The Board of School Directors met in regular session on Thursday, January 16, with President Crocenzi presiding.
Red Land High School’s JROTC Color Guard presented the colors for the evening. JROTC members included Senior Grayson Stanley, Juniors Christina Waller and Ryan Michener with Freshmen Patrick Sisca.
Eloise Billus, a seventh-grade euphonium player from Allen Middle School, performed the National Anthem.
Minutes
Recognition by the Board
On behalf of the Red Land Boys and Girls Soccer teams, Coach Arvey with Juniors Ella Beshore and Dacey MacMinn and Seniors Jacob Cubbler and Jakob Nagy, presented a check for $2,000 to Mickey Minnich with Vickie's Angel Foundation.
Seniors Mandee Halbrook, Red Land High School, and Jocelyn Heredia, Cedar Cliff High School, each highlighted opportunities they have had in and outside of the classroom during their high school career. More specifically, Mandee spoke about her experience in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Jocelyn shared her experience taking college in the high school courses.
Dr. Stoltz commended the transportation department and First Student bus drivers who went above and beyond to ensure students made it home safely following the snow fall on January 7, 2020.
Recognition of the Public
Opportunity for Students to SpeakNo students addressed the Board.
Agenda ItemsNo community members addressed the Board.
Business Items
Bills for ApprovalThe Board approved bills for the period December 9, 2019, through January 8, 2020, listing checks which totaled $1,992,779.89.
PersonnelThe Board approved all personnel items as presented.
Budgetary Transfers The Board approved the budget transfers as presented.
Budgetary Transfers 2018-2019 The Board approved the budget transfers for 2018-2019 as presented.
Agreement for Stop Loss Insurance Renewal through Sun Life Financial Specific Stop Loss is excess risk coverage that provides protection for the District against a high claim on any one individual. An RFP was sent to 20 carriers, including a request for renewal from Sun Life. The two proposals received were from Avalon/Capital and Sun Life Financial. It was determined that Sun Life Financial offered the best proposal. The Board approved Sun Life Financial’s renewal agreement in the estimated annual amount of $714,544.76.
Cedar Cliff Baseball Trip Mr. John Kosydar, Athletic Director at Cedar Cliff High School, has requested the Cedar Cliff baseball team attend a spring training event in Shelby, North Carolina, from Thursday, March 5, 2020, through Sunday, March 8, 2020. The purpose of this trip is to provide a fair-weather venue for the players during their pre-season preparation period, as well as fostering team unity, camaraderie, and confidence. The trip was approved by the Board.
Cedar Cliff Technology Student Association (TSA) Conference and Competition Miss Amy Dando, Technology Student Association (TSA) Advisor at Cedar Cliff High School, has requested the Cedar Cliff TSA students attend the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association Conference at Seven Springs Resort in Champion, Pennsylvania from Wednesday, April 15, 2020, through Saturday, April 18, 2020. Students will be competing against students from other high school chapters across Pennsylvania. The trip was approved by the Board.
Crossroads Chesapeake Bay Trip Mrs. Patricia Boscaccy, social studies and language arts teacher at Crossroads Middle School, and Ms. Desiree Fox, science teacher at Crossroads, have requested permission for a group of sixth through eighth-grade students to participate in a three-day field trip to the Chesapeake Bay to study the ecology of the bay and its tributaries. This trip will provide students with a meaningful watershed experience that connects classroom research and knowledge with inquiry-based field investigations, standards-based activities, and authentic assessments of learning. The trip was approved by the Board.
Red Land Baseball Trip Mr. Nathan Ebbert, head baseball coach at Red Land High School, has requested the Red Land baseball team participate in the National High School Invitational Tournament at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, from Tuesday, March 31, 2020, through Sunday, April 5, 2020. This offers a premier forum in which student athletes can compete. The trip was approved by the Board.
Staff Attendance at Professional Meetings The Board approved staff attendance at professional meetings as presented.
Agreement for School Based Mental Health Services In order to enhance services provided to students in the Emotional Support program, the Board approved an agreement for school-based therapy to be provided by Laurel Life Services in the amount of $81,000.00 to be prorated for the 2019-2020 school year.
Crossroads Notice to ProceedCrossroads Middle School has historically faced challenges with humidity and temperature control, suffers from outdated/obsolete lighting, and is operating equipment that is at the end of its life cycle. Based on the timing of potential renovations, the needs of the building, and the potential for energy savings to help fund the project; a major mechanical system upgrade is recommended for the building. The Board approved a Notice to Proceed with McClure Company for engineering services in support of potential equipment replacement.
Information Items
Student Success VideoDr. Whye and Mrs. Fourhman produced a video showcasing "Stories of Student Success" to update the Board and community on student and school performance during the 2018-2019 school year. The video includes student interviews arranged by Mrs. Sayre, highlighting the many reasons we are #WestShoreProud of our students, staff, and community.
The six-minute video was shared with the Board and is
posted on the District website along with specific information about the Future Ready PA Index which is used by the state to assess school performance.
2020-2021 School Calendar DraftDr. Stoltz shared a draft of next year’s school calendar. The
proposed calendar for 2020-2021 shows a starting date for students of Tuesday, August 25, 2020, and school is session on Monday, November 30, 2020. In the past, the Monday following Thanksgiving has been a day off for students and staff. Feedback on the calendar will be collected from parents, students, community members, and staff through Monday, February 10, 2020.
Recognition of Public
General ItemsNo community members addressed the Board.