A brief summary of the topics presented and information shared during discussion is provided below.
Negotiations
Dr. Stoltz briefly recapped the negotiations update presented to the community on September 8 at Cedar Cliff High School. The presentation from that evening, as well as other information related to contract negotiations, can be found on the District website.
Finance
Development of the 2017-2018 General Fund Budget is beginning. All buildings will be provided with budget allocations in the coming weeks. In December, the first draft of the budget will be available. By January, the District will decide if a resolution to exceed the Act 1 Index is necessary. The Act 1 Base Index for 2017-2018 is 2.5%, and because the District’s market value/personal income aid ratio is greater than .4000, the District qualifies for an adjusted index of 2.9%.
The Board Finance Committee meets on the second Thursday of each month at 4:45 pm. in the Board Room at the Administration Center for Education. Community members are welcome and encouraged to attend committee meetings.
Facilities/Feasibility
In spring 2016, the District engaged an architectural firm, RLPS, to conduct a Feasibility Study. It has been approximately 10 years since the last study was conducted and much has changed since then in terms of demographics and facility usage. Information currently available about the status of our facilities and progress of the study include:
Facilities review found:
- seven buildings currently have no A/C (one goal is to have all buildings climate controlled)
- major systems at Red Mill and Crossroads are at the end of their first life cycle (25 years)
Demographic study will:
- review enrollment and potential boundary changes
- consider 21st century learning environments focused on communication/collaboration/creativity/critical thinking
Feasibility study will consider:
- consolidation of buildings (currently maintain fourteen schools)what to do with older buildings (renovate or build new)
- impact of future housing and business development
The focus of the Feasibility Study will be on the “big picture” moving forward. Due to some upcoming relief in debt service, the goal is to be “shovel ready” for a project in 2018. In the coming months, additional findings and recommendations resulting from the Feasibility Study will be discussed publicly at Board Finance Committee meetings, Study Sessions, Board Meetings, and specially scheduled public sessions. The District will be seeking input and feedback from students, staff, parents, and community members. Additional information on ways to get involved will be posted to the District website, social media sites, and emailed to parents and staff.
In addition to projects that may result from the Feasibility Study, the District plans to continue its ongoing capital improvement projects. For example, replacement of the boiler system at Cedar Cliff will likely occur in the summer of 2017. This project will be similar to what occurred at Red Land this past summer. Both of these boilers are/were more than 50 years old.
Lacrosse
Dr. Stoltz shared that the Board will take formal action in October to approve a proposal to allow for the creation of boys and girls lacrosse teams at both high schools. The lacrosse boosters will fund the program which requires District approval so the teams may compete against other PIAA sponsored schools.
Curriculum
Teachers and administrators are currently reviewing instructional materials for adoption in the following curricular areas: World Languages, K-5 Science, K-2 English Language Arts, and 7-12 English Language Arts.
West Shore Foundation Gala
The West Shore Foundation Gala is being held on October 15. The Gala will include entertainment and a silent and live auction. Numerous District staff members, as well as alumni from each high school (Johanna Murphy, CCHS, and Michael Cox, RLHS), are being recognized. For additional information about the Gala and the West Shore Foundation, please visit their website and/or facebook page.
Community members are reminded they can submit ideas for future topics of discussion to any District Voice representative.
Next Meeting: November 16, 2016