School Board Meeting - April 27th

COATESVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AGENDA

Virtual Meeting through Live Stream

April 27, 2021 - 7:00 PM

 

You can watch the entire board meeting on CASD's YouTube 

Fisher - Asked for a moment of silence for James "Soup" Walker who passed away recently.  He was a dedication custodian for 25 years at the intermediate school.  He took immense pride in his job, school and district, always helping whoever needed it.  Prayers to the family.

ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA

None.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS                                                                                                  (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. 

None.

 

 

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

Allie Carling - Thanked Mr. Hanna and Mrs. Snyder for the senior focus group.  

Congratulated Robotics Team on their first place trophy in the Eastern League Championship and second place in the State Championship.

 

The Raiderbots now advance to the PA State FTC Robotics Competitions to be held the 3rd weekend in May! Way to go Raiderbots!  

 

 

Congratulated those who enrolled in the Historic Research & Preservation courses and competed in the National History Day Competition.  Several students placed and will move on.  

 

In the team category:

First Place: Communicating cross country; the key to understanding the importance of v-mail in World War 2 – Julia Mattson & Dylan Misuraca (12th graders)

Second Place: Navajo Code Talkers - Ethan Newitt, Michayla Newitt (9th and 11th graders)

Third Place: Benjamin Franklin and the Early Development of the United States Postal Service - Seth Haak, Michael Harris, Logan Schott, Neven Zurcher (9th grade students at CAIHS)

In the individual category:

Third Place: Songs and Spirituals of Freedom: Secret Music of the American Slave - Ainsley McFarland (11th grade)

Good luck at the State Competition!

 

Alazia Hudnell -  Congratulated Junior LoraLei Eberly for winning second place in the Domestic Violence Center Of Chester County (DVCCC) art exhibition competition for her artwork titled “ The Guide”. The second-place winner received a Chester County Art Association( CCAA )membership and $175 cash prize from National Arts Program NAP.

 

 

Lauren Reed won an excellence in drawing award as well.  

Thanked everyone involved in the senior posters and recognizing the seniors. 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Hanna - Read the statement from the district on the recent racial incident.  Statement can be found here.  The incident is being investigated fully.  We will learn from this and get through this together as a community.

Return to in-person learning - Welcomed back 75% of students for last 7 weeks.  8-12 on an A/B schedule.  Average attendance overall for in-person and virtual is 76%.  Special ed is 78% and ELL is 73%.  Schools are following up with families.  

Highlighted teachers and students at each of the schools in the district.

Vaccinations - Partnering with Chester County Hospital to provide vaccinations for students 16 and older.  May 26 & June 16 for Pfizer vaccine.

CARES - Anticipated funding for our district is $13.9 million.  20% will support learning loss.  These funds cannot finance tax cuts or go toward reserves. 

Lunch/Learn - Met with seniors.  They love their teachers, staff, community, diversity and feel prepared for the challenges of the future.  Hopeful that we can address the perception that this district is less than.  Looking for us to address the issues of mental health during this time.

Summer - Invitations have been extended to targeted students for summer programs.  Hiring staff currently.  Ask families to register by May 7th for the program that will run June 28-Aug 5. 

Fisher - Thank you to all of our staff continually make our students successful.  Board recognized myriad of talents the students possess.  

Congratulations to Breanna Kriston from East Fallowfield who is the recipient of the Citadel Heart of Learning Award.  Brianna is in her 7th yr of teaching Kindergarten.  We are so proud of your accomplishments and wish you luck as the county winner will be announced in May. 

 

SPECIAL REPORTS

Preliminary Budget Presentation - Mr. Hanna & Lori Diefenderfer <Full Presentation>

Reviewed the budget slides as previously shown. A tax increase of 3.9% continues to be proposed.  

Debt schedule was additionally shown as we are planning financially for the future when debt payments increase from $7 million in 2022 to $14.9 million in 2023.

Tonight the board adopts the preliminary budget.  Timeline is as follows:

Discussion: 

Fisher - With respect to federal funds.  We cannot use them for building reserves or lowering taxes.  We cannot use those for paying debt services as well, correct?

Hanna - Correct, the funds cannot be used for those purposes.

Harris - Asked for clarification on what is being voted on (preliminary).  Stated she would not vote for a tax increase.

 

ITEMS HELD FROM CONSENT AGENDA (Assetto absent)
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

 

B. Preliminary Budget Adoption and Notice of Special Meeting - That the Board of School Directors approve the resolution adopting the Preliminary Budget for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year and the Notice of Special Meeting for June 8, 2021, in accordance with Act 1 of 2006, as presented. (Enclosures - Resolution   Budget Notice)

Comments/discussion:  

Fisher - Read the resolution. 

Passed             ☒                       Failed  ☐                         Vote:   7-1 (Harris - No)

E. Blackboard Inc. - Template Upgrade, Maintenance, and Support - That the Board of School Directors approve the order form from Blackboard Inc. for a template upgrade, maintenance, and support, at an annual cost not to exceed $17,025, as presented. (Enclosure)  

Comments/discussion: 

Sobczak - Introduced Blackboard presentation on what new website might look like.  Current template is retiring.  May/June will be surveying the community and working to update the website and go live August 1st.

Ford -  Been working on updating the website to be the face of the district.  Showed a mock up with possibilities for the website.  Featured videos on the main page, easier navigation, interactive elements and built in translation.

Bookman, Harris - Thanked them for their work on this. 

Passed            ☒                     Failed  ☐                            Vote:  8-0 

 

L. DePedro Family - Donation in Memory of Nicholas DePedro- That the Board of School Directors approve a donation from the DePedro family in memory of Nicholas DePedro. The family would like to donate his 1940s helmet and team football for display in the high school showcase, as presented. (Enclosure)

Comments/discussion:  

Fisher - Thanked the family for this precious memorabilia.

Passed            ☒                    Failed  ☐                            Vote:   7-0 (Finkbohner Abstained)

 

M. 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)

Comments/discussion: 

Fisher - We regret to be asked to accept the retirement of two long time Kings Hwy Elementary teachers.  Susan Peter, 3rd grade, is leaving after 36 years of service.  Sue O'Connell, Kindergarten, will be leaving after 20 years of service.  Thank you for your dedication of the district.  Best wishes in retirement.

Passed            ☒                     Failed  ☐                            Vote:  8-0 

 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

H. Final Exam Waiver - That the Board of School Directors authorize waiving of final exams for Spring 2021 and that the 5% value of the final will be incorporated to the 4th marking period. 

Comments/discussion

None.

Passed in consent agenda.

 

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Approval of summer bus runs, flooring for Reeceville, and roofing for CASH were all approved during consent agenda.  Additional information can be found in BoardDocs.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM

(Comments on any school-related topics) 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. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes. It is the Board’s practice not to engage in dialogue with speakers.

 

Robin Seagreaves - Regarding the possibility of waiving finals, I understand either way, however please don't use the 4th marking period weighted more than others.  Maybe use the students' best marking period.  By the 4th, kids are burnt out.

Robin Seagreaves - Recently had a conversation with an admin that advised a survey was done and some additional students might be able to come in more often.  Can you provide a timeline since there is only a month left?  (Fisher asked Hanna to follow up)

 

INFORMATIONAL

Mills - 596 of CASD employees and partners are vaccinated.  Thank you!

Fisher - To the CCIU, kudos to all the staff for the organization of the vaccinations.

Adjourned at 8:08pm.