School Board Recap - May 27th

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AGENDA

Virtual Meeting through Live Stream

MAY 27, 2020 - 7:00 PM

  

ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA

None

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM

Ann Wuertz:  Wanted it to be explained why the director of operations position is non-certified and not act 93. She also questioned that in the new director of pupil services job description, the special education department is now wrapped up under pupil services.  She was also concerned that she did not see any mention of equity training.  She thanked Rita Perez for her outstanding work with the district as a principal, accountant, and director of pupil services stating that Rita is another loss for this district.  She questioned if Deerfield Mowing and property are being granted a contract for just the grass cutting will there be a bid for snow removal. She finished by thanking Mr. DiGuiseppe for working tirelessly for the District.

Jack Chain: Spoke on the recent furloughs and shared an email from a student of his.  He ended by stating "I am proud of the students in Coatesville and thankful to be a part of this learning community."

Tammy Vondra: She questioned why the need to create new positions for the administrative team when furloughing so many of our wonderful teachers. By doing this, she felt like the students were the ones being placed lower on the totem pole.  

She voiced that we should greatly reduce our administrative positions such as assistants to assistant in the main administration building. She asked if there was really a need for so many secretaries in each of the schools. She is unhappy with recently approved and adjusted wages of administrative staff and with the business manager getting a large raise. The salaries of some administrative staff are more than a corporate world equivalent. The district is too top-heavy and it's time to do more for kids.  

Dawn Barringer: Requested clarity on board procedure for May 12 board meeting committee pertaining to turf field replacement with confidential enclosures and no public board discussion surrounding the proposed cost or reflection of cost on the agenda. In fact, it seemed only due to her public comment asking if the board will be sharing the turf replacement cost was a cost given. She would like to see an amendment to the agenda and questioned if the board will be re-voting
on the turf replacement contract as the May proposal was simply to choose the company.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dunlap thanked Rita Perez who resigned and will be taking a position in another district. He said she worked tirelessly during the Pandemic and the district wishes her well in her future endeavors. Her last day will be on June 5, with an interim stepping in until a replacement is hired.

He congratulated and thanked Alexander DiGuiseppe, Samuel DiObilda, Mary Sayles, and Maureen DeLucca for their service wished them well on their retirement.

He stated that last week was a difficult week, and he thanked the Coatesville Area Teachers Association leadership: Audra Ritter, Jeff Guy, Kathleen Gallagher, Mike DeHaut  and Bill Ledan with Director of Human Resources Carol Heidel for their support and guidance delivering the staffing messages on a personal basis for each person. He continued, "I'm concerned for the Coatesville Area School District. We need to do a better job of managing our budget in the future. We let a lot of good people go to balance this budget; I'm not proud of this. It had to be done. We impacted the livelihood of many, and out of care and respect for these fine individuals, we tried to do this as sensitive as possible.

Also even though he shared "we reduced the elementary libraries" the elimination of our elementary libraries, he expressed concern for the students in the district losing the multiple services provided by the librarians. He maintained that we need to "operate the libraries in a different format" to continue with those services. [edit after publishing]

He shared that they are finishing up with internal staff transfers and will share this information with the building principals and the individual teachers affected.

During the week of June 8, teachers will be teaching from 8 AM to 11 AM and will use the afternoons on those days to record essential learning, complete report cards, and pack rooms for transfers. June 11th will be a makeup day for work. It's not prudent at this time to close early as funding could be impacted.

Graduation celebrations
Monday, June 8 - Virtual Awards Ceremony
Thursday, June 11 - Virtual Graduation
June 15-25 - Diploma Ceremony based on a schedule to be put out by the high school
July 30 - Graduation ceremony dependent upon the reopening orders

Virtual ESY and Summer School Program will be running this summer.

Covid 19 and 2020-2021 school year
He declared that we need to be prepared to move into the 2020-2021 school year no matter what the situation looks like. He shared that we applied for Cares Act grant to help support our needs to follow any necessary guidelines for reopening and it is imperative that we stick within our budget when reopening.

New Administrative Positions
Dunlap introduced two new positions which he stated were discussed in the winter. (video 57:10) He recognized that people just lost their jobs.

• Director of Operations and Facilities (will save money in the long run) - will be paid from the renegotiation of the ABM Contract. Cost savings will still exist.
• The second position would be a Purchasing Coordinator (renaming an accounting position). This is the position that will help us find "nickels and dimes."

He also explained the job descriptions up for a vote: the amalgamation of four positions into two central office positions that were also discussed in the winter:

• Director of Educational Services (Jason Palaia- July 1) 
• Director of Pupil Services (will encompass the special education director services) and will be filled by the new superintendent with the interim until transition. (Rita Perez is in the position until June 5.)

Additional Support Programs -More information June 9

Elementary Level begins with programs run by the CCIU transition the following year with CASD taking over the programs:

• Three primary and three intermediate emotional support
• Autistic supports - two early intervention verbal behavior programs
• One early intervention speech-language program 
• Two primary, one intermediate autistic support programs, and one life skills program
• Learning support will be available in all elementary buildings

Secondary Level

• Learning support in all buildings
• Four life skills programs
• Three emotional support programs
• Off-campus emotional support program 

IMPORTANT DATES

Date	Time	Meetings	Place
June 9, 2020	6:00 PM	All Committees & Special Meeting	Virtual Live Stream
June 23, 2020	7:00 PM	School Board Meeting	Virtual Live Stream

SPECIAL REPORTS

• Budget Update – Richard F. Dunlap, Jr., Ed.D., Lori Diefenderfer, and Chuck Linderman
  
  (Confidential Enclosure)

 Review of the Budget (beginning at 1:04:30)

• Amendment to the Bonds Parameters Resolution (Enclosure-Resolution) (Enclosure-Agreement)

ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE HELD FROM CONSENT AGENDA

FINANCE COMMITTEE

A.     Financial Statements 

RECOMMENDED MOTION:    That the Board of School Directors approve the financial statements and the bills payable list, as presented. (Enclosure) (This is always held)  

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote: 0-9

B.     Amendment to the Bonds Parameters Resolution Adopted April 28, 2020 RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the revised Parameters Resolution for the Restructuring of the District’s Debt and the New Capital Funds, as presented. (Enclosure-Resolution) (Enclosure-Agreement)

Comments: None

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote: 9-0

C.     Digital Assurance Certification, LLC – Disclosure-Dissemination Agent Services RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the agreement with Digital Assurance Certification to provide SEC Post-Issuance Compliance and Repository Services for a one-time $1,000 set-up fee and an annual filing/storage fee of $1,500, as presented. (Enclosure-Agreement) (Enclosure-Services)

Comments:

Fisher asked for an explanation - This company helps the district track and make the necessary filings.

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote: 9-0

D.   Repository Sales

RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the repository sales as recommended by the Chester County Tax Claim Bureau of the following parcels, as per the attachment. (Enclosure)

Bidder	Parcel No.	Bid Amount	Taxes Exonerated
A-N-D Properties, LLC	47-4-54	$32,050.00	$48,887.25
Compass Geographic, LLC	38-2M-68.1	$1,500.00	$12,179.45
Compass Geographic, LLC	38-2M-68.2	$1,000.00	$7,901.04

Comments: None

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote: 0-9

E.     Memorandum of Understanding—CAFEE Collective Bargaining Agreement RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the MOU for the CAFEE Collective Bargaining Agreement, as presented. (Enclosure)

Comments:

Dr. Dunlap thanked teamsters for working with the district to make sure we had cash flow.  

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote: 0-9

F.   REQUEST TO TABLE (Fisher)

     Job Description—Director of Operations and Facilities

RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the job description for the Director of Operations and Administrative Services position, as presented. (Enclosure)

• Fisher asked to table this motion.  Fisher understands the need for the position but struggled to approve this NOW when we are trying to find 1.7 million dollars in our budget.  He would like the interim to continue until we can find the money.
• Tom Keech said that he is not in favor of the tabling motion - Feels like we need to do it to not bring back ABM staff who was cut because we'll save money in the future.
• Andy Finkbohner said that he knows that our facilities need upkeep and care, but it's really hard to approve this at this time because of our climate in how we are going to balance our budget. Uncertainty of tax revenue we need to be fiscally responsible.  

Passed ☐    Failed   ☒    Vote: 4-5 
Yes - Fisher, Finkbohner, Harlan, Rhone
No - Mills, Bookman, Assetto, Keech, Harris

F.  Job Description—Director of Operations and Facilities

RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the job description for the Director of Operations and Administrative Services position, as presented. (Enclosure)

Comments:  Since this failed to be tabled this went to vote.

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐         Vote: 5-4 
Yes - Keech, Assetto, Harris, Bookman, Mills
No - Fisher, Andrew, Harlan, Rhone

G.    TABLED Description—Purchasing Coordinator/Fiscal Services Specialist

RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the job description for the Purchasing Coordinator/Fiscal Services Specialist, as presented. (Enclosure)

Comments:  Fisher asked to table this motion for the same reason as letter F.   

Passed  ☒          Failed  ☐         Vote: 5-4 
Yes -Fisher, Finkbohner, Harlan, Bookman, Rhone
No - Mills,  Assetto, Keech, Harris

H.    Job Description—Director of Pupil Services

      RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the job description for the Director of Pupil Services, as presented. (Enclosure)

Comment: Finkbohner requested that we take special education given the extreme importance of special education especially in our district. He would like to see a director position for special education as was previously configured.

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐         Vote: 5-4 

Yes - Fisher, Keech, Assetto, Rhone, Mills
No - Finkbohner, Harlan, Harris, Bookman

I.     Job Description—Director of Educational Services

      RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the job description for the Director of Educational Services, as presented. (Enclosure)

• Rhone asked to clarify that this was not a new position.
• Dunlap clarified that it was not.

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote:  8-0 (Rhone- technical difficulty)

  

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (Brandon Rhone, Chair)

A.     Proposal for Roof Repair/Replacements

RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve awarding contracts for roof repair/replacements, as presented. (Enclosure—Summary) (Enclosure—Proposal)

• Group 1 Award – Jottan Roofing – Coatesville Area Senior High School, Coatesville Area Intermediate High School, Benner Building, $753,102.
• Group 2 Award – Jottan Roofing – Administration Building, $325,076.
• Group 3 Award – Jottan Roofing – Caln Elementary School, East Fallowfield Elementary School, Scott Middle School, $233,409.
• Group 4 Award – Munn Roofing – Gordon, Reeceville Elementary School, North Brandywine Middle School, Rainbow Elementary School, King’s Highway Elementary School, South Brandywine Middle School, $408,879.

Comments: None

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote: 9-0

B.   FieldTurf/Tarkett Sports Company – Proposal to Resurface High School Running Track RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the proposal from Beynon Sports Surfaces, Inc., a Tarkett Sports Company, to resurface the running track at Coatesville Area Senior High School at a cost of $294,690 plus patching costs, as presented. (Enclosure-Proposal)

Comments: None

Fisher asked about what "plus patching costs" meant.  Flannery said that if they find additional problems along the way this just covers that. 

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote: 9-0

C.     Deerfield Mowing & Property Maintenance, Inc. – Proposal

RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the proposal for Deerfield Mowing & Property Maintenance, Inc to provide grass-cutting and lawn maintenance services at a cost of $112,610/per year and other services upon request, as presented. (Confidential Enclosure-Summary) (Confidential Enclosure-Proposal) (Confidential Enclosure- Pricing) (Confidential Enclosure-Other Services)

Comments:

• Dunlap mentioned that there is another bid for snow removal. 
• Finkbohner- Thanked Ed for his due diligence on this RFP because it is a significant cost saving. 

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote: 9-0

D.   M&M Farms Lease

RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the lease with M&M Farms for the use of 13.25 acres at South Brandywine Middle School for haying, as presented. (Enclosure-Lease) (Enclosure-Map)

Comments: None

Passed  ☒             Failed  ☐                 Vote: 9-0

EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Henry Assetto, Chair)

These contracts are always pulled off the consent agenda. (All passed)

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM

Ann Wuertz - Asked if the district and CATA leader considered pay freezes. Stated that the tax cuts referred to earlier tonight to be cut by the state were already cut by the state. She was unsure of the name of what Dunlap was referring to and if it was the Homestead/ Farmstead Act -only taxpayers who applied for this received it. She stated her disappointment with the false information being provided, stating that teachers' positions had been reduced. She requested the District communicate accurate information.

Dawn Barringer - Thanked the district for changing the stance on having a plan for late graduation if conditions permit.  Thanked the teachers who were furloughed and wished the retirees best wishes.

Katie Hadzor - Expressed concern about the furloughs; she finds it alarming that the ones on the front line are being cut, and she requested to know which in administration are being cut.  Reducing staff is not the answer.  Reading coaches need to return to reading specialists to work with our kids. Requested the board reconsider furloughs as a vote didn't yet happen.

Dunlap responded that the Board approved a resolution to reduce staff based on student enrollment decreases, meaning a vote is unnecessary. 

Let us know what you think about the board meeting...

Can We Look More Closely at Cuts?

By Katie Hadzor and CCAP leadership collaborators

What’s Happening Tonight?

In an effort to balance our budget, our Interim Superintendent, Dr. Dunlap, will be recommending some tough to swallow cuts at tonight’s board meeting.  CASD cut 45 positions, which means 33 furloughed professional teaching positions: eliminating elementary librarians, reducing staff at elementary, and reducing staff in all secondary content areas including more cuts in math and English.

We understand that we have to make cuts; our district is in a dire financial situation. However, let's look at some of the scenarios that need to be reviewed to determine if these cuts were in the best interest of our students, or if the school board should propose some adjustments to those decisions to best serve our students.

Position not impacted - Literacy Coaches

We currently have nine reading specialists, teachers who have specialized training to help struggling readers develop into better readers. The majority of the reading specialists in our district DO NOT WORK DIRECTLY WITH ANY WITH CHILDREN. (We know of exceptions of those who are still incorporating their traditional role.) These specialists are considered "literacy coaches."  While their job description didn’t change, the prior superintendent changed the focus of their duty to “literacy coaches.”  

As stated above most of our "Literacy Coaches" DO NOT work directly with children.  Literacy coaches “coach” the professional teachers on how to implement Lucy Calkins Units of Study, our current language arts program. (This will be discussed in a future blog post.) The literacy coaches duties generally look like this in our school:

• The literacy coaches attend sessions at Lucy Calkin's Teacher's College.
• The literacy coaches enter a teacher's classroom and model a ten- minute lesson. Roughly a week later, they return to the classroom to observe.
• They also coach teachers on how to have independent reading conferences with students. Yet, again, most do not interact with students; this is left to the classroom teacher.
• The literary coaches are also available for teachers to consult for book recommendations or ask for assistance with instructional practices.

This list leaves us wondering what else they are doing during the remaining hours in the week. The Literacy Coaches’ salaries are paid out of the Federal Title I funds, NOT out of the teacher salary matrix. 

So What Are Title I Funds?  

Title I is a 100% Federally funded supplemental education program that According to the U.S. Department of Education, "Title I provides financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards." Title I programs are designed to help children meet the state content and performance standards in reading, language arts, and mathematics.

Food for Thought

We feel Title I funds should be spent in a way that will have a direct impact on our students. This brings us to some alternative money-saving measures for consideration:

• Return the literacy coaches to their reading specialist duties. Eliminate the contracted services and use the personnel we have to benefit our students. This matches our goal of all students reading on grade level by third grade as stated in the District's Comprehensive Plan. 
• Our reading and math scores have dropped since implementing the current model. (Math is heavily reading dependent.) The correlation to the programming changes (units of study) in addition to the shift in services to our struggling readers must be evaluated. (Again, a future post on Units of Study will evaluate this.)
• Retain the elementary librarian positions; school librarians matter.  These professionals incorporate not only the aspects of providing a library of books to entice a love of reading, and hence a building of reading skills, they also work directly with our students to teach skills. The elementary librarians are the primary instructors of research skills in the younger grades. They are the technology leaders for the elementary grades. Let's utilize their skills base and take the opportunity for students to have access to learn digital literacy skills needed for today. Our students need these skills as we embrace more STEM/ STEAM-based classes. 

Okay, CASD community - What are your thoughts? What did we miss? What else needs to be looked at? What can CASD do to best serve our students? As we know, these decisions have far-reaching consequences. Let's have a conversation!

Want to reach out to the board with your ideas or suggestions? vboardmeeting@casdschools.org