Support CASD's Booster Programs!

One of the many aspects I love about Coatesville are the many extracurricular activities available to our students. From sports teams to music programs to academic teams, arts, and drama, the opportunities abound for students to grow and achieve their goals outside the classroom in addition to their educational efforts during the school day.
 

Did you know? Very little taxpayer money actually goes to support these many programs? Many of these programs receive significant support from a non-profit booster organization whose purpose is to help support a specific team or group.

So how do you support these organizations and the teams or clubs they sponsor? Attend their events and purchase from their fundraisers, of course! Here are a few examples:

• When attending a game or sporting event, purchase concessions or spirit wear from the booster club at the game.
• Watch for opportunities to get Krispy Kreme donuts during sales year-round.
• Purchase Wawa hoagie coupons from your favorite organization.
• Attend dine out events where a portion of the cost of your meal goes back to the organization.
• Make a direct donation to the organization or "sponsor a student"
• Attend fundraising events and enjoy a fun day or night out for a great cause.

And what kind of benefits happen when you support these organization?

• Feed students healthy meals during long competition days
• Purchase of safety and other equipment or materials
• Refurbishing of district property used by the organization or students
• Assist students in need with activity fees
• Provide students with uniforms or clean/repair existing uniforms
• Supplement transportation provided by the district when needed

Many times, you can support these organizations by doing things you ALREADY DO! And you can save taxpayer dollars while you do it. So the next time you see someone on Facebook sharing an event, or a walk past concessions or a spirit wear table at an event, consider supporting the great booster organizations that help our students have so many extracurricular opportunities to grow!

What you need to know

Here is summary of what YOU should know before you attending tonight's school board meeting:

Top Agenda Concerns:

A. Financial Statements - RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the enclosed financial statements/bills payable list, as presented. (Enclosure)

We don't talk much about this part of the agenda, but if you are like us, sometimes we forget to take a good look at the financials.  To many of us, it's like looking at another language - one of Liz's languages.  It can be very confusing.  We want you to start being aware that we collectively need to begin the process of understanding them in order to see where exactly our money is being spent.

If you look at the highlighted items below, we are unsure what the description of purpose is for the $4,000 payments. Through much digging, we were able to determine that the two Vendors were in our elementary schools with Every Day Math. However, we could not locate a contract to verify what services they each provide for $4,000.

It is to be noted that EDM books were board adopted in May 2015. This is also curious that we are still paying for training services related to a four-year old math program. The other highlighted items again do not have a description of purchase specific enough to help us community members know what payments are for.  

B. A Child’s Place Extended Care, Inc. -School Age Child Care (SACC) Services Agreement - RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the School Age Child Care Services Agreement between CASD and A Child’s Place for the purpose of providing before and after school child care services for the period beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2022, as presented. (Enclosure)

This raised some concerns for us as the contract is for three years. As it is a new provider, we are unsure why we wouldn't grant a one year contract and elicit community feedback to determine if we should renew a longer contract with the new provider. 

F. Insight Substitute Teacher Services Contract - RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the 3-year contract with Insight to provide substitute services effective July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022, as presented. (Enclosure)

Again, another item that maybe someone else would like to delve into some. We know that our elementary school teachers, specifically special area teachers, are losing time with students to cover classes. What is the root cause for our shortage of substitutes? Is it related this service or a different factor?

G. U. S. Security Care, Inc. (USSC) –Security Services Contract - RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the contract with U.S. Security Care, Inc. to provide security services for a two-year term at a rate of $23.25 per hour/per Security Guard, as presented. (Enclosure)

U.S. Security Care, Inc. presented at the committee meeting (see our comments from the committee meeting recap.) We still have the same concerns that changing the company providing the service will not change the problems. The security guards will need to have authority and guidelines to implement to assist in the buildings' problems.

H. Human Resources Report - RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of School Directors approve the resignations, appointments, new positions, leaves of absence, transfers, changes of status and corrections, as outlined below:

This, like the reports of the past, once again saddens us. We continue to lose amazing teachers, who work selflessly to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of our children.

Additionally, we've seen the lack of transparency continue over the years. We wanted to share how the old reports identified the location of the position, the staff member being replaced, and the years of experience given, along with the educational background, certificates, and salary. Without the location and position being filled, the status of unfilled positions is more challenging to determine. 

Discouraging Items:

• Audra Ritter has still not been reinstated to her position. We find this confusing because the School Board does not need to see the process of arbitration through,, which only costs our district more money. Based on CATA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the School Board can settle, no matter the charges, at ANY time during the grievance process.  Settlements between CATA and CASD School Board.

• Fonz Newsuan was not provided due process two years again when he was issued a letter forbidding him on district property. On June 18th, he mistakenly stood on the road in front of the auditorium and broadcast-ed a Facebook Live to promote a Community rally.  He believed he was on a public road. Community members encouraged the board to review the letter issued and the process by which it was sent.  As many of you know, three officers, including District Officer Frank Galbraith went to his home to inform him he had trespassing. A MONTH later on July 17th, charges were pressed for "trespassing."

Encouraging Items:

• CASD held a discipline code public meeting on Monday, July 15th. Community members, parents, and teachers broke into building levels, where the could discuss concerns and ideas.  We applaud the administrators that were there and thank Jason Palaia for continuing this discussion! A second meeting is schedule for this Thursday, July 25 at 7pm in the CASH Cafe. 
• Adopt a teacher is up and running and ready for YOU to adopt one of our amazing teachers for the 2019 – 2020 school year! Many changes were made based on feedback and we still have many teachers available for adoption.  To adopt, please click here. 
• Coatesville Baseball Boosters hosting Car Wash at Brian Hoskins Ford on July 27 from 10-2. 
• Annual Coatesville Back to School Event 2019 will be on August 2 from 3-6; The Bridge Academy is collecting backpack donations. They are specifically in need of girls backpacks. 
• MCDC's Block Buster Block Party Fundraiser to benefit Ash Park Pool August 3
•  For more upcoming CASD, Community Outreach, and Community Events can be seen here.  IF you don't see your event, please let us know because we would love to put it on here!
  

Also remember to join us for another “Enough is Enough” rally tonight at 6:15 pm!