SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Virtual Meeting through Live Stream
January 12, 2021 - 6:00 PM
CASD School Board committees are designed to divide the labor of the board into manageable categories. As such, board members are better prepared for full board meetings. This ultimately improves the quality of board decision making.
You can watch the entire board meeting on CASD's YouTube
Education Committee Agenda
AGENDA ITEMS
A. Student Teaching Placement- That the Board of School Directors approve the student teaching placements, as presented. (Information)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
B. Virtual STEM Classroom Visitation Program - S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation - That the Board of School Directors approve the Virtual Classroom Visitation Program to King's Highway Elementary School provided by the S.P.A.R.K.S Foundation, as presented. (Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
C. Curriculum Review Service Agreement - CCIU - That the Board of School Directors approve the Curriculum Review Service
Agreement between Coatesville Area School District and the Chester
County Intermediate Unit, as presented. (Enclosure)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
D. 2021-2022 School Year Calendar - 2nd/Final Draft - That the Board of School Directors approve the 2nd and final draft of the 2021-2022 school year calendar, as presented. (Enclosure)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
E. Course Catalog for 8th Grade - That the Board of School Directors approve the Course Catalog for 8th grade, as presented. (Enclosure)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
F. Course Catalog for Grades 9-12 - That the Board of School Directors approve the Course Catalog for grades 9 through 12, as presented. (Enclosure)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
INFORMATIONAL ITEM(s)
- Updates to Board: MTSS, Screenings, Curriculum, and Comprehensive Plan (Jason Palaia)
Recognizing the inability for "a typical school year," Palaia explains, "the teachers, staff, and building administrators have done an excellent job providing a quality education while instituting supports and initiatives to assist with our ongoing goal of closing the achievement gap while providing students, the support they need to be successful." His presentation shared some of the work teachers and building principals have been engaged in this year.
- Two meetings held in December.
- The next meeting January 13, with a possibility of an additional meeting in January prior to presenting the plan to the board of directors.
- Initial presentation to the Board of directors - February 9, 2021.
- The plan will then be posted for a 28-day review by the community and stakeholders.
- The final presentation will be in March.
- Student Enrollment - It is important to see what the enrollment looks like in the future to give the board and the public a sense of what it means from a financial perspective. Numbers show that overall enrollment for CASD is down 179 students compared to last year. Charter school overall enrollment is up 71 students compared to last year. (Enclosure—CASD) (Enclosure—Charter)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Comments on Agenda Items- Members of the public wishing to make a comment during a remote (virtual) Board meeting are asked to submit their comments in writing to this email address: vboardmeeting@casdschools.org.
She shared the statement from a CCIU Facebook:
The CCIU moved two Preschool Special Education classes and opened two more CCIU/CASD K-1 special education classes to King’s Highway Elementary School and Caln Elementary School. The playgrounds were built so the students can have fun while also working on their gross motor and social skills!
She acknowledged that it is a wonderful addition to the elementary schools, at no cost to our district. However, the announcement that the CCIU is now holding pre-K/K-1 classes inside CASD buildings gave her pause because in September of 2019 School Board voted to close the CASD pre-school in the Gordon Early Literacy Center and turn the management of those classrooms to the CCIU for a $650,000 savings to the district budget.
She shared her questions:
- Why is it necessary to utilize 2 classroom spaces inside Kings Highway for pre-K classes that are currently housed in Gordon?
- Are additional rooms for two K-1 classes available in Caln Elementary?
-
Are costs with these partnership programs being supported entirely by the CCIU? Costs including teachers, curriculum,
supplies, energy, and food programs.
She isn't opposed to the programs inside our buildings but believes taxpayers deserve a transparent explanation of how the 2021 partnership will work moving forward.
Please see the Board meeting video at 23:00 mark to hear answers to the above questions.
PRESENTATIONS
Audit Review - Christopher N. Herr and Stacey A. Powell, Maillie, LLP
These
are the results of the audit from June 30, 2020. A summarizing document was distributed to board members. The full report can be found on the
BoardDocs website. (Enclosure - Audit Review)
In the category of Financial Statements, no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses were found relating to the audit. Total change in Net Position was a loss just shy of 8 million dollars vs 900 thousand last year. The total Fund balance was 1.4 million dollars at the end of the year vs 10,000 last year, contributed to by 4 million dollars in capital fund projects and 6.2 million dollars in operational loss.
In the category of Uniform Guidance, no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses were found relating to the audit.
Revenue
vs expenditure charts were shown. The top three categories for revenue are property taxes, operating grants, and unrestricted grants. Property taxes were the main increase in revenue for the year. The larger year to year change was seen in expenses. The largest expense is instruction which increased largely by charter school cost and special education placements.
Discussion:
Andy – Thanked the finance department for their work.
2021-2022 School District Budget Update - Tomás Hanna and Lori Diefenderfer
The preliminary expense and revenue projections were released as shown below. Note for the revenue slide, this is using the current millage.
The budget gap using the preliminary projections is $537,689.
Fund balance, charter school information, and debt repayment schedules were reviewed as previously presented.
Historical millage was presented. The current millage is 38.2018. Act1 index allows an increase of 0-3.9%. The district is recommending that the board vote to stay within the Act1 Index.
Discussion:
Andy - Noted his realization of the impact of charter school costs. The district has seen an increase of 26 million dollars over the last 4.5 years.
AGENDA ITEMS
B. Possible Charter School Resolution - Possible consideration of a resolution dealing with charter school matters. (Confidential Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: Mr. Fisher said he was going to make a statement at the Special Board meeting.
C. Approval of Independent Audit - That the Board of School Directors accept the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
D. Budget Resolution - That the Board of School Directors select Option "A" (possible use of referendum exceptions) or Option "B" (stay within the 3.9% Act 1 Index for Budget) and approve the appropriate Resolution, as presented. (Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
E. BerkOne - That the Board of School Directors approve the proposal from BerkOne to provide 2021 Act 80 Comparison Services for the School District for the amount of $877 plus shipping, as presented. (Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
F. Senior Award Donation in Memory of Edith E. McGonigle - That the Board of School Directors approve a Senior Award donation in the amount of $10,000 from the McGonigle Family to establish the Edith E. McGonigle Memorial Award for graduating seniors planning to enter college, as presented. (Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
G. Delaware Museum of Natural History - Donation to Caln Elementary School - That the Board of School Directors approve a donation of services in the amount of approximately $3,000 from the Delaware Museum of Natural History through grants it receives. The purpose of the donation is to provide two virtual educational programs to Caln Elementary School students in grades 3-5 and professional development for teachers in K-2, as presented. (Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
H. Giant Food Stores - Donation to Caln Elementary School - That the Board of School Directors approve the donation of goods in the amount of $135.58 from Giant Food Stores in Thorndale to Caln Elementary School for the second grade's annual gingerbread house project, as presented. (Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
I. Ohiopyle Prints - Quarterly Royalty Check - That the Board of School Directors accept a quarterly royalty check from Ohiopyle Prints, Inc. in the amount of $263.82, based on the sale of spirit wear sold at local retailers, as presented. (Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
J. Request for Temporary Help - That the Board of School Directors approve the temporary assistant from the CCIU for the Human Resources Department due to a leave of absence. The hourly rate will be $36.49.
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Comments on Agenda Items- Members of the public wishing to make a comment during a remote (virtual) Board meeting are asked to submit their comments in writing to this email address: vboardmeeting@casdschools.org.
PRESENTATION(S)
None
AGENDA ITEMS
A. Coatesville Area Intermediate High School Gym Floor - Release and Settlement Agreement - That the Board of School Directors ratify the Release and Settlement Agreement involving Netflix Inc./Backstreet Pictures LLC in the amount of $15,750 for property damage to the gym floor at Coatesville Area Intermediate High School on or about November 2, 2020, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
VOTE: 0-3
Discussion: Mr. Chenger explained that this was a result of the filming we had back in the fall. Stating they use some vinyl decals over the center court and on the baselines of the basketball court. When they were removed, that basically took off some layers of the finish.
The
money is to be transferred directly from their insurance company to the flooring company. 15,750 was the quote from the flooring company to make those repairs and they also put two additional coats down on the floor. Typically done during the summer (which was done), and they did that again over the holidays.
It was all cosmetic, just a finish touch up, some paint areas on the baseline, no damage to the wood floor itself.
Hanna
- Verified the money is to be transferred directly from the insurance
company to the flooring company, no district involvement.
Andy - One of the things that, we as an operation committee felt it was was important to take "walkthroughs" of our facilities previously. As we get closer [to students back in the buildings] we will be venturing through those buildings again, just one kind of final walkthrough. As I've alluded to before, this board is incredibly invested in our staff and our students. We did the walkthrough before, we'll be doing it again.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Comments on Agenda Items- Members of the public wishing to make a comment during a remote (virtual) Board meeting are asked to submit their comments in writing to this email address: vboardmeeting@casdschools.org.
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE HELD FROM CONSENT AGENDA
FINANCE
A. Financial Statements - That the Board of School Directors approve the financial statements/bills payable list, as presented. (Enclosure) *ALWAYS HELD FROM CONSENT AGENDA*
Passed ☒ Failed ☐
Vote: 9-0
B. Possible Charter School Resolution - Possible consideration of a resolution dealing with charter school matters. (Confidential Enclosures)
WHEREAS, under the Charter School Law, 24 P.S. § 17-1701-A, et seq., specifically 24 P.S. § 17-1725-A (“Section 1725-A”), the School District is required to pay charter schools that enroll students who live within the geographic boundaries of the School District in accordance with tuition rate formulas that are specified in the Charter School Law; and
WHEREAS, the payments required to be made under Section 1725-A may be made to charter schools either directly by school districts or by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (“PDE”) through its redirection of school district subsidy payments; and
WHEREAS, Collegium Charter School (“Collegium”) is a charter school that enrolls students who reside in the geographic boundaries of the School District; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, after the conclusion of the 2018-19 school year, and after the District paid Collegium in full for the year, Collegium asked PDE to redirect approximately $3.3 million from the District’s state subsidy for the 2018-19 school year and pay it over to Collegium; and
WHEREAS, under the Charter School Law, PDE complied with Collegium’s request, and the District could do nothing to stop the payment from occurring; and
WHEREAS, the withholding of $3.3 million for Collegium’s benefit was neither expected nor budgeted; it caused significant cash flow problems for the District; and it negatively impacted the District’s ability to maintain operations at expected levels; and
WHEREAS, the District believes that Collegium’s withholding request was improper as a matter of law, and it has exercised its only remedy to the withholding—that is, requesting a hearing before PDE which is expected to take place in March 2021; and
WHEREAS, the withholding of the $3.3 million and the above-described financial difficulties it created for the District were the primary impetus for the District requiring Collegium to obtain payments through PDE withholdings since approximately January 2020, and in doing so the District followed the path of numerous public school districts in Pennsylvania that have, in accordance with state law, required charter schools to obtain payments from PDE where PDE uses the school districts’ state subsidies to make payments to charter schools; and
WHEREAS, the withholdings by PDE to date have not been sufficient to pay all amounts due to Collegium that it contends are due to it, and at present Collegium contends it is owed a sum from the District or PDE in excess of $5,400,000; and
WHEREAS, upon the District’s review of Collegium’s claims for payment from the District or from PDE for per-pupil charter school tuition, it appears to the School Board that the District is obligated to pay the sum of at least $5,400,000 to Collegium; and
WHEREAS, Collegium has commenced an action in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania against the District and PDE in an effort to obtain payment of the monies it contends are due, and the District desires to make payments to Collegium towards the amounts Collegium contends are due to it for per-pupil charter school tuition; and
WHEREAS, although the District believes strongly that the funding formula in the Charter School Law is seriously flawed in numerous significant ways, including but not limited to the fact that it is highly inequitable to the District (and public school districts in general) because it grossly overfunds charter schools to the detriment of the District and its students and staff, the District acknowledges its obligations under the Charter School Law; and
WHEREAS, upon the District’s review of Collegium’s claims for payment from the District or from PDE for per-pupil charter school tuition, it appears to the School Board that the District is obligated to pay the sum of at least $5,400,000 to Collegium; and
WHEREAS, the District desires to make partial, but significant payments towards the amounts Collegium contends are due, while still reserving all of its rights,
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows:
The Board of School Directors authorizes the School District’s Director of Business Administration or her designee to make a payment in the amount of $2,700,000 to Collegium Charter School no later than January 13, 2021, and to make an additional payment in the amount of $2,700,000 to Collegium Charter School no later than March 1, 2021, by check or through electronic means, without further approval of the School Board.
If you're a proponent of the charter schools I asked you to write your legislators. Ask them to increase the funding to the Coatesville School District. All other school districts in the state who have charter school enrollments the size of ours received significantly more money from the state in order to afford those charter school costs. Hence the problem here with Collegium when they go to apply to take those monies from the dispersal to us. There's not enough there to cover their costs. That doesn't happen in other school districts. So if you're a proponent and supporter of Collegium or other charter schools we ask you to write your legislators and ask for further funding for us to afford that.
If you feel that you're not inclined to support those, we ask our constituents in that area to write letters to their legislators and our governor, stating that they need to change the funding formula. That funding formula is what ends up costing money to our taxpayers. And what created issues with our larger than normal tax increases over the past five years. I know we were able to keep it at zero last year but that could not continue with these numbers going up from the charter school. They're billing us for the correct amount based on the funding formula, but again, in my opinion that funding formula is flawed.
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-1 No - Harris
C. Approval of Independent Audit - That the Board of School Directors accept the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
F. Release and Settlement Agreement - Employee 13875 - That the Board of School Directors approve the confidential Release and Settlement Agreement for Employee 13875, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
G. Release and Settlement Agreement - Employee 13889 - That the Board of School Directors approve the confidential Release and Settlement Agreement for Employee 13889, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
Passed ☐ Failed ☒ Vote: 3-5 No - Fisher, Finkbohner, Harris, Harlan, Keech
Comment / Discussion: Fisher - "On behalf of the entire school board, I would like to congratulate and thank Susan Schwarz, who is retiring effective January 6 of this year, for her 28 1/2 years of service to the CASD as an elementary teacher, most recently at Reeceville Elementary School. Congratulations and thank you for your services to the students of the CASD. We wish you nothing but good health and happiness in your retirement."
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dawn Barringer - Follow up to Mr Mangan's and Mr Fisher's remarks to education committee public
comment:
She questioned either moving two preschool
classes or creating two new preschool classes to be housed in our buildings. She was unclear how classes and two K-1
classes arrived in our buildings and the budgetary impact on the 20-21 budget. Will CCIU be covering costs for this budget year?
Ann Wuertz - Asked if budget projections for salaries include potential increases related to the CATA contract renewal as well as the automatic increases in the Superintendent's contract and the Act 93 Agreement for our Administrators and if the additional increases for performance be put on hold due to the financial distress of the district.
She asked asked if the board meetings would return to in person since our students and staff will be returning next week.
Informational Items
If you are an interested candidate, please be mindful that the deadline for applications is Friday, January 29 at 5pm. We are requesting an application form, a letter of interest, a financial interest statement, and a resume. All of those items can be sent to Mrs. Lori Diefenderfer at the school district administration building.
I want to acknowledge the parents and residents who have spoken tonight regarding Collegium Charter School and concerns that Coatesville Area School District is not paying student tuition to Collegium in a timely manner.
As you are likely aware, this matter is now in the hands of the Commonwealth Court. I want to take a moment to explain, with the understanding that while this is a legal matter, we are somewhat limited in what we feel we are at authority to discuss.
First, I want to be abundantly clear that the Coatesville
Area School District supports a parent’s right to choose whatever school they
want for their child. (He then repeats this)
We do, however, join with public school districts, educators, and education associations across Pennsylvania that believe PA Charter School funding is unfair, inequitable, and outdated – and in dire need of reform. Coatesville is one of many school districts faced with challenges in the area of charter school funding.
When a child attends a charter school in PA, the school district where the student resides must pay a “per pupil tuition rate.” The District pays a certain rate for each regular education student. That amount is currently about $11,500 per year. When a student is identified as qualifying for special education, however, then that rate skyrockets – in Coatesville’s case, from about $11,500 to more than $42,300. That is almost 4 times greater than the regular education rate. And it means, for example, that if a student receives only some speech services once a week, then charter would receive the full special education rate. This leads to huge inequities to the District, its students, and staff.
In 2018-2019, Coatesville paid Collegium $13,214,827.33 for special education tuition (excludes regular ed portion of tuition) for 443 students, yet financial reports show that Collegium only spent $6,705,450 for all special education students.
Fisher then repeated those numbers (remember this is just for special ed):
Coatesville
paid Collegium $13,214,827.33 (special ed)
Collegium only spent $6,705,450 (special ed)
[Leaving Collegium with an excess of $6,503,377.33]
Where did the extra dollars go? We simply do not know, because charter schools are not held to the same standards as public schools – they do not have to follow all of the same rules and they aren’t required to provide the same level of public accountability as a public school district. The money, we can only speculate, likely goes directly into the schools’ coffers. This is to the great detriment of the District.
Again, we join with school districts across the Commonwealth who are urging our legislators to change this antiquated and inequitable funding system.
Collegium has very publicly claimed that Coatesville owes the school $18 million. Like numerous public-school districts in Pennsylvania, Coatesville has required Collegium, consistent with the Charter School Law, to obtain its tuition payments directly from the PA Department of Education. PDE would make those payments directly from the subsidy payments it would be paying directly to the District – much the same way your paycheck might include deductions for Social Security. Collegium says that these subsidy payments have not been sufficient to fully pay the amounts the school believes it is owed. Our school district fully expects the withholding process to pay Collegium the amounts it is entitled to, and the District is currently investigating the matter and working to find a resolution.
This issue began in late 2019, after the close of the 2018-19 school year. After Coatesville had already paid Collegium the final 2018-2019 reconciliation invoice submitted to the district by Collegium in full for the year, Collegium felt it was owed more money for special education tuition and asked the Department of Education to redirect about $3.3 million from Coatesville’s state subsidy and pay it to Collegium.
Under the terms of the Charter School Law, the
Department of Education had no choice but to comply with Collegium’s
request. This significant withholding of the District’s subsidy presented
a dramatic financial blow to the district, causing serious cash flow problems
and impacting the District’s ability to maintain operations at expected
levels. This was the primary impetus for the District requiring Collegium
to obtain payments through the Department of Education withholdings. The
District believes that Collegium’s withholding request was improper as a matter
of law, and it has requested a hearing before the Department of
Education. The District expects the hearing to be held in March.
We have reached out numerous times to Collegium’s leadership in an attempt to discuss these matters, but they have chosen to take the matter to court. This, too, is consuming taxpayer resources.
We are hopeful that a positive resolution will be reached, and that we can move forward in a productive manner with Collegium Charter School.
During my time working with him, in every decision that was made, he always considered what was in the best interests of the Coatesville School District in its entirety. He was a man of integrity. He's always willing to ask the hard questions. As a taxpayer, and as a fellow board member from the bottom of my heart I thank Mr. Rhone for his time."
Hanna - Observed a moment of silence for the loss of a former teacher and CASH graduate who was lost tragically over the holiday, Jamie Lynn Sauer.
Hybrid will be starting January 19th with cohort A. Reminder asynchronous Wednesdays were weekly, but will now be every other Wednesday as per the shared calendar.
Thanked the district and board for working together. Thanked Miss Deifenderfer and the finance committee for their work on the accounting. Thanked Mr. Palaia and the education committee for pressing forward with initiatives even through pandemic times. Thanked schools, school leaders and teachers for their work on these new initiatives.
Noted the academic planning work that Mr. Palaia and Mr. Mangan have been doing. Their meeting tomorrow with the steering committee will being conversation about goals as a district. Planning to launch a survey to the community, similar to the one provided to the steering committee, about types of things district does well and what needs to be improved. Thanked Ms. Mills, Ms. Harlan, Mr. Assetto, Mr. Mangan, central office team, teachers and community members who are a part of the comprehensive planning committee for the important work they are doing.
Discussed ongoing, continued conversations at the CCIU with other districts leaders about taking what has been learned as a result of the pandemic, what students have fallen behind in and what new skills they’ve gained, and leveraging that knowledge to meet the new needs of the students.
Thanked the parents, teachers and school leaders for supporting the students through the pandemic.
Thanked Mr. Chenger for his leadership through the pandemic and keeping students engaged. Thanked coaches for their work as well. Winter sports teams at the high school have officially completed the minimum number of practices (10) to be able to compete. Chesmont is developing spectator guidelines which will likely include only home spectators with a limit of two per participant. To bridge that gap, technology is working to create a live stream solution for community, family and friends.
Middle school sports will be internal only, six week training sessions. Thanking again the coaches and principles for making this possible within the guidelines from the health and safety plan.
Noted the board vacancy, stating this is an opportunity for a community member to step up and engage in this work. Mr. Hanna went on to describe some of the work the board engages in and thank them for their service. Excerpts below.
Ninety percent of students in the United States attend public schools. And so high
quality public access to high quality public education is crucial, not only for
our students success, or for the strength of our society. To do this, and to do
it well it takes a team of dedicated people, teachers, administrators staff,
parents and other community members to provide that education for young people,
the nine members of our local school board, our board of directors are a key
part of this team. They are the guiding light that helps push this agenda forward,
making informed decisions difficult decisions that shape our public schools,
the month of January, designated school director recognition month and it's a
time for us to celebrate and recognize the challenging and vital work, boards
do on behalf of our students, schools and families
Board business includes adopting policy voting on budgets, evaluating school
security issues and reviewing hiring decisions. The impact of the corona of
this pandemic has added an additional layer and additional talent to school
boards, as they determine how to best provide for the needs of students and
their families.
Board service is an unpaid position. Please take a moment to express your gratitude for our school directors time efforts year-round. On behalf of our communities, your children, our young people, our future, and our families, the job they do ensures our schools continue to provide opportunities for success for every student, even during unprecedented circumstances so let's thank them for advocating on behalf of our collective interest, and for the benefit of our children.
Mr. Hanna thanked each board member by name.
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