Author: Bethany Hofstetter
Last saved by: Microsoft Office User
Company: Shaler Area School District

February 12, 2020 – COW Meeting

SHALER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Committee of the Whole Meeting
February 12, 2020 – Administration Building 
Minutes

The Board of School Directors of the Shaler Area School District held a Committee of the Whole Meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at the Shaler Area Administration Building, Glenshaw, PA, with Mr. James Tunstall, School Board President, presiding. This meeting began at 7:43 p.m.

Board Members Present:	Mrs. Suzanna Donahue
Mr. James Fisher
Mr. Tim Gapsky
Dr. April Kwiatkowski
	Mr. Jason Machajewski 
	Mrs. Jeanne Petrovich 
Mrs. Eileen Phillips
	Mr. Steve Romac
Mr. James Tunstall

Others Present:	Mr. Sean Aiken, Superintendent
Dr. Bryan O’Black, Assistant Superintendent
Ms. Sherri Ludwig, Director of Business Affairs
Dr. Kathleen Graczyk, Director of Student Services
Mr. Matt Hoffman, Solicitor 
Zoe Babbit, Student Representative

							
Notice of this meeting was posted as required.

•	Mr. James Tunstall called the meeting to order at 7:43 p.m.

•	Mr. George Tepshich, band director, shared that the band uniforms are due to be replaced. Most uniforms are made to last 10 years. In 2017, the band started the conversation of the need for new uniforms; in 2018, he did all of the research of uniform options; and in May 2019 started the design process and got three quotes. There is a 180-day turn-around for the project so a decision will need to be made this month or next to have the uniforms for the fall. The new uniforms will have moisture-wicking fabric and be machine washable. There also is a heavier raincoat included in the purchase for use in wet and/or colder weather. The band plans to purchase 130 new uniforms. 

•	Brian McCall, engagement partner with Maher Duessel, presented the audit report for the year ending June 30, 2019. He reviewed the required audit communications, financial highlights, a breakdown of the fund balance and fund balance comparisons, the general fund revenues, and other information including the management letter. Dr. Kwiatkowski asked if there was enough in the CRR fund. Ms. Ludwig said that it would be nice to have more. She suggested placing some money in it each year to build up the amount in reserves. 

Dr. O’Black then announced the following Educational Items:

ITEM
#

EDUCATION ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

SUP
#

ACTION 
TAKEN

A.1 | Approve the Shaler Area School District Calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. | A.1 |

A.2

Approve the PA School Code, Section 1502 Resolution – Official Local School District Holidays for the 2020-21 school year as follows:
November 27, 2020
December 24, 2020
December 28, 2020
April 2, 2021

A.2

A.3

Approve the first reading of the following revised policies:
a.	Policy No. 012 – Principles for Governance & Leadership
b.	Policy No. 220 – Student Expression/Distribution & Posting of Materials
c.	Policy No. 251 – Homeless Students
d.	Policy No. 913 – Non-school Organizations/Groups/Individuals

A.3

A.4

Approve the second reading of the following revised policy:
a.	Policy No. 233 – Suspension & Expulsion

A.4

•	Mr. Romac asked why December 22 is a half-day. Dr. O’Black explained that the early dismissal alternated between the day before Thanksgiving and the day before winter break. After some discussion, the board members stated they preferred the half-day be before Thanksgiving. Mr. Gapsky suggested moving the half-day from December 22 to December 23 and adding an additional day to spring break. Mr. Aiken said that typically students have seven scheduled days off for spring break but that they could look at it as a possibility. Mr. Romac and Mr. Gapsky said the day would provide a buffer day in the event of snow cancellation make-up and protect the full week of spring break. Dr. Kwiatkowski expressed concern with scheduling 10 days off right before standardized testing. Dr. Kwiatkowski also questioned why the first make-up day was listed as January.

Dr. O’Black then announced the following Information Items:

Information Items:

1.	Student Representatives – Zoe Babbit highlighted a number of events that happened and are scheduled at the high school including a school dance, the upcoming musical, and community service initiatives. Mr. Aiken said the Post-Gazette recently featured photos of Shaler Area students performing in its list of upcoming high school musicals. 

2.	SAEF Foundation – Dr. Kwiatkowski shared that the Taste of Shaler Area is approaching. Mr. Romac said there were currently 21 tickets sold and he hopes it will sell out like last year. 

3.	Policy Committee Meeting – Wednesday, February 26, 2020 – 5:00 PM

Ms. Ludwig then announced the following Finance Items:

ITEM
#

FINANCE & OPERATION ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

SUP
#

ACTION
TAKEN

C.1 | APPROVE FUND PROFILES: | |
| A. | General Fund – Schedule of Bills and Addendum | C.1A |
| B. | Cafeteria Fund – Schedule of Bills | C.1B |
| C. | Budget Transfers | C.1C |
| D. | Year-to-Date Financial Reports | C.1D |
| E. | Fund Profiles and Investments | C.1E |
| F. | Bond Proceeds – Schedule of Bills | C.1F |
| G. | Student Activity Funds & Investments – High School, Middle School and Elementary School – October 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019 | C.1G |
 
C.2 | Cafeteria Fund Operating Statement | C.2 |
C.3 | Approve the Shaler Area School District's Audit Report and Financial Statements for year ending June 30, 2019 as prepared by Maher Duessel. | C.3 |
C.4 | Approve additional ABC Transit personnel. | C.4 |
C.5 | Approve an additional bus stop. | C.5 |

•	Mr. Tunstall then invited the board to speak on any other business.
o	Dr. Kwiatkowski said she was in the high school the previous evening and noticed a lot of adults and students walking through the halls. She said she knows the district has a lot of events going on but has concerns with the public having access to the building. Mr. Aiken said in previous years, the district has had one flex employee, and he knows that it was hard on staff. He said he would look into the issue and make sure that the gates are in place to limit building access. 
o	Mr. Aiken announced that the next week would continue the district’s Respect for All campaign with Respect for Others – Random Acts of Kindness. He said this year the schools were free to promote this campaign in their own ways. He added that every school has a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program that includes respect. He also noted the number of swimmers and bowlers who qualified for WPIALS. Basketball also in playing on Monday’s playoffs and indoor track athletes are competing. Mr. Aiken also noted that the Fitness Center log book is in the back of Central Office for review and the athletic director is approving all hours and submitting them to the business office. 

•	Mr. Tunstall then recognized the public to speak on any other items:
•	Becky Evans, 2400 Mt. Troy Road, the vice president of the Reserve Primary parent group, spoke on behalf of Reserve parents. She said there is concern with the school’s counseling services and the fact that Reserve students seem to have less access to a school counselor. She said the parents understand that their school population doesn’t justify a full-time counselor, but they are concerned with the inequity. Mr. Aiken explained how the school counselor’s schedule currently works and said the school board and administration have been working toward a solution to provide the services that are available to other students in the district’s primary schools. 
•	Michael LaBella, a senior, spoke for himself and four other high school students in attendance to address Policy 123.2 regarding eligibility. Michael said he is a drum major in the marching band and involved in other activities. He said while he believes tutoring is a good idea for student athletes who are struggling, he said the policy negatively affects other students. He explained how he was absent for two school-approved field trips and because grades were not inputted in the gradebook in time, he then was required to attend tutoring in accordance with the policy because of work that he had not yet submitted. He and the other high school students proposed a one to two-week grace period, especially at the beginning of a grading period. Mrs. Donahue asked if the issue was the policy or implementation or interpretation of the policy. Frank Babicka, a sophomore in attendance, said they feel the policy is in the best interest of students, but the implementation is hurting more students than it helps. Dr. Kwiatkowski said the policy is messaged to be broader and to ensure students were successful. Mr. Aiken said there is an element of common sense involved in enforcing a policy. He suggested administration reach out to the high school administration to discuss the students’ concerns. Frank suggested also taking into account a student’s previous grading period’s grades. 

After no further items were presented, final adjournment occurred at 8:42 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Bethany Baker
Assistant Board Secretary