POLYTECH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION January … · 2 Board Discussion Admissions Update Mr. Johnson provided the Board with an update on admissions. Mr. Johnson reminded the

Minutes, Board of Education January 14, 2020

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POLYTECH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION January 14, 2020

Mr. Duane Hammond, President, called the regular meeting of the Board of Education of the POLYTECH School District to order at 6:42 p.m. The meeting was held in the John S. Walls Board Room, POLYTECH School District, Woodside, on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

Present: Mr. Duane Hammond, Ms. Cynthia Brown, Mrs. Deanna Rigby, Senator Nancy Cook and Dr. R. J. Chandler Sr.

Absent: Mrs. Sandy Walls Also present were Dr. Amelia Hodges, Dr. Vienna Walker, Nicholas Johnson, Dr. Betsy

Jones, Dr. Ryan Fuller, Bob Bogdziewicz, Michelle Mick and Selena Martinez Public: None Approval of Agenda

The following amendments were made to the agenda; remove board discussion Item K,

Student Matter(s).

Dr. R. J. Chandler Sr. moved, seconded by Mrs. Rigby, to approve the amended agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

Mrs. Rigby moved, seconded by Ms. Brown, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 10, 2019. Motion passed unanimously.

Financial Reports Mr. Johnson reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure reports for the month ending December 31, 2019. Mr. Johnson noted that we are exactly half way through the year and are progressing on track. Senator Cook moved, seconded by Mrs. Rigby, to approve the Revenue and Expenditure reports for the month ending December 31, 2019. Motion passed unanimously. Petty Cash and Internal Funds Reports were shared with the Board for information only.


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Board Discussion Admissions Update Mr. Johnson provided the Board with an update on admissions. Mr. Johnson reminded the Board of the statewide timeframe and various deadlines for the admissions process. The deadline to apply as an upcoming freshman or ninth grader was January 8, 2020. The lottery is scheduled to run on January 30, 2020. Once the lottery has been run and a waiting list ranked, we will bring this back to the Board in February for approval of the list to start making offers. Overall, 694 completed applications were received, up from 651 last year. Athletic Update Mr. Johnson updated the Board as to the process regarding the Athletics Committee established as a result of the vote taken at the November Board meeting. The Committee has been selected and will hold the first meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the Principal’s Conference Room. The first meeting will focus mainly on options moving forward regarding conference affiliation as well as the next steps overall. Mr. Johnson informed the Board that at their January meeting, the Henlopen Athletic Conference voted to allow POLYTECH School District to opt out in football only for the next two-year cycle beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Johnson said that we received considerable support from our member districts and the conference overall. Mr. Johnson noted that this would be only for the next two-year cycle; however, there are larger discussions around the long-term solutions that we as POLYTECH will be a part of. Perkins V State Plan Dr. Hodges reviewed the Perkins V State Plan with the Board. Dr. Hodges noted that Perkins funding is designated for the development and enhancement of CTE programs at the secondary and post-secondary levels. The State Board of Education (SBE) serves as the eligible state agency and is responsible for leading the state plan development, establishing administrative and evaluation routines, providing oversight of the distribution of federal funds, and coordinating activities with the Delaware Workforce Development Board (DWDB); Further, the Perkins program is currently organized as part of the combined state plan under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which is managed by the DWDB, to better link education and workforce training programs. The State Board of Education CTE Subcommittee was formed to assist in the development of the current transition plan and the full state plan. The draft plan is up for public comment through February 21, 2020. Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on or before February 21, 2020. Notable programmatic shifts include the following:


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Career Pathway Alignment: requires the alignment of instructional programs across learning levels and the alignment of credential and degree programs across the postsecondary system

Middle School Programs: defines middle grades as grades five (5) through eight (8) to be based on the LEA determination, with a focus on student advisement and readiness for high school

Student Equity: provides additional support for student remediation and advisement and requires the state to align supports for learners who are at-risk

Operational Routines: creates a performance routine, stemming from a local needs assessment to connect those documented needs to the allocation of resources to improve learner outcomes

Notable fiscal shifts include the following:

Reserve Fund: increases the reserve fund percentage from 10% to 15% to be issued as a competitive grant or as a performance-based fiscal model focused on high quality career pathways, student equity, and innovation

Alternative Postsecondary Formula: expands postsecondary CTE programs and creates an alternate postsecondary funding formula that issues a base amount of funding and an additional allocation based on the enrolled percentage of low-income adults

Pass-through Percentages: requires 85% of funds be passed-through to secondary and postsecondary institutions, of which 15% will be issued under the reserve fund and the remaining 70% will be split between secondary (80% of remaining funds) and postsecondary (20% of remaining funds) institutions

Wellness Committee Update Dr. Walker shared the following information with the Board related to the Wellness Committee:

The Donovan Group representative held a meeting with focus group of 15 POLYTECH students

Students developed the following for which the Donovan Group will create deliverables: Logos – social media, T-shirts, buttons and bracelets Public service announcements Billboard advertisement Script for announcement at athletic events Window decals Screen savers with designed logo

The Wellness Committee and high school staff will continue to work with the Department of Public Health, DOE and other agencies to increase awareness and develop tools to combat vaping.

Board Action


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Public Comment on Board Action Items No public comment on Board Action Items. Financial Position Report Mr. Johnson presented the Financial Position Report to the Board for approval. Mr. Johnson reminded the Board that several times per year the District is required to report their overall financial position and complete a report that projects our local balance at various times throughout the year. The district is on target to maintain the $6.0 million balance as a reserve to the end of the year. Senator Cook moved, seconded by Dr. R.J. Chandler Sr., to approve the Financial Position Report as presented. Motion passed unanimously. BP 4520.4 – Paid Parental Leave Procedures for the Birth or Adoption of a Child – 2nd Reading Dr. Hodges presented BP 4520.4 – Paid Parental Leave Procedures for the Birth or Adoption of a Child as a second reading. Dr. Hodges noted that the change is intended to align with agreed upon changes agreed to among district business managers and HR directors, to correct language inconsistencies and to ensure Paid Parental Leave use practices align to concurrent FMLA practices (60 workdays). The policy is as follows: BP 4520.4 - PAID PARENTAL LEAVE PROCEDURES FOR THE BIRTH OR ADOPTION OF A CHILD

EFFECTIVE DATE: APRIL 1, 2019

I. PurposePURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines under which full-time employees may exercise their right to take paid leavepaid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child pursuant to Section 1333 of Title 14 of the Delaware (“Section 1333”). II. DefinitionsDEFINITIONS

A. Full-time employee means a full-time State pension eligible employee employed by a reorganized school district, charter school, or vocational school district for at least 12 consecutive months in a 9 month, 10 month, 11 month, or 12 month position requiring that the employee work 30 or more hours of work during a standard workweek.

B. 12 weeks of paid leavepaid parental leave means 12 workweeks 60 consecutive

scheduled workdays, excluding holidays. The fact that a holiday may occur within a week of paid leave has no effect in that the week counts as a week of paid leave. If,


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however, an employee is not expected to work for an entire week (e.g. school closing for Winter Holiday, Spring Break, or Summer Break), the week does not count against the employee’s paid leave entitlement.

C. The District refers to the Polytech School District. D. Intermittent leave is leave taken in separate blocks of time due to a single qualifying

reason. If an employee works less than 12 months in a year and 60 consecutive workdays of paid parental leave cannot be taken due to the end of the school year, paid leavepaid parental leave shall end on the last scheduled workday and resume on the first scheduled workday of the next school year. taken for a period ending at the end of a school year, and resuming at the beginning of the following school year, is leave taken consecutively rather than intermittently. All other paid parental leave must be taken for 60 consecutive workdays.

E. Reduced leave schedule is a leave schedule that reduces an employee’s usual number

of working hours per workweek, or per workday. F. Paid leave refers to the paid leave taken pursuant to Section 1333(a). GF.Parent means legal parent as evidenced by a birth certificate, adoption documents,

court order, or other legal documents. HG.Multiple births/adoptions means more than one child is born from the same

pregnancy, or more than 1 one child who is 6 years old or younger is adopted through the same adoption process, or on the same date.

IH. FMLA refers to the Family and Medical Leave Act. JI. STD refers to Short Term Disability. KJ. Written notice means written notice to the District’s Human Resources

DepartmentLeave Coordinator. III. Paid Leave ENTITLEMENT

A. A full-time employee employed by a reorganized school district, charter school, or vocational school district for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the date of the birth or adoption (see definition of “full-time employee” in Section II.A.) shall be entitled to 12 weeks 60 workdays of paid leavepaid parental leave upon the date of the birth of a child of the employee, or upon the date of adoption by the employee of a child who is 6 years old or younger. The birth of a child, or adoption of a child, must have occuroccurred on or after April 1, 2019. Multiple births/adoptions do not increase the length of paid leavepaid parental leave.


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B. Paid leavePaid parental leave is for the purpose of caring for and bonding with the child. If the employee is not caring for and bonding with the child, the employee is not eligible for paid leavepaid parental leave. If, for whatever reason, the child is no longer in the care of the employee, the paid leavepaid parental leave shall terminate.

C. The entitlement to paid leavepaid parental leave shall expire at the end of the 12-month

period beginning on the date of the birth or adoption creating the entitlement to paid leavepaid parental leave. If, for example, an employee entitled to paid leavepaid parental takes 6 weeks30 days of paid leavepaid parental leave during this 12-month period, there will be no entitlement to take the remaining 6 weeks30 days of paid leavepaid parental leave subsequent to the expiration of the 12-month period following the birth or adoption creating the entitlement to paid leavepaid parental leave. If an employee receiving paid leavepaid parental leave terminates employment prior to the end of the 12-month period, there shall be no payment for unused paid leavepaid parental leave.

D. Paid leavePaid parental leave cannot be taken on an intermittent basis (unless taken at

the end of a school year), or be used to create a reduced leave schedule. Paid leavePaid parental leave must be taken for a continuous block of time up to a maximum of 12 weeks60 workdays.

E. If two District employees are eligible for paid leavepaid parental leave for the same birth

or adoption, each of the employees is eligible for 12 weeks60 workdays of paid leavepaid parental leave. Paid leavePaid parental leave for both of the employees ends at the expiration of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the birth or adoption.

F. Employees eligible for paid parental leave cannot use accumulated sick leave to extend

paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child beyond the 60 workdays of paid parental leave provided by Section 1333(a).

IV. Right to Use Accumulated Sick LeaveNON-QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES A. Employees who are not eligible for paid leavepaid parental leave may use accumulated sick leave upon the birth or adoption of a child pursuant to Section 1333(c). Employees eligible for paid leave cannot use accumulated sick leave to extend paid leave upon the birth or adoption of a child beyond the 12 weeks of paid leave provided by Section 1333(a), unless otherwise approved by the District’s Board of Education B. The right to use accumulated sick leave pursuant to Section 1333(c) is without regard to length of employment V. Impact on FMLA Leave Entitlement and STDIMPACT ON FMLA LEAVE ENTITLEMENT AND STD The use of paid leavepaid parental leave, or the use of accumulated sick leave under § 1333(c), shall run concurrently with FMLA leave, and STD. If, for example, a full-time employee uses 12 weeks60 workdays of paid leavepaid parental leave, the use of the 12 weeks60 workdays of


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paid leavepaid parental leave will also result in the use of 12 weeks60 workdays of FMLA leave. When the use of paid leavepaid parental leave runs concurrently with STD, STD shall pay 75% of the employee’s daily salary, and paid leavepaid parental leave shall pay 25% of the employee’s daily salary to equal 100% of pay. Utilization of STD does not extend an employee’s paid parental leave. VI. Notice and CertificationNOTICE AND CERTIFICATION

A. If an employee intends to take paid leavepaid parental leave upon the birth of the employee’s child, the employee shall provide the District written notice of intent to take paid leavepaid parental leave at least 30 days in advance of the expected date of birth. If an employee intends to take paid leavepaid parental leave based upon the adoption of a child, the employee must provide written notice of intent to take paid leavepaid parental leave at least 30 days’ in advance of the adoption, if the date of the adoption is foreseeable. If the date of the adoption is not foreseeable, the employee shall provide the District written notice of the date of adoption as soon as is practicable.

B. If an employee requests paid leavepaid parental leave based upon the birth or adoption

of a child, the employee shall provide documentation of the birth or adoption within 30 days of the birth or adoption event, or as soon as documentation is available. The name of a legal parent must appear on the birth certificate, a legal document establishing paternity, or a legal document establishing adoption. Situations where a legal document cannot be provided at the time of birth or adoption, or within a reasonable time thereafter, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Legal documents considered include a report of birth, a birth certificate, and an adoption order. The documents provided shall show the date of the birth or adoption, age of the adopted child, and name of the parent(s). An employee’s stepchild is not legally considered the child of the employee, unless the employee adopts the stepchild.

VII. Amendment or Repeal of Section 1333UNPAID EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE The Board reserves the right to revise or rescind this policy. If Section 1333 is amended, the policy will be revised to conform the policy to the amendment. If Section 1333 is repealed, this policy is null and void.An employee may request, without pay and without experience and seniority credit, salary computation, or pension eligibility, an unpaid leave of absence consistent with reasons provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act, up to 60 workdays and pursuant to their respective collective bargaining agreement, if applicable. Adopted – POLYTECH Board of Education – March 12, 2019 Revised – POLYTECH Board of Education – [INSERT DATE] Senator Cook moved, seconded by Ms. Brown to approve the second reading of BP 4520.4 – Paid Parental Leave Procedures for the Birth or Adoption of a Child and to enact as policy. Motion passed unanimously. BP 1105 – Procedure for Sale of Donated Vehicle – 1st Reading


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Dr. Hodges presented BP 1105 – Procedure for Sale of Donated Vehicles as a first reading. Dr. Hodges noted that the change is intended to move this policy from the Administration section to the Business section of Board Policies. The policy is as follows:

BP-11053650 - PROCEDURE FOR SALE OF DONATED VEHICLES

I. A minimum bid will be established based on the cost of materials to repair the car plus a

25% markup. Any bid submitted below this minimum bid will be rejected.

II. Competitive sealed bids will be accepted from staff members within three calendar weeks

of the posting of the vehicle.

A. Postings will be placed in the District Office, High School Office, Adult

Education Office, Custodial Office, and the Faculty Lounge.

B. Postings will include the following information.

1. The make, model, and year of the vehicle.

2. The person(s) that will be accepting the bids.

3. The times and locations that bids will be accepted.

4. The time and location that bids will be opened.

5. Minimum bid amount.

6. A description of the vehicle.

7. The location of the vehicle.

C. The vehicle will be awarded to the staff member with the highest bid submitted.

The highest bidder will have two calendar weeks to provide payment to the

Foundation Director. If payment is not received within this time period, or no

bids are submitted, the process will proceed to Section III.

III. Competitive sealed bids will be accepted from staff members, students and parents.

A. Postings will be included in the student section of the daily bulletin and in the

POLYTECH monthly newsletter to parents (Panther Chat). Postings will also be

placed in all locations highlighted in Section II-A. A bid opening date will be

established for three calendar weeks after the newsletter is mailed from

POLYTECH.

B. Postings will include the following information:








C. The vehicle will be awarded to the person with the highest bid submitted. The

highest bidder will have two calendar weeks to provide payment to the


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Foundation Director. If payment is not received within this time period, the next

highest bidder will be awarded the vehicle. This person will also have two

calendar weeks to provide payment. This process will continue until there are no

bidders remaining. If no bids are placed or no other bids are remaining on the

vehicle the process will proceed to Section IV.

IV. A new minimum bid amount will be established. Competitive sealed bids will be

accepted from staff members, students and parents.

A. Postings will be included in the student section of the daily bulletin and in the

POLYTECH monthly newsletter to parents (Panther Chat). Postings will also be

placed in all locations highlighted in Section II-A. A bid opening date will be

established for three calendar weeks after the newsletter is mailed from POLYTECH.

B. Postings will include the following information:








C. The vehicle will be awarded to the person with the highest bid submitted. The

highest bidder will have two calendar weeks to provide payment to the

Foundation Director. If payment is not received within this time period, the next

highest bidder will be awarded the vehicle. This person will also have two

calendar weeks to provide payment. This process will continue until there are no

bidders remaining. If no bids are placed or no other bids are remaining on the

vehicle the process will proceed to Section V.

V. If no bids are received from staff, students or parents, the vehicle will be placed on a lot

of a local business or will be sold at auction.

Adopted - Board of Education – July 20, 1998

Ms. Brown moved, seconded by Mrs. Rigby to approve the first reading of BP 1105 – Procedure for Sale of Donated Vehicles as a first reading. Motion passed unanimously.

BP 1106 – Staff Relationships and Supervision – 1st Reading

Dr. Hodges presented BP 1106 – Staff Relationships and Supervision as a first reading. Dr. Hodges noted that the change is intended to protect staff members and the school district from potential abuses of power and conflicts of interests and to provide clear guidance to all staff members about the appropriate supervisor-employee relationships and reporting requirements. The policy is as follows:


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BP 1106 STAFF RELATIONSHIPS AND SUPERVISION

I. DEFINITIONS

“Amorous Relationships” exist when individuals mutually and consensually

understand a relationship to be romantic and/or sexual in nature.

“Supervisor” is defined as anyone who has the delegated authority to hire,

promote, discipline, evaluate, grade or direct faculty, staff or students.

“Abuse of Power” is defined as the improper use of authority by someone who has

that authority because he or she holds a position of authority.

“Close relative” means a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent,

grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin, corresponding in-law,

“step” relation or any member of the employee’s household.

“Conflict of Interest” is defined as a situation that has the potential to undermine

the impartiality of a person because of the possibility of a clash between the

person's self-interest and professional interest or public interest.

“Power differential” is best defined as the inherently greater or enhanced power

and influence between two employees in which one must trust in the knowledge

and abide by the direction of the other, or where one may affect the terms and

conditions of the other’s employment.

II. PURPOSE

The POLYTECH School District acknowledges its responsibility to provide clear direction to

employees about the professional risks associated with consensual amorous and/or sexual

relationships in which a power differential between the parties exists.

It is not the District’s desire to discourage friendship among employees; however, consensual

amorous and/or sexual relationships may at some point lead to complications and significant

difficulties for all concerned – the employee, the supervisor, and the school district. Therefore,

consenting amorous and/or sexual relationships between supervisors and their subordinates are

forbidden.

The District recognizes that it cannot regulate such personal decisions but views them as

reason for concern for the following reasons:

A. Abuse of Power

Individuals entering into consensual amorous and/or sexual relationships involving a

power differential must recognize that (i) the reasons for entering such a relationship may

be a function of the power differential; (ii) where power differentials exist, even in

seemingly consensual relationships, consent is typically not a defense if a complaint of

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/person.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/person.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/professional.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/professional.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/public-interest.html


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sexual harassment or retaliation is brought; and (iii) the individual in the relationship with

greater power will bear the burden of accountability.

B. Conflict of Interest

Conflicts of interest, either actual or perceived, may arise in connection with consensual

amorous and/or sexual relationships between supervisors and subordinates possibly leading

to actual or perceived favoritism and/or sexual harassment. Similarly, conflicts of interest,

either actual or perceived, may arise when a supervisor supervises a close relative. A close

relative may work in the same building or program as a supervisor, but a close relative

shall not supervise, review, discipline, or assess a close relative.

III. REPORTING REQUIREMENT

Whenever a power differential or a conflict of interest exists, or may exist, in the context of a

consensual amorous and/or sexual relationship, the individual with the power or status

advantage is obligated to promptly disclose the existence of the relationship to his/her

immediate supervisor or to the Director of Personnel. The subordinate may make the

disclosure as well but is not required to do so.

Employees who may in the future be required to directly or indirectly supervise an employee

for whom they had a previous relationship as described herein, and believes it may not be in

his/her or the District’s best interest, shall immediately notify the Director of Personnel. The

subordinate may make the disclosure as well but is not required to do so.

This policy shall apply without regard to the gender and/or sexual orientation of the

employees in a relationship of the kind described herein. Employees who are legally

married, or united by civil union, prior to the implementation of this policy do not need to

report on their current marriage or union.

IV. ACTIONS, CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE AND/OR FAILURE TO COOPERATE

Individuals with the power status advantage involved in a consensual amorous and/or sexual

relationship or a conflict of interest who fail to report such a relationship as stipulated in

“Reporting Requirement” shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Employees who enter into a consensual amorous and/or sexual relationship with a

subordinate must realize that if a charge of sexual harassment is subsequently lodged, it will

be exceedingly difficult to prove immunity on grounds of mutual consent where a power

differential exists.

Employees who are subjects of sexual harassment complaints should expect any investigation,

in general, to be unsympathetic to a defense based upon consent when the facts establish that a

professional power differential relationship did exist between the two parties.

The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall re-assign one and/or both of the employees

in an existing relationship or a conflict of interest to eliminate or mitigate a situation whose

consequences might prove detrimental to the District or to either party in the relationship.


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Adopted [Insert Date]

Mrs. Rigby moved, seconded by Ms. Brown to approve the first reading of BP 1106 – Staff Relationships and Supervision as a first reading. Motion passed unanimously. BP 2122.12 – School Delays & Closings – 1st Reading

Dr. Hodges presented BP 2122.12 – School Delays & Closings as a first reading. Dr. Hodges noted that the change is intended to update policy to address any delay, closure or early dismissal and to update the policy to reflect current practices and allow flexibility in notification methods. The policy is as follows: BP-2122.12 CLOSING OF SCHOOLS - WEATHERSCHOOL DELAYS AND

CLOSURES

In the event of severe and adverse weather conditions, and should it become necessary to

close schools, the following plan shall be followed to notify parents and students, interested

agencies, and local organizations. There will be an announcement over local radio and television

stations.

Parents are encouraged to listen to any of these stations on bad weather mornings to find

out if schools are to be closed. The decision to call school off will be made prior to 6:45 a.m.

All stations above will then be notified and should have information on the air by 7:00 a.m., or

before school buses normally begin their routes.

If school, for any circumstance, must be call off during the day, the above stations will

likewise be notified.

Parents are encouraged to make sure that they are informed during cold weather and that

they, in all cases, dress their children accordingly.

The Superintendent or designee has the authority to close schools, delay opening, or dismiss

early in accordance with regulations issued by the Delaware Department of Education in the

event of hazardous weather or other emergencies which threaten the safety or health of students

or staff members.

The Superintendent will take such action after consultation with the appropriate district

personnel and/or emergency authorities.

Parents/Guardians, students, and staff members will be informed within the first week of each

school year as to how they will be notified in the event of emergency closings or early

dismissals.


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If school is closed or the school day is modified for an emergency, employees are to report for

work as directed and in accordance with the negotiated agreements.

Revised – POLYTECH Board of Education – [INSERT DATE]

Mrs. Rigby moved, seconded by Dr. R.J. Chandler Sr. to approve the first reading of BP 2122.12 – School Delays & Closings as a first reading. Motion passed unanimously.

BP 2125 – Use of Students in News Media Relations – 1st Reading

Dr. Hodges presented BP 2125 – Use of Students in News Media Relations as a first reading. Dr. Hodges noted that the change is intended to update policy to address notification and parental opt-out requirements under FERPA and to update policy to reflect the use of student photos in both media releases and district publications. The policy is as follows: BP-2125 - USE OF STUDENTS STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHS IN NEWS MEDIA

RELATIONSRELEASES AND PUBLICATIONS

Students who attend POLYTECH School District may have their pictures taken as participants in

various district activities and events. These pictures may be used in media releases, posted on

websites, or included in district publications.

Parents or guardians or adult students who do not wish their student’s picture to be used in this

manner must notify the building administrator in writing. Schools will communicate this policy

to parents/guardians and adult students on an annual basis.

The use of students’ pictures in release of information concerning the POLYTECH School

District's programs must be supervised and must be previewed in advance of all

suchpresentationsmedia releases and/or publications. The responsibility of assuring quality use

of students’ likenesses in the dissemination of media releases and/or publications from the

POLYTECH School District lies with the school principal and/or the Superintendent of Schools Ms. Brown moved, seconded by Dr. R.J. Chandler Sr. to approve the first reading of BP 2125 – Use of Students in News Media Relations as a first reading. Motion passed unanimously. BP 2221.32 – Police Department – Interrogations and Investigations – 1st Reading for Deletion


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Dr. Hodges presented BP 2221.32 – Police Department – Interrogations and Investigations as a first reading for deletion. Dr. Hodges noted that the change is intended to delete policy as it is not based on any regulatory requirements and the policy references other board policies that do not exist. The policy is as follows: BP-2221.32 - POLICE DEPARTMENT - INTERROGATION AND

INVESTIGATIONS

See BP-2221.2, BP-6251, BP-6281, BP-6282.

The POLYTECH School District Board of Education shall use the Delaware State Police

Guide for Administrators and the POLYTECH High School Student Rights Policy as its basic

policies and procedures concerning police/school relations as they relate to all students in the

POLYTECH School District. Additional administrative rules and regulations may be developed

by the Superintendent of Schools as is needed to fulfill these policies. A copy of the Delaware

State Police Guide for School Administrators appears following this policy in the POLYTECH

School District Board of Education Policy Manual.

Senator Cook moved, seconded by Ms. Brown to approve the first reading of BP 2221.32– Police Department – Interrogation and Investigations as a first reading for deletion. Motion passed unanimously. Employment Status/Personnel Dr. Walker made the following recommendation regarding personnel:

To accept the transfer of Lena Melvin-LaSalle from a 10 month permanent part-time Child Nutrition worker to a 12 month custodian, effective January 20, 2020

Dr. R.J. Chandler Sr. moved, seconded by Ms. Brown, to accept the personnel

recommendations as presented including those recommendations made during Executive Session. Employment at POLYTECH School District is contingent upon employment verification, education and other credential verifications, the receipt of satisfactory criminal background and child protection registry checks, and adherence to POLYTECH School District policies. Motion passed unanimously. Dr. Walker made the following recommendations regarding personnel:

To hire the following part-time employees:

LAST NAME FIRST NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE DATE

Benton Gabrielle Substitute Teacher 01/15/2020

Cashion Caitlin Substitute Teacher 01/15/2020


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Hoffmann Susan Clinical Liaison – High School 01/28/2020

Reed Loretta CPR Instructor 1/15/2020

Grimes Tirzah ESL Instructor 1/15/2020

Gonzalez Cynthia Family Literacy Assistant 1/15/2020

Carney Alaina Family Literacy Assistant 1/15/2020

Kellam Aaron Writing Coach 1/15/2020

Ford Rebekah Elinc Instructor 1/15/2020

Mrs. Rigby moved, seconded by Dr. R.J. Chandler Sr., to accept the personnel

recommendations as presented including those recommendations made during Executive Session. Employment at POLYTECH School District is contingent upon employment verification, education and other credential verifications, the receipt of satisfactory criminal background and child protection registry checks, and adherence to POLYTECH School District policies. Motion passed unanimously.

Overnight/Out of State Travel Dr. Hodges presented the following overnight/out of state travel to the Board for approval:

Wrestling coaches and team to attend the Delcastle Invitational Wrestling

Tournament in Wilmington, DE from January 3-4, 2020

Wrestling coaches and team to attend the State Wrestling Tournament in Lewes,

DE from February 28-29, 2020

Chris Shultz, Elaine Balcerak, William Roberts and 7 students to attend the

ProStart Competition in Wilmington, DE from February 27-28, 2020

Maryanne Grau, Cheryl Long, Betsy Jones and Devyn Nichols to attend the

Annual Conference on Adult Basic Education in Baltimore, MD from April 5-8,

2020

Jeremy McEntire and John Morris to attend the National Skills Coalition Summit

in Washington DC from February 3-5, 2020

Ed Bittner, Melissa Kristic, Sarah Sacksteder and Andrew Wootten to attend the

Middle States Social Studies Conference in Towson, MD from February 28-29,

2020

Senator Cook moved, seconded by Mrs. Rigby, to approve the overnight/out of state travel as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Public Comment

No public comment


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Student Report Selena Martinez shared the following highlights with the Board:

Senior projects

Ugly sweater contest

Winter concert

Interact Club Leaf clean up Roadside clean up Salvation Army March of Dimes

Athletics Kenel Decembre – 100 wins in wrestling Yaa Yaa Afriyie – scored her 1000th point in basketball

Chamber of Commerce – Media Day

Senior Andrew Garza – Principal nomination to USAF Academy

Upcoming events Anti-vape spots NHS carnival plans Exams MKL Jr. Day Second semester

PEA Report Mr. Bogdziewicz shared the following highlights with the Board:

Michael Macheska o Biology/Integrated Science o Bachelors from Penn State University o Masters from Wilmington University o 11th year teaching

Shaune Gorman o Special Education o Taught for 3 years at Campus Community School o Recently married o Played soccer for 4 years at Wesley College

Contract Negotiations o PEA Group – Bob Bogdziewicz, Deb Hurd, Pat Collins and Leon Harrison o District – Dr. Hodges, Mr. Johnson and Dr. Walker

High School Principal’s Report


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Dr. Ryan Fuller shared the following highlights with the Board:

High school introduces Black Student Union Club o Shervaun Hinton, Ivy Truitt and Rayn Roberts o Will attend Citywide Black History celebration at DSU on January 30 and

will bring back idea s for Black History Month in February

Senator Coons nominates Andrew Garza to the USAF Academy

Corinne Hofmann was recognized as an Innovative Delaware Educator Award Winner - $500 mini-grant

$1300 was awarded to our Culinary department from the DE Restaurant Association through a mini-grant

Yaa Yaa Afriyie scored her 1,000 point

Kelsie Burawski sign a letter of intent to play softball for Shippensburg University

PHS alumni Devon Ott was first recipient of a $5,000 Memorial Foundation Arts Scholarship in honor of Parkland School shooting victim Gina Montalto

We are now a Delaware-recognized world language proficiency school and we are all “proficiency champions.”

Upcoming Events o January 15 - ASVAB Testing o January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. day - No School o January 22 - End of MP2 o January 23 - Exams 1 & 3; Early dismissal at 11:50 am o January 24 - Exams 2 & 4; Early dismissal at 11:50 am o January 27 - Professional Development - No school for students o January 28 - 2nd semester begins

Adult Education Report Dr. Betsy Jones shared the following highlights with the Board regarding adult

education:

James H. Groves Adult High School o Approximately 60% increase in Groves enrollment compared to FY19 o Approximately 20% increase in In-School Credit enrollment compared to

FY19

ABE/ESL in Action o Approximately 20% decrease in enrollment compared to FY19 o 69% of total ABE population are enrolled in ESL levels of instruction o Expansion at Allen Frear Elementary to include family literacy

programming

Workforce Development o Mechanic Fundamentals: 2 sections started this week o Building Construction Core: 1 section started this week


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o DHSS Customized Training: Conversational Spanish and Upward Mobility/Leadership starting next week

o Ag Equipment & Heavy Vehicle Technician: statewide needs assessment underway

Upcoming events: o January 21 – Spring semester begins o January 29, 4:45 – 6:45 p.m. – USDOE Monitoring Visit o February 27, 7:00 p.m. – Career Training Graduation

Announcements Dr. Hodges reminded Board Members of upcoming events: A. Next Board Meeting – February 11, 2020 – 5:30 p.m.

B. Parent Night – February 13, 2020 – PAWS – 5:30 p.m.

C. Career Training Graduation – February 27, 2020 – 7:00 p.m.

D. SAT Testing – Juniors – March 4, 2020

E. School Musical – “Cats” – March 27, 28 & 29, 2020

F. NSBA Conference – April 3 – 7 , 2020 – Chicago, IL

G. Spring Concert – May 21, 2020 – 7:00 p.m. – High School Auditorium

H. Senior Awards – June 2, 2020 – 6:30 p.m. – High School Auditorium

I. Graduation – June 4, 2020 – 7:00 p.m. – Stadium

Mrs. Rigby moved seconded by Ms. Brown, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:57 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted, Dr. Amelia E. Hodges, Secretary

Documents

POLYTECH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION January … · 2 Board Discussion Admissions Update Mr. Johnson provided the Board with an update on admissions. Mr. Johnson reminded the