Board Work Session Agenda/Minutes 8-15-16

 

August 15, 2016 Board Work Session Minutes
Panorama Village Building Meeting - Room A
240 Villa Crest Drive
State College, PA 16801

I.         CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Ms. Concepcion called the State College Area School District Board of School Directors work session to order at 7:09 p.m. At this time, she turned the meeting over to Dr. O’Donnell.

Dr. O’Donnell noted they would be working with Dr. Colangelo on four strategic questions, want to get as much thinking as possible and have people engaged. This was also done with the Administrative Team and the outcome is to see what is common or what might be missing. He would like people to not just think in terms of this year but also in multi-years. If comments are related to specific Board topics, they can be pulled out to work on specifically at another time. He noted they are looking for repetition and a clear understanding of expectations.

A copy of all materials distributed to board members for discussion and/or action is included with the official minutes, unless otherwise indicated.

Board members present: Amy Bader, Gretchen Brandt, Amber Concepcion, Dan Duffy, Penni Fishbaine, Scott Fozard, David Hutchinson, Laurel Zydney
Board members absent: Jim Leous
Board Secretary: Mary Jenn Dorman
Student Representative:
Solicitor:
Superintendent: Robert O’Donnell
District Personnel: Vernon Bock, Randy Brown, Linda Pierce, Jason Perrin
Guests: Gus Colangelo, Linda Colangelo

II.         GOALS DISCUSSION
Dr. Colangelo informed board members they would be working in small group discussions with a cabinet member in each to take notes. Small groups work much better than a large group and he spoke on the Delphi Technique. He noted there were four questions, one at each table and members would rotate and answer each question with new cohorts. The four questions were:
      ● What we want to achieve?
      ● What we want to preserve?
      ● What we want to avoid?
      ● What we want to eliminate?
There were four rotations and each time, Dr. Colangelo put members at a new table with new members to work on answering the questions. When this session was finished, Dr. Colangelo thanked all for the enthusiasm and their part in this exercise. He would take the responses, put them together, see groupings or repetitions, and share with all. The goals discussion piece
of the work session ended.

Dr. Colangelo spoke a moment about the Guiding Principles, signing them at the first meeting in September and possibly finalizing the Board protocols to do at the same time.

III.         BOARD PROTOCOLS
Ms. Concepcion provided an edited version to board members and there was still some concern on Section 2. The purpose of the Board Protocols is to support decision making and there is a concern there. Seems like the process could be bottling up information. After discussion, suggested changes, some explanations and clarity given, board member noted they were trying to get consensus on these. Even though that was true, it would be better if there was not a split vote. All need to feel good about this and spoke about needing to vote and moving on.

Board members continued to discuss their concerns and it was decided that not all were reading and interpreting this the same way. Would like to adopt the protocols but not until there is final agreement on wording. Do not want to hold up the process either. Ms. Concepcion will work on updating this version with suggestions made and send to members to review before adopting.

IV.         FUTURE AGENDA PLANNING
There will be a work session on the Elementary School Model and Ms. Concepcion asked board members what information they needed. They could let her know for agenda planning that is taking place this Wednesday. Dr. O’Donnell noted there would be an update on Monday, August 22 Board meeting agenda.

V.          PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

VI.        ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Concepcion adjourned the State College Area School District Board of Directors work session at 9:30 p.m.

Submitted by,

Mary Jenn Dorman
Board Secretary