SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Virtual Meeting through Live Stream
February 9, 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: Passed 3-0
Discussion: None.
B. Course Catalog for 6th Grade - That the Board of School Directors approve the 6th Grade Course Selection Guide for the 2021-2022 school year, as presented. (Enclosures)
VOTE: Passed 3-0
Discussion: None.
C. Course Catalog for 7th Grade - That the Board of School Directors approve the 7th Grade Course Selection Guide for the 2021-2022 school year, as presented. (Enclosure)
VOTE: Passed 3-0
Discussion: None.
INFORMATIONAL
ITEM(s)
- 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 172 students compared to last year. Charter school overall enrollment is up 73 students compared to last year. (Enclosure—CASD) (Enclosure—Charter)
- Number Worlds - Assessment and Learning System - That the Board of School Directors approve the proposal from McGraw-Hill to purchase a subscription to Number Worlds assessment and learning system as presented. (Enclosure)
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.
PRESENTATIONS
2021-2022 School District Budget Update - Tomás Hanna and Lori Diefenderfer
Reviewed goals and variables for budget as previously presented. Reviewed budget construction as previously presented. Currently working on the base level of construction, determining personnel budget, conducting budget meetings with building principals and department heads.
Preliminary expense and revenue projections were reviewed as previously presented. Noting that special education and support of other schools (charter, vo-tech and other tuition) make up 45% of the budget. Preliminary budget gap projection is approximately $500,000.
Outstanding debt repayment schedule and fund balance history reviewed as previously presented, noting that as of June the fund balance has been negative.
Millage rate history reviewed. Current
millage rate is 38.2018. Based on the Act 1 index, the rate can
increase between 0%-3.9%. Proposed increase has not been presented
yet. Next key date is the adoption of the preliminary budget set for
April 27, 2021.
Discussion:
Keech – Thanked them for the presentation. Pointed out several things that have occurred since the last meeting. Governor has proposed a budget that would be greatly beneficial to the CASD. That budget goes nowhere without the support of our legislators. This would be a prime time to send letters and contact the legislators. One proposal is a charter school special ed funding change, if voted for by the legislators would bring a 13 million dollar difference back to the district instead of sending that out to the charters for special education funding and would be more in line with what they're actually spending in most cases.
Additionally noted, part of the budget planning is mitigating the upwards costs of debt repayment between now and next year to not shock the budget/taxpayers. This legislation will help with that as well. Very important time to touch base with legislators, not just in the district but in education and finance committees, whether republican or democrat to get our point across. Board and administration has been working very hard to make contacts but it puts more weight behind it for the community to contact them as well.
Urged everyone to contact legislators.
(Use this link to take action & contact our local legislators)
AGENDA ITEMS
A. Financial Statements - Always on the agenda (Enclosures)
B. GardaWorld Security Services – Security Services Agreement - That the Board of School Directors approve the contract with GardaWorld Security Services to provide School Security Officers for a two-year term commencing April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023, at an hourly rate of $21.79 for year one and $22.44 for year two. GardaWorld Security Services will also provide a site supervisor, at an hourly rate of $23.98 for year one and $24.70 for year two, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
VOTE: Passed 3-0
Discussion:
Keech – Could admin comment on why tonight is necessary or could we wait until next meeting?
Hanna – This gives the opportunity to begin hiring so they are more prepared for April 1.
Finkbohner – The April 1 time-frame, while it will provide the on-ramping and hiring opportunity through GardaWorld, that's less than 60 days to staff security officers in each building. Historically we've had issues with staffing security. What challenges do we anticipate at a time when we are reintegrating students back into the classroom? And with the time period of April, considering this is mid-school year, what impact will that have and how seamless will the transition be?
Hanna – The time gives opportunity to explore that. Confident that Garda can provide the staff for a seamless transition. With the economy there have been challenges, but we are confident we can bring this forward and have Garda support us.
Finkbohner – Logistically, this on-boarding period would have been better suited prior to students being in the buildings, allowing time for the employees to get acclimated before hybrid began.
C. ThinkEDU – That the Board of School Directors approve the renewal price quotation
from ThinkEDU for the software subscription of Adobe Creative Cloud for
500 users, at a cost of $2,425 per year, as presented. (No Enclosures)
VOTE: Passed 3-0
Discussion:
Finkbohner – What type of services will this provide and what benefits do we anticipate?
Sobczak – Looking to renew this subscription, this would be the second year. Provides the full Adobe creative cloud, including Acrobat, Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, 3D, AR, and graphics. In the district office we have users doing PDF edits, but 500 users allows student users. Yearbook club is currently using it and as the television studio is built up they will have access to industry standard software.
Finkbohner – So this will be not only staff, but students as well.
Keech – With the increase in licensing, is there a plan to do training with staff and kids?
Sobczak – This is the same price and license count as last year, but as we train the instructor that goes down to the students. Discussion held about admin staff taking more advantage of features and functionality of pdf editing.
Harlan – Is there a possibility that we could get our students certified in Adobe?
Sobczak – There are tracks to do certification so that a resume or application would show certification. Working on other certification tracks for Microsoft and possibly Cisco at the high school, but Adobe has tracks as well.
D. T-Mobile – Five-Year Hot Spot, Project 10 Million Award - That the Board of School Directors approve the award from T-Mobile for
1,500 hot spots with 100GB of internet per year at no cost, with a
month-to-month option to increase to 100GB per month for $12 per month
or unlimited monthly data allowance, at a cost of $15 per month, as
presented. (No Enclosures)
VOTE: Passed 3-0
Discussion:
Finkbohner – Can you drill into the specifics of what this means?
Sobczak – The empowerED contract comes to a close at the end of the school year, the end of the 24 month award with T-Mobile. Exploring options to continue supporting students during the pandemic, this stood out. This is an award letter, saying that we can enroll directly into this project called 10Million, which came out of the T-Mobile/Sprint merger. They awarded us 1500 hot spots for 5 years at no cost to the district, providing 100gig/year. That is not enough for students schooling virtually. Two options, month to month as needed. 12$/100g/month or 15$/unlimited/month. One hotspot is enough for each household.
Finkbohner – How will we tie in insurance?
Sobczak – There's a lot that we need to plan as we went 1:1. We've learned a lot, there's a lot we need to plan and change. Looking to roll that into insurance options, responsibility forms, those need to be retooled.
Finkbohner – Will this be an additional cost to the district for insuring the devices?
Sobczak – There will be additional costs to insure the devices. Whether that will be something the district can take on or if it will be passed on to the students is to be discussed.
E. CCIU IDEA-B Use of Funds and Intergovernmental Agreement for 2020-2021 - That the Board of School Directors approve the 2020-2021 IDEA-B Use of
Funds and Intergovernmental Agreement between the Chester County
Intermediate Unit and the Coatesville Area School District, as
presented. (Enclosure)
VOTE: Passed 3-0
Discussion:
Hanna – This is basically a formality on a yearly basis, letting CCIU know how we use the IDEA funds, supporting our special ed students.
F. ArcelorMittal USA – STEM Donation - That the Board of School Directors approve a donation in the amount of
$3,000 from ArcelorMittal USA to support the District’s STEM program, as
presented.(Enclosure)
VOTE: Passed 3-0
Discussion: None.
G. Senior Award Donations in Memory of Shawn Green - That the Board of School Directors approve Senior Award donations from various donors to establish a new scholarship in memory of Shawn Green in the amount of $500 annually or as determined by donations, as presented. (Enclosure)
VOTE: Passed 3-0
Discussion:
Fisher – Had the privilege of teaching and coaching Shawn. Outstanding student and athlete. He was a wonderful ambassador for our high school. Football and Baseball player, loved by everyone. Thankful and proud that those who loved and cared about Shawn will keep his name going throughout his scholarship awarded annually at senior awards.
Keech – Lucky enough as middle school teacher to teach and coach Shawn as well. Fine human being, thank you to everyone for doing this and keeping his name in memory here in Coatesville.
H. Job Description - EAA to the Director of Educational Services - That the Board of School Directors approve the job description for the
Executive Administrative Assistant to the Director of Educational
Services. (Enclosure)
VOTE: Passed 3-0
Discussion: None.
I. Human Resources Report - That the Board of School Directors approve the resignations, appointments, new positions, leaves of absence, transfers, changes of status and corrections, as presented. (Enclosure)
VOTE: Passed 3-0 (Assistant business manager position tabled, see discussion)
Discussion:
Finkbohner – Asked to table Page 1, number 3, new appointments, letter A, number 1, assistant business manager. As we look as cost saving measures for the district, table for discussion to see if there's alternative options to see if we can fill the position to meet the departmental needs of the district office, the financial needs of our district, but also being as fiscally minded as possible. Motion&Vote to table now for future consideration of alternative options to fulfill this position.
Deifenderfer – Will not be reflected on the agenda immediately, but the agenda will be updated.
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)
The presentation explained the needs for Reeceville flooring and HVAC replacement.
Bookman - Can you share about technology advancements for HVAC?
Medica - With thermal recovery units, the unit has a way of transferring the heat from the outgoing air to the incoming through heat plate exchangers. It saves you energy as far as having not having to heat from zero within the spaces. It also allows a control of the humidity within the space as well as options now being developed for bipolar ionization, which can help with viruses, pollen, etc. Additionally rooftop units would pull in less pollen than ground units.
Hanna - Thank you Mr. Medina. We appreciate you you working closely with with our director of facilities and I know that you've been looking forward to pushing forward as are we.
The school district engaged Provident
Energy and our partner ICS in the fall of 2020.
Guaranteed Energy Savings ACT (GESA) has been in use for about 25 years particularly with school districts and governmental entities. It identifies energy savings to help pay for capital improvements within the district.
In the summer of 2020, the district released a request for qualifications. This does not provide cost or savings calculation, it only asks for qualifications from companies looking to partner with the district in this endeavor. The district received 16 company responses. Provident narrowed it down to 11 companies to ask for RFPs (requests for proposal). Estimated 3-5 proposals will be returned to the district.
Provident did an energy utilization report for the district. In comparison to eastern PA schools, CASD falls in the bottom 25% for total energy use. They feel they can, with a phased approach, get the district to the upper 75% of energy use. Through that about $400k can be saved annually, more than half through projects at the high school campus.
Preliminary analysis from visiting CASH/CAIHS, N Brandywine, Reeceville, shows LED lighting, building controls, water conservation, etc. that could be put into an RFP for companies to consider. Possible gas and electric savings through energy savings programs as well.
Provident will ensure that all possible partners come to the table with STEM/STEAM partnership options.
Next steps are to continue preliminary analysis through additional site visits, building reviews. Then develop priorities and phased approach, followed by asking for the 11 RFPs. Expecting 3-5 realistic options to be returned to the district. Excited to get started.
Discussion:
Bookman – You had mentioned being able to control building systems when not in the building itself.
Lang – Absolutely, automated temperature control. Needs an upgrade, the software is out of date. Facility directors should be able to log in and make a change asap.
AGENDA ITEMS
A. Modern Group Power Systems - Emergency Generator Planned Maintenance Agreement - That the Board of School Directors approve the Planned Maintenance Agreement with Modern Group Power Systems for all emergency generators throughout the District located at all CASD-occupied buildings. This contract will be for a period of one year at a cost of $4,220, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None.
B. Advanced Electronic Security - Access Control System Software Maintenance- That the Board of School Directors approve the price quotation from Advanced Electronic Security for the software maintenance program and manufacturer support of the district-wide access control system, at a cost of $3,850 per year, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None.
C. Daktronics, Inc. - Replacement of Scoreboards at Coatesville Area Intermediate High School - That the Board of School Directors approve the quote from Daktronics, Inc. for the purchase and installation of two basketball/volleyball/wrestling scoreboards for the Coatesville Area Intermediate High School at a cost of $41,403, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion:
Keech – Can Chenger give info on where the money is coming from?
Chenger – This was part of the deal with backstreet productions / Netflix / the movie hustle. Part of what we were able to connect with that rental was that they would provide a scoreboard built within those funds. Additionally the HBO rental also had $5,000 in the rental agreement. The netflix total over 8 days was $84,170, part of which was designated for scoreboards in main gym which is approaching 30 years old.
Hanna – Thanked chenger for his work to make sure this happened.
D. Chester County Intermediate Unit Transportation Association – Request to Waive Fees- That the Board of School Directors approve the request to waive fees in the amount of $910 for the Chester County Intermediate Unit Transportation Association to use the parking lots, gymnasium, and one art room at the Coatesville Area Senior High School for the 2021 Chester County Bus Competition to be held on May 1, 2021, from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The association is willing to pay a custodial fee in the amount of $450 for event set-up, as presented. (No Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion: None.
E. Urban Outfitters – Use of School Facilities- That the Board of School Directors ratify the request from Urban Outfitters to use the Benner Building for a Community Job Fair on February 6‒7, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Urban Outfitters will pay a $1,500 fee for use of the facilities, as presented. (No Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion:
Hanna – This was a partnership with city of Coatesville. This job fair took place last saturday, thank you for the ratification. Mr. Logan gave an update that 90 Coatesville residents showed up and 60 were offered job opportunities. Really excited and thankful for opportunity to partner with the city. Thanked Dan Pellegrin for his work with Urban Outfitters to make this happen in a short period of time.
Bookman – Thanked them for being welcoming to community and anyone who came by. Staff was very kind and met the needs of anyone in need of assistance and kept the building clean. Thank you Urban Outfitters as well as Mr. Logan, councilman, and state rep. Dan Williams, who stopped by.
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
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.
One public comment noting that after reviewing interviews for Region I position, recommended that the board vote for Mr. Crans.
APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR: That the Board of School Directors appoint a new School Board Director to fill the unexpired term in Region I recently vacated by Brandon J. Rhone.
Josh Crans: Rob Fisher, Andrew Finkbohner, James Bookman, Rebecca Harlan, Tom Keech
Mary Conlin: Amelia Mills, Henry Assetto, Mary Ann Harris
Josh Crans was sworn into office by Judge Hines. Meeting was paused shortly for executive session.
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: 8-0 (Crans abstained)
B. GardaWorld Security Services – Security Services Agreement - That the Board of School Directors approve the contract with GardaWorld Security Services to provide School Security Officers for a two-year term commencing April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023, at an hourly rate of $21.79 for year one and $22.44 for year two. GardaWorld Security Services will also provide a site supervisor, at an hourly rate of $23.98 for year one and $24.70 for year two, as presented. (Confidential Enclosures)
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0 (Crans abstained)
C. CCIU IDEA-B Use of Funds and Intergovernmental Agreement for 2020-2021 - That the Board of School Directors approve the 2020-2021 IDEA-B Use of
Funds and Intergovernmental Agreement between the Chester County
Intermediate Unit and the Coatesville Area School District, as
presented. (Enclosure)
D. Job Description - EAA to the Director of Educational Services - That the Board of School Directors approve the job description for the
Executive Administrative Assistant to the Director of Educational
Services. (Enclosure)
Discussion:
Fisher – Motioned to table. One of the reasons Dr. Dunlap was contracted to consult was to take an outsiders look at the alignment of central staff. Dr. Dunlap has worked diligently to put together a report which is just about complete. The job description might change if we go along with any recommendations from Dr. Dunlap to realign the central administration staff.
Passed ☐ Failed ☐ TABLED
Vote: 7-1 (Mills No, Crans abstained)
EDUCATION
A. Number Worlds - Assessment and Learning System - That the Board of School Directors approve the proposal from McGraw-Hill
to purchase a subscription to Number Worlds assessment and learning
system as presented. (Enclosure)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Anne Wuertz – Concern for safety of the
students. During the presentations tonight full floor plans were
shown for both buildings. As a former board member we never shared
those with the public. This was a recorded event and anyone can
access these plans. I respectfully ask that something be done, to
black out the floor plans during the recording. Kindly ask that in
the future please take care not to show these during public
presentation. This was taken care of in recorded online presentation as of 2/11/2021
Pamela Simpson – Please provide an update of the status of the pending court case with Collegium. Additionally, any insight you can provide about Gov. Wolfe's budget proposal which includes major changes to charter school funding and how it will impact the CASD is much appreciated.
Informational Items
None.
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