COATESVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AGENDA
Virtual Meeting through Live Stream
March 23, 2021 - 7:00 PM
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM (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 State your name, address, and township of residence.
Finkbohner - Spoke of an article relating to Dayjanae Melvin, who was honored and recognized by the National Society of High School Scholars(NSHSS). Recognized by a senior member of the organization for her hard work, sacrifice, and commitment to achieve the exceptional level of academic excellence. Congratulations from the district and school board!
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT/ PRESENTATIONS
Hanna - Grateful for collaboration and solutions oriented attitude from school staff toward increased in-person learning. On our way to a new normal. Thank you students and staff. Looking forward to engaging staff, students and parents to learn how things are going. Look for surveys that will help improve and celebrate what is going well.
Several cases classes or buses have been quarantines and in a few cases schools have returned to virtual learning. This is a last resort, but safety is first.
Looking into options for continued virtual learning for some families through extending our cyber program. (See special report below)
Comprehensive plan will be presented later and voted on tonight. Student input was also provided. Thank you steering committee. The committee will be a resource to ensure district remains on task through implementation.
CARES funding. The anticipated funding looks as follows, 7 billion to PA, CCIU will see 101 million, Coatesville will receive about 14.2 million as of the last estimates. Guidance is pending on use of funds, but 20% is to support learning loss. Funds cannot be used to finance tax cuts, district reserves or pension increases. Costs are to be incurred by end of 2024.
Sports update. Congrats to senior wrestler Nate Lucier finishing 4th in the state, wining the District 1 South 3A and regional titles. He also won PA 3A SE Regional title, eclipsed his 100th victory and is part of the national junior honor society. Congrats, you are making Coatesville proud!
SPECIAL REPORT (Cyber Program)
Palaia - Last year, before the pandemic, the district partnered with Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA) to provide content and instruction for the cyber program. Cyber enrollment has increased over the past few years to the current 150 students. Since the return to in person learning, 1271 students K-12 have remained virtual. The virtual option was important this year, but is not sustainable for teachers moving forward.
The cost per student for cyber is significantly less when using district employed teachers vs. BVA teachers ($1063-$1713 for CASD & accelerated-ed teachers vs. $3860-$4940 for BVA teachers). If 10% of current virtual students chose to do cyber next year instead of in person, that would increase the cyber enrollment by 120 students.
Cost analysis for this school year BVA cost $910,606 vs CASD teachers would be $1,036,619 for current enrollment of 150 students. Next year projected cost for 200 students BVA $1,142,100 vs CASD teachers $1,113,860.
In addition to saving money, bringing the program back to CASD would provide flexibility, engagement, and sustainability. Most importantly, CASD would have complete oversight and students would receive instruction from CASD teachers.
Next steps include surveying students interested (cyber & virtual), post positions for teaching staff, professional development, and marketing the cyber program.
Discussion:
Finkbohner - What are the existing commitments for cyber 2021-2022?
Messenger - Current enrollment is 151, graduating are 26 students, leaving 125 potentially remaining.
Finkbohner - If we don't replenish those 26 students, worst case scenario, we have a $28k-$30k shortfall?
Palaia - Correct, but if enrollment is less then we wouldn't need those eight staff members, so that would also be a cost savings.
Fisher - There is a need and value for virtual learning in the district, not to mention the competition.
Palaia - The playing field has changed and there are students who are doing very well and would consider staying in a virtual format.
Harlan - Will this be open to all students of all abilities?
Palaia - Yes, and in those projected numbers, there is money allocated for an additional special ed teacher.
Finkbohner - I've looked at other schools in the area trying to figure out how to do an all virtual program next year and some are scrambling. Kudos to Dr. Dunlap, Mr. Palaia, and Mrs. Messenger for establishing this program and giving the district a good position.
Committee meeting action items considered routine will be enacted under one motion unless removed for separate action upon Board request. The purpose of the consolidated motion is to expedite Governing Board action on all consent items, which are not held for discussion. Items that have been held for discussion by the Governing Board will be enacted upon at the time the item is discussed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
A. Financial Statements - That the Board of School Directors approve the financial statements/bills payable list, as presented. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
None
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
M. Board Treasurer - Charles Linderman - That the Board of School Directors appoint Charles Linderman to fill the unexpired one-year term of Michelle Kelly as Board Treasurer from April 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021, as presented. (No Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
None
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
N. Job Description - EAA to the Director of Education Services- That the Board of School Directors approve the job description for the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Director of Educational Services. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
None
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 7-1 (Harlan No)
P. Memorandum of Understanding - Federation of Educational Employees - That the Board of School Directors approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Coatesville Area Federation of Educational Employees to increase the pay rate for summer Food Service Workers to $16.67 per hour, as presented. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
None
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
Q. Memorandum of Understanding - Teamsters Local Union No. 384 - That the Board of School Directors approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Teamsters Local Union No. 384 to increase the pay rate for extended school year aides (ESY services) to $18.94 per hour, as presented. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
None
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
R. Dismissal Resolution - That the Board of School Directors approve the Dismissal Resolution for Employee 13506, as presented. (No Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
None
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
S. 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.
Comments/discussion:
Fisher - Thanked Mr. Brian Chavous for 13 1/2 years of dedication to the district. He was an excellent math teacher and was on the ground floor of formalizaing the bridge mentoring program. Thank you, have a safe, happy and healthy retirement.
Thanked Dale Gagliardi for 4 years as a student aide. Best wishes in retirement.
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
T. Human Resources Report - Addendum - That the Board of School Directors approve the resignations, appointments, new positions, leaves of absence, transfers, changes of status and corrections, as presented.
Comments/discussion:
Fisher - Thanked Roberta Kirschner for 12 years in the district. Thank you and best wishes in retirement.
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
D. Comprehensive Plan - That the Board of School Directors approve the Comprehensive Plan, that has been posted for 28-day public review since February 23, 2021, as presented. (Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
Review:
Mangan - The plan was summarized from the previous presentation. The power point can be viewed here. Additionally, the team met with a focus group of students to discuss comprehensive plan. In general, student response supported the goal areas. They were able to share what is happening at the student level; it's reflective of what has been discussed at committee meetings. They are also very proud of their schools and district. Necessary to continue to hear student voices.
Hanna - Completed the summary presentation. Noted that, in all areas, action has already begun including curriculum writing, STEM infusion, special ed improvement, budget planning, facilities maintenance plan, equity work, PBIS, activities and athletic plan, and communications plan. Steering committee will meet quarterly. Thanked everyone involved.
Discussion:
Mills - The plan was a lot of work, but we are not done once we send it to Harrisburg.
Hanna - Correct, we will make sure everyone knows what their part is and check in periodically to make sure it's being executed properly.
Mills - There are also timelines?
Mangan - Yes and things will naturally happen in sequence. Curriculum, then implementation, for example.
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
B. Tents Party Rentals – Custom Tent Package Rentals for Grades K-7 - That the Board of School Directors approve the two-month extended rental of seven custom tent packages from Tents Party Rentals from April 5, 2021, to June 11, 2021, at a total cost of $38,175. The custom tent packages (including tents, tables, and chairs) would provide additional classroom space for social distancing for grades K-7 at the District's five elementary schools and two middle schools, as presented. (No Enclosure)
Comments/discussion:
Fisher - This is being paid for through CARES (Hanna verified). This will allow us to provide additional social distancing for classroom use, lunch use and breakfast use.
Passed ☒ Failed ☐ Vote: 8-0
I want to say that I love driving into campus and seeing the buzz of activity. I’m terribly disappointed in the Chesmont league decision to prohibit fans at the track meets. I reached out to Mr Chenger, and I thanked him for his explanation. I also love the positive posts on our Facebook page.
I saw one post that concerned me in which an administrator was not wearing the mask properly and so I reached out directly to the administrator and to our Superintendent. I was disappointed that neither felt it necessary to reply. In an environment where we are doing everything we can to showcase the amazing offerings that our district provides, I simply wanted to point out that we need to be mindful of every post the district makes and what we are trying to portray. Most importantly, if someone already has negative thoughts about the safety of the students, what would they say if they saw the photo? We are reminded daily that our children must wear their masks properly. Our administrators must model that behavior. I just wanted to inform the board of my concern and the lack of response.
INFORMATIONAL
Fisher
- 20 year anniversary of 2001 Red Raider Boys Basketball team winning the first and only state championship in Hershey, PA. The arena was filled with red & black! Congrats to Coach Scoogie, the staff, and the members of the 2001 team. Thank you for the memory.
