BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008

 

Members of the Board Human Resources Committee met on Monday, February 11, 2008, in the Dining Room, at the Education Center. Present were the following school board members: Michele Cann, Joseph Craig, Judith Dexter, Irene Follweiler, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, and Eugene McKeon. Also in attendance were Solicitor Donald Spry, Assistant to the Superintendent for Finance and Administration Stanley Majewski, Director of Student Services Thomas K. Washington, 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 Joseph Craig at 8:37 p.m.

 

BUILDING LEASES DISCUSSION – HOLY GHOST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS SCHOOL, AND ST. URSULA’S CHURCH – Dr. Lewis indicated that as we are examining all aspects of the budget, the issue of the continued need for additional classroom space through leasing various properties was considered. As such, Mr. Gross has been working with Mrs. Quigney to determine if adequate instructional space is available in the Donegan building to relocate the kindergarten classes from Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church back to Donegan Elementary School. Taking into consideration the current enrollment figures for the next several years it was determined moving the kindergarten sections back to Donegan was possible.

 

The move would be contingent upon the reduction or elimination of the acceptance of open enrollment students for the next few years in order to accommodate a reasonable class size ratio. Classrooms at certain grade levels will be consolidated in order to acquire the necessary space for two all-day kindergarten sections and three half-day sections.

 

Accordingly, the lease agreement for the use of the Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church facility will not be required to be renewed for the 2008-2009 school year.

 

The Regional Academic Standards Academy (RASA) program is currently housed in the Sts. Cyril and Methodius School facility. A proposal was shared whereby the RASA program would return to the Rosemont building as the Career Academy program redesign could function from the Monocacy building. In turn, the district’s special education administrative functions would be moved to the Education Center. The consolidation of services and programs will make it possible for the district to no longer require the use of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius School, and therefore, no longer require the lease of the facility.

 

Holy Child School will still be used to accommodate Fountain Hill’s kindergarten classes, and therefore, a lease renewal agreement will once again need to be executed for the 2008-2009 school year.

 

Mrs. Follweiler asked if the open enrollment restriction was at all the grade levels. Mr. Gross indicated yes, the restriction would be across all of the grades for Donegan. She wanted to know if that would have an impact on the other schools. Mr. Gross responded that they are looking at a similar class size or slightly higher. About seventeen would be placed back in Fountain Hill across the grades. Both principals did not feel it would be a problem. Mrs. Quigney is excited to bring back the kindergarten students.

 

Dr. Haytmanek expressed concern and asked if the district is no longer in need of Sts. Cyril and Methodius School and Holy Ghost. He stated it was important to the diocese that the leases continue with the district. He wanted to know if the Monsignor has been apprised of this. Mr. Majewski stated the diocese does have an interest in renewing and will inform Monsignor accordingly.

 

Mr. Craig indicated while he is pleased the district is examining all methods to save money, the moves across the district and the redesign of the alternative education program is worthy of additional

 

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discussion. Dr. Lewis, Mr. Gross, and the board agreed to discuss the alternative education program in detail at a future committee meeting.

 

Mrs. Leeson clarified open enrollment to the new board members. She also wanted to know how many students were currently at Holy Child. Mr. Gross responded about 103-115, two all day kindergartens, and four sections of half-day kindergarten.

 

Mrs. Koch wanted to know why leases were being discussed at the Human Resources Committee Meeting and why not at the Facilities Committee Meeting. Mr. Majewski explained that they wanted to make recommendations now in order to meet a March 1 lease intent deadline and to insure the moves were in fact feasible.

 

Mrs. Dexter wanted to know more about the impact of moving kindergarten back to Donegan. Mr. Gross stated that two classes have been consolidated – one was a Welcome Class, two all day kindergartens, as well as moving to 3 instead of 4 half-day kindergarten sections. The daycare will house a PM kindergarten classroom.

 

Mrs. Cann stated it is great that we can consolidate. Dr. Lewis indicated that Fountain Hill is at capacity, and the district is in need of Holy Child to house the kindergarten classes. Mr. Majewski stated that Holy Child is very careful what programs are in there building.

 

Mrs. Leeson wanted to discuss further the Welcome Class, and she wanted to know how many students are serviced by the Welcome Classes. Mr. Gross indicated one class had zero participants, but the classroom was being used by pullout programs. The three teachers affected will be absorbed by the retiree vacancies in regular classrooms. Mrs. Koch asked if that meant we had an issue of excess teachers. Mr. Gross indicated the “overage” of teachers would be absorbed in retirements.

 

Mrs. Cann asked about the rent being raised for some facilities due to a new boiler system being installed. Mr. Gross indicated that we would be at Holy Child for several years, and the board felt no rental increase was in order.

 

Mrs. Leeson wanted to know if Broughal would be able to use the space that is currently being used for kindergarten when they start building the new Broughal. Dr. Lewis said it was something they can look at. Mrs. Follweiler wanted to know if we would accept the increase of $1,000, and what if we don’t. Mr. Majewski said it was a request not a demand; we are getting a better value and square footage. Mrs. Dexter stated a decision has not yet been made about moving the Career Academy. Mr. Majewski stated that it is required to have some decision by March 1^st and that is why we need to discuss it now. Mr. Craig stated that the board wants to know more about what is going to happen and the need to discuss the program then decide on the lease. Mrs. Dexter would like to know what we are spending on the Career Academy. Mrs. Leeson would like to know the current cost of the leases. The leases cost about $300,000 per year.

 

The St. Ursula’s Church lease will be placed on the February 25, 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 its second reading. He indicated that the proposed changes have been made to the policy. A brief discussion was held regarding the meaning of a licensed physician. Dr. Haytemanek clarified the meaning of being an MD or DO. Mrs. Leeson wanted to know if the solicitor had reviewed this policy. Mr. Spry indicated he will review the policy and get back to the board with any recommended changes. Mrs. Dexter would like to see the district move forward with random drug testing and requested that the solicitor look into other districts that currently random drug test their employees. She asked if he

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would bring that information back to them. A brief discussion was held regarding false positives and test results. This policy will be placed on the February 25, 2008, Board Regular Meeting agenda for action.

 

BOARD POLICY 246 – STUDENT WELLNESS – In June 2006, there was a lengthy discussion with Mr. Majewski and Mrs. Kim Hayes regarding the food that students and staff eat. There has been a change to the policy on page 7. Mr. Gross read the addition highlighted in the policy. Mrs. Cann commented that the wording of the last sentence is missing a word and asked if it would be revised. Mr. Gross will make the correction.

 

Mrs. Dexter inquired about students receiving graduate credits for participating in tennis, golf, bowling, summer time camp, etc. Monday through Friday to fulfill gym requirements. She asked about implementing after school gym if there are teachers available to deviate their schedule. Mrs. Dexter also spoke about the lunch period and adequate time to eat. This is especially an issue for students leaving campus at lunchtime.

 

Mr. Craig commented on how they would propose to pay for the after school health and physical education. Mrs. Dexter replied that some provide it as they go or the district pays for it. She does not recommend spending more money, but maybe using comp time or flextime to compensate the teachers. Mr. Craig asked if there would be an issue with the teacher contract. Mr. Gross responded that it is restricted with the wording and it would require a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Dr Lewis commented that we can award credits to those participating in sports and recommended that further discussions take place on this issue; it is a curriculum discussion. Mr. Craig asked that it would be put on the next curriculum agenda.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR – Jolene Vitalos, Career Academy, thanked the board for the continued support of the program and the consideration to allow them to return to their building at Monocacy, which meets their needs. Thank you.

 

OPEN FORUM – A discussion was held regarding the rebuilding of Nitschmann Middle School, cost of maintaining Nitschmann, demolition of the old Northeast Middle School, classroom needs in the district, and the affect on subsidizing. It was decided to discuss this further on March 3, 2008.

 

A brief discussion was held regarding the courtesy of the floor section; further discussions will be held regarding this.

 

Joseph Craig adjourned the meeting at 9:46 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

 

 

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Nitza S. Yerger, Confidential Secretary to the Associate Superintendent