Special Board Meeting - November 12, 2007
Minutes
BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
SPECIAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 2007
SPECIAL MEETING
A Special Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Bethlehem Area School District was held
on Monday, November 12, 2007, commencing at 6:24 p.m. in the Dining Room at the Education Center,
1516 Sycamore Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
MEMBERS PRESENT
The Board Secretary called the roll:
Members present: Directors Amato, Cann, Craig, Dexter, Heske, Koch, Leeson, Rowe, and
Haytmanek - 9.
OTHERS PRESENT
Others present: Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, Superintendent of Schools; Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., Board
Secretary; administrators, members of the press, and other interested citizens and staff members.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At this point in the meeting, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
SILENT MEDITATION
President Haytmanek requested that the audience observe a moment of silent meditation and to keep
in mind our troops in Iraq.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS
President Haytmanek offered courtesy of the floor to visitors. Speakers are asked to come to the
podium, stating their name and address. Public comment in the first session is limited to 30
minutes. Speakers are limited to three minutes each. The board requests that, when possible, all
individuals supporting a like position on a topic select a speaker to present their views to avoid
repetition. If that is not possible, all are welcome to speak. As per school board policy,
generally, speakers are limited to taxpayers, residents, or employees of this school district. At
the conclusion of the regular school board meeting, another block of time will be allocated for
public comment. At that time, the same rules will apply. It is asked that speakers observe
proper decorum, without personal attacks towards a specific individual or individuals. It is not
the custom for the board to enter into a dialogue at these meetings about concerns. However, the
board does listen with care to issues raised. Speakers will receive responses, in some form, by
the administration.
1. Mr. Stephen Antalics, 737 Ridge Street, Bethlehem
Mr. Antalics inquired about the formal report on the missing laptop computers. He said he was told
on a few occasions that there would be a formal presentation made but has only heard presentations
regarding the academic aspect of the computers. He said there has not been any public report
specifically related to the resolution of the missing laptops. Mr. Antalics said he spoke with a
gentleman from the Bethlehem Police Department and he told him that he was looking into the matter
at the behest of the administration. He said he also spoke with people directly concerned with the
laptop issue and was told there would be some reconciliation as to how many were lost or stolen
and the results of the investigation. At this point he has seen nothing publicly. He questioned
why the laptops were put into a container, which was portable and could be shipped out the back
door. He said he has problems with the way the whole issue was handled and whether there has been
any disciplinary action by administration relative to the problem. He inquired about what formal
announcement will be made as to the resolution to meet the open issue.
Dr. Lewis replied that he will not discuss personnel decisions regarding discipline and said they
were dealing with some inconsistencies found in the report.
Mr. Antalics asked if there was any disciplinary action taken. He said he didn't need to know
names but wanted to know if actions were taken to correct the issue.
Dr. Lewis said there is action in process.
Mr. Antalics asked when there would be a formal report.
Dr. Lewis replied that there would not be a formal report because personnel matters are considered
private and if the individuals involved who may be sanctioned can to appeal to the board.
Mr. Antalics stated that it is not a personnel matter; it is a matter regarding things lost to the
community based upon taxes and other revenues for the community. He said he thinks there needs to
be reconciliation to the public as to why things were lost at the expense of the public. He said
it is not an internal matter; it is a city matter and said they need to know as taxpayers, what is
going on.
Dr. Lewis replied that if there is criminal action then it is a public matter and stated Mr.
Antalics would be correct in that it would be public information. He said it is a personnel matter
and cannot share any further information.
Mr. Antalics said he is not wishing for a debate but is asking for reconciliation.
PRESIDENT'S COMMUNICATIONS/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
President Haytmanek asked if there was any unfinished business that a board member would like to
bring to the board.
Director Dexter stated she concurred with Mr. Antalics regarding his request for some type of
report to the public. She didn't think it necessary for the school district to tell the public
which individuals have been disciplined and what discipline has occurred and agreed that it
probably is confidential. She thought with regard to the number of laptops missing in a program
that has been as costly to the community as it has been, the public is entitled to know what
action has been taken by the district to enforce accountability and to make sure that they are
doing their jobs as a district to prevent it from happening again and to also address what has
happened, if it has been something improper. She didn't think that it is only permissible to
disclose criminal matters to the public and noted because there is a substantial loss of public
property, she thought Mr. Antalics request for community accountability was fair, and agreed that
some type of public report be made. She reiterated that the confidentiality of employees should be
protected but they should provide enough information to the public so they would know that the
district is doing its job.
Dr. Lewis replied that he will check with the solicitor and stated he would be as public as he is
permitted to be as long as they are not in violation of due process. He said he would be giving a
report on new reorganization pieces that are being put into place and also new structural
technical pieces that are being put into place regarding the handling of laptops.
Director Leeson remarked that she thought the board needed to be apprised of the total situation,
which she doesn't believe has occurred yet.
Dr. Lewis replied that he would do so and reiterated that he would not release specifics regarding
discipline in the event an appeal to the board is involved.
Director Craig asked Dr. Lewis if the changes being made are a result of the problem and the steps
that are being taken are to ensure maximum chance of it not happening again.
Dr. Lewis said that it is precisely the plan.
Director Heske remarked that he recalled Mrs. Lutcher explaining the corrective action that she
was taking with regard to accountability and changes, noting who could enter the database and said
he thought that discussion had occurred.
Dr. Lewis added that they have even gone further than those recommendations and will have no
problem sharing the information.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Lewis announced as a note to the public, that item number eight has been added to the agenda
and an updated copy has been distributed to the board members with some extra copies available. He
said that it basically deals with the sale of portable classrooms from the Rosemont site and was
pleased to announce that the board will hopefully be accepting the administration's recommendation
to sell the portable units to Pottstown School District in their entirety. He spoke with the
deputy superintendent on Thursday in Harrisburg and he has agreed to move them as soon as the
board approves the purchase.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Lewis presented the following recommendations of the administration.
NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
There was no new business brought forth by any board member.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS
The following individual addressed the Board of School Directors:
1. Mr. Stephen Antalics, 737 Ridge Street, Bethlehem
Mr. Antalics referred to the proverbial "one shoe hitting the floor" and you sit awake awaiting
the second shoe. He stated the issue first came up in March and discussion is now taking place in
November, which is a lapse of 11 months. He thought an issue, which involved $12,000, would have
more urgency. He said the lapse of time has given him a chronic case of insomnia.
ADJOURNMENT
Directors Amato and Heske moved to adjourn the meeting, which carried by voice vote. The meeting
adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Attest,
Stanley J. Majewski, Jr.
Board Secretary
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