Board Meeting Agenda/Minutes 10-24-16

 

Link to video of the meeting through CNET1.org 

Approve 2017 Board Meeting Dates

 

 

October 24, 2016 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
Panorama Village Administrative Center - Meeting Room A                     Approved Minutes
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 meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. She welcomed all in attendance and those viewing from home. Ms. Concepcion noted the Board held an executive session on October 10, 2016 on personnel and a legal matter, and held an executive session prior to this meeting on a personnel matter. With the agenda before them, she asked board members if there were any changes; there were no changes.

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, Jim Leous, Laurel Zydney
Board members absent:
Board Secretary: Mary Jenn Dorman
Student Representative : Lars DeLorenzi
Solicitor: Scott Etter
Superintendent: Robert O’Donnell
District Personnel: Vernon Bock, Randy Brown, Eric Davy, Steve Klebacha, Nabil Mark, Andy Merritt, Jason Perrin, Linda Pierce, Ed Poprik, Chris Rosenblum, Eugene Ruocchio, Donna Watson
Guests: Harry Hamilton, Hyesen Kim

II.         COMMUNICATIONS
Dr. O’Donnell provided an update on the flooding at PFMS and explained the amount of rain in such a short period of time. The flooding inside impacted the walls but the furniture is OK. Our own custodians have been there around the clock and we are using a professional crew to dry out all areas. We’re focusing on resuming classes on Wednesday. The rest of the district operated as usual on Monday, and will do so again on Tuesday.

Dr. O’Donnell reported on the Fall Sports and upcoming music/drama performances:
      ● State High Girl’s Golf won the District 6 Title
      ● State High Football Team is 8-0 so far this season and wished them luck the rest of the way
      ● The State High Marching Band indoor concert will take place on November 8
      ● The State High Master Singers, Cecilian Singers, Only Men Aloud and Chamber Choir will sing on November 9
      ● The State High Thespians will perform “Peter and the Starcatcher” November 18-19 & 20.

Ms. Concepcion announced the Board held an executive session October 17 on a legal matter.

III.         PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Concepcion noted each individual will be limited to comments of five (5) minutes as time permits for items on this agenda or related to Board business. She asked if any audience members wished to address the Board. The following audience member came forward:
--Harry Hamilton spoke on accommodations for a disabled person to speak, the sensitivity to race, and racial profiling. He still receives complaints about profiling happening in schools and people are afraid to come forward. He requested the Board do something about profiling.

IV.         ROUTINE APPROVALS
A motion to approve the Routine Approval Listing as presented.
--Accept Board Facilities and Grounds Committee Meeting Notes 10-5-16
--Board Regular Meeting Minutes October 10, 2016
--Out-of-State/Overnight Student Travel
--Final Budget Transfers for 2015-2016 School Year
--Human Resources Recommendations (refer to attachment E)
Mr. Fozard moved and Ms. Fishbaine seconded to approve the Routine Approval Listing. There was no discussion. With the motion moved and seconded, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

V.          APPROVE 2015-16 MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION and ANALYSIS
A motion to approve 2015-16 Management Discussion and Analysis as presented and reviewed at the October 10 Board meeting. Mr. Fozard moved and Dr. Duffy seconded to approve the motion. There was no discussion. With the motion moved and seconded, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

VI.        EXPULSION WAIVER AGREEMENT
A motion to approve the Expulsion Waiver Agreement 2016-2017-01 with student and student’s parents. Ms. Fishbaine moved and Dr. Duffy seconded to approve the motion. There was no discussion. With the motion moved and seconded, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

VII.       RECEIPT of PLANCON I of SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 for HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
Accept the Receipt of PlanCon I of September 26, 2016 for the High School Project as presented to be recorded in the minutes as required by PDE. Ms. Fishbaine moved and Mr. Fozard seconded to approve the motion. Board member questions the cross outs on the document and Mr. Poprik responded that they were made by PDE in the review process. With the motion moved and seconded above, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

VIII.      RECEIPT of PLANCON I of OCTOBER 10, 2016 for HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
Accept the Receipt of PlanCon I of October 10, 2016 for the High School Project as presented to be recorded in the minutes as required by PDE. Ms. Fishbaine moved and Mr. Hutchinson seconded to approve the motion. There was no discussion. With the motion moved and seconded, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

IX.         HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT CHANGE ORDERS
A motion to approve High School Project Change Orders as presented below:
         General Contractor CO #36, as a credit of $2,104.36
         General Contractor CO #37, in the amount of $793.96
         General Contractor CO #38, in the amount of $19,363.00
         Site Contractor CO #19, in the amount of $1,101.84
         Electrical Contractor CO #07, in the amount of $1,139.00
         Electrical Contractor CO #08, in the amount of $8,291.00
         Electrical Contractor CO #09, in the amount of $5,234.00
         Electrical Contractor CO #10, as a credit of $1,166.00
         Electrical Contractor CO #11, in the amount of $368.00
         Electrical Contractor CO #12, in the amount of $2,207.00
         Electrical Contractor CO #13, in the amount of $2,059.00
Mr. Hutchinson moved and Ms. Fishbaine seconded to approve the motion. Board member noted the largest change order was related to unsuitable soils and Mr. Poprik confirmed. With the motion moved and seconded above, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

X.         RESOLUTION for INVESTMENT with FULTON BANK
A motion to approve resolution for investment of capital reserve fund dollars with Fulton Bank. Board members discussed and had questions for Ms. Watson and Mr. Brown. Ms. Watson responded that Fulton Bank had the highest interest rate at this time and they do require a resolution every time. This instrument is unique and they invest in FDI insured. Mr. Brown explained the reason for a short-term vs. a long-term investment. With the motion moved and seconded above, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

XI.        DISTRICT GOAL CATEGORY: FINANCE
Capital Reserve Update
Mr. Brown reviewed where we are with Capital Reserve Fund and the moved money to the Reserve Fund. The District has the following: $46 million borrowing capacity, $10 million dedicated to HS project, $85 million for Referendum, $60 million for a middle school, and $10 million for downtown campus (the Athletic Facility). The capacity for the elementary projects is $40 million and recently received estimates for the three projects totaling $45 to $50 million depending on the scope of each project and then adding them together. He explained the top of page 3 and provided an explanation of assumptions on page 4, the scenario for borrwoing on page 5 and page 7 based on the different amounts. Currently, he used the assumption of 1.65% tax increase and there being no other projects in the pipeline until after 10-years. The High School borrowing has been moved to 2018-2019 and the Elementary has moved to 2017-2018. There is a fluctuation in timing for borrowing but significant. Mr. Brown noted the financial advisors will be attending a Board meeting in the near future. Board members shared they will need to look at what is possible at each spot, the Act 1 Index this year being 2.5% so the assumption of 1.65% is low, the term on elementary school projects being straight or wrapped financing and offered thanks to Mr. Brown for the changes that were very helpful.

XII.         DISTRICT GOAL CATEGORY: FACILITIES and GROUNDS
High School Project Update
Mr. Jones and Mr. Poprik were at the table to report on the High School Project Update. With a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Jones reviewed the overall progress of Pod A, area C and the courtyard, the steel installation, the building main entry looking from Pod C, interior framing, the mechanical slab that is the floor of the mechanical room, the underground utility tunnel, rough ductwork and rock removal that they are hoping to be complete in two to three more weeks. The rock removal is further away from the building so the noise should not be as loud. Hawbaker Construction is taking care of the rock and are working four ten-hour days. Mr. Jones noted that with the hard rain last Thursday into Friday, the erosion retainers did very well and explained that there was more rain back in August.

District Wide Facilities Master Plan - Elementary Planning Update
Mr. Brown shared the most recent recommendation from administration with input from the design team. He reviewed evaluation criteria, rationale for additions/renovations vs. new construction, and cost comparisons compared to Ferguson Township and Mount Nittany Elementary in 2010. Mr. Straub reviewed floor plans but noted the main focus being on the program, looking to do things very efficiently, and showed the sites of Radio Park (RP) and Houserville (HO), and where new construction could occur. The traffic at RP for Cherry Lane could be an issue for congestion, might need other options, discussed walker routes and bike paths for Corl Street (CS) and RP, spoke about a raised walkway, phasing, building additions first, and HO will have less disruption since half of the students will still be at Lemont.

In phase one, there would be demolition in the fall of 2017, at RP - the gym might be the last part of phasing but Mr. Straub noted this is something they are working on. Mr. Poprik responded to a question of keeping third graders at Lemont. This could be on the table but would need to relocate some functions from HO. The schedule has not changed much and discussion with principals will occur for input of grade groupings.

Board members took a break from 8:26 to 8:44 p.m.

Mr. Brown reminded board members of the timeline and the action needed at the November 14 meeting for the number of classrooms/grade/building and the decision for new versus addition/renovation. He asked what board members would need to make these decisions and the following information was suggested:
         ● A better site development for new
         ● Show where playground would be, especially for RP
         ● The cost of phasing/more or less disruption to students
         ● See the site/cost/phasing/the end building of each version - new versus addition/renovation
         ● Different floor plan designs
         ● Build larger now or have a bid alternate for addition
         ● Would be helpful to know the potential of a new building
All suggestions were noted by Mr. Brown and Mr. Straub. It was decided for the Board to have a work session with the CAC for Facilities on Monday, November 7, 7:00 p.m. and the CAC for Finance will also be invited. Any information that would be ready could be reviewed at the November 2 Board Facilities and Grounds Committee meeting and also at the November 10 CAC for Facilities. Any “wiggle room” ends on November 14 Board meeting, the decision must be made.

XIII.        STRATEGIC PLANNING
Process Update
Dr. O’Donnell noted he and Dr. Perrin shared a document that is required by PDE related to Chapter 4. The Board will be receiving different information on who to appoint to the overall process. The Board will need to appoint participants to the Professional Education Committee in accordance with 22 PA Code Chapter 49. He noted the participants were two community members, two business representatives, and two parent representatives. Dr. O’Donnell will field through the Culture, Climate and Learning Committee and come back with the subcommittee. We need to do this in year three, not the second year and this is the third system in place with the State. There have been a lot of changes. Discussion occurred and it was noted the steering committee would meet November 9 and 10, a Board work session is built in for the evening of November 10, both days were mapped out in the handout and there would be a follow-up with the steering committee in February/March timeframe. The 9th will be a public meeting and a concern was shared this is scheduled for the day after the election. Dr. O’Donnell will continue to provide feedback.

XIV.         BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
--Finance and Audit Committee - Met last week and reviewed the Capital Plan.
--Upcoming Committee Meetings: Policy Committee - October 25, Culture, Climate and Learning Committee - October 26 and Facilities and Grounds Committee - November 2

XV.          REPORTS
--Central Intermediate Unit (CIU) Report - Dr. Duffy noted there is a meeting this Thursday.
--National School Boards Association (NSBA) Report/PA School Boards Association (PSBA)/Legislative Mr. Hutchinson spoke on HB 530 and he is getting conflicting reports whether it will move forward or not. The hope is that if it gets past, it will be vetoed.
      PDE gave results around ESSA and the recommendation from stakeholder groups is pretty good. PDE will work on implementing and hopefully use the stakeholder input.
      Mr. Hutchinson will be attending the NSBA Conference this year and it seemed like most people enjoyed the PSBA Conference except for the confusion with the Delegate Program.
--Centre Region Council of Governments (COG) Liaison Report - Ms. Brandt had no report.
--Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Liaison Reports
      Athletics - Ms. Fishbaine reported they met October 18, the winter sports will begin soon, there was a new hire for the girls’ basketball coach, spoke on the rankings of different teams, the High School Project, Memorial Field, South Track, the speaker - Craig Hiller - coming in to talk with student athletes on November 3, the new athletic eligibility report, being proactive with tutoring that will begin November 7, and the next meeting will be held November 17, High School North, Room 880. The girls’ volleyball team won the Mid-Penn Championship.
      Facilities - Ms. Fishbaine reported that what was discussed at the meeting was heard tonight.
      Finance - No report
      Safety - Dr. Duffy reported they would be meeting in a couple days.
      Technology - No report

XVI.         FUTURE AGENDA PLANNING
There will be a Work Session on Monday, November 7, 7:00 p.m. on the DWFMP Elementary Process. Ms. Concepcion noted: the School Climate Policy will be on the agenda and November 14 meeting will be the decision for the Elementary Option Selection.

Other item to add to Future Agenda Planning: Development Update

XVII.        ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Fozard moved and Ms. Fishbaine seconded to adjourn the Regular Board Meeting of the State College Area School District Board of Directors. With the motion moved and seconded, all board members present voted aye with a voice vote. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Concepcion adjourned the meeting at 9:53 p.m.

Submitted by,

Mary Jenn Dorman
Board Secretary