|
April 23, 2001 The April meeting of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board was held on Monday, April 23, 2001 in the High School LGI. Mr. Ed Wandersee, President, called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. and requested the group stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The following members were present: Ed Wandersee, Anne F. Michelini, Corinne Sweeney, Herb Brown, Joe Campbell, Jeff Hellrung, Stephen McClaskey, Bruce Swayze, David Walton and David Salvo, Student Representative. Also present were Stephen Gring, Superintendent, Brenda O'Hern, Marv Shapiro, Dick Merryman, Ed Spang, Bruce Vosburgh, Rachel Costanzo, Rick Hostetler, members of the press, community residents and Patricia Fiske, recording secretary. Katy Jones, High School PTO Co-President commended the High School administration and the District Administration for all they did last Friday. Mr. Paul Regan urged the board to support the Unionville Track and Stadium Project. He commented that to date the volunteers have raised $3,478. He noted that Avon Grove, Kennett and Unionville are the only Chester County Districts without an all-weather track. Board members stated that they support the plan but would have to wait until after they have seen the budget before they can make a decision. It was moved by Mr. McClaskey and seconded by Dr. Sweeney to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2001 Regular Meeting. Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Mr. McClaskey and seconded by Dr. Sweeney to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2001 Work Session. Motion carried (9-0). The following financial reports were reviewed:
These reports were filed per Mr. Wandersee's request. Mr. Wandersee explained that Jeffrey Quinn, the district's attorney in the Emily Slee lawsuit has advised the Board that the parties have arrived at a settlement agreement for a total of $198,000. Each of the District's two insurance carriers will contribute $85,000; $18,000 will come from Roger Heller's carrier; and the District will pay $10,000. He recommends that the Board approve the settlement, by which the District will not admit fault or responsibility. It was moved by Mr. Campbell and seconded by Mr. Swayze to authorize payment of $10,000 to Emily Slee and her attorney, Jeremy H.G. Ibrahim, Esquire, in settlement of her lawsuit against the District. Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Dr. Sweeney and seconded by Mr. Campbell to approve the attached bill list in the amount of $2,142,955.32. Motion carried (9-0). Maryann Vajda presented a schematic design for the alterations and additions to Chadds Ford Elementary. Plans are to start construction in the spring of 2002 and complete the project by September, 2003. The cost of the project is estimated to be 6.8 million dollars. It was moved by Mr.Campbell and seconded by Mrs.Michelini to approve Plancon A and B for the Chadds Ford Elementary Addition/Renovation. Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Mrs. Michelini and seconded by Mr. Campbell to approve a change order for Rendina G. C. in the amount of $9075 for a wheelchair lift at Unionville Elementary. Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Mrs. Michelini and seconded by Mr. Campbell to authorize payment for an extra person from Reynolds construction for 3 days/week through the month of May at a cost of $2,650/week prorata for a total cost of $6360. Motion carried (7-2) Mr. Hellrung and Mr. McClaskey voted nay. Mrs. Michelini stated that Pocopson Elementary should be completed by November 1,2001. Changes need to be made to the elevation of Pocopson Road due to a wet spring, which means additional excavating work. Unionville Elementary is going well. It was moved by Mr. Brown and seconded by Dr. Sweeney to change the position title of one of the Peer Coaches (teacher-on-assignment) to Staff Development Coordinator - and appoint Donna Blakeman to the position of Staff Development Coordinator - salary as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the 2001-2002 school year. Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. Swayze to transfer the Emotional Support class at Unionville High School and the Emotional Support class at the Patton Middle School from the Chester County I.U. to Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. Motion carried (9-0). Mr. Brown stated that the Curriculum Committee met today and received an update on the Abacus software. Their next meeting is scheduled for June 11. Curriculum Council will hold their last meeting of the 2000-01 year on May 22. It was moved by Mr. Campbell and seconded by Mr. McClaskey to approve the Chester County Intermediate Unit #24's 2001-2002 Core Services budget in the amount of $6,114,025 (Chester County School Districts Contribution to Core - $590,000 - U-CF's share is $43,921 - U-CF's share for 00-01 was $43,921). Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Mr.. Campbell and seconded by Mr. McClaskey to approve the 2001-2002 Occupational Education budget in the amount of $10,752,162 (U-CF's share is $146,774 - U-CF's share for 2000-01 was $139,971). Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Mr. Walton and seconded by Dr. Sweeney to approve the following personnel items: Professional Conferences Approved attendance at Professional Conferences as on the attachment. Employ
Reclassifications
Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Mr. Walton and seconded by Mr. Campbell to approve the following personnel items: Resignations
Supplementals
Substitutes
Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Mr. Walton and seconded by Mr. Swayze to approve the following personnel items: Homebound Instructor
Child-bearing Leave
Medical Leave
Motion carried (9-0). Dr. Sweeney, commenting on Communications, stated that Chadds Ford held its annual Art Sale - the 52nd - this past weekend, Hillendale Elementary will hold its Spring Open House on May 1 and the Patton Middle School Spring Carnival was this past weekend - and was very successful. It was moved by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. McClaskey to adopt School Board Policy #214 as on the attachment. Motion carried (9-0). It was moved by Mr. Campbell and seconded by Dr. Sweeney to adopt the changes in Section 300 of the School Board Policy Manual with the attached suggested modifications recommended by the district solicitor. Motion carried (9-0). Plans are to adopt Sections 400 and 500 at the May meeting. Dave Salvo, student representative, commended Mr. Spang and Dr. Gring on how they handled the situation on April 20. Police presence on the campus provided a sense of security. Thanks for letting the student body know what was going on. Steve McClaskey, reporting for the I.U. stated that authorization was given to hire an architect for the CDC renovation project, the Core and Occupational Education Budgets were approved as well as the 2001-02 calendar. The Patton Middle School students did very well in contests held at the I.U. Mr. Hellrung, reporting for legislation, announced that the Region 15 Legislative Dinner would be held on May 1. - Mr. Brown indicated that Mr. Hellrung is President of this organization. Dr. Gring pointed out that eight Patton Middle School students participated in the PA Music Song Fest, that the Patton Middle School Web Site history project has been chosen as one of eight across the country, that the letter from Pete White State Basketball Director congratulating us on making the PIAA playoffs was in the board members packet as well as information on the teachers and students who were visiting from Russia. He appreciated the kind comments this evening re: last Fridays problems, - he praised the State Police for being so responsive, Bill Whitman for all his assistance and the parents who came in and helped out as well as the High School administration, faculty, staff, and security greeters; he reminded folks again about the TIPLINE Program. He emphasized that anytime we have a situation like this it will be taken very seriously - we will be continuing this investigation - and when a person is caught they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Bruce Yelton, a Pocopson resident, stated that there should be public comments before the Chadds Ford addition/renovation is approved - he stated that the Board just rubber stamps the budget. Kathy Brown, an East Marlborough resident, stated she was disappointed where the board members left the track issue - she felt the board members were stringing the community members along. Mr. Swayze commented that Dr. Gring and Mr. Spang created the right atmosphere last Friday. Parents should have sent their youngsters to school. Mr. McClaskey stated he felt that there were some troubling articles in the Indian Post. Mr. Brown stated he was disappointed that we had three students sent home from the band trip to Florida. Mrs. Michelini - using the thorns/roses as the Daily Local does - stated she gave thorns to those students who tried to create a very disturbing situation at the High School last week and gave roses to the High School staff and Mr. Spang for how they handled the situation. Mr. Hellrung encouraged the track supporters to hang in! Dr. Sweeney expressed her disappointment with the job Reynolds is doing at Pocopson. Respectfully submitted,
Anne F. Michelini, Secretary
School Board Brief, published by the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, is an unofficial report of school board action. |