BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2005

 

 

Members of the Board Human Resources Committee met on Monday, May 2, 2005, in the auditorium of East Hills Middle School. Present were the following school board members: Rosario Amato, Joseph Craig, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, William Heske, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Diane Rowe, Julie Venanzi, and Margaret Williams. Also in attendance were Assistant Superintendent Anthony Villani, Bethlehem Education Association Representative/Teacher Craig Zieger, Superintendent Joseph Lewis, and Associate Superintendent Michele Kostem.

 

The meeting of the Board Human Resources Committee was called to order by Dr. Haytmanek at 6:45 p.m.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS – None

 

OPEN FORUM – Mrs. Leeson requested a list of qualified employes in the district who have leadership qualifications for supervisory positions. Dr. Lewis assured the Board that a list would be included in the Board packet on Friday evening.

 

Mr. Craig explained that he was bombarded by phone calls this week. A mailer was sent out by a State Legislator which directed recipients of the letter who wanted property tax relief under Act 72 to contact School Board President Joseph Craig at his home phone number which was listed or School Board Vice President Dr. Craig Haytmanek at his place of business’ phone number which was also listed. Mr. Craig reported that he received approximately 60 phone calls at his home and Dr. Haytmanek reported that he received approximately 30 phone calls. Mr. Craig noted that many of the callers he spoke to questioned the district’s position on Act 72 but after speaking to them, they are questioning the reason State Legislator’s are supporting the Act. He went on to say that he thought the letter sent out by the State Legislator may have backfired. He also added that he believed that sending out a letter like this was unprofessional, discourteous of legislative power, and as a tax payer, he was offended that this mailing was sent. Dr. Haytmanek added that he invited the individuals he spoke with to attend any upcoming Act 72 meetings. Mrs. Koch added that Act 72 has taken its toll on the board and that their attention should shift at this time.

 

FLEX IN-SERVICE PROGRAM – Mrs. Kostem explained that the flex in-service plan has been in place in the district. She introduced Craig Zieger, Co-chair of the Act 48 Committee to speak in more detail about the flex in-service program. Mr. Zieger explained that it is the goal of the Bethlehem Area School District’s Act 48 committee to promote a variety of professional staff development opportunities for the teachers of the Bethlehem Area School District. The flex in-service plan would provide teachers the opportunity to flex six or twelve hours of district approved in-service sessions for one or two regularly scheduled in service days on June 9 and 12, 2006. This would be an increase of one additional flex day from the previous year. In addition, all district approved in-service hours would count as Act 48 credits. The same procedure would apply for the flex program as it has in the past. In order for this item to be approved, a Memorandum of Understanding will be presented at the May 2005 Board meeting. Dr. Haytmanek pointed out that the schedule of in-services was very impressive and questioned if more days should be devoted to these in-services. Dr. Lewis responded that the way the in-service days were balanced out were by district initiatives, building initiatives, and personal initiatives. Mrs. Kostem agreed that this was a good balance of the days available. Mrs. Leeson questioned the administration and asked if perhaps seven days were too many. Mr. Villani responded that as the State continues to adopt new requirements for teachers, the days are needed.

 

MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING – Mrs. Kostem explained four Memorandums of Understanding needing Board approval. All four Memorandums of Understanding were approved the year before. The first was the staff development days. The second was the flex in-service program with the increased amount of days from one day to two days. The third was the intern psychologist. This was done in the past and has helped the Special Education Department. The fourth was the clerical agreement. Mrs. Kostem explained that this Memorandum of Understanding remained the same as last year except that the date changed to August 18 in section b.

 

OTHER – None

 

 

Dr. Haytmanek adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.

 

 

Minutes prepared by:                                                                                                                           

Barbara Clymer, Confidential Secretary in the Human Resources Department