The Board met in regular session on Thursday, March 17, with President Guistwhite presiding.
Red Land High School’s JROTC Color Guard presented the colors for the evening. JROTC members included Juniors Maya Jovic, Dylan Knouse and Zoe Rozzell with Sophomore Xavier Zarza.
A jazz arrangement of the National Anthem was introduced by Mr. Starrett, band director, and performed by Seniors Gavin Feliciano and Joshua Wickert from the Red Land High School Jazz Band.
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings held on February 10, 2022, and February 17, 2022, were approved.
Treasurer’s Report
The Board approved the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending February 28, 2022, showing invested and available funds of $50,978,490.72.
Communications
Legal Update & Central Treasury Reports
Dr. Stoltz indicated the latest legal update from the solicitor’s office was available for Board members. Dr. Argot shared the Central Treasury Report for Cedar Cliff and Red Land High Schools.
Superintendent's Report - Health and Safety Plan
Dr. Stoltz provided a short update on the status of active cases in our schools.
Board Reports
Mrs. Tierney, Mr. C. Kambic, and Mr. F. Kambic shared highlights from the Board visit to Cedar Cliff High School. Mrs. Tierney mentioned that teachers were excited to once again hold in person events including the Living Arts Festival and International Food Festival. Mr. C. Kambic shared that students from Red Land were also helping with Cedar Cliff's musical. Mr. F. Kambic mentioned the work being done by Cedar Cliff's art department to help support Highland Elementary's Classics Day. He also shared that the cardio room and mountain bikes are very popular with students at the high school. Lastly, Mr. F. Kambic thanked community members who donated prom dresses for the free boutiques being held prior to prom at Cedar Cliff and Red Land.
Mrs. Crocenzi reminded teachers retiring this school year that they can continue to work as a substitute teacher with the District after they retire through the Substitute Teacher Service (STS).
Recognition by the Board
Youth Art Month Recognition
Once again this year, the District partnered with Lamar Advertising and our Partners in Education to celebrate Youth Art Month with a community-wide billboard display. Mrs. Fourhman presented each of our 18 student billboard artists with a framed copy of their billboard as a token of appreciation. A complete list of featured artists, their sponsors, and teachers can be viewed on the District website.
Student Speaker
Senior Charles Metherell shared details about his experience as a student at Cedar Cliff High School and provided an overview of his future plans.
Board Shout Outs
Mr. F. Kambic commended Frank Torres, Class of 2016, who recently visited his former teachers at Cedar Cliff High School to share his achievements since graduation.
Mrs. Crocenzi recognized the students and staff at our secondary schools on their musical performances.
Mrs. Moyer shared that Newberry Township Police Department officers are selling Autism Awareness patches.
Proceeds from the patches will be used to support the T.E.A.M. program as well as Autism programs in our school community.
Mr. Guistwhite congratulated the Cedar Cliff Girls Basketball Team on their recent success and wished them continued good luck.
Opportunity for Student and Public Comments
Business Items
No comments related to business items were shared with the Board by students or the public.
Business Items
Bills for Approval
The Board approved bills for the period February 17, 2022, through March 9, 2022, listing checks which totalled $3,013,183.92.
Refunds
The Board approved one refund for $19,620.25.
Personnel
The Board approved all personnel items as presented.
Memorandum of Understanding – AFSCME Four-Day Work Week
The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with District Council 89 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO for the purpose of establishing a four-day work week from June 13, 2022, through August 12, 2022.
Budgetary Transfers
The Board approved the budget transfers as presented.
Revised Board Policies
The Board approved revisions to Board Policies 006: Meetings and 827: Conflict of Interest as presented.
Additional Services Authorization #5 – Valley & Beinhower
The next phase of projects connected to the Feasibility Study includes the construction of a new Intermediate School for students in grades five and six, to be built on the District’s property at the intersection of Valley & Beinhower Roads in Fairview Township. The Board approved additional engineering services with K&W related to the site.
Fairview - Resolution of Condemnation
The District continues to work through approval processes for the construction of the new Intermediate School on the site of the existing Fairview Elementary. Part of the land development plan and Highway Occupancy Permit requires the District to make improvements to Lewisberry Road, including the widening of the road and the addition of a turn lane. Administration has made best efforts to reach agreement with the individual property owners; however, some owners have been non-responsive to the District’s communications. Administration will continue to make good faith efforts to resolve this issue, but for the sake of the project timeline, the Board approved the Resolution of Condemnation for two properties in Fairview Township.
Staff Attendance at Professional Meetings
The Board approved requests for staff attendance at professional meetings as presented.
Tax Collection Software Contract with Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
Beginning July 2022, the current Tax Collection software package will no longer be supported. The District contacted representatives from three agencies and has selected the Tax Collection software package from Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU). The Board authorized the Superintendent to execute a contract with CSIU for the software.
Election of a Treasurer
With the pending retirement of the current Board Treasurer, the Board elected William R. Gretton III as Treasurer for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year, beginning April 5, 2022.
Agreement with BTI School Services
The District is seeking to develop a partnership with BTI School Services LLC, an affiliate of BTI Group LLC, to provide school-based behavioral health services by a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and a supervising Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The Board approved the 2021-2022 Agreement and Addendums for school-based behavior therapy support to be provided by BTI School Services LLC.
The Business and Education Leadership Agreement
Every few years the District secures a motivational speaker for the staff opening day kick-off. The Board approved the Business and Education Leadership contract for Dr. Adolph Brown to be the District’s 2022-2023 opening day speaker.
e-Rate Approvals
For the 2022-2023 school year, the Technology Department has planned multiple infrastructure projects that will be funded in part through the e-Rate program. The e-Rate program allows school districts to receive federal reimbursement for technology infrastructure purchases and services. The Board accepted the proposals from the vendors presented as the lowest bidders meeting e-Rate specifications.
Proposal for Amended and Restated Exhibit B-1 for Windstream Communications
The District approved a lease agreement with Windstream Communications on February 17, 2022. The Board authorized the Board President to sign the Amended and Restated Exhibit B-1 which will remove Lower Allen Elementary from the route table.
Property Conveyance and Grading Easement
As part of the construction of the new Intermediate School on the site of the existing Fairview Elementary, various improvements are planned for Lewisberry Road, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). In order to complete the improvements, the District must obtain right of way and temporary grading easements from several property owners along Lewisberry Road. The Board approved the property conveyance and grading easement as presented.
Information Items
Proposed Board Policy: 251 Homeless Students
Feasibility Update
Opportunity for Student and Public Comments
General Items
Public comments related to general items were shared with the Board. Those comments received electronically were shared with Board members prior to the start of the meeting. For a list of participants and topics discussed, please refer to the Board minutes which will be approved at the April 21, Board Meeting.