BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2006

 

 

Members of the Board Human Resources Committee met on Monday, March 6, 2006, in the Superintendent’s Conference Room A, at the Education Center. Present were the following school board members: Rosario Amato, Joseph Craig, Judith Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Diane Rowe, and Margaret Williams. Also in attendance were Northampton Community College President Dr. Art Scott, Vice President Academic Affairs Dr. Michael McGovern, Vice President for Finances and Operations James Dunleavy; Teacher Performance Appraisal System Revision Committee Members: Michele Fragnito, Joseph Rahs, Roger Washburn, Thomas Washington, Rosemary Hensel, and Patrice Masluk Schwartzman; Solicitor Jeffrey Tucker, Superintendent Joseph Lewis and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Robert R. Gross III.

 

The meeting of the Board Human Resources Committee was called to order by Joseph Craig at 6:59 p.m.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS – None

 

OPEN FORUM – Charlene Koch invited the board to the Region 8 meeting, which will be held on March 14, 2006, at Northampton Community College. She spoke about tracking colleges that have success with students in order for our counselors to give the list to our graduate students. She also spoke about pending legislation regarding school directors.

 

NCC PROPOSED BUDGET – Northampton Community College (NCC) presented their 2006-2007 Budget. Joseph Craig introduced Dr. Art Scott, President of Northampton Community College. Dr. Scott then introduced Dr. Michael McGovern, Vice President who gave us the success rate of our own students who moved on to attend NCC. Dr. McGovern gave the board an overview of the student enrollment numbers for Fall 2005 and the majors most enrolled in. He also spoke about the Leadership Program, ACCESS Program, and Southside Fowler Family Center. He spoke about the excellent graduate success and transfers to universities like Kutztown, East Stroudsburg, DeSales, Cedar Crest, Moravian, and University of Pittsburg. Dr. Scott stated that Bethlehem Area School District was the first to respond after the grant was announced. Dr. Scott then spoke about the budgets priorities and initiatives. The residential tuition rate per credit increased to $97. NCC does not ask districts to contribute to outside students. Districts would sponsor five years on the average of the number of students that are sent to them. Dr. Scott was asked about the Monroe County campus tuition rates – those students pay a higher tuition because the districts in that county are not sponsors. Mr. Craig asked that if in the future Dr. Scott would have the board come visit NCC.

 

TEACHER PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL REVISION SYSTEM PROGRESS REPORT – Mr. Gross spoke about the purpose of the Teacher Performance Appraisal Revision System Committee and gave the board an update of what the committee has done. The committee is composed of administrators and teachers working together as a team. Mr. Gross did a presentation that outlined the goals and objectives of the committee. He also spoke about the subcommittees and their charges and responsibilities to the committee. He stated that he does not know exactly when they would be done, but recommends that the committee continue meeting and designing to present to the board for approval then to PDE. Mrs. Leeson was very pleased to know that Mr. Gross is working on this and that it is something the board has been looking for, for so many years. She sees how he has outlined and defined a very difficult process and how the committee will be accomplishing this and commends him on his work. Mrs. Williams indicated she agreed with Mrs. Leeson and while the district has been modifying teacher evaluations over several years, she was pleased to see this direction. Mr. Gross then answered questions the board had regarding the committee and timeline. A general discussion was held regarding PDE and evaluations.

 

 

 

BOARD HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING                                                  (2)

 

REVISED BOARD POLICIES – Mr. Gross reviewed the seven policies that were presented to the board for readings. A general discussion was held regarding Policy 129 – Musical Groups. The Board asked that the policy be looked at again. Dr. Lewis agreed to discuss it again with Cabinet. General discussions were held regarding Policies 137.1 – Extracurricular Participation by Home Education Students, 140.1 – Extracurricular Participation by Charter/Cyber Charter Students, 210.1 – Possession/Use of Asthma Inhalers, 213 – Assessment of Student Progress, 220 – Student Expression/Distribution and Posting of Materials, and 808 – Food Service. These policies will be in the agenda for approval.

 

OTHER – None

 

Joseph Craig adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

 

 

Minutes prepared by:                                                                                                                _____

           Nitza Santiago, Confidential Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for HR