Regular Board Meeting - July 28, 2003
Minutes
BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 28, 2003
REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Bethlehem Area School
District was held on Monday, July 28, 2003, beginning at 7:33 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, Gallagher, Heske, Koch, Venanzi, and
Williams - 7. Members absent: Directors Haytmanek and Leeson - 2.
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.
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. Tom Nolan explained that Freedom's Les Chanteur Choir is exclusively
juniors and seniors. If a field trip is allowed every four years for this
group, freshmen and sophomores will never have an opportunity to experience
what some students have seen and done. Because of the fact that
international trips are only addressed to juniors and seniors, he asked that
the board consider a change for the choir so that it may have a trip every
two years to afford everybody one trip over their high school education.
Mr. Nolan stated that parents would love to have trip cancellation insurance.
No one wants to lose funding.
Mr. Nolan stated that a final paragraph included in the field trip policy
revisions regarding uniforms is obviously for the band and the orchestra. In
the past the choir did not have "uniforms." As of this year fantastic, new
choir robes have been purchased for the entire choir. He asked that the
board consider adding a statement of financial support for the replacement in
some fashion of choir robes which is an extensive inventory of over 250. If
the board would consider this as part of their financial support, he is sure
the choir program would appreciate it.
Dr. Lewis stated that, as with any policy, the board has the right to move
aside the policy in predetermined times. Dr. Lewis feels, based on Mr.
Nolan's statements, that the board would look favorably on juniors and
seniors as an exclusive body traveling every two years as not being in
opposition to the policy. The administration would bring those requests to
the board individually for its decision.
Dr. Lewis stated in the past the board has discussed the choir gown issue.
That does not necessarily need to be part of policy. The reason the
paragraph regarding uniforms is in the policy is because of some of the
adornments that typically are part of band uniforms. The administration
wanted clarity so that inordinately highly decorated band uniforms are not
ordered. He believes the board would entertain discussion concerning the choir robes.
FEDERAL PROGRAMS UPDATE
Dr. Lewis reported that the Successful Students Participation grant or SSP grant
was awarded to the Bethlehem Area School District in the amount of $40,000. The
focus of this program is on ramping up skills for high school students in reading
comprehension and math problem solving and for the continuation of prevention
programs. The district received notice from PDE that another grant - Pregnant
and Parenting Teens (PPT) - has been funded again in the amount of $9,800. These
funds pay for the transportation of participating students.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Lewis announced that the National School Boards Public Relations Association
has awarded the school district an award on the district video tape "Ingredients
for Success." Dr. Nelson was the spearhead behind that project along with the
creative talents of Mario Acerra. The video covers an introduction to the
Bethlehem Area School District. This is the second award won this year for that
video. It is a tool used by many to present what the Bethlehem Area School
District offers. The announcement was made at the annual seminar held in Denver,
Colorado, this past month.
Dr. Lewis stated that his second announcement is congratulations to the Monagacci
program and the Nature Quest program at East Hills for being selected as two of
the gold exemplary program winners for environment and ecology by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education. A luncheon honoring all winners will be
held tomorrow in Champion, Pennsylvania. The district is proud of those programs
which are being used as a model to expand and develop programs in our middle
level.
INSTRUCTIONAL REPORT
Mr. Dean Donaher, Assistant Principal of Freedom High School, stated that, as a
result of the board's support throughout the year, students in the Bethlehem Area
School District have been given the opportunity to experience once in a lifetime
events that will leave a lasting impression on their lives. He thanked the board
for that support. He introduced Mrs. Rosemary Murdy-Haber, vocal music teacher
and choir director at Freedom, and Mr. Thomas Nolan, president of the Freedom
Choral Parent Organization.
Mr. Nolan expressed appreciation to the school board for supporting the Freedom
High School choral visit to the Vatican. He stated that in late January 2002 he
attended a meeting at the choir room where a presentation for an upcoming concert
tour to Italy was discussed with students and parents. Everybody wanted to do
it. As a result of that interest and the need to get an organization established
to support the program, the Freedom High School Choir Travel Association was
formed. Its purpose is to supplement and assist in the musical program at
Freedom and to give opportunities for the students in fundraising and other
avenues. The school board approved the trip and fundraising was commenced. Over
a six-month period, a total of over $35,000 was raised which amounted to 40% of
the cost for the students - a remarkable feat.
Mrs. Murdy-Haber remarked that a venture of this magnitude was a lofty
educational goal to her. When she transferred to high school, she stated that
one place she wanted to perform was somewhere in the Vatican or in Rome. She
knew she had to have students prepared to the utmost. Rehearsals began in
mid-May prior to the past school year and included after-school rehearsals,
rehearsals during the summer, some students coming to her home. Rehearsals
continued after school in September, October, and two weeks solid prior to the
trip in November. Retired Bethlehem Area School District music teachers came in
regularly to critique the students because students had heard it from her, but
hearing it from other people reinforced her accuracy. A preconcert was held for
the public a few days before leaving for Italy which was professionally recorded
by Amp Recording Studio. All repertoire needed to be Vatican-approved by the
director of Vatican music maestro capone. All that music was sung in Latin. All
other monsignor, monks, priests in Sienna and Florence needed to approve all of
the choir's repertoire. Robes were needed for a uniform appearance. She knew
that some of the churches would not be heated in November. She wanted the
students to look professionally garbed. The choir purchased beautiful black and
gold robes. As a result, international relationships were built. The director
of the Santa Croce Church and the Director of the Michelangelo High School
program with his four students are coming to her home next week. The group was
scheduled to come in March but, when turmoil happened internationally with the
United States going to war, they canceled the trip. The group wants to do a
little concert, probably an hour performance. Everything regarding the trip
worked out perfectly. Our students were well-educated, beyond belief, by walking
the streets of Rome rather than reading about it. She heard many positive
students' assessments such as that they will share this trip with their children
when they get married. Mrs. Murdy-Haber thanked the board for allowing this to
happen.
Mr. Nolan remarked that the hard work of the students and Mrs. Murdy-Haber and
her staff resulted on Sunday afternoon, November 24, when an entourage of 133
including 68 students and the rest school administrators and parents boarded the
bus at Freedom and went to the Philadelphia Airport for a flight to Rome. The
students arrived the next morning, toured Rome seeing such things as the
Colosseum, the Forum, and the Circus Maximus on a beautiful, sunny day.
Afterwards, the group went to the hotel which was about a two-block walk from the
Vatican. The next day, Tuesday, was the day the students visited Vatican City,
went through the Vatican Museums, ending in the Sistine Chapel and continuing on
a tour of St. Peter's Basilica. After that, the students assembled in St.
Peter's Square for a one-hour rehearsal. The next day was the first major event
of the trip - the Papal audience. Mr. Nolan showed a six-minute video of the
highlight of the Papal audience and a song that was sung at the first concert at
Sienna two days later. The choir was also honored by being able to sing the five
o-clock mass in St. Peter's Basilica. After that, the group bussed to the
Tuscany Valley and the city of Sienna. There is a lot of richness to the city.
The students visited the center which is always a domo. There is a fantastic
museum in the center of town. Students met local people and had a very detailed
tour. The next day the group went to a monastery, a sedate place, which offered
another piece of Italy. A fantastic lunch was eaten there. From there, the
group went on to Florence in mid-afternoon where students had some free time to
experience the downtown city. The next day a formal tour was taken. Sights in
Florence include the Michelangelo's large statue of David, the Uuffizi Museum
which has one of the largest collections of Italian treasures. Everyone had an
opportunity to shop on the Ponte Vecchio which is noted for leather coats and
jewelry. That evening students performed at a concert at the Basilica Santa
Croce. This basilica is noted for being the burial place of such famous people
as Michelangleo, Galileo, Plato, and others. The final day the group took a ride
down the western coast of Italy on the Mediterranean side and stopped at a little
town called Talamore. Timing was perfect because it was sunset. The group
doubled the population of the village by its presence. A few more minutes had
the group arriving at the hotel where students had a ball running into the "Med,"
being students again. The farewell dinner was traumatic because the students
started to realize what they had accomplished during this week in Italy, as a
student of culture to see such things as Italy could deliver. The trip was very
safe. The students acted as perfect representatives of both Bethlehem Area
School District and Americans. Mr. Nolan applauded the students for the
excellence in their performance.
Mr. Nolan stated he is a traditionalist. While walking to Dr. Lewis' office he
sees on the wall a big photograph of the Liberty Band and also the Freedom High
School Band when it went to Hawaii. Opposite there is an empty wall. He
presented a photo to the school board, Dr. Lewis, and staff from the Freedom High
School choir's first international trip.
Mr. Nolan stated that on October 21 the Bethlehem Area School District, with the
board's permission, entered into a contract with the Freedom High School Choir
Travel Association to lend money for the purchase of the 250 choir robes which
were seen on the video. The agreement was to repay the district in three equal
payments beginning in June of this year, June 2004, and June 2005. The amount
was close to $28,000. Tonight, the association has completely paid back the
loan. The association intends to continue to organize and plan quality trips on
an international scene. The talent available to Mrs. Murdy-Haber cannot be let
go unannounced. Mr. Nolan, again, thanked the board for its support.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE Director Venanzi reported that the Curriculum Committee met
Monday, July 7. The field trip policy which is in tonight's agenda was reviewed.
Mr. Agretto presented the results of a special education audit. The district
was found to be in compliance in all areas with one exception. Director Leeson
inquired about recent articles challenging PSSA testing as it relates to second
language learners. The administration shared that many educators feel the
present testing is unfair and frustrating to many second language learners. Many
states offer bilingual testing; Pennsylvania does not.
FACILITIES COMMITTEE Director Heske reported that the Facilities Committee met
on Monday, July 7. During open forum there was discussion regarding the board
self-evaluation procedures. Agenda items on the July 7 special meeting were
reviewed. The committee was informed that the new Northeast Middle School
project is on schedule. Various capital improvement projects are in the design
phase.
FINANCE COMMITTEE Director Amato reported that the Finance Committee met on
Monday, July 21. During open forum Directors Heske and Craig stated that several
taxpayers indicated that they are waiting to pay their tax bills until the state
passes its budget in hopes that taxes will be lowered. Director Heske thought a
statement should be made that tax bills will not be changed. If additional
monies are received, it will be used to pay off debt, help offset higher district
contributions to the retirement fund, or restore fund balance. Mr. Majewski
reported that the 2003-2004 tax bills included a reminder that the grace period
was discontinued. The statement is on the front and back of the bills. In
addition, a notice was placed in local newspapers that the bills had been mailed
and that there is no longer a grace period. Mr. Majewski reported that a
computer programming glitch caused an error in the map-block-lot numbers on some
tax bills. The district has alerted all mortgage companies and will send a
correction letter to each taxpayer effected by the error. The error will not
cause any delay in processing payments.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Director Craig reported that the Human Resources
Committee met on Monday, July 21. After a short question period, the committee
went into an executive session dealing with litigation, negotiations, contracts,
and other personnel issues.
COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE UNIT 20 President Williams reported that the IU meeting
took place on June 25. The minutes have been forwarded to the board by e-mail.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Directors Venanzi and Heske to approve the minutes of the
June 23, 2003, Regular Board Meeting. The motion carried by voice vote.
DR. LEWIS PRESENTS
Dr. Lewis presented the following 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 8:41 p.m.
Attest,
Stanley J. Majewski, Jr.
Board Secretary
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