The Board met in regular session on Thursday, September 8, with President Guistwhite presiding.

 

Mrs. Crocenzi thanked Christian Life Assembly (CLA) for donating $4,000 to the District's social workers to purchase clothing and other school supplies. Dr. Stoltz added that CLA also shared a number of gift cards which were given out to staff during Opening Day.

Mrs. Tierney provided details on how the West Shore Foundation supported the District's Opening Day by providing donuts for staff and financial assistance to bring this year's guest speaker Dr. Adolph Brown to the event.

Mr. C. Kambic thanked our crossing guards for the work they do to keep our students safe in all kinds of weather.

Mrs. Moyer thanked Fishing Creek Salem United Methodist Church for their work to provide food to members of our school community.

Dr. Stoltz shared he received several positive comments regarding our Opening Day speaker Dr. Brown. Dr. Stoltz also indicated that the District is off to a great start and thanked our parents and community members. In particular, he thanked families for their patience and bus drivers for their efforts while First Student faces a driver shortage again this school year. 

Mrs. Tierney added a shout out to all the families who participated in the District's Annual First Day Video and thanked Mrs. Fourhman for compiling all of the photos on a yearly basis.

No public comments were received. 

Agreement for West Shore Connect
Through a District partnership with Central Penn College, West Shore Connect provides students with disabilities between the ages of 18-21 with college level educational experiences. The District has made enrollment in the program available on a tuition basis to neighboring districts. The Board approved an agreement with Cumberland Valley School District to enroll one of their students in West Shore Connect.
  

Financial information related to Assessed Values and Capital Projects were shared with the Board. Click here to view related files.

No public comments were received.

The Board met in special session on Monday, September 12, with President Guistwhite presiding.

No communications were shared with the Board.

No public comments were received.

Board Director Candidate Interviews 
Mrs. Sasha Shenck, Mr. Richard Schin, Mr. Antonios (Tony) Kapranos, Mrs. Stephanie Herr, and Mr. Clifford Ackman were interviewed by the Board for the open Board seat in Region 2. Prior to the meeting, Board members reviewed each candidate's application materials. 

After discussion regarding the qualifications of the candidates, Mr. Kapranos was selected by the Board to fill the vacancy.

Information Items
Dr. Stoltz shared that the school security guard positions were currently being advertised by the District.  He also mentioned that thanks to recent changes by the state government, the District can once again offer all students a free breakfast starting on Monday, October 3.

Opportunity for Student and Public Comments

General Items
No students addressed the Board. Public 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 October 20, Board Meeting.

Red Land High School’s JROTC Color Guard presented the colors for the evening. JROTC members included Seniors Dylan Knouse and Kelsey Cleveland with Juniors Brighton Pearson and Xavier Zarza. 

The National Anthem was sung by Red Land High School Senior, Haley Kennedy.

 

The minutes of the meetings held on August 11, 2022, and August 18, 2022, were approved.

 

The Board approved the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending August 31, 2022, showing invested and available funds of $46,295,600.63.

Mrs. Tierney provided an overview of the Educator Innovation Grants recently awarded by the West Shore Foundation. The Foundation awarded 13 grants which totalled approximately $22,000 during Opening Day. She also extended an invitation to the Board and community to join her at the 7th Annual West Shore Foundation Gala on Saturday, October 22.

Mr. F. Kambic previewed the Finance Committee report and Mrs. Crocenzi provided an update from the York Adams Academy.

Mrs. Moyer shared that Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center (CPACTC) had a record number of students apply to attend CPACTC this school year and asked that Dr. Stoltz arrange for the Board to learn more about CPACTC's upcoming construction project.

Mr. Guistwhite shared that he and Dr. Stoltz attended the West Shore Marching Band’s Senior Night and encouraged the community to attend the West Shore Classic on Saturday, October 1, or one of the other competitions being hosted at the West Shore Stadium this year. Mrs. Crocenzi added that middle school students have been invited to participate in a Bands in the Stands event during the home football game on September 30, at the West Shore Stadium.

Recognition by the Board

Red Land Senior Deanna Tarchyla and Cedar Cliff Senior Ava DiCello shared some of their experiences at their respective high schools and their future plans.

Employees of the Summer Quarter
The Board recognized Allison Freeman and Daniel Grejda, Elementary Math Coaches, and John Kitner, Custodian at Washington Heights Elementary, as the Employees of the Summer Quarter for 2022-2023.

 

The Board approved bills for the period August 18, 2022, through September 2, 2022, listing checks which totalled $1,932,529.63.

Max Parameters Debt Resolution
The Board approved a resolution authorizing the incurrence of non-electoral debt by the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2022.

Board Policies
The Board approved revisions to Board Policy 113.2 Positive Behavior Support and Policy 113.3 Screenings and Evaluations for Students with Disabilities.

CAIU Agreement for Title IVA Nonpublic Programs and Services
Under Title IVA, local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to provide Title IV supports and services to eligible nonpublic schools. The Board approved a Title IVA Consortium Contract for the 2022-2023 school year with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU) to provide these services.

PSBA Officer Elections
The Board approved voting for the PSBA candidates as presented and directed the Board Secretary to cast a unanimous vote with the PSBA Credentials Committee.

Support Services - Sunbelt Staffing
The District continues to have difficulty hiring and retaining support staff, in particular Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) and Special Education Paraprofessionals. The Board approved an agreement with Sunbelt Staffing, LLC to provide these support services.

Agreement for Nursing Services
The District continues to experience difficulty securing substitute nurses to cover short-term absences. The Board approved a contract with PA Lifesharing, LLC for temporary/substitute nursing services.

Memorandum of Understanding with UPMC Pinnacle
UPMC Pinnacle has offered to provide, at no charge to the District, assistance in conducting school-based health screenings. The Board approved a Community Health Initiatives Memorandum of Understanding with UPMC Pinnacle to enable this assistance.

Red Land High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Workshop
The Board approved a trip for FBLA students to participate in a workshop at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in the Pocono Mountains from Saturday, October 29, 2022, through Monday, October 31, 2022.

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

School Crossing Guard and Traffic Control Services Agreement
The Board approved an agreement with the West Shore Regional Police Department to provide crossing guard and traffic control services at/near Washington Heights Elementary beginning September 19, 2022, and ending June 2, 2023.  

Agreement with CCRES for Interim Director of Human Resources Services
The District is currently in the process of filling the Director of Human Resources vacancy. To support a cohesive transition through the coming months in the human resources office and to ensure compliance with standard procedures and government regulations, the District is looking to obtain the services of a human resources official on an interim basis. The Board approved an agreement for interim human resources director services to be provided by CCRES.

School Resource Officer Agreements
After several public meetings and discussions on how to enhance school security, the Board provided Administration with direction to seek a partnership with our local municipalities to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) at each high school. The Board approved agreements with Fairview and Lower Allen Townships for School Resource Officers to start between January and September 2023.

Finance Committee Report
The Finance Committee Report was shared with the Board.

General Announcements
Dr. Stoltz invited the Board to attend the football game at the West Shore Stadium after the meeting and reminded everyone that Friday would be a Remote Learning Day for all students.

No students addressed the Board. Shari Minnier, Etters, expressed her concerns regarding private school transportation times for students attending Saint Theresa School.