May 2023

Board Meeting - May 4

The Board met in regular session on Thursday, May 4, with President Guistwhite presiding.
 
Communications
Student Discipline
The Board approved the student disciplinary case as presented.

Recognition by the Board
Board Shout Outs
On behalf of the Board, Mr. Guistwhite offered well-wishes for a speedy recovery to Mr. Gehosky, Assistant Principal at New Cumberland Middle School.

Mr. Kapranos highlighted multiple student athletes in the news including Taylor Ferraro of Cedar Cliff High School who was nominated for the M&T Bank John Travers Award.

Mrs. Tierney thanked the adults who chaperoned and helped transport equipment for the West Shore Music Department's trip to Walt Disney World. 

Mrs. Moyer shared that West Shore's Jazz Band performed at the Pennsylvania Association of Educational Office Professionals (PAEOP) Conference. She recognized Mr. Clements and Mr. Starrett for joining students during the performance, and Ms. Kosovac, who served on the PAEOP conference planning committee.

Mrs. Crocenzi thanked the numerous considerate drivers she has seen letting traffic coming out of Crossroads Middle School merge safely onto Fishing Creek Road. She also recognized Madison Norman as one of the York Adams Academy Students of the Month.

In addition to Taylor Ferraro, Mr. C. Kambic recognized Parker Tarnoci, Cedar Cliff; Connor Updegraff, Red Land; and Marlayna Concannon, Red Land, West Shore's other nominees for the John Travers Award. Mr. C. Kambic also highlighted pole vault winners from the recent Cedar Cliff Relays.

Mr. Guistwhite commended Red Land High School's JROTC team on their success at the Raider Competition hosted by Shippensburg University and recognized Junior Holly Culp for winning the Top Female Athlete title at the competition.

Mrs. Tierney provided information about the West Shore Foundation's participation in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community fundraiser and invited the community to participate. She also shared that the Foundation would be participating in Red Land High School's Living Arts Festival.

Mrs. Moyer and Mr. Guistwhite shared details about Red Land High School's Benefit Talent Show.

Dr. Stoltz shared the following shout outs:
  • West Shore was recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded annually to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. This is the third year our department was recognized with this distinction.
  • From April 27-May 1, students from Cedar Cliff and Red Land who participate in chorus, orchestra, and/or band traveled to Walt Disney World. During their trip, the marching band had an opportunity to march down Main Street and the other students participated in workshops on the Imagination Campus. 
  • Red Land High School's Science Olympiad team attended the state competition where Sue Lingenfelter and Aiden Lee earned fifth place in the Disease Detectives event & Alex Morelli and Sophia Vetter earned seventh place in Remote Sensing.
  • Cedar Cliff High School's Worldquest team competed in the National Academic Worldquest Competition. This competition places the best of the best against each other and Cedar Cliff's team placed 13th in the entire nation. Congratulations to Caleb Masshardt, Rory Gannon, Rayna Johnson, and Jackson Kane.
Lastly, Mr. Guistwhite shared details about student participation in the Smart Team Shape Symposium at Penn State. Mrs. Moyer added her appreciation for staff members who provide these types of opportunities for West Shore students.  

Opportunity for Student and Public Comments
Business Items
No students addressed the Board. For a list of in person public comments discussed, please refer to the Board minutes which will be approved at the June 15, Board Meeting.

Business Items
Personnel 
The Board approved all personnel items as presented.

2023-2024 General Operating Budget
The Board adopted the 2023-2024 Expenditure Budget in the amount of $149,396,858 with anticipated revenues of $147,359,372. The millage rate for Cumberland County for 2023-2024 is 13.5936, and the rate for York County is 16.1585. These rates represent an increase of 4.12% in Cumberland County, a 4.5% increase in York County, and $2,037,486 used from the fund balance. Presentations made to the Board during the budget development process can be found on the Business Office website.

Therapy Services Agreement - PTS    
Pediatric Therapeutic Services (PTS) is a private staffing agency that provides a range of therapy services by locating and providing qualified independent contractors. The Board approved a Therapy Services Agreement with Pediatric Therapeutic Services.

Contract for Mental Health Referral Services – Care Solace
The Board approved the 2023-2024 Service Agreement Renewal for mental health referral services provided by 
Care Solace, a private agency that works alongside school districts as a care coordinator to quickly connect students, school staff, and their families to quality mental health and substance use treatment providers matched to their needs.   

Information Items
Flexible Instructional Days
Dr. Whye highlighted plans to seek 
approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to use up to five Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs) per year over a three year period. A FID is used in place of a school day that has been cancelled due to inclement weather or emergency situations. Students complete learning activities and assignments provided by the teacher at home in these instances.  

Opportunity for Student and Public Comments
General Items
No students addressed the Board. For a list of in person participants and topics discussed, please refer to the Board minutes which will be approved at the June 15, Board Meeting.

Board Meeting - May 11

The Board met in regular session on Thursday, May 11, with President Guistwhite presiding.

Cedar Cliff High School’s JROTC Color Guard presented the colors for the evening. JROTC members included Senior Ben Kruleski, Junior Ben Irwin, Sophomore Steward Dougherty, and Freshman Chasity Thomasson.  

The National Anthem was performed on the flute by eighth grade student Samuel Herbert from Allen Middle School.

Minutes
The minutes of the meetings held on April 13, 2023, and April 20, 2023, were approved.
 
Treasurer’s Report
The Board filed the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending April 30, 2023, showing invested and available funds of $44,097,288.76.

Communications
Legal Update
Dr. Stoltz indicated the latest legal update from the solicitor’s office was available for Board members.

Student Discipline
The Board approved the student disciplinary cases as presented.

Board Reports
Mrs. Tierney shared details about funds raised through the West Shore Foundation’s participation in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community and from EITC donations. She also congratulated Foundation scholarship winners at Cedar Cliff and Red Land.

Mrs. Thomas shared highlights from the recent Board visit to Red Land High School.

Mrs. Crocenzi shared information about activities she participated in as a Junior Achievement volunteer. She also extended an invitation to York Adams Academy's graduation ceremony scheduled for June 1.

Mr. F. Kambic indicated the Finance Committee report would be shared later.

Mrs. Moyer shared information regarding the Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center's upcoming awards night and the Board visit to New Cumberland Middle School.

Mr. C. Kambic indicated two Facility Committee meetings and a District Advisory Committee meeting were recently held.

Recognition by the Board
Cedar Cliff Girls Basketball Team 
The Board recognized Cedar Cliff High School's Girls Basketball Team on being named Keystone Division Champions, Mid-Penn Conference Champions, PIAA District III 6A Tournament Champions, and Silver Medalists in the PIAA 6A State Playoffs.

Cedar Cliff Academic Worldquest Team
The Board recognized Cedar Cliff High School's Worldquest team members who placed 13th in the National Academic Worldquest Competition. Team members recognized include Caleb Masshardt, Rory Gannon, Rayna Johnson, Jackson Kane, and their coach Mrs. Kamps.

Red Land Science Olympiad Participants
The Board recognized Red Land High School Junior Sue Lingenfelter and Sophomore Aiden Lee for their fifth place finish in the Disease Detectives event, and Seniors Alexander Morelli and Junior Sophia Vetter for their seventh place finish in the Remote Sensing event at the Pennsylvania Science Olympiad State Competition.

Student Reports
Cedar Cliff Senior Blythe Green and Red Land Senior Clark Fourhman shared their experiences at their respective high schools and their future plans.

Board Shout Outs
Mrs. Tierney thanked Mr. Christine and everyone who participated in this year's District Special Olympic games.

Mr. F. Kambic recognized School Nurses’ Day and thanked members of West Shore's Health Services Department.

Mrs. Crocenzi gave a shout out to Newberry Elementary School’s fifth grade chorus for performing the National Anthem at the Harrisburg Senators Baseball game.

Mr. Kapranos highlighted multiple student athletic accomplishments.

Mrs. Moyer reminded everyone to be cautious when traveling around school buses and students waiting at bus stops.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Mr. C. Kambic thanked West Shore teachers and coaches for their dedication to students.

Dr. Stoltz shared the following shout outs:
  • Students from Fairview, Fishing Creek, Newberry and Red Mill participated in the Capital Area Intermediate Unit's Regional Math 24 Competition. Two West Shore teams competed against other schools in the IU and earned both second and third place.
  • Again this year we hosted District Special Olympic games at the West Shore Stadium. In addition to all the volunteers and parents who attended, 128 students competed in the events. 
  • The Special Education Department's Sunshine Prom was hosted by the Memory Barn in Etters this year. At this prom style event, students from Cedar Cliff and Red Land enjoyed food and spending time with their buddies. 
  • Lastly, it is officially field trip season and Dr. Stoltz gave a shout out to the chaperones who have been accompanying our students, and to our PTOs who often provide financial assistance to cover admission and transportation costs. 

Opportunity for Student and Public Comments
Business Items

No students or members of the public addressed the Board.
 
Business Items
Bills for Approval
The Board approved bills for the period April 14, 2023, through May 3, 2023, listing checks which totalled $2,589,104.81.

Personnel 
The Board approved all personnel items as presented.

Appointment of Depositories
The Board appointed PNC Bank, Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset Fund, Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust, AmeriChoice, New Cumberland Federal Credit Union, M&T Bank, Members First, and Susquehanna Valley Credit Union as Depositories for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

Budgetary Transfers
The Board approved the budgetary transfers as presented.

Pennsylvania School Boards Association’s (PSBA) Compensation Services
The Board approved a contract with PSBA to provide compensation study services for the District’s classified support staff in the amount of $3,800.

Appointment of Solicitor/Labor Counsel
The Board reappointed Stock and Leader as Solicitor/Labor Counsel for the year beginning July 1, 2023.

Election of a Treasurer
The Board reelected Stevie J. Boone as Treasurer for one year, beginning July 1, 2023.

Calendar of Board and Committee Meeting Dates
The Board approved dates for School Board Meetings, Board Committee Meetings, and newspapers of general circulation for 2023-2024 
as presented.

Staff Attendance at Professional Meetings

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

Flexible Instructional Days Resolution
The Board approved a resolution supporting the use of up to five Flexible Instructional Days (FID) a year, over a three year period.  

K-5 Math Resource Adoption 2023-2024
The Board approved the K-5 Math Resource Adoption for 2023-2024 as presented.

Forensic Science Curriculum and Resource Adoption 2023-2024
The Board approved the Forensic Curriculum and Resource Adoption for 2023-2024 as presented.

Intermediate School Change Orders
The Board approved three change orders for Fairview Intermediate:
  • Electrical Change Order #1: $2,279.92
  • General Construction Change Order #3: $6,466.79
  • General Construction Change Order #4: $2,226.00
Agreement of Easement - Allen Middle School 
Gettysburg Road Investors, LLC has been working on plans to develop parcels of land adjacent to Allen Middle School. Access to their property is limited and therefore the District was approached with the possibility of granting an access easement via Little League Drive. The Board approved the Agreement of Easement for access to Allen Middle School property.

Board Policies
The Board approved revisions to Board Policy 005: Organization and Policy 006: Meetings.

Water Facilities Line Extension Agreement
To connect Old Trail Intermediate to the public water utility, an extension must be constructed in coordination with Pennsylvania-American Water Company. The Board approved the requested Water Facilities Line Extension Agreement.

Information Items
Committee Reports
The Facilities and Finance Committee Reports were shared with the Board. Click here to view related files.

Future Ready Comprehensive Plan
Every three years, the District develops a comprehensive plan to identify our specific goals and outline a detailed plan to achieve them. Dr. Whye shared the District's Proposed Future Ready Comprehensive Plan for 2023-2026 with the Board and invited the community to provide feedback on the plans. 
Click here to review the presentation and plan.

Board Policies
Dr. Argot shared proposed revisions to Board Policy 221: Dress and Grooming and Policy 237: Electronic and Personal Communication Devices.

Opportunity for Student and Public Comments
General Items
No students or members of the public addressed the Board. 
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