
letters and later on making words. A student was shown on video making words.
Next, the teacher and child work together to compose a story. The child then
writes the story with assistance from the teacher. Another video was shown
demonstrating this process. Following writing of the story, the story is cut
into parts such as words or chunks or word parts. The child reconstructs it.
She showed video of a student performing this task. After that, a new book is
introduced, based on what the child needs to learn. The teacher and child
discuss the book. Then the child reads the book, with assistance as needed.
This is where a lot of teaching takes place. Video was shown of Christopher.
Christopher started the program in September, discontinued in February, and now
is reading above grade level in his classroom.
A vital part of reading recovery is also parental support. Teachers meet with
the parents, show the parents a sample lesson. The parent is asked to read with
the child at night or listen to the child read. Also, the cut up sentence is
sent home for the child to do with the parent. Mrs. Brandle, a parent at Spring
Garden, spoke about reading recovery, on the video being shown.
In order to become a reading recovery teacher, the teacher needs to go through a
year or two semesters' course work, affiliated with East Stroudsburg University.
Teachers teach a child while the training class is on the other side of a one-way
glass. This is housed at Spring Garden School. The video showed a clip from a
training class featuring Molly Watson, reading recovery teacher in training,
teaching her child. Teachers on the other side of the glass were heard
discussing the lesson. While being trained, teachers work with four children
each day. For as long as they are in reading recovery, they come to continuing
contact sessions with other reading recovery teachers.
Mrs. Jacoby stated that, as Mr. Bertoni said, ten years of reading recovery is
being celebrated. In the ten years, our district has worked with ten other
school districts including Allentown, Bangor, Easton, Methacton, Northwestern,
Pen Argyl, Parkland, Saucon Valley, Tulphocken, and Upper Marion. Each of those
districts have sent teachers to be trained at our site in addition to the
teachers we have trained from Bethlehem which results in over 3,400 students
being served and 124 teachers trained. In Bethlehem, 81 teachers have been
trained. Another benefit of reading recovery is that it improves a teacher's
teaching. Nearly everyone that goes through reading recovery will agree that it
is not until being trained in reading recovery that you really understand how
children learn how to read and write. As a result, it improves the classroom
teaching. First through fourth grade have received extensive training on
balanced literacy including guided reading. Next year, fifth grade will join
that. Kindergarten teachers received a year of training on the early literacy
framework so that there would be a more seamless transition from kindergarten
into first grade. As a result of the training, good classroom teaching, and
fuller implementation of reading recovery a rise in reading levels has been seen.
Mrs. Jacoby stated that eleven out of sixteen schools are fully implemented. She
thanked the school district for that. We still have five schools to go,
including Spring Garden.
Mr. Bertoni stated the school board's support has been appreciated. As principal
of Freemansburg, several years ago, he had the opportunity to have several of his
staff trained. Results were seen almost immediately. As principal at Spring
Garden, he would also like the opportunity to increase any staff to accommodate
children who are at schools like Asa Packer, Governor Wolf, Miller Heights,
Thomas Jefferson, and Spring Garden. Reading recovery is working, is alive and
well. Mrs. Jacoby, along with Mia Fernandes and Doris Correll, continues to make
this program work tremendously well.
Mrs. Jacoby stated most schools on the list were not Title I schools. She thinks
it is a myth sometimes that people think schools that do not have that many
at-risk children do not need reading recovery. As scores increase, it increases
the need for reading recovery in a school rather than decreases, because as that
bar gets higher it means more children are having difficulty reaching that bar.
Director Leeson stated that in the presentation it appeared that phonics was a
strong basis of the program. She asked if that is correct. Mrs. Jacoby replied
that phonics is included in the program. The children read books that are more
whole language, but phonics is a big part of the program in teaching children how
to decode unknown words. Director Leeson asked if Mrs. Jacoby sees a gap in the
phonics area or no more of a gap than in other areas. Mrs. Jacoby stated that it
varies from child to child.
Director Haytmanek asked if this one-half hour, one-on-one experience, is during
the regular school day. Mrs. Jacoby replied that 98% of the sessions are during
the school day. A few teachers work after school while the child is at day care.
Director Haytmanek asked if the student is missing something else in the regular
school day. Mrs. Jacoby stated the student is missing something else but usually
what they are missing is above their level of understanding.
Director Venanzi applauded the reading recovery staff. We all know that with
reading comes everything. We lose students if they can't read by middle school
and high school.
President Williams stated that some years ago she was able to sit in on a session
at Donegan Elementary School and saw how the program worked. Hearing that it has
repercussions in the classroom is great.
Mrs. Jacoby invited the board to reading recovery graduation on Friday at 1:30
p.m., at Spring Garden. The board is welcome to come to see a reading recovery
lesson.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE Director Venanzi reported that the Curriculum Committee met
Monday, May 5. During open forum, Director Leeson asked how many students at each
high school were National Merit Scholars. She was told there is one at Freedom
and none at Liberty this year. An update of the proposed changes to student
dress code regulations was presented by Mr. Burkhardt and Mr. Villani. Dr.
Nelson reported on the open enrollment policy.
FACILITIES COMMITTEE Director Heske reported that the Facilities Committee met
on Monday, May 5. This evening's facility-related agenda items were reviewed and
approved. A construction update was received indicating that all summer projects
scheduled for next summer are in the design phase. Construction has started on
the new Northeast Middle School project. Dr. Lewis gave an overview of a
proposal for raising funds to finance artificial turf at the Bethlehem Area
Stadium and the Freedom High School football field. Mr. Yasso, director of
sponsor relations for Musikfest, gave a presentation on fund raising
possibilities to fund such a project. The administration presented a blueprint
for a proposed 14' by 20' outdoor concession stand for the Freedom High School
Complex. At the suggestion of Director Craig, an additional 8' will be added for
storage. The administration asked the board if they could investigate temporary
parking for Northeast Middle School due to construction. Mr. Fazil requested
permission to bid the Freedom High School HVAC system in the auditorium to
alleviate the noise level. A meeting took place of many of the people connected
with the district's emergency management plan. The extensive amount of work done
on the program was reviewed.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Director Craig reported that the Human Resources
Committee met on Monday, May 5. The teacher flex schedule for professional
development was discussed. It will be brought to the board in the near future.
Foreign exchange policy and eligibility of nonresident students were discussed.
The rest of the meeting was in executive session where topics were contracts and
personnel issues.
FINANCE COMMITTEE Mr. Majewski reported that the Finance Committee meeting on
Monday, May 12, was the budget hearing for the 2003-2004 proposed budget.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Director Koch reported that the Board
of Trustees of the Northampton County Area Community College met on Thursday, May
1. Business and employment issues were discussed.
BETHLEHEM AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL Director Koch reported that the
vo-tech board met on Tuesday, May 13. Following business items, the rest of the
evening was spent discussing issues concerning the budget; in particular, certain
program cuts which would result in some people losing jobs. The discussion was
tabled until next month.
STUDENT REPORTS
LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL Molly Lare stated that every day in math class a girl is
writing a countdown to the end of the school year for seniors on the blackboard.
She explained that half of her can't wait to get out of high school and jump into
college life while the other half is in complete awe and disbelief that all the
seniors are going to be going separate ways. On the brink of graduation, it is
pretty exciting. Senior class speakers were chosen. Robbie Oberly will be class
speaker and Tim Murray will be the faculty speaker.
An extreme pep rally was held on April 21 where sports teams were honored and
some performances were given by groups which performed in the team variety
explosion. Class elections for next year were held. Sophomore class president
will be Jacquelyn Misero, junior class president will be Jeff Decrosta, senior
class president will be Krista Beam. In the last weekend of April and first
weekend of May, Liberty Theater performed their production of "The Music Man."
Over 3,000 tickets were sold which is the most sold for any show. This was the
last show for Mr. Smith, the director and physics teacher, and his wife. It was
so sad to see them take their final bow. At the final performance an alumni came
up from every show they have done. "The Music Man" has been nominated for three
of the Freddy Awards to be held on Thursday. On Sunday, May 4, River Fusion was
held at Sand Island for the Illick's Mill project. It was a great success with
lots of great performances. On May 1, the Special Olympics was held in the
Bethlehem Area School District stadium, an incredible experience with over 500
volunteers. Everyone was great with the students who were so happy to be there.
On Sunday, May 18, an art show was held featuring work of students and faculty.
In sports, victory bells have been ringing as the spring sports season comes to
an end. Recently, Liberty's baseball team played against Parkland in LVC
championship and they won. It was very exciting to see them rise up to the
challenge and claim the title that they had last year. Next week a sports
banquet will be held at Northampton Community Center honoring all athletes,
cheerleaders, and team managers.
Next week, the prom will be held. The theme this year is "Cherished Memories."
After that, is graduation.
President Williams added to Ms. Lare's report that she, Molly Lare, will be going
to states representing Liberty in track and field this weekend.
FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL Nadine Kotlarz stated the real crux of the crop this month
are those issues which pertain to Freedom's seniors and the last lingering days
of their high school career. The Freedom senior/junior prom was held Friday, May
16, at Iacocca Hall at Lehigh University. The night was eventful from crowning
seniors Jackie Newman and the FHS Patriot, John Brady, as the class of 2003s prom
queen and king to a very sudden and public wedding proposal made by a senior boy
near the close of the night.
The senior class trip takes place next Wednesday. Senior finals are scheduled
for June 5 and 6. From this point on, senior Freedom High School students have
picnics, outings, and yearbooks to sign, aside from wrapping up their second
semester classes. The academic awards banquet was held tonight at Freedom High
School. Graduation will be Friday, June 13. Now is the time when the class of
2003 anxiously awaits graduation and is proud to have succeeded through four
years at Freedom High.
Director Craig stated that Nadine Kotlarz and Molly Lare have been great
representatives and that the board wishes them the best for their future.
Director Leeson added that both high schools have gone to academic achievement
award ceremonies. This is a wonderful addition to our high schools, a very
positive move by both high schools.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Directors Venanzi and Heske to approve the minutes of the
April 28, 2003, Regular Board Meeting. The motion carried by voice vote.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Lewis presented the recommendations of the administration.
NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Dr. Lewis introduced two individuals hired this evening as part of the
reorganization: Mia Fernandes, Coordinator of Literacy, and George VanDoren,
Coordinator of English Language Arts.
President Williams, on behalf of the board, congratulated the teachers in
celebration of National Teacher Recognition Week.
Director Venanzi stated she felt compelled to comment that the district does
teach abstinence. She feels that the school is doing what it can do, but it is
the job of parents to portray their views to their children, what parents would
like their children to do. When a statement is made to child of, "You will pay
if you do something like that," it is offensive to her and to all the students.
Director Koch explained that a few years ago her job involved traveling around to
high schools in the Lehigh Valley area and talking to students about AIDS. She
talked to the children and answered their questions about sex. She was welcomed
into prisons, schools, and churches to talk about AIDS and sex. She was hearing
that perhaps people think the board does not care. Director Koch stated it was
her job to get patients to doctor appointments, hospitals, to get volunteers to
help them take care of their daily needs, and attend their funerals. She does
care very much. She feels as strongly about having speakers come into our school
and push the business about "if you just use a condom, you're safe." She will
fight that. She will also fight somebody coming in and pushing a religious point
of view. She heard a brief statement about working with your own children and
worrying about the other children that are going to have influence over your own
children. She does not believe we have the right to make that kind of an
influence on other people's children. They have their own moral right to tell
their children what they believe. We have the responsibility to give facts. She
believes we are doing that in our school district. She has every confidence in
our teachers that they are doing what they say they are doing. The majority of
speakers she heard tonight were coming from other school districts or from
private schools. They don't even know what is being taught in our schools. She
believes we are doing a good job of it. She does not want to step over that line
that says we are now going to go into morality because we don't have a legal
right to do that. That is what influenced her decision.
Director Leeson stated she took a different point of view from the film. She did
not hear an unbalanced message. The message she heard, "You will pay," she heard
as informing students of the dangers of engaging in sexual activity. She is very
concerned about these medical repercussions to some of our beautiful young people
of the community. She heard an honor student who graduated from our school
district speaking about what they did not hear from our program and did hear from
this program. She feels that our community standards support the message of
abstinence to our high school students. She does not feel that the community
supports sexually active high school students. The fact that some students may
be sexually active should not delude our message. We teach our children to just
say no to drugs and drinking, although we know some of our students engage in
these activities. She is very concerned about the medical, social, and emotional
impact on these young people. Some facts heard tonight are very disconcerting.
We teach values everyday: loyalty, honesty, caring. This is also a value we
need to be teaching in our schools and sending a strong message to our students.
Director Craig stated that everything that has been said about this topic is
great. He likes to think he is a moral person and that he taught moral things to
his children. One the biggest things he got out of the presentation is that
maybe we do have a need in our curriculum to do some other things. His concerns
about the taped clip he saw were much like Director Koch's. He thought the tape
really hit head-on. As a public school, though, we have to be very careful when
we cross the line into the moral issue. In his mind, the best thing that came
out of this discussion is that we need to have our people look at what we are
doing. We teach about drugs. We teach what each specific drug does to people.
A question going through his mind is if any public schools in the immediate area
have decided to host this presentation. Director Craig stated the concerns
presented are great concerns. It is a very tenuous situation for a public school
system to look at this issue. There were a couple of things mentioned in the
tape that were possible to interpret in a different way.
Director Haytmanek stated that he, like a number of other board members, is a
practicing Roman Catholic. His personal philosophies on this have to be
subjugated to the fact that he is an elected board member attempting to help
govern a very diverse school district with thousands of children at the middle
and high school level that could be potentially sexually active. You must
realize that these children come to us from diverse backgrounds with many
different attitudes and value systems. He feels the only realistic approach is a
broader presentation of information than is being advocated.
President Williams stated that the message is basically a good message. She
doesn't think anybody is disputing that. The fact remains that it is one message
in the entire gamut of sex education messages. The district is required to
provide sex education to our students. It involves a great deal more than
abstinence, although it involves abstinence as well. She thinks of paramount
importance to all of us is that young people can make informed decisions. In
order to be able to do that, they need factual rather than emotional
presentations. That needs to be done in an objective fashion. That does not
mean that the discussion is closed on what can be presented and how it should be
presented, but that it should be done in a manner that is in accordance with the
other things we do in public education.
Director Leeson asked President Williams if she is advocating sexually active
high school students, by her reference of letting students make an informed
choice. President Williams said she would never say that.
President Williams stated that as of this afternoon the Secretary of Education
does not expect a state budget until June 30 and perhaps July 1. In all
likelihood the budget will be reopened, as it was last year.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS
1. Scott Brantingson stated that he attended the meeting because the principals
agreed to have the venue. He didn't come in to advocate his position. In
October he sent what he thought was an innocuous video to principals Villani
and Burkhardt. They graciously accepted the opportunity to offer a venue for
this presentation. Only two weeks before, he was told this would not take
place. He thinks that is not fair play. Because of that he felt compelled
to speak. The rebuttals he has been hearing is that he is prosteltizing some
religious belief associated with the moral right. He doesn't believe it is
far-fetched to assume that when he is hearing a lot about morals and good
people. He stated that if you review the letter to Dr. Lewis, it is not
based on that, but on scientific and health issues. He challenged picking
one point from Ms. Stenzel's video that associates it to any religious
denomination or belief. It clearly states that there are health and
psychological consequences to sexual activity out of wedlock. The second
item he appealed to the board is that there are guidelines for this. These
are guidelines established for curriculum by the federal government which, in
fact, define what must be said in an abstinence program. He is not
suggesting that the board has to comply with those federal guidelines in all
cases because he doesn't know that law. But he does know that legislation in
Washington is being passed currently that states that sexual activity outside
of marriage has a consequence. He is simply a citizen that made an offer to
principals, raised money, and was told thanks but no thanks. The reason he
heard was that he tried to force his religious or moral behavior. That is
unfair and he is not sure why it is in the arena of discussion. These are
scientific health facts. Ms. Stenzel stated them passionately. He
challenged the board to look at the video and point out those comments that
would be associated with those beliefs.
2. Victoria Bedford stated that negotiations are in process with Pam Stenzel to
return to the Lehigh Valley in the fall. They are working with Easton High
School, Nazareth High School, and Nazareth Middle School. She offered that
when that date is firm, as many as possible would come and hear this
presentation. Ms. Bedford has worked with youth every single day for the last
25 years. She believes very strongly in this program as a message that needs
to be spoken to every teenager in our nation. She believes in the next 15 to
20 years we are going to see an incredible amount of health diseases in these
young people as they progress into their adult lives that will be
devastating. We, not just as parents, but as the adults, have the
responsibility to provide every fact, every side of the issue, every piece of
evidence that is available. She believes that Pam Stenzel is one of those
many opportunities.
3. Craig Stores commented that the gentleman to his right indicated that we teach
and drill in drug awareness, but we teach also about what the different drugs
will do, we are not teaching them how to take it. But his understanding of
the programs that are being taught in the high schools is that there are a
lot of things that are being taught to the students that are "how to." We
are wanting the program to be taught "how not to."
Dr. Lewis responded that he understands Mr. Stores' point and that he is
correct. There are some strategies that are "how to" whether that be the use
of a condom, indications of availability of birth control devices or pills.
That is what the curriculum for those students for whom it is appropriate
entails. However, the number one focus of that curriculum is abstinence. We
would be seriously remiss if any of those issues were avoided. Certainly,
the first and foremost message from our health teachers is that abstinence is
the only way to prevent with 100% certainty STDs or pregnancy. That is our
message.
Mr. Stores stated his concern would be that Dr. Lewis said abstinence is the
foremost emphasis. He asked how we quantify that it is the foremost
emphasis. He asked if it is emphasized and then the subject is moved on and
other things overshadow.
Dr. Lewis stated that it is the direction of the board that it be in the
curriculum. It is in a written format. It is what health teachers are
required to address. If your child comes home and says, "We didn't hear
anything about that," we need to know that. Dr. Lewis stated this entire
issue in the curriculum will be reviewed with Mr. Villani and his department.
4. Molly commented that she does not think this was handled well. The board
stated it was offended by the statement, "You will pay a price." She has
learned that it is statistically impossible to have sex with someone who has
had sex with someone else not in a marriage relationship and not contract a
sexually transmitted disease. She asked, if Pam Stenzel complies with the
federal guidelines and the government approves of her and the board wants to
push the message of abstinence, why the board wouldn't want her. There are
students who will pay attention to the message.
President Williams said that she is sorry that two weeks before something was to
happen it was cancelled. Dr. Lewis agreed with her and said he has extended his
apologies to Mr. Brantingson multiple times. He believes he and Mr. Brantingson
have had a very open dialogue. He does not want to appear critical of his
position on this. The timeliness was an issue we can apologize for. When it was
brought to his attention, it was decided that an official sense of the board's
position was needed. He apologizes for the timeliness, for the fact that people
felt a commitment was made on the part of the district.
ADJOURNMENT
Directors Gallagher and Venanzi moved to adjourn the meeting which carried by
voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
Dr. Lewis invited everyone to join our teachers and have some refreshments.
Attest,
Stanley J. Majewski, Jr.
Board Secretary
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