The Board held its annual reorganization meeting on Thursday, December 8.  

Election of Officers
Mr. Brian Guistwhite was re-elected Board President and Mr. Christopher Kambic was re-elected Board Vice President. To learn more about each of the nine School Board members, please click here.

 

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 January 19, Board Meeting.

The Board approved Capital BlueCross' Fee Summary and FSA Administrator's Application.

 

The District has an existing agreement with CCRES to provide educational consultant services. The Board approved an addendum to this agreement for CCRES to also provide special education paraprofessionals.

 

Students in our District-operated autism support classrooms are demonstrating an increased need for support and intervention to address academic, behavioral, and social emotional deficits. The Board approved an addendum for BTI School Services, LLC, to provide school-based behavior therapy support by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA).

 

Ethnic Studies Curriculum 
Ethnic Studies is a semester-long, elective course offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This course is an introduction to the academic field of Ethnic Studies and will focus on the contributions and struggles of different racial and ethnic groups. The course was approved by the Board in January 2022, and will be offered to students during the second semester of this school year. Dr. Whye shared course pacing guides and parent documents with the Board for its review prior to next month's curriculum adoption. Click here to view related files.

2023-2024 High School Course Offerings
Dr. Whye provided an overview of the high school course offerings for next school year.

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 January 19, Board Meeting.

The Board met in regular session on Thursday, December 15, with President Guistwhite presiding.

 

The minutes of the meetings held on November 10 and 17, 2022, were approved.

 

The Board filed the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending November 30, 2022, showing invested and available funds of $75,191,823.65.

Mrs. Tierney shared information about the West Shore Foundation's Educator Innovation Grants.

Mrs. Tierney, Mr. C. Kambic, and Mr. F. Kambic shared information from the recent Board visit to Cedar Cliff High School including details regarding the "Math and Snacks" after-school tutoring program.

Mrs. Moyer shared that the Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center Joint Operating Committee is hopeful that all member school districts will approve a resolution authorizing contribution by member districts to design costs related to construction/renovation projects. West Shore approved the related amendment in November.

Mrs. Crocenzi indicated that the Capital Area Intermediate Unit voted recently to utilize Stock and Leader as its solicitor.

Board Shout Outs
Mr. F. Kambic thanked the Army Depot's Women’s Club for hosting a holiday party for children in the community.

Mrs. Crocenzi thanked Donna Murray, District Dental Hygienist, for speaking to the Soroptimist Club about the District's efforts regarding dental health.

Mrs. Moyer recognized Hillside Elementary's Heart of Hillside group for giving back to the community during their recent trip to The Woods at Cedar Run where they participated in craft activities and sang carols with residents.

Mrs. Tierney highlighted the West Shore Foundation's alumni efforts and gave a shout out to Jeri Kramer.

Mr. Kapranos thanked the Cedar Cliff High School Orchestra for performing at our elementary schools this month and their work to inspire younger students to learn to play an instrument.

Mr. C. Kambic requested a moment of silence in honor of John “Jack” Murray. Prior to his passing, Mr. Murray served as a District coach and mentor.

Dr. Stoltz recognized two musicals which recently took place. At Red Land, the performers in Little Women got rave reviews and at Highland, The Jungle Book showcased some incredible talent, costumes, and props.  Also taking place at Highland, the school community donated 761 boxes of cereal to The Ecumenical Food Pantry. As a fun way to end the food drive, the cereal boxes were lined up like dominos and snaked their way through the school and outside.
 
Dr. Stoltz shared that Allison Freeman and Dan Grejda, former Employees of the Quarter, were joined by Dean Reed and Brian Granger at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference in Baltimore where they presented information about West Shore's Vertical Math program.
 
Lastly, Dr. Stoltz thanked our families and staff for their support transitioning to remote learning during the recent building closure at New Cumberland Middle School and the District-wide weather related closure. 
 

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 January 19, Board Meeting.

 

The Board approved bills for the November 11, 2022, through December 7, 2022, listing checks which totalled $2,804,006.29. 

Personnel & Budgetary Transfers
The Board approved all personnel items and budget transfers as presented.

Board Policies
The Board approved revisions to Board Policy 113: Special Education, the addition of Board Policy 113.1: Discipline of Students with a Disability, the addition of Board Policy 113.4: Confidentiality of Special Education Student Information, repealing Board Policy 218.3: Discipline of Students with a Disability, revisions to Board Policy  618: Student Activity Funds, the addition of Board Policy 712: Facility Dogs, and the addition of Board Policy 805.2: School Security Personnel.

Contract for Psychological Services
To ensure continued compliance with state and federal regulations related to evaluation timelines, the Board approved a contract with Dr. Kathy Burson, a certified school psychologist, for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year.

Course Selection Offerings 2023-2024
The Board approved Course Selection Offerings for the 2023-2024 school year (click here to view). On January 25, a Course Selection Night is planned at each high school for students in grades 8-11 and their parents. During the event, the course offerings and process for selecting classes will be reviewed.

Staff Attendance at Professional Meetings
The Board approved requests for staff attendance at professional meetings as presented.

Agreement to Grant Easements
Land development plans have been filed with Fairview Township for the property located at 674 Beinhower Road, adjacent to the site of Old Trail Intermediate. The District owns an existing easement, which was established for agricultural purposes, but is no longer required. The existing easement is in conflict with the owner’s intended residential development of 674 Beinhower Road. In conjunction with Stock & Leader, the District has negotiated an alternative right-of-way that accommodates the owner’s plans. The Board approved the proposed grant easement agreement.

Roof Restoration and Replacement Projects

The Maintenance Department had an in-depth study conducted to assess roofing conditions throughout the District. A scope of work was developed through Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. using the Keystone Purchasing Network to procure services for the completion of projects at Red Land High School, Cedar Cliff High School, and the Transportation Center. The Board approved these proposals totalling $1,785,450.03.

Transportation Agreement with Assist Services, LLC
The Transportation Department has been working diligently to secure services for students in alternative placements, homeless students, and students with special transportation needs. The Board approved an agreement with Assist Services, LLC, for the transportation of students through November 2023.    

Information Items

Committee Reports
The Curriculum, Feasibility, and Finance Committee Reports were shared with the Board. Click here to view related files.

2023-2024 Preliminary Budget Projections
Mrs. Boone shared preliminary budget projections for 2023-2024 with the Board. This presentation, and others made to the Board during the budget development process, can be found on the Business Office website.

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 January 19, Board Meeting.