BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2008

 

Members of the Board Human Resources Committee met on Monday, January 14, 2008, in the Dining Room, at the Education Center. Present were the following school board members: Michele Cann, Judith Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, and Eugene McKeon. Also in attendance were Principal JoAnn Durante, Principal Michael LaPorta, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, and Associate Superintendent Robert R. Gross III.

 

The meeting of the Board Human Resources Committee was called to order by Irene Follweiler at 9:00 p.m.

 

2008-2009 SCHOOL CALENDAR – Dr. Lewis introduced the proposed 2008-2009 school calendar. A revised version had been sent to the board for review. He indicated minor date changes were made on some of the report card dates. He stated that this is the most coordinated calendar since working with Northampton and Saucon Valley school districts. Dr. Lewis noted the BEA also took part in the development of the calendar.

 

BOARD POLICY 011 – BOARD GOVERNANCE STANDARDS/CODE OF CONDUCT – The board had approved this policy a number of years ago. It is now in the PSBA format and state standards for compliance. Mrs. Koch stated that PSBA has asked that school districts approve this policy annually so that new board members are informed of the protocols for conduct and governance. This policy will be placed on the January 27, 2008, Board Regular Meeting agenda for action.

 

BOARD POLICY 801.1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT – Mr. Gross presented the policy for a second reading. This policy establishes a mandated records management system and assigns the Assistant to the Superintendent for Finance and Administration, Mr. Stanley Majewski, as the Records Coordinator. A committee to make sure the district is complying with the law is considered in the policy. Ms. Follweiler asked if the district has every record broken for storage and safekeeping. Mr. Gross indicated that it is a procedural guideline established in the policy and that we currently follow all legal and approved purging and storage guidelines. Some records are purged every 2, 6, or 7 years of specific information while some information is kept a lifetime. A brief discussion was held regarding emails. This policy will be placed on the January 27, 2008, Board Regular Meeting agenda for action.

 

BOARD POLICY 218.3 – GANGS – Mr. Gross stated that information was gathered from the high schools, middle schools, and Parent Advisory Council. He received two comments. He read the suggested changes aloud. Ms. Follweiler asked if this policy would be part of the code of conduct. Mr. Gross indicated that language would need to be added to the code of conduct addressing items found in this new policy. This policy will be placed on the January 27, 2008, Board Regular Meeting agenda for action.

 

BOARD POLICY 454 – PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING – Mr. Gross stated that this policy is presented to the board for the first reading. He said it could be devised for the other areas such as administration and support personnel. Dr. Lewis asked the board to review and consider. A discussion was held regarding false positives, prescription medications, possible protocols, and the interview steps leading to the drug test. Mr. Gross indicated he would like to bring this back for a second reading at the next Board Human Resource Meeting.

 

STRATEGIC PLANNING ROLL OUT – Mr. Gross presented a power point presentation regarding the start of the Strategic Planning Committee. He invited the board to participate in the process. Mr. Gross indicated that the Bethlehem Area School District is at a phase three and at the final development stage of eStrategic Planning. The state has changed their format from six years ago. The plan is very much data driven. The former plan took an umbrella approach of the district to determine what’s working, what’s not working in a wider range of categories. The currant plan is similar but we will be looking at student achievement areas based on a variety of student achievement indicators and test results. On each committee we will have various departments represented and a wide range of participants. Sixty-two individuals have expressed an interest in becoming involved in Strategic Planning. January 30^th is the kick-off meeting. The goal is by the end of September, the board approves the plan; it is uploaded and submitted to the state. Special Education’s due date is May and it is coming together nicely. Continuous improvement is paramount to driving the district forward. Mr. Gross read the out lines of his power point presentation.

 

Mrs. Leeson, Mrs. Cann, and Mr. McKeon volunteered to participate on the committee. Mrs. Dexter suggested the district invite those who have taken part in the courtesy of the floor during board meetings.

 

Mrs. Leeson asked that if some parts of the plan are concluded earlier that the items are brought to the board for approval instead of waiting for the plan to be completed then presented to the board for approval.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR – None

 

OPEN FORUM – A discussion was held regarding the proposed cuts, solicitor for the district, and vo-tech course descriptions.

 

 

Irene Follweiler adjourned the meeting at 10:09 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________

Nitza S. Yerger, Confidential Secretary to the Associate Superintendent