BRANDYWINE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING October 24, 2011
MINUTES
ATTENDANCE: Ms. Olivia Johnson-Harris, President; Ms. Patricia Hearn, Vice President; Mr. Ralph Ackerman; Dr. Audrey Noble; Ms. Cheryl Siskin; Mr. John Skrobot; and, Dr. Mark Holodick, Executive Secretary.
ABSENT: Mr. Joseph Brumskill Recording Secretary: Ms. Diane Clark I. CALL TO ORDER
The Brandywine School District Board of Education held a regular action meeting on Monday, October 24, 2011 in the Ben Ellis Conference Room in District Offices, 1000 Pennsylvania Avenue, Claymont Delaware 19703. Ms. Olivia Johnson-Harris, President, called the meeting to order at 7:13 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Ackerman led the Board and those attending in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
President Ms. Johnson-Harris pulled Agenda Item VIII.A – Board Minutes from the agenda.
ON THE MOTION of Mr. Ackerman, and seconded by Ms. Siskin, the Board members present voted unanimously (6-0) to approve the Agenda with one correction.
II. SPECIAL PRESENTATION A. High School Reports
i) Brandywine High School (BHS) – Ms. Molly McPheeters
Molly McPheeters reported on recent and upcoming activities at BHS and on the achievement of BHS students not only in academics, sports and extra-curricular activities, but also reporting on their community projects.
ii) Concord High School (CHS) – Dennise Juarez
Dennise Juarez reported on recent and upcoming activities at CHS and on the achievement of CHS students not only in academics, sports and extra-curricular activities, but also reporting on their community projects.
iii) Mt. Pleasant High School (MPHS) – Erin Lynch
Erin Lynch reported on recent and upcoming activities at MPHS and on the achievements of MPHS students not only in academics, sports and extra-curricular activities, but also reporting on their community projects.
Ms. Hearn, on behalf of the Board, thanked the students for their hard work, and dedication to the individual community projects they are involved with.
B. Special Recognition
i) Kindergarten Club – Mr. Dorrell Green, Director of Elementary Schools/ Title I/ESL offered a brief history as to the origin of the program. He
identified the current Chair of the Club, Ms. Karen Simpson, and the past Chair, Ms. Nimi Baya Kass. Mr. Green acknowledged the dedication of the group and recognized the teachers who participate in the Kindergarten Club. Certificates were presented to 41 members of the club.
ii) Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP) – Ms. Cora Scott, Director of Pupil Services offered a brief history as to the origin of the program. Ms. Scott recognized Kris Viar, Principal, and PJ Facciolo, program coordinator for their efforts overseeing this program. She also recognized the teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff who make the ECAP program a success at P S duPont School. Certificates were presented to ten staff members.
III. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT A. District Updates
i) Dr. Holodick presented the following updates to the Board:
a) He reported that the District’s Annual Rating was released, and BSD received a Commendable Rating for 2011:
b) The referendum planning process is progressing very well. Most of the committees have met and are beginning to formulate their
recommendations. Dr. Holodick introduced the chair of the Referendum Committee, Mr. Marty Tracy.
c) Distinguished members of the BSD business and legislative community will be participating in the district’s Principal for a Day program this week. Almost all of the district’s schools are involved in this event.
d) Harlan ES hosted its annual Fall Festival this past Friday as part of the state’s RTTT’s plan to engage families and encourage parental involvement in the children’s education. Approximately 200 families attended this worthwhile program.
e) Six students in the district have been recognized as Commended students in the National Merit Scholarship Program. As Commended students, they represent the top 5% of the more than 1.5 million students who took the PSAT’s last year. From CHS: Monideepa Chatterjee, and Steven
McLaughlin; MPHS: Kiera Dobbs, Dana Leonard, Susannah Wright, and William Xu.
f) All three of our high schools have hosted anti-bullying events this month. Activities included contract and pledge signings, assemblies, special presentations, and class banners.
g) Claymont ES 5th grade students visited the New Castle County Court House as part of their Mock Trial Program. The students toured the building, and engaged in a Q & A with Judge Jane Jurden. They also participated in a Mock Trial involving the purported theft of a cell phone.
h) Fifteen teachers from Japan visited Springer MS as part of the University of Delaware’s English Language Institute. The Japanese visitors are teachers of English at the middle school level in Japan and are in Delaware for a semester-long learning project.
i) Ms. Rebecca Pierre, a 6th grade student at Talley MS was the statewide winner for grades 6-8 in the annual School Bus Safety Poster Contest. She will now represent Delaware in the National competition. The theme for the contest was “I See the Driver – The Driver Sees Me”.
j) Forwood ES is hosting the Delaware History Museum for in-school
programs for fifth graders this week. The programs being presented include the Underground Railroad, and Civil War boot camp.
k) WMPH will host an Open House on Saturday, October 29th. It will feature a tour of the studios, and souvenir giveaway items. All are welcome to come and see the changes.
IV. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Board Liaison Business
i) Delaware School Boards Association Executive Board - Mr. Brumskill No report.
ii) Delaware School Boards Association Legislative Comm. – Mr. Ackerman Mr. Ackerman stated that the committee met, and decided to table the Legislative Priorities for DSBA. Mr. Jerry Gallagher presented a financial report to the group, and will also share that information with the Chief School Officers at a future meeting.
iii) Renovation Oversight Committee (ROC) – Mr. Skrobot
Mr. Skrobot stated that the ROC met in October. He stated that the weather has put them behind a bit in their schedule at the new site, however, the new district office site is proceeding along. All bids and change orders tonight were approved by the ROC.
iv) District Finance Committee (DFC) – Mr. Brumskill
Mr. Blowman reported that the DFC met on October 20th, and they had a quorum. He will provide information during his Financial Report.
v) Policy Review Committee (PRC) – Ms. Hearn
Ms. Hearn reported that the PRC did not meet yet, however they will meet on November 9th.
B. Other Reports
i) Brandywine Special Needs PTA (BSNPTA) – Ms. Johnson-Harris
Ms. Johnson-Harris reported that the group met on Thursday, October 20th. The topic was Student Leadership Training for Transition Planning. It was very well attended by parents, administrators, and teachers alike. A discussion surrounded on how to help your child become successful. The information presented was outstanding. BSNPTA includes not only BSD families, but families from other districts.
ii) District Parent Council (DPC) – Ms. Siskin
Ms. Kim Matthews stated that the first meeting of the year hosted the State PTA treasurer as their speaker. Most all schools were represented.
iii) Communications/Marketing Committee (CMC) – Ms. Hearn
Ms. Hearn reported that they did not meet this month. They hosted the BSD Measures Up meeting on October 7th. The breakfast was very well received, and well attended. The next meeting will be December 14th. The topic will be how to shape communications heading into the referendum.
iv) BSD Legislative Committee – Ms. Cooper
Ms. Cooper reported that the Legislative Committee met last week. They discussed strategies for the upcoming Breakfast meeting on November 4th with Legislators. The topic will be funding for public schools. A January evening meeting is being planned to include the DPC and Legislators.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. Waiver of Student Code of Conduct – Ms. Scott
Ms. Cora Scott presented the Board with background information, and changes that were suggested to the Waiver at the Board meeting in September. She asked that the section requiring a drug and alcohol assessment be removed. Ms. Curtis stated that this requirement is not a state requirement, but a district initiative. Both received questions from Board members.
ON THE MOTION of Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Siskin, the Board members present voted unanimously (6-0) to accept the
Superintendent’s recommendation for the Board to allow the district to waive the portion of the Student Code of Conduct that requires the drug and alcohol
assessment.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. Beth Murphy a parent in the district, asked to speak to the Board regarding the state Autistic program director. She would like to know what his role is in the Brandywine School District. Dr. Holodick stated that he would respond to her (Ms. Murphy) in writing with answers to her questions. He will also have his findings available for anyone else who like the same information at the next meeting.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Financial Report Update – July 31, 2011
Mr. Blowman stated that the DFC met on Thursday, October 20th. They had a quorum, and the DFC approved both the July and August 2011 Financial Reports. The July report shows the district was right on track through July in terms of payroll. The property tax reports show that the district generally receives the bulk of the money by September and October. Approximately $25 - $30M should be coming soon. This should carry the district through the end of the year. The cash flow report shows a little more than projected, just a shade under $4M. Mr. Blowman also added that the District Resources and Planning Committee, financial experts from the community, have formed a committee to help the individual Referendum Sub-Committees to craft a budget proposal. He asked for questions from the Board members.
ON THE MOTION of Ms. Siskin, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, the Board members present voted unanimously (6-0) to approve the July 31, 2011 Monthly Financial Report as approved by the District Finance Committee, subject to audit.
B. Policies – Ms. Cooper
Ms. Cooper stated that the three policies before the Board tonight, were reviewed by the PRC on September 21, 2011. In keeping with Policy 03.1, those policies presented were approved by the PRC and posted on the district web and shared with administrators, other employee groups, DPC, and the community on or about October 4, 2011. All suggested modifications where shared with the PRC, and those that were approved were incorporated into the policies. The PRC recommends the following actions: Modification to clarify Policy 03.2 – Statement on Distribution of Keys for Buildings Owned or Maintained by the Brandywine School District; Policy 06.11 – Statement on a Drug/Alcohol Free Workplace. Since the state has approved the use of medical marijuana, the Board will need to discuss the approval or non-approval for the use of this drug; and, Republishing Policy 08.4 – Statement on Establishing Procedures, Criteria, and Priorities for Considering Choice Applications. The PRC is asking that the Board approve the recommendations of the committee as presented. Ms. Cooper
received questions from the Board. A lengthy discussion surrounding Policy 06.11 pursued. Since there were many concerns regarding specific language to the Policy, it was decided to pull this Policy for further review.
ON THE MOTION of Ms. Siskin, seconded by Mr. Skrobot, the Board members present voted unanimously (6-0) to approve Policy 03.2 - Statement on Distribution of Keys for Buildings Owned or Maintained by the Brandywine School District and Policy 08.4 - Statement on Establishing Procedures, Criteria, and Priorities for Considering Choice Applications as presented.
C. Major Capital Funding Transfer – J Read
John Read asked the Board to approve a transfer of funds, approved by the ROC, to add back into the project scope, items that were originally removed from the new Brandywood project. It includes furniture, technology items, playground equipment, and other school items. Once the transfer is complete, the district will still have money in the transportation/facilities account.
ON THE MOTION of Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Siskin, the Board members present voted unanimously (6-0) to approve the transfer of $600,000 from the Transportation Purchase Appropriation to the Brandywood ES project.
VIII. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes
i. Executive Session Minutes – September 26, 2011 ii. Regular Board Meeting Minutes – September 26, 2011
B. Major Capital Improvement Project i. Change Orders
a) Brandywood ES
ON THE MOTION of Ms. Hearn, seconded by Ms.
Siskin, the Board members present voted unanimously (6-0) to remove Consent Agenda Item VIII.A – Minutes from the Agenda, and accept Consent Agenda Item VIII.B as discussed in Executive Session.
IX. PERSONNEL MATTERS
ON THE MOTION of Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Dr. Noble, the Board members present voted unanimously (6-0) to accept the
Superintendent’s recommendation on Personnel Matters as discussed in Executive Session.
X. STUDENT MATTERS A. School Choice Program
i. Choice “Good Cause” Application Requests 2011-2012
ii. Choice “Good Cause” Application Requests 2011-2012 (Rejected) iii. Choice Termination Parent Requests 2010-2011
iv. Choice for Gifted and IB Invitees 2011-2012
ON THE MOTION of Ms. Hearn, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, the Board members present voted unanimously (6-0) to approve the recommendation on Student Matters Item X Choice A.i – iv as discussed in Executive Session. XI. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY EDUCATIONAL TOPIC
None
XII. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. November 10, 2011 – Workshop – District Office
B. November 14, 2011 – Regular Board Meeting – District Office C. December 12, 2011 – Regular Board Meeting – District Office XIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON THE MOTION of Ms. Siskin, seconded by Mr. Skrobot, the Board members present voted unanimously (7-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 PM. Respectfully submitted _____________________________ Mark A. Holodick Executive Secretary Board of Education
