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November 20, 2000 The November meeting of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board was held on Monday, November 20, 2000 in the High School LGI. Dr. Corinne Sweeney, President called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. and requested the group stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The following members were present: Corinne Sweeney, Jeff Hellrung, Anne F. Michelini, Stephen McClaskey, Bruce Swayze, David Walton, Ed Wandersee and David Salvo, student representative. Also present were Stephen Gring, Superintendent, Marv Shapiro, C. Richard Merryman, Ed Spang, Bruce Vosburgh, Tom Wood, Rick Hostetler, members of the press, community residents and Patricia Fiske, recording secretary. Janet Wilson expressed concern about the district's possibly canceling the pre-first program. She stated this was being done without consulting the pre-first teachers and was a dis-service to the children, staff and parents. Dr. Gring stated that Dr. O'Hern and Mr. Marinelli were working on proposals for the pre-first program. Holly Tyson, President of UHS Student Council, stated that she was in opposition to Mr. Spang's rule that posters could not be put up on the walls - it was imposing on her speech rights. It was moved by Mr. McClaskey and seconded by Mr. Wandersee to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2000 Regular Meeting. Motion carried (7-0). The following financial reports were reviewed:
These reports were filed per Dr. Sweeney's request. It was moved by Mr. Swayze and seconded by Mrs. Michelini to approve the attached bill list in the amount of $2,779,875.74. Motion carried (7-0). Mrs. Michelini, reporting for Buildings & Grounds, stated that bids for Unionville Elementary are going out tomorrow and should be back December 20 - they will be awarded at the January School Board meeting. The project is expected to start March 2001. She stated that the concrete contractor for the Pocopson project was unacceptable. The General Contractor fired him and a new one has been hired. We are currently 3 - 4 weeks behind on the project. She commended Rick Hostetler for a lot of good work. We have not given up on the original schedule. It was noted that all curriculum items will be discussed at the December School Board meeting. It was moved by Mr. Wandersee and seconded by Mr. Swayze to award the bid for the Drivers Ed Car to Faulkner Fleet Group as recommended on the attachment. Motion carried (7-0). Mr. Wandersee noted that the principal's allocation fund and a proposed financial accounting software and hardware package will be discussed at the December School Board meeting. It was moved by Mr. Walton and seconded by Mr. Wandersee to approve the following personnel items: Resignations
Retirement
Employ
Motion carried (7-0). It was moved by Mr. Walton and seconded by Mrs. Michelini to approve the following personnel items: Reclassification
Substitutes
Supplementals
Professional Conferences Approved attendance at Professional Conferences as on the attachment Motion carried (7-0). It was moved by Mr. Swayze and seconded by Mr. McClaskey to authorize soliciting bids for the purchase of the following vehicles - the cost to be covered by the 2000-2001 Transportation Budget:
Motion carried (7-0). It was moved by Mr. Wandersee and seconded by Mrs. Michelini to set the 2001-2002 Budget Meeting Dates as follows:
Motion carried (7-0). Dr. Sweeney indicated that the members would hold a Post Session this evening to discuss personnel issues. Mr. McClaskey gave the attached report on the Center for Arts & Technology/Special Education/IU. - It was noted that the board members appreciated receiving this report in their packet. Mr. Hellrung, reporting for the Legislative Committee, stated that the Chester County group has selected the following five priorities for the upcoming year which will then be taken to the State: oppose prevailing wage act, support the repeal of Act 50, support legislation to authorize schools to level an impact fee, oppose all unfunded mandates, the State should pay more special education fees. The State Legislation is in session now. Dr. Gring reported that the Redistricting Committee continues to work at a rapid pace - they will be holding an informal Open House on December 14 from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. in the High School Cafeteria. Four stations will be set up to display the proposed options with committee members stationed at each map to answer questions. The Committee will be reporting to the Board on January 8. The Patton Middle School was awarded $31,000 because of their increase in attendance and improvement in test scores. Unionville High School also improved their scores last year. He explained it will be hard to receive awards such as this in the future because we are so near the top. The Board Organization Meeting is scheduled for December 4. He then complimented Dr. Sweeney for the outstanding job she did over the past three years as Board President. She is a tireless consensus builder - issues always came down to what is best for the students for her. A district resident complimented Holly Tyson for the excellent job she did organizing and running the mock debate at Unionville High School. Dave Salvo, student representative, stated that the students feel that there is a problem with the counseling department - they are over worked and under staffed - we need to hire more counselors to help student with college placement. Dave Salvo distributed a letter from the Tech Club stating that they want access to the Web Server - they are requesting board action on the issue. Bruce Swayze stated "hats off" to Corinne Sweeney for the outstanding job she has done as President. Steve McClaskey congratulated the Patton Middle School - thanked the teachers, students & parents. He is concerned about the Hillendale math scores - there is a lot of room for improvement. He then thanked Corinne. Anne Michelini thanked Janet Wilson for sharing the information about pre-first - she asked if Curriculum Council was an effective forum for this problem - we should talk with the pre-first parents. Jeff Hellrung thanked Mr. Wandersee for the heads up on the December finance items. He stated that pre-1st is a vital program & should be shared with the School Board. Charter Schools have been a wonderful innovation - they are friends of public education - compliments to Corinne Sweeney. Mr. Wandersee stated that he admires Corinne Sweeney for her patience - she has handled herself remarkably well. Considering today's problem at Rose Tree Media, Mr. Wandersee requested an update from the Safety Committee. Mr. Walton commented on the mock election and thanked Corinne for all she has done as Board President - he feels that the majority of the work is done outside of the board meeting. Dr. Sweeney thanked everyone for their kind thoughts and stated that it has been a real pleasure working with Steve Gring. She looks forward to continuing on the Board. 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. |