The Board of School Directors of the Shaler Area School District held a Combined Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in person at the Shaler Area Administration Building, Glenshaw, PA, and on Zoom, a virtual meeting platform, with Dr. April Kwiatkowski, School Board President, presiding. This meeting began at 7:29 p.m.

Board Members Present:	Mrs. Elizabeth Dunn 
	Mr. James Fisher
	Mr. Tim Gapsky
	Mr. Edward Kress
Dr. April Kwiatkowski
Mr. Jason Machajewski 
Mrs. Jeanne Petrovich
Mrs. Eileen Phillips
Mr. James Tunstall

Others Present:	Dr. Sean Aiken, Superintendent
Mrs. Sherri Jaffee, Director of Business Affairs
Mr. Matt Hoffman, Solicitor

Notice of this meeting was posted as required.

•	Dr. Kwiatkowski opened the meeting at 7:29 p.m. 

•	Dr. Kwiatkowski recognized the Public to Speak on Agenda Items.
•	Dorothy Petrancosta, 148 Skylark Drive, spoke about Item B.6 regarding the appointment of two Deans of Students.  She believes that this is a short-term solution and a thorough discussion about these positions needs to take place.  She also inquired about the bid request for Reserve Primary.  The contract was awarded on June 29 but the bids weren’t due until June 30.  Mrs. Jaffee explained that the bid was pulled on June 23 since the contractor had agreed to do the work on a scaled-down version. 

•	Dr. Kwiatkowski then called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and invited all in attendance to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

•	On a motion by Mr. Fisher and a second by Mr. Kress, the following Minutes were approved by all in attendance:  
•	Special Voting Meeting – June 8, 2022
•	Committee of the Whole Meeting – June 8, 2022
•	Voting Meeting – June 15, 2022
•	Special Voting Meeting – June 29, 2022

•	Dr. Kwiatkowski then announced items tabled or removed from the agenda:
•	There were none.

•	On a motion by Mr. Tunstall and a second by Mr. Fisher, the agenda was approved by all Board members in attendance.

Dr. Aiken then presented the following Education Items for approval:

ITEM
#	
EDUCATION ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL	SUP
#	ACTION 
TAKEN	
				
A.1	Approve the Student Code of Conduct for 2022-23. 	A.1	Student Code of Conduct 2022-23	
				
A.2	Approve the agreement with PAeducator.net for the 2022-23 school year at a cost of $3,000.	A.2	PAeducator.net	
				
A.3	Approve the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Services Agreement for 2022-23 to provide Special Education services as needed.	A.3	AIU Services Agreement	
				
A.4	Approve the submission of the PA Department of Education Instructional Time Template for the 2022-23 school year per Section 520.1 of the School Code.	A.4	Instructional Time Template 2022-23	
				
A.5	Approve an agreement with he Department of Human Services (DHS) and its contractors, Public Consulting Group (PCG) and Sivic Solutions Group (SSR) to participate in the PA School-Based ACCESS Program (SBAP) during the 2022-23 school year.	A.5	PA School-Based ACCESS Program	
				
A.6	Approve the submission of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Special Education Plan for the period July 2022 to June 2025.	A.6	Special Ed. Plan 2022-2025	

•	Mr. Kress asked who provides input to A.1.  Dr. Aiken explained that principals and administrators meet each year to review and make revisions.

Dr. Aiken then presented the following Information Items:

Information Items:

1.	Shaler Area Education Foundation – Mrs. Phillips said the committee met last week to begin planning for 2022-23.  The Foundation has a new president, Mrs. Kimberly Reed.  The foundation plans to focus on alumni relations and will hold separate meetings.  They would like to include young members to do social media.  They will have a table at Homecoming and have started planning for the Taste of Shaler Area in 2023.
  
2.	Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Aiken reported on the following:

•	Bryan Rincon Martinez, 2022 graduate, was drafted in the 14th round by the Philadelphia Phillies. 
•	Camera work at the high school is progressing and should be completed by the beginning of the school year.
•	Dr. Aiken and Dr. Howard traveled to Washington, D.C. at the end of June to attend the AASA conference.  Shaler Area was one of 17 school districts across the country recognized for student-centered learning.
•	The new design for the graduation gowns has been well received.  The rings on the sleeves represent all the municipalities and seem to be very popular.  
•	The state passed the budget which includes historic increases in funding across the Commonwealth.  SASD share of the Basic Ed subsidy will be a 6.5% increase and the Special Education subsidy will be a 7.4% increase over the 2021-22 funding.  The average Basic Education Subsidy has increased 1.4% or $157,000 since 2013-14.  In addition, the district will also receive funding for School Safety & Security and for Physical & Mental Health.  Mr. Kress agreed that it’s good to see the state is providing more funding.

Dr. Aiken then presented the following Discussion Item:

Discussion Item:

1.	Cooperative Sponsorship – Wresting – Shadyside Academy.  Dr. Aiken reported that the Athletic Director from Shadyside Academy reached out to Mr. Rauscher regarding wrestling.  Shadyside Academy dropped their program years ago.  They have a 9th grader who would like to participate in our program.  Shadyside Academy will pay their portion of the costs involved.  This is a one-year agreement.  It would need to be approved every year.

A motion was made by Mr. Tunstall with a second by Mr. Gapsky, to approve Items A.1-6. 

After no further discussion, these items were then approved by a roll call vote.

Motion Carried:   9 aye; 0 nay

Dunn	
Fisher	
Gapsky	
Kress 	
Machajewski	
Petrovich	
Phillips	
Tunstall	
Kwiatkowski	

Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	

ACTION:
Approved
Items A.1-6	

Dr. Aiken then presented the following Personnel items for approval:

ITEM
#	
PERSONNEL ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL	SUP
#	ACTION 
TAKEN	
				
B.1	Approve the following Resignations:		Resignations	
				
a.	Nicole Nowaczynski, Speech & Language Clinician, Elementary School & Reserve Primary, effective on August 1, 2022.			
				
b.	Melissa Goetz, Special Education teacher, Elementary School, effective on August 15, 2022.			
				
c.	Sydney Widdersheim, Special Education teacher, Middle School, effective retroactive to July 7, 2022.			
				
B.2	Approve the following FT 1.0 Act 93 Administrator:		Act 93 Administrator	
				
a.	Janel Biagiarelli, a graduate of Point Park University, as a FT 1.9 Assistant Principal, Middle School, replacing S. Howard, effective on or about August 3, 2022, at a salary level of $85,000 (prorated).	B.2a.		
				
B.3	Approve the following FT 1.0 Professional Employees (PE):		PE	
				
a.	Riley Diffenderfer, a graduate of The City College of New York, as a FT 1.0 ELL teacher at the Middle School, effective August 17, 2022, at a Master’s Step 4 salary level.	B.3a.		
				
B.4	Approve the following FT 1.0 Custodian:		Custodian	
				
a.	Linda Cancilla, as a FT 1.0 Custodian, replacing Howard Freund, effective on or about August 15, 2022.	B.4a.		

B.5	Approve the following FT 1.0 Long-Term Substitutes (LTS’s):		LTS’s	
				
a.	Steven Karscig, a graduate of Gannon University, as a FT 1.0 LTS, Mid-Level English teacher, for S. Heller, Middle School, effective on or about August 17, 2022 to on or about June 5, 2023 (the 2022-23 school year), at 85% of a Master’s Step 3 salary level.	B.5a.		
				
b.	Thomas Cooper, a graduate of Duquesne University, as a FT 1.0 LTS Social Studies teacher, High School, for N. Haberman, High School, effective August 17, 2022, to on or about June 5, 2023 (the 2022-23 school year), at 85% of the Master’s Step 3 salary level (prorated).	B.5b.		
				
B.6	Approve the following FT 1.0 Deans of Students for the 2022-23 school year:		Deans of Students	

a.	Justin Eskra, as a full-time Dean of Students at the High School, effective for the 2022-23 school year.  Compensation is per the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.			
				
b.	Christopher Catanese, as a full-time Dean of Students at the Middle School, effective for the 2022-23 school year.  Compensation is per the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.			
				
B.7	Approve the following FT 1.0 Clerical employees:		FT Clericals	
				
a.	Natalie Margolis, as a FT 1.0 Class II Paraprofessional, effective August 23, 2022, at a Bldg. to be determined.			
				
b.	Kimberly McCue, as a FT 1.0 Class II Paraprofessional, effective August 23, 2022, at a Bldg. to be determined.			
				
c.	April Gentile, as a FT 1.0 Class II Paraprofessional, effective August 23, 2022, at a Bldg. to be determined.			
				
B.8	Approve the following PT 0.5 Employee:		Fitness Center Coordinator	
				
a.	Robert Heinrich, as a PT 0.5 Fitness Center Coordinator at the High School, effective August 1, 2022, at an hourly rate of $20 per hour.	B.8a		
				
B.9	Approve the following Change in Status from Temporary Professional Employee (TPE) to Professional Employee (PE) for the following teachers:		TPE to PE	

	Name	Start Date			
a.	Steven Baleno	3/21/2019			
b.	Amanda Walters	8/20/2019			
c.	Erica McElhinny	8/20/2019			
d.	Christine Landon	8/20/2019			
				
B.10	Approve the supplemental contracts for Sponsors for the 2022-23 school year.  Compensation will be in accordance with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.	B.10	Sponsors	
				
B.11	Approve the following employee in the Summer Coding Camp, effective retroactive from to June 20 2022:		Summer Coding Camp	
				
a.	Coordinator/Teacher	Cari Kelm			
					
B.12	Approve the following employee for the Extended School Year (ESY) Program, Scott Primary, effective from 7/11/22 to 8/4/22.  Compensation will be in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement:		ESY Program Supervisor	
				
a.	Janel Biagiarelli (ESY Supervisor-retroactive to 7/5/22)			
				
B.13	Approve the supplemental contracts for Department Chairs for the 2022-23 school year.  Compensation will be in accordance with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.		Department Chairs	
				
	NAME	DEPARTMENT	GRADES			
a.	Erich Kaiser	Health/Physical Education	7-12			
b.	Lori Schultz (50%)	Title I & Academic Support	K-3			
c.	Heather DeAngelo (50%)	Title I & Academic Support	K-3			
						
B.14	Approve the supplemental contract for Grade Level Chair Coach – Grades K-3 (Non-Building Specific Positions) for the 2022-23 school year.  Compensation will be in accordance with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.		Grade Level Chair Coach K-3	
				
	NAME	GRADE LEVEL / CURRICULUM			
a.	Kimberly Campuzano	Second Grade – Science / Math			
					
B.15	Approve salary increases for Act 93 and Contracted Administrators, as per the Act 93 Agreement/Employment contracts, supplement attached, effective for the 2022-23 school year.	B.15	Act 93 Salary Increases	
				
B.16	Approve the following Day-to-Day Substitute Teacher:		Substitute Teacher	
				
a.	Nicole Nowaczynski, Speech & Language Impaired N-12			
				
B.17	Approve the following Day-to-Day Substitute Clericals:		Substitute Clericals	
				
a.	Jeannine Arrigo			
b.	Sandra Gasowski			

•	Mr. Gapsky asked if there was a not to exceed number of hours for Item B.8.  Dr. Aiken explained that the hours would not exceed 30 hours per week to maintain the part-time status.
•	Mr. Fisher asked about the designation N-12 in Item B.16.  Dr. Aiken explained the N was for newborn to 12th grade.
•	Mr. Gapsky informed the board that he would not be supporting B.15.  Mr. Tunstall asked for more information on the goal related increases.  Dr. Kwiatkowski reminded the board that the Act 93 evaluations are available for review.

A motion was made by Mr. Fisher with a second by Mrs. Petrovich, to approve Items B.1-5, B.6b, B.7-B.14 

After no further discussion, these items were then approved by a roll call vote.

Motion Carried:   9 aye; 0 nay

Dunn	
Fisher	
Gapsky	
Kress	
Machajewski 	
Petrovich 	
Phillips	
Tunstall	
Kwiatkowski	

Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	

ACTION:
Approved
Items B.1-5, B.6b, B.7-B.14	

A motion was made by Mr. Tunstall with a second by Mr. Fisher, to approve Item B.6a. 

After no further discussion, this item was then approved by a roll call vote.

Motion Carried:   8 aye; 1 nay

Dunn	
Fisher	
Gapsky	
Kress	
Machajewski 	
Petrovich 	
Phillips	
Tunstall	
Kwiatkowski	

Y	
Y	
Y	
N	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
N	

ACTION:
Approved
Item B.5	

•	Dr. Kwiatkowski stated that she objected to the position not the person.

A motion was made by Mrs. Petrovich with a second by Mrs. Phillips, to approve Item B.15. 

After no further discussion, these items were then approved by a roll call vote.

Motion Carried:   7 aye; 1 nay

Dunn	
Fisher	
Gapsky	
Kress	
Machajewski 	
Petrovich 	
Phillips	
Tunstall	
Kwiatkowski	

Y	
Y	
N	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	

ACTION:
Approved
Item B.15	

Mrs. Jaffee then presented the following Finance items for approval:

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	Fund Profiles	
	B.	Cafeteria Fund – Schedule of Bills	C.1B		
	C.	Bond Proceeds – Schedule of Bills	C.1C		
	D.	Year-to-Date Financial Reports	C.1D		
	E.	Fund Profiles and Investments	C.1E		
C.2	Cafeteria Operating Statement	C.2	Cafeteria Operating Statement	
				
C.3	Acknowledge receipt of the lists of unpaid taxes as submitted and further, the    Board charges PA Municipal Service (PAMS) with the responsibility for delinquent tax collections. Background:  The tax collectors responsible for collection of the real estate taxes have submitted lists of unpaid 2021 taxes for exoneration from collection and appointing PAMS for collection. 

The following represents unpaid taxes as of 06/30/2022:

Municipality	
Properties	
Amount	

Etna Borough	
198	
$154,688.53	

Millvale Borough	
366	
$301,742.95	

Reserve Township	
277	
$217,559.13	

Shaler Township	
579	
$883,417.49	

	C.3	Unpaid Taxes	
				
C.4	Approve a one-year contract with the Borough of Millvale for a School Resource Officer for fiscal year 2022-23 upon solicitor approval.	C.4	Millvale SRO	
				
C.5	Approve the security services contract with Capital Asset Protection, Inc., beginning August 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 at the following rates, pursuant to any legal contact addendum language approved by the solicitor	C.5	Security Services Contract	
				
	Position	Experience Level	Rate			
	Security Officer I	Less than 2 years security experience	$ 23.86			
	Security Officer II	19 years of service at SASD	$ 24.98			
	Site Supervisor	14 years of service at SASD	$ 25.74			
	Special Event Officers		$ 34.97			
						
C.6	Approval of technology iPad surplus equipment.		Surplus Equipment	
				
C.7	Approve partial exoneration of taxes on the Kether Torah properties incident to their transfer to the Jewish Burial and Cemetery Association, subject to court approval.  Background:  Approximately $21,000 of the $30,000 of back school taxes will be paid.		Partial Exoneration of Taxes	

•	Mr. Gapsky asked about extending the contract for Item C.4.  Dr. Aiken explained that Millvale has asked that we proceed with a 1-year MOU due to ongoing union negotiations with their police union and not knowing what their direct costs will be moving forward.  
•	Dr. Kwiatkowski asked about Item C.6.  Mrs. Jaffee explained that the Technology Department is getting rid of outdated equipment.  
•	Mr. Kress asked about the increase for Item C.4.  Mr. Tunstall explained that we pay for a service – not an individual.  Dr. Kwiatkowski feels that the SROs have a positive impact with students.

Mrs. Jaffee then presented the following information item:

Mr. Kaib presented an update on summer projects:

1.	Work on the elevator at the middle school will begin tomorrow.
2.	Concrete work at the middle school near the library side will begin tomorrow.
3.	School signs have been refurbished.
4.	Middle School cafeteria floor is done – looks nice – 30 year warranty.
5.	Swimming Pool – no more liquid chlorine – have switched to tablets – new lighting has been installed by the electrician.
6.	High School Air Conditioning – Gym A is complete; Gym B will be done in 2 weeks.

•	Dr. Kwiatkowski asked that the fields be groomed every 2 weeks.  Mr. Tunstall asked if there was a truck on order.  Mr. Kaib said we are looking to replace the athletic truck. Dr. Kwiatkowski stated that the disk golf course is very well used and wondered if we could get a sign.  
1.	

A motion was made by Mr. Fisher with a second by Mr. Gapsky, to approve Items C.1-7. 

After no further discussion, these items were then approved by a roll call vote.

Motion Carried:   9 aye; 0 nay

Dunn	
Fisher	
Gapsky	
Kress	
Machajewski 	
Petrovich 	
Phillips	
Tunstall	
Kwiatkowski	

Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	
Y	

ACTION:
Approved
Items C.1-7

•	Mr. Tunstall then announced the following upcoming meetings:
o	Wednesday, August 10, 2022 – Combined COW/Voting Meeting
•	6:00 p.m. – Executive Session
•	7:15 p.m. – Combined COW/Voting Meeting 
o	Wednesday, August 17, 2022
•	6:15 p.m. – Executive Session
•	7:15 p.m. – Voting Meeting 

•	Announcement of Past Executive Sessions was made by Dr. Kwiatkowski.

•	Dr. Kwiatkowski then asked if there was any other business to come before the board. 
•	Mr. Fisher reported that the Tri-Cog Land Bank was doing quite well and has acquired 8 properties in Etna, 4 in Millvale, 1 in Sharpsburg, and 1 in Blawnox.
•	Mr. Gapsky asked if A.W. Beattie had a safety plan.  Mr. Tunstall explained that it is a requirement for each district to have a safety plan which is reviewed each year.  

After no further items were presented, on a motion by Mrs. Phillips and second by Mr. Tunstall, the Business Meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

Dr.Kwiatkowski then recognized the public to speak on any non-agenda item:
•	Steve Romac, 114 Weaver Drive, asked about the thickness of the concrete.  Mr. Kaib said it was 5 inches.
•	Ms. Petrancosta asked if the district planned to do anything with the stadium painting project it started talking about two seasons ago. Dr. Aiken said the district is working with HHSDR to identify a number of different strategies to address the paint, however, in doing so, there were a number of other concerns identified with the stadium. The district hopes to formulate a plan in the following months. 
•	Ms. Petrancosta also brought up a concern about how the district is writing its RFPs and why there was only one bidder for a project the previous month. She also expressed concern over the potential HVAC position the district is considering and if it is justified. Mr. Kaib explained the district’s relationship with Huckestein Mechanical, and Dr. Aiken added that the company is doing work in the district for the ESCO project as well as addressing mechanical issues. Ms. Petrancosta said she plans to file a Right to Know because she wants to look at how many hours the district is paying Huckestein in labor. Ms. Ludwig said when the district gets a bill from a vendor, it is for all aspects of the work. For Huckestein, the payments include many bid projects. Dr. Kwiatkowski added that when looking at an HVAC hire and Huckestein, it would be comparing apples and oranges because Huckestein does work on other projects. Dr. Aiken said much of the work is for emergencies and major issues. Ms. Petrancosta questioned if the work justified paying an in-house employee. Mr. Gapsky pointed out that the potential hire would be on the maintenance staff and do other work throughout the district. 
•	Ms. Petrancosta asked what last year’s enrollment was. Dr. O’Black said it was 285. Ms. Petrancosta made the argument that the district needs to have a serious discussion about keeping Reserve Primary School open. The enrollment numbers do not justify the building, staff, principal, administrative assistant, etc. She said there is enough room in the district to redistribute students without increasing class size. Mr. Gapsky said the board has discussed the need for Reserve in the past. Mrs. Donahue agreed that the district should talk seriously about it again. Mr. Tunstall suggested having a discussion about it at a committee meeting and putting together information about it. Dr. Aiken said it is deeper than a buildings and grounds conversation.

When no one else approached to speak, the meeting’s Final Adjournment occurred at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Bethany Baker
Assistant Board Secretary