The Board met in regular session on Thursday, February 8, with President Thomas presiding.

Board Shout Outs 

Mr. Kambic shared his appreciation for the District's guidance counselors in recognition of School Counselor Appreciation Week. He also thanked the District's social workers for their assistance in providing food and coats to families in need.

 

Mrs. Cox thanked the West Shore Foundation for sponsoring the Academic Bowl and shared highlights from the Crossroads Middle School Board visit.

 

Mr. Brinton recognized District student athletes and teams competing in the postseason and wished them good luck.

 

Mrs. Brent shared information about the DaVinci program at Red Land High School and commended the work of Red Land Senior Katelyn Wonders who used her knowledge and skills to help a fellow student.

 

Mr. Trone highlighted the West Shore Percussion Ensemble's first place finish at the Keystone Indoor Drill Association (KIDA) competition hosted by East Pennsboro High School.

 

Mrs. Thomas shared details about the recent VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen Essay Contest. She indicated two West Shore students who received honors were invited to read their winning essays at a future Board meeting. 

 

Dr. Stoltz recognized Cedar Cliff High School Juniors Eloise Billus and Jackson Kane who participated in the Pennsylvania High School Speech League District Competition. Jackson finished in first place and Eloise brought home third place in the Informative Speech category.

Dr. Stoltz also shared that during the 40th Annual Special Olympics PA Skiing Competition, two West Shore students brought home ribbons. Cedar Cliff High School Freshman Brandon Stanley earned first place and Red Land High School Senior Noah Weaver earned second place. 

Lastly, Dr. Stoltz recognized Red Land High School Senior Corrine Armes who secured her third consecutive Mid-Penn Conference Class 3A diving title and Sophomore Hannah Ely who earned fifth place. Both Corrine and Hannah have advanced to Districts.

Mr. Sanders provided an overview of the Facilities Committee meeting held earlier in the week and highlighted the desire to improve indoor and outdoor athletic facilities at Red Land High School.

For a list of in person participants and electronic comments received, please refer to the Board minutes which will be approved at the March 21 Board Meeting.

 

There were no communications.

The Board approved the personnel items as presented.

 

The high capacity dish machines at Red Land High School and Red Mill Elementary have come to the end of their service. The Board authorized use of Food Service financial reserves and awarded two bids for new Hobart Dish Machines to Singer Equipment Company in the amount totaling $102,985.43, as the lowest bidder meeting specifications.

The Capital Area Pathways to Teaching (CAPT) is an internal pipeline program designed to prepare Paraprofessionals for careers as teachers. Through the CAPT program, qualified Paraprofessionals/Aides employed by the West Shore School District can participate in one of three pathways toward teaching certification based on prior credentials. The program culminates in either an associates, bachelors, or masters degree with teaching certification at a fraction of the cost of traditional college prep programs. The Board approved the CAPT agreement as presented.

 

The Board adopted updated parameters for the organization of public comment. These guidelines for in person and remote participation in Board meetings can be found on the District website. 

  

The Board discussed, but did not approve, the formation of a Red Land High School Athletics Facilities Improvement Board Committee.

Dr. Stoltz provided an update on feedback related to the proposed 2024-2025 School Calendar. 

 

Mr. Christopher Linkey from RLPS Architects provided an update on renovations and additions to Allen Middle School. Click here to view the presentation made to the Board. 

 

Mr. Senahid Zahirovic from Boyer & Ritter, LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, provided an overview of the most recent audit of the District's funds for the 2022-2023 school year. The complete Auditor's Report can be found on the Business Office page of the District website.  

Opportunity for Comment on General Items 

For a list of in person participants and electronic comments received, please refer to the Board minutes which will be approved at the March 21 Board Meeting.

The Board met in regular session on Thursday, February 15, with President Thomas presiding.

Cedar Cliff High School’s JROTC Color Guard presented the colors for the evening. JROTC members included Senior Benjamin Irwin with Juniors Derek Cruz Andujar, Adam Raffensperger, and Andrew Snavely. 

The National Anthem was performed by members of New Cumberland Middle School’s orchestra under the direction of Jill Drayer. Musicians included eighth grade students Abdeljalil Lyamani and Charlotte Reed with sixth grade student Jacqueline Cline.

Dr. Stoltz asked for a moment of silence in recognition of a Red Land High School graduate who tragically passed away.

Cedar Cliff High School Junior Jackson Kane read his winning entry in the VFW's Voice of Democracy Essay Contest. 

The Board recognized Daniel Miller, School Security Guard at New Cumberland Middle School, and Alex Peffer, Fourth Grade Teacher at Highland Elementary School, as the Employees of the Second Quarter.

 

Mr. Justin Bruhn, Administrative Director for the Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center (CPACTC), Cedar Cliff/CPACTC Senior Sophia Gurak, and Red Land/CPACTC Senior Andrew Clark shared highlights from CPACTC.

 

Student Reports 

Cedar Cliff High School Senior Nathan Lusk and Red Land High School Senior Gavin Bloom shared their experiences at their respective high schools and their future plans.

 

Mr. Trone recognized School Resource Officer Appreciation Day and the impressive work done by teachers online during the weather-related remote learning days.

 

Mr. Brinton provided an overview of upcoming high school musical productions and wished the Red Land Girls Wrestling Team success in their upcoming competition.

 

Mr. Kambic encouraged the community to attend the high school musicals and character breakfasts.

 

Dr. Stoltz shared that Kayla Cordaro, Cedar Cliff High School Class of 2022, was named the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 2024 Apprentice of the Year. During her senior year at Cedar Cliff, Kayla participated in the York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL) Pre-Apprenticeship Program and began her career at York Electrical Institute. 

No students or members of the public addressed the Board.

The minutes of the meetings held on January 11, 2024, and January 18, 2024, were approved.

 

The Board filed the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending January 31, 2024, showing invested and available funds of $63,550,071.54.

Dr. Stoltz indicated the latest legal update was available for Board members.

 

Mrs. Tierney provided an overview of West Shore Foundation’s recent Educator Innovation Grant winners.

 

Mr. Brinton provided an overview of the Board Policy Committee minutes and Mrs. Brent provided an overview of the Finance Committee minutes.

 

Mrs. Cox indicated the June Curriculum Committee meeting was rescheduled and will now be held on June 19.

The Board approved bills for the period January 6, 2024, through February 6, 2024, listing checks which totalled $2,848,240,82. 

 

The Board approved all personnel items as presented.

                                                                                                        

The Board approved requests for staff attendance at professional meetings as presented.

 

Ms. Megan Loomis, Special Education Teacher at Fishing Creek Elementary, has requested to be a handler of a facility dog. To be added to the waitlist for a dog, the agency requires prior approval confirmation from her school district and its Board. Based on experiences with the dogs at Red Land High School and Crossroads Middle School, and together with the District’s legal counsel, the Student Services Department drafted a Memorandum of Understanding articulating roles and responsibilities for handlers. The Board approved the Facility Dog Memorandum of Understanding for Mrs. Loomis. Upon notification that she is receiving a dog, the MOU will be updated and shared again with the Board.

 

The York Adams Academy (YAA) is a dropout prevention program that assists students in attaining academic proficiency as they earn their high school diploma. YAA's 2024-2025 Operating Budget was approved by the School’s Joint Operating Committee; however, final adoption of the budget by the YAA’s Joint Operating Committee occurs when the Joint Committee receives an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the member school districts. The District’s estimated cost for 2024-2025 will remain the same at $55,800 for 12 seats, which are transferable.The Board approved the proposed 2024-2025 York Adams Academy Operating Budget as presented.

 

The Board approved an academic calendar for the 2024-2025 school year with a start date for students of Tuesday, September 3, 2024 and an end date of Friday, June 6, 2025.

 

As work has progressed on the Intermediate School projects, the District encountered scheduling issues and utility conflicts which necessitated three change orders. The Board approved the change orders for the Fairview site as presented.

No information items were shared.

Opportunity for Comment on General Items
No students addressed the Board. For a list of in person participants and electronic comments received, please refer to the Board minutes which will be approved at the March 21 Board Meeting.