Minutes 2012_05_03 Page 1

Council Rock School District

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Newtown, Pennsylvania

Thursday, May 3, 2012

MINUTES – Public Meeting of the Board of School Directors

I. Call to Order – Mrs. Kyle McKessy, President presided over the public monthly meeting of the Council Rock Board of

School Directors. She convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Chancellor Center, 30 N. Chancellor Street, Newtown, PA.

The meeting was recorded by the Council Rock School District and was broadcast “live” in all five municipalities. The

following individuals were present:

School Board Mrs. Kyle McKessy, President

Mrs. Wendi Thomas, Vice President

Mr. Richard Abramson, Esquire

Dr. Paul Anagnostakos (Absent)

Mr. Robert Donnelly

Mr. Jerold Grupp (Absent)

Mrs. Bernadette Heenan (Absent)

Dr. Bill Foster

Mrs. Patricia C. Vaccaro-Sexton

Mrs. Charlotte I. Walter, CEOE - Secretary

Derek J. Reid, Esquire - Solicitor

Staff: Mr. Barry Desko, Director of Secondary Education

Mrs. Joy McClendon, Director of Elementary Education/Curriculum Services

Mr. Robert Reinhart, Director of Business Affairs & Board Treasurer

Dr. Charles Lambert, Director of Special Services

Mr. Matthew Frederickson, Director of Information Technology

Mr. Doug Taylor, Supervisor of Operations

II. Routine Actions

Following the Pledge of Allegiance led by student Jessica Leaning, the „Newtown Sound‟ from Newtown Elementary School

directed by Mrs. Arner sang the National Anthem. The students sang another ensemble entitled “We Are the World”; a

beautiful performance.

Secretary Walter called the roll call and it was reported that the following board members were in attendance:

Present (6) Absent (3)

Mrs. McKessy Dr. Anagnostakos (Away on business)

Mrs. Thomas Mr. Grupp (Away on business)

Mr. Abramson Mrs. Heenan (Away/traveling)

Mr. Donnelly

Dr. Foster

Mrs. Sexton

Superintendent’s Report – Mr. Klein reported that the budget forum will be held on May 16th

.

Mr. Klein introduced Dr. Lambert who recognized the following as Transition Partners with the district: Dr. Lambert

expressed his appreciation to these individuals for independent functioning and to see the joy in watching kids make

progress.

Organization Recipient(s)

Bucks Co. Community College Marie Cooper & Marge Zipin

Bucks Co. Intermediate Unit #22 Charlotte Fennell & Allison Carroll

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Bucks County SPCA Nikki Thompson (Director of Education & Outreach)

Chartwells Kevin Bodo (South) & Beth Leber (North)

Skip Danio & Joe Twardowski

Churchville Nature Center Peg Mongillo (Education Director)

Council Rock Education Center Megan Cooper

Delaware Valley College (Parkhurst Dining Services) Tony Williams & Rachel Milburn

Goodwill Industries Maureen O‟Shaughnessy & Jayne Vadenais

Hatboro Baptist Church Pastor Doug Stratton

Interfaith Housing Development Corp. of Bucks Co. Sandy Mullican

Ivins House Darletta Berry-Johnson

Jesus Focus Ministries Mary Dougherty (Director of Food Pantry)

Newtown Athletic Club Linda Mitchell (Director of Public Relations)

Newtown Parks & Recreation Kathy Pawlenko (Director, Andy Levine (Chairman)

On the Border – Neshaminy Mall Jon Wolf

Phila. Biblical Univ. (now known as Cairn Univ.) Scott De Lair

Pine Run Retirement Community Kathleen Stewart (Exec. Director),

Sharon Smith, Mark Stein

St. Mary‟s Hospital Lil Schoenewolf, Helen Gordon, Marie Triglia & Stacy

Ferguson

St. Mary‟s Hospital Thrift Store Heidi Cekoric

UPS Robert Mayer & Rodney McDaniel

Miracle League – The Miracle League of Northampton Township is holding its 2nd

Invincible Dinner on Thursday, May 10th

at 5:30 p.m. at Northampton Valley Country Club. This year‟s honoree will be Rick Leonetti of Athletes Helping Athletes.

Anyone interested in attending, please contact Steve Bryer at (215) 407-7411. Tickets are $150.00 per person and must be

purchased in advance. All proceeds will benefit the Miracle League.

CR Jazz Night – Council Rock School District will present its 13th

Annual Jazz Night at 7:00 p.m. May 11th

at Newtown

Middle School. There is no admission charge. Jazz bands from Council Rock High Schools North and South; Newtown,

Richboro & Holland Middle Schools; and Maureen M. Welch, Newtown & Hillcrest Elementary Schools will be performing.

CR Media Festival – The Elementary Media Festival will take place on May 16th

at Newtown Middle School. There will be

a participant reception from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. for all who submitted projects to this year‟s festival. The award ceremony will

begin at 7:00 p.m. This year, all certificates will be distributed at the festival to those in attendance (the rest of the

certificates will be sent to the schools), and all participants will be recognized during the award ceremony. Recognition will

also be given to finalists in the various project and grade level categories as well as our logo contest winners and the Energy

Film Festival elementary winner. All in our school community are welcome to attend. Information is posted on http:

//www.crsd.org/mediafestival.

Public Comment

Allison MacGahan - Co-President of Council Rock Education Foundation - explained that the Foundation has two

opportunities coming up that allow us to recognize individuals who make a difference both in our schools and in our

community.

On May 31st CREF will be hosting their 2

nd Outstanding Community Partner Award breakfast. They will be honoring Rick

Leonetti, Sr., founder of „Athletes Helping Athletes‟ and Dave Callahan, owner of Newtown Hardware. Please email

cref.legacy@gmail.com for more information. Also, look for information coming soon on our webpage: www.crsd.org/cref.

Additionally, the Education Foundation is running their staff appreciation program throughout the year, but especially as the

school year comes to a close and parents seek ways to acknowledge staff members who have made a difference in their

child‟s lives. This is a gift that requires no wrapping or shopping and is a most appropriate show of appreciation. A donation

can be made to the Education Foundation in a staff member‟s name and a student designed card will be sent to the staff

member of members acknowledging the donation. Staff members have very much appreciated this gift in the past. All

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proceeds go to funding grants for innovative education programs throughout the district. More information will be coming

soon to our webpage: www.crsd.org/cref. She thanked the community for their continued support of the Council Rock

Education Foundation.

Diana Nolan from P.A.R.E. spoke about the use of „Clear Play‟ and reported that the use of it is legal.

Nancy Carroll from Newtown Borough addressed the board relative to the technology transition program. She also spoke

about the following three policies to be discussed. She requested that the policies be put up on the screen so the audience

and public can see them when they are being reviewed.

III. Discussion

Discipline Policies (First read)

o Policy 218 – Pupils/Student Discipline SO Policy 218

o Policy 218.3 – Pupils/Drugs and Controlled Substances SO Policy 218.3

o Policy 218.10 – Pupils/Bullying/Cyberbullying SO Policy 218.10

Much discussion arose regarding these policies. There is only a small change to Policy 218.10 – and it was

explained that PA Statute requires us to review this policy every three years to be sure it is in compliance with the

Public School Code.

It was requested that conversation be deferred until the meeting of May 17, 2012.

IV. Items for Board Approval

A. Middle Bucks Institute of Technology 2012-2013 Proposed General Fund Budget Proposal BA RES

BA BUD

The administration recommends the authorization of the expenditures of the 2012-2013 Middle Bucks Institute of

Technology General Program for the period July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 as set forth in the submitted Budget

Proposal as indicated in the attachments noted.

Mr. Abramson moved, seconded by Mrs. Thomas, passed unanimously with a voice vote, to authorize the

expenditures of the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology General Program for the period July 1, 2012 to June 30,

2013, as set forth in the submitted Budget Proposal, as contained in the above attachments.

B. 2012-2013 Textbooks and Resource Materials CU Listing

Mrs. Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Donnelly, passed unanimously with a voice vote, for the approval of the

2012-2013 Textbooks and Resource Materials as contained in the attachment, at a cost not to exceed $202,654.36,

subject to audit.

V. Committee Reports

Academic Standards Committee - Mrs. Thomas reported there was no meeting this evening prior to

the board meeting. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at the

Chancellor Center.

Facilities Committee – Mr. Taylor reported that discussion regarding moving forward with Holland

Elementary School renovations was an item. Goodnoe Elementary is moving toward the design

phase of renovations. Also, repairs throughout the district were shared. The next scheduled meeting

will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at The Chancellor Center.

Finance Committee – Mr. Donnelly referred to Mr. Reinhart to explain that discussion took place

relative to the preparation for the preliminary 2012-13 budget. Discussion took place regarding the

hiring of an independent auditor. The Food Service (Chartwell‟s) was discussed. The next meeting

is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at The Chancellor Center.

Bucks Co. Intermediate Unit #22- Mrs. Sexton spoke and reported that at the last meeting, discussion

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took place regarding the offering of virtual programs, a vision program for the future. The next

scheduled meeting will be held at the BCIU on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

MBIT- Dr. Foster reported that the next scheduled meeting will be held at MBIT on Monday, May

14, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

It was reported that graduation ceremonies for the high schools will take place on Monday, June 11, 2012 –

with CRHS-North being at 4:00 p.m. (rain or shine) and CRHS-South will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Solicitor‟s Report – Mr. Reid, Esquire reported that an executive session will be held after this meeting for

discussion of collective bargaining issues.

VI. Public Comments - None

VII. Board Comments - None

Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlotte I. Walter, CEOE, Secretary

Council Rock Board of School Directors