SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Virtual
Meeting through Live Stream
April 13, 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. Request for Teacher Participation and Student Work - West Chester University: That the Board of School Directors approve the
request from Dr. Katherine Norris, a Professor at West Chester
University, to include the participation of elementary teachers and the
submission of student work in the writing of her book on using picture
books and the read aloud to teach social justice in the classroom, as
presented.
(Enclosure)
Discussion:
Fisher thanked Dr. Norris for including our students and teachers.
Mills stated that it is a great activity.
B. EVERFI Programs:
That the Board of School Directors approve the use
of EVERFI Programs to supplement student education in critical content
areas including but not limited to; career readiness, social emotional
skill building, STEM Education, Financial Literacy, etc., and to provide
bi-annual student impact data to educators and district administrators.
These programs are at no cost to the district due to the sponsorships
that EVERFI receives. (Enclosure)
Discussion:None
C. Student Teacher Placements - That the Board of School Directors approve the student teacher placements; as presented (No Enclosure)
Discussion: None
D. Accelerate Education - Master Services and License Agreement -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
agreement between Accelerate Education and Coatesville Cyber Academy for
the use of the Accelerate Education course catalog licensing,
materials, and services for the 2021-2022 school year, as presented. (Enclosure)
Discussion: Palaia explained that content provided for Cyber program which includes start up fee and training.
E. School Specialty - S.P.I.R.E. -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
proposal from School Specialty to purchase S.P.I.R.E. Decodable Sets and
Magnet Kits as presented. (Enclosure)
Discussion: None
F. Possible Overnight/Out-of-State Field Trips -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
possible overnight and/or out-of-state field trips for the remainder of
the 2021 school year and the 2021-2022 school year for athletic teams to
participate in PIAA State Championship or travel to competitions, as
presented. (Enclosure)
Discussion:
Fisher hopes that our students are able to participate in overnight trips as that would mean our athletes are competing at the state level.
Mills shared that the board supports our athletes.
G. Winsor Learning - Sonday System -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
proposal from Winsor Learning to purchase Sonday System for $51,720.71
as presented. (Enclosure)
Discussion: Brenda George explained that this the reading program that the special education department is currently using. This allows for the purchase of additional materials to ensure that each teacher 7-12 is trained.
H. National Inventors Hall of Fame for Camp Invention - Summer Program -
That the Coatesville Area Board of School
Directors approve the contract with National Inventors Hall of Fame for
Camp Invention to be used as support for the Coatesville Area Elementary
Summer Program. Camp Invention focuses on innovative an STEM Learning.
ESSERs Grant money will be used to support this program. (Enclosure)
Discussion: None
INFORMATIONAL
ITEM(s)
He shared that the District is looking to return our cyber program back to the District. He acknowledged that our partnerships with the CCIU and BVA were successful, but with the potential growth of the program, and the knowledge that our students perform better with the teachers who they know and are comfortable with, the District sees the value in running our own program.
- Summer School - Hanna and Palaia
Presentation explaining that the elementary and middle school students will be invited to participate based on a rubric using their academic performance, benchmarks, etc. The day will include transportation and meals. Multiple activities are planned to engage and support the students in academics and socio-emotionally.
High school students ( 9-12) will participate in credit recovery to help ensure that they can graduate with their cohort.
Palaia explained how the of past curriculum centered around programs and materials. The revision work I created curriculum that focuses on a state standards.
- 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 158
students compared to last year. Charter school overall enrollment is up 59
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.
None
Finance Committee Agenda
PRESENTATIONS
A. 2021-2022 School District Budget Update - Tomás Hanna and Lori Diefenderfer
FULL PRESENTATION
Goals
and Variables were reviewed as previously presented. Preliminary expense and revenue projections were shown with updated amounts.
A
3.9% tax increase was proposed. This
would increase the millage from 38.2018 to 39.6917.
A preliminary gap projection slide including the proposed tax increase was shown with
a remaining gap of 5.6 million.
Areas
of review to decrease budget include:
·
Cyber Academy (move from BVA to CASD
based teachers)
·
Special Education (evaluate
additional in-house offerings)
·
Staffing (adjust as needed based on
student enrollment)
·
Transportation (as previously
proposed by PASBO)
·
RFPs for service (possible renegotiation
of contracts)
Discussion
Harris
– Asked for clarification on tax increase.
Concerned residents will be taxed out of homes.
Diefenderfer
– Verified proposed tax increase to help balance $9.7million budget gap.
Hanna
– Noted they will continue to look to identify savings within the budget as
well.
Mills
– Fair Funding issues have challenged urban districts tremendously.
Hanna
– Governor proposed a budget that would help but no progress has been made.
Finkbohner
– Some school districts increased last year even during Covid. They additionally had tax extension programs. Is that something we are considering?
Diefenderfer
– Hesitant on that due to cash flow issues and negative fund balance.
Finkbohner
– If the governer’s budget went through could we see some changes?
Diefenderfer
– State budget could affect things, but currently left flat in the preliminary
budget due to uncertainty.
Keech
– Asked community to advocate for change in fair funding.
<Click Here to Send an Email to Local Legislators>
AGENDA ITEMS
A. Financial Statements - Always on the agenda (Enclosures)
VOTE: 3-0
No Discussion
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.
(Enclosure)
Fisher
– This is preliminary. There are 2
months to continue to work before the final adoption of budget on June 8th.
C. Approval of 2021-2022 Chester County Intermediate Unit Core Services Budget -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
2021-2022 Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Core Services Budget
in the amount of $31,006,260, of which the Coatesville Area School
District's share is $48,056, as presented. (Enclosure)
D. Approval of 2021-2022 Chester County Intermediate Unit Occupational Education Budget -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
2021-2022 Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Occupational Education
Budget in the amount of $29,460,271, of which the Coatesville Area
School District's share is $3,405,888, as presented. (Enclosure)
Fisher – Asked for clarification on the differences of the two
budgets for the CCIU.
Dunlap – Two separate budgets from the CCIU that all districts pay
into for services for students. Services
directly to students or sending students to the CCIU for core services. This is done county-wide.
E. Notice of Adoption of Approved LEA Policies, Procedures, and Use of Funds for IDEA -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
Notice of Adoption of Approved LEA Policies, Procedures, and Use of
Funds for IDEA Funding, as presented. (Enclosure)
F. 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)
Mills – What does Blackboard do?
Sobczak
– Current template is retired. The new
template will be cleaner. This will be a
3 year agreement with them to migrate to new template. The second board meeting this month will have
a presentation from Blackboard on the website changes. Pretty much a new website for the district.
G. PowerSchool Group LLC - Cognos Upgrade -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
Cognos upgrade quote from PowerSchool Group LLC for upgrade, go live,
and training, at a cost of $9,240, as presented.
(Enclosure)
Sobczak – Powerschool is the platform for eSchool and HomeAccess. Cognos allows staff to run reports on the
data.
Mills & Finkbohner – Seconded that Cognos is a great
tool.
H. PrimeroEdge - Time Clock Software Subscription -
That the Board of School Directors approve an
annual subscription for time clock software from PrimeroEdge at an
annual cost of $1,755, as presented. (Enclosure)
I. Removal of Property Tax Lien for Parcel 3702_0000200T -
That the Board of School Directors authorize the
removal of the property tax lien for Parcel 3702_0000200T as recommended
by the Chester County Tax Claim Bureau, as presented. (Enclosure)
J. Disposal of Assets - Athletic Apparel and Mats -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
donation of athletic apparel, including jerseys and uniforms, to Orphan
Grain Train, and the disposal of wrestling mats, as presented. (Enclosure)
K. Ohiopyle Prints - Quarterly Royalty Check - That the Board of School Directors accept a
quarterly royalty check from Ohiopyle Prints, Inc. in the amount of
$179.17, based on the sale of spirit wear sold at local retailers, as
presented.
(Enclosure)
L. End Zone Athletics, Inc. - Donation to Athletics Program - That the Board of School Directors approve a
donation in the amount of $100 from Academic Production's End Zone
Athletics, Inc. for the District's Athletics program, as presented.
(Enclosure)
M. 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)
VOTE: 2
Abstain: Andrew Finkbohner
Discussion
Fisher – Nick DePedro was part of one of the undefeated football team from the 1940s. The helmet was
signed by all the members of that team.
He also excelled at baseball and was a member of the Coatesville Athletic
Hall of Fame. Thank you to the family
for the donation.
N. Request for Temporary Support in the Transportation Department -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
temporary support from the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) for
the Transportation Department on an as-needed month-to-month basis. The
rate will be $1,985 per week from April 15, 2021, to June 30, 2021, and a
rate of $2,125 per week from July 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021, as
presented. (Enclosure)
Finkbohner – This looks like end of fiscal year for CCIU
and a change-over in rate?
Hanna – Yes, the CCIU rate will increase approximately 13%
beginning July 1.
Finkbohner – For clarification, the services are the same, the cost
variance is simply one fiscal year to the next.
Keech – Are we anticipating needing these
services till the end of September?
Hanna – Hopefully not, but this gives us flexibility. It is a month-to-month contract. 3 major buckets of work that overlap… Scheduling
PSSA testing transportation, routes for students over the summer, and 2021/2022
school year routes.
Dunlap – Also implementing other aspects of the transportation
study.
Hanna – We also have an absence in the department. The employee is recovering. This will help support the department in
their absence.
O. Dismissal Resolution - That the Board of School Directors approve the Dismissal Resolution for Employee 14324, as presented.
VOTE: 3-0
No Discussion
P. Suspension Resolution -
That the Board of School Directors approve the Suspension Resolution, as presented.(Enclosure)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion
Finkbohner – Read the resolution as
presented.
Fisher – Summarized that this
is a resolution to be passed only if it has to be in the future. Board needs to look at enrollment
numbers. This does not yet have to be
done and will only be done if it cannot be achieved via attrition.
Finkbohner – The board has asked
for additional information to be considered as well, as it relates to the budget.
Q. 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)
Fisher – Thanked David Morris for
being the swimming and diving coach for the last 27 years. He is every bit an outstanding teacher as he
is a coach. The thousands of lives he
has coached and affected does not go unnoticed and will be sorely missed. He is a gentleman and the epitome of what a
parent would want as a coach. You will
be sorely missed and your next stop should be the Coatesville Athletic Hall of
Fame. Thank you.
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.
None
Operations Committee Agenda
AGENDA ITEMS
A. The Tri-M Group, LLC - Pool Pump VFD Replacement Proposal - That the Board of School Directors approve the
proposal from The Tri-M Group, LLC to provide and install a new
Schneider Electric Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) to replace the failed
VFD serving the pool pump at the Coatesville Area Senior High School at a
cost of $4,875, as presented.
(Enclosure)
B. Powersmith Inc. - Equipment Maintenance Agreement - That the Board of School Directors approve the
Equipment Maintenance Agreement with Powersmith Inc., dba Fitness
Machine Technicians to provide routine maintenance twice a year in the
strength/cardio rooms on the Coatesville Area Senior High School Campus
at a cost of $1,000 annually, as presented.
(Enclosure)
VOTE: 3-0
Discussion:
Hanna clarified that this is preventative care
Finkbohner expressed that he is very pleased that our district is practicing preventative maintance.
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.
AGENDA ITEMS
A. Threat Assessment - That the Board of School
Directors approve a resolution requiring the establishment at least one
threat assessment team per Article XIII-E of the School Code, as
presented.
(Enclosure)
B. Policy 805.2 School Security Personnel -
That the Board of School Directors approve Policy 805.2, as presented. (Enclosure)
PUBLIC
COMMENT
None
SPECIAL SCHOOL
BOARD MEETING
ADDITIONS,
DELETIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
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.
Audra Ritter- CATA President: CATA
Leadership asks that the board not furlough/suspend any teachers. Reminding the board that last June 33 of our teachers were furloughed. During this
school year, many good teachers were lost to retirements, resignations, and illness. She continued that we cannot afford to lose more, and that we should
be looking to hire more teachers as teachers are the ones who directly work
with our students. She questioned, with the board voting on the new
programs and a new curriculum, who is going to implement these programs if teachers are furloughed.
ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE HELD FROM CONSENT AGENDA
FINANCE
A. Financial Statements - Always on the agenda (Enclosures) *ALWAYS HELD FROM CONSENT AGENDA*
No Discussion
Passed ☒ Failed ☐
Vote: 8-0
B. Approval of 2021-2022 Chester County Intermediate Unit Core Services Budget -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
2021-2022 Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Core Services Budget
in the amount of $31,006,260, of which the Coatesville Area School
District's share is $48,056, as presented. (Enclosure) No Discussion
Passed ☒ Failed ☐
Vote: 8-0
C. Approval of 2021-2022 Chester County Intermediate Unit Occupational Education Budget -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
2021-2022 Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Occupational Education
Budget in the amount of $29,460,271, of which the Coatesville Area
School District's share is $3,405,888, as presented. (Enclosure) No Discussion
Passed ☒ Failed ☐
Vote: 8-0
D. Request for Temporary Support in the Transportation Department -
That the Board of School Directors approve the
temporary support from the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) for
the Transportation Department on an as-needed month-to-month basis. The
rate will be $1,985 per week from April 15, 2021, to June 30, 2021, and a
rate of $2,125 per week from July 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021, as
presented. (Enclosure)
Discussion
Fisher - Said this was necessary because of the shortage of staff and this would be done on an "as needed basis". Cares funding will also help fund this.
Passed ☒ Failed ☐
Vote: 8-0
F. Suspension Resolution -
That the Board of School Directors approve the Suspension Resolution, as presented.(Enclosure)
Discussion
Fisher - Read the resolution.
Passed ☒ Failed ☐
Vote: 6-2 No: Finkbohner & Harlan
EDUCATION
A. Independent Contractor Contract—The Devereux Foundation - That the Board of School Directors approve the
Independent Contractor Contract with The Devereux Foundation for the
2020-2021 school year for student 10002820, as presented (Confidential
Enclosure).
No Discussion
Passed ☒ Failed ☐
Vote: 8-0
OPERATIONS
Operations Committee item A passed on consent agenda.
POLICY
Nothing from policy
PUBLIC
COMMENT
Joanne VanNess: “I
am a taxpayer residing in Branford Village. As you know, our school
taxes are very high. I understand that Coatesville has a large
proportion of at risk students and that there are many residents of
Coatesville who are underprivileged. They live in low cost housing, and
therefore are unable to help a lot with school funding. So I
understand why my household and others similar to mine and some
neighborhoods with houses more expensive than mine have to provide the
majority of school funding. I also recognize the relatively low cost of
real estate in Coatesville. So I know I am benefiting from the
relatively low cost of real estate compared to West Chester or
Downingtown. I live in a nice house that I can afford. So I am not
coming from a negative place of complaining about everything. However, I
am very concerned about the effects of the lack of full time in person
schooling on all CASD students. I listened to part of the board meeting, and I was disappointed to hear that summer school will not be open to
all students who have lost in person schooling time.
Will full time in person schooling be available to every CASD student who so chooses in August 2021? I certainly hope so.
___________________________________________________________________
Bob Knecht:
“My comment is regarding the CASD's continue use of Michael Levin as the CASD solicitor.
When
can we expect this board to seek a new solicitor? Mr. Levin has
over-billed the district, asserted himself in areas, and performed
administrative functions that no attorney should perform, and gave legal
advice supporting the removal of special education services and
numerous employee discipline measures that proved frivolous under the
Cathy Taschner administration. Why would this board continue to use him?
If this board does not act, you are inviting investigations into
his conduct involving the illegal alteration of IEPs, the illegal
removal of special education services, and unethical billing practices.
As many of these special education practices affect minority and
disabled students, you are inviting actions based upon the infringement
of civil rights.
These processes will further erode this
community's trust in this district and this school board. The time to
remove Mr. Levin is now.”
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