As we stated last month, our goal is to only cover the items that seemingly will be of interest to the majority. Here is an overview of Tuesday night's meeting.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Education Committee
INFORMATIONAL ITEM(S)
Preschool Proposal:
Dr. Dunlap presented the cost savings to the district ($750,000) if the Gordon literacy program were folded into the existing CCIU Head Start program effective for the school year already underway. He explained that the CCIU applied and received a grant, but the district received no such grant. In light of the timing, Dr. Dunlap explained that they only knew about the CCIU being awarded a grant within the last two weeks, and shared how he met with the various district staff to discuss the proposal. The cost savings would be further realized through the current teachers being transferred to elementary schools with open positions or where we are in need of splitting classes due to large class sizes. This removes the need to hire additional teachers.
Dr. Dunlap turned the presentation over to Dr. Auris from the CCIU, who shared the transition process if approved. She provided the training needs and timelines and the staffing requirements.
Preschool Proposal:
Dr. Dunlap presented the cost savings to the district ($750,000) if the Gordon literacy program were folded into the existing CCIU Head Start program effective for the school year already underway. He explained that the CCIU applied and received a grant, but the district received no such grant. In light of the timing, Dr. Dunlap explained that they only knew about the CCIU being awarded a grant within the last two weeks, and shared how he met with the various district staff to discuss the proposal. The cost savings would be further realized through the current teachers being transferred to elementary schools with open positions or where we are in need of splitting classes due to large class sizes. This removes the need to hire additional teachers.
Dr. Dunlap turned the presentation over to Dr. Auris from the CCIU, who shared the transition process if approved. She provided the training needs and timelines and the staffing requirements.
Chromebook
Handbook
Mike Sobczak, Jason Palaia, and Andy Finkbohner presented the 1:1 Chromebook handbook that the technology task force created collaboratively. They gave a brief overview of the handbook including parent and student responsibility and explained the insurance technology fee. Additionally, a timeline for communication has been created to roll out the Chromebooks.
Mike Sobczak, Jason Palaia, and Andy Finkbohner presented the 1:1 Chromebook handbook that the technology task force created collaboratively. They gave a brief overview of the handbook including parent and student responsibility and explained the insurance technology fee. Additionally, a timeline for communication has been created to roll out the Chromebooks.
Operations
Committee Agenda
D. Request to Waive Fees -PIAA District I Track & Field Championship –C.A.S.H.
- Tabled due to concerns about rain dates and double booking the facility.
Special
Meeting
The school board appointed Donna Urban (the only application received by the district) to fill Ann Wuertz's Region II seat. Mr. Fisher welcomed her to the stage after she was sworn into the position. Mrs. Urban intends only to serve on a transitional basis until those elected in the upcoming municipal election can be seated on the board. We are extremely excited to welcome Mrs. Urban back to the board and with her prior expertise we believe she will be able to make an impact immediately and will be an amazing asset to the board.
ADJUSTMENT TO THE AGENDA
Under Finance Committee the following items were added:
G. Confidential release and settlement agreement 011376H. PA trust Contracti. Human resource adJ. NASDL Contract participatingK. Resolution: director of Athletics, activities and complianceL. Superintendent Search
Under Education committee the following items were added:
B. Transition of the Preschool to the IUC. Chromebook handbook
All motions passed.
The two motions that some in the community seem most concerned about were the financial burden and transparency of Athletic Director contract change and Preschool presentation and vote.
K. Resolution: director of Athletics, activities and compliance - This change was explained as folding the AD position under the Act 93 agreement and requiring a Principal Cert for the position.
Some appeared to question this change as having the potential to increase cost and/or as being targeted to exclude viable candidates from the pool in favor of an in-house candidate. However, when looking into this change, we found that many other districts in Chester County structure their AD position in this way, under Act 93, and thus the change would make use consistent with other districts in our area. Dr. Dunlap also explained that the position requires extensive contact with parents and students. He elaborated that the specifics of the job are more in line with this type of contract.
B. Transition of the Preschool to the IU
The concern with this was the quick removal of the program with little notice to the community or teachers. We share the concern that this item was added to the agenda with little opportunity for public notice and discussion. However we also understand that the need to transition the preschool quickly, if approved, may have resulted in a decision to move forward on an accelerated timetable. After last night’s meeting and the subsequent discussion on social media, we wanted to provide further detail on the Preschool transition in a separate post. Stay tuned for more information.
Let us know what you thought of the board meeting!
