BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2006

 

Members of the Board Human Resources Committee met on Monday, April 3, 2006, in the Superintendent’s Conference Room, at the Education Center. Present were the following school board members: Rosario Amato, Joseph Craig, Judith Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, William Heske, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Diane Rowe, and Margaret Williams. Also in attendance were Director of Student Service Thomas Washington, Solicitor Jeffrey Tucker, Assistant to Superintendent for Finance and Administration Stanley Majewski, Superintendent Dr. Joseph A. 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 6:04 p.m.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS – None

 

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – Dr. Lewis explained the Memorandum of Understanding for the 2006-2007 Teacher Calendar and the Act 48 Flex-Day Program and stated they have been approved in the past years and are being brought to the board again for approval. He recommended that the board approve them at the Regular Board Meeting on April 24, 2006. A general discussion was held regarding in-service days and building level in-service days. The appropriate use of available snow days was held.

 

AMNESTY BOXES – Dr. Lewis explained to the board situations students may have and when the need to use an amnesty box arises. He introduced Mr. Washington, who has been researching the use of amnesty boxes and another district in Pennsylvania that currently has amnesty boxes. Amnesty boxes are placed at schools and used by students to drop items in the boxes brought accidentally to school. It gives the student an opportunity to drop anonymously, for example, a hunting knife left in his coat during a camping trip with his family and realizes when he arrives at school that he has it clipped to his belt. A lengthy discussion was held regarding possible procedures, different situations, and wording on the policy.

REVISED BOARD POLICIES – Mr. Gross reviewed the three policies that were presented to the board for readings. Mr. Gross read changes that were made to Policy 129 – Musical Groups. A discussion was held regarding the policy and it was requested that it be reviewed again. General discussions were held regarding Policies 138 – English for Speakers of Other Languages Program (ESOL) and 218 – Student Discipline. Policy 138 will appear on the April 24, 2006, Regular Board Meeting for approval.

 

OPEN FORUM – Joseph Craig announced that there are two vacancies from the BASD on the board of the Northampton Community College (NCC) as the term for Mr. Craig and Mrs. Williams will expire in June 2006. He asked if there was anyone willing to serve. Members agreed that Mr. Craig and Mrs. Williams should remain on the NCC board. Once NCC sends the ballots for election, they will appear on a board agenda.

 

Mrs. Williams distributed small packets to the board containing articles for them to read. She stated that there was an article in The Brown and White regarding Broughal Middle School that was missing information. Mrs. Williams is crafting a response to the article and asked if the board would like to contribute to her article or craft a response as a board.

 

OTHER – None

 

Dr. Craig Haytmanek adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m.

 

 

Minutes prepared by:                                                                                                                           

           Nitza Santiago, Confidential Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for HR