I'd like to call the November 9th, 2020
meeting of the Derry Township School District Board of Directors to order
and announce that this meeting is being livestreamed and audio recorded.
This meeting is being conducted both in-person and virtual.
Eliminate our in-person attendance to ensure the ability to social distance
during the COVID 19 pandemic.
I would like to remind board members to please
state your name when speaking
for those watching the livestream.
We do have three board members in our Zoom panel meeting
so they can unmute themselves when we go through
Roll Call.
This is a roll call, please.
Mr. Abel. Here.
Dr. CRONIN
Here, Mr. Drew,
Here this is have a stack here.
This is many here.
Dr. SHORE. Here.
Mr. Speaker, Here.
Mr. Singer. Here.
Mr. Steiner Here.
Nine present, zero absent.
All right. Thank you.
In honor of Veterans Day this month, I would just like any veteran
to stand up so that we can recognize you.
And thank you for your service.
Thank.
Thank you, Mr.
Singer.
Before the meeting, he was.
You were showing me pictures.
Do you want to share the pictures? And.
All right.
Of the day.
He went to Vietnam and the day he came home.
So how long did you serve?
One year.
One year in Vietnam.
Two years in the Army.
And how old were you when you went in?
I was 19.
I was drafted.
All right.
So help pass around those pictures.
You can see a young Perry singer.
Please rise a table
and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.
My record stands.
Position.
Indivisible with liberty and justice.
For all.
If I can just say one more thing.
Oh, yeah, go ahead.
So the first picture is just
waiting to get on the plane to go to Vietnam.
So that's the plane that took me there.
And the second picture is taken in Cameron Bay
waiting
to board up board a plane to come home.
So those are the two pictures.
And then there a
something called the short time calendar.
There's just a miniature version of it.
The this is the one I had in Vietnam.
Pretty much everyone there had one in one form
or another,
put in 365 squares
and just kind of mark off the days
whenever you could.
This is actually the one I had carried around with me.
And the the picture that you have is
just a shrunken down version of it.
So this is 57 years old.
All right. Thank you.
Thank you. Yep.
May I have a motion to approve the November
nine, 2020 Board of Directors agenda?
So move to. Miami.
I can.
Lindsey. Drew.
Is there any discussion?
Okay.
All those in favor say I, i, i, i as opposed to, you know,
the agenda is approved.
I would like to announce the board met in executive session prior to this meeting
to announce to discuss matters of personnel
recognition of citizens.
This is an opportunity for residents and taxpayers to address the board related to
matters on the agenda.
Those who speak
if you are attending virtually are asked to raise your virtual hand.
In order to be recognized, you must type your first
and last name into the livestream webinar.
Once recognized,
please state your name and address.
You have 5 minutes of speaking time and one opportunity
at this portion and the other.
Those wishing to present private concerns and even follow up
can address the board by
going to the website and completing a community correspondence report.
Are there any residents and taxpayers who would like to give public comment?
Okay.
I don't see anybody in the audience and no hands online.
The Curriculum Council and the policy Committee met today.
I have a report from the Curriculum Council.
We had an impressive presentation on SSA, E.T.
and bounce back.
This is the program that we implemented at the beginning of the school year
to to
work on this social emotional learning of the students
after they've been out of school for seven months.
We did some training in August
with the teachers and then every day for an hour for about three weeks,
the students in elementary, middle school and high school
reviewed skills and learned
strategies to reduce trauma their trauma response.
In other words, that means to reduce their stress and help
the management manage it.
You know, the seven months
of the pandemic created a lot of stress for everybody.
So it was an environment on the students to learn how to deal better with that.
The staff that presented at the Curriculum Council had done a survey of fourth,
fifth on up to 12th grade students as well as the staff,
and they got some really good feedback.
The students learned strategies such as
mindfulness meditation, exercise, things
on how to handle stress and anxiety,
and they also got some really good input from the staff on how to do it.
If we ever would do it another time.
We also approved the the new and updated
human sexuality curriculum that will be coming to the full board
and we also
approved the proposal to add student representatives to the curriculum council,
and that's something very similar to what we do for the full board.
So we'll have reps at the Curriculum Council.
So anyone have any questions?
Okay.
Mrs. Steiner, do you have a policy committee update?
I do. Thank you.
The policy committee met today and we reviewed
several policies for revisions
that were recommended by SBA
policy 113.2 on behavior support,
which this was a special education policy
that affected two of the new policies that we approved,
which corresponded with revisions that were needed
during the regular compliance monitoring process.
So this is something that that, you know, just occurred
and then there are some minor revisions that were prompted due to this state's
cyclical process for compliance.
And it was really just
provided increased safeguards to reflect the best practices for positive
behavior plans that were already implemented in our school district.
So we approved those revisions,
and we also approved two new policies
that were related policy 113.1 discipline of students with disabilities
and Policy 113.4
Confidentiality, a special education student information.
And these were new policies
to us, not necessarily to PSB,
but it was just something that we again were already doing
but didn't have it in policy.
So just,
you know, making everything updated with our practices.
We also looked at three policies
related to a new school code
regarding sudden cardiac arrest prevention.
And those were policies.
One 2122 extracurricular activities.
123 Interscholastic athletics.
And one 23.2 sudden cardiac arrest.
So these were mostly
two of the policies were actually just updated with legal citation.
So it didn't affect the policy
except for the sudden cardiac arrest policy.
There was just some updated information related to language updates
for that prevention act.
So those were all approved to come to the full board
for a 30 day review.
The other new policies that we reviewed and approved
were policy one 46.1
trauma informed approach,
which is an optional policy that PSP had developed,
which again reflects some of the work that we've already
implemented here in Derry Township, with
Lisa miller's work as part of the School Safety and Security Committee
and which is part of the school code.
And that has been
really ramped up over the last couple of years.
Even our school directors are now required to
to get this trauma informed training, which we've all received last year.
And I think that's on an annual training that will receive, again,
if I'm not mistaken.
But so this policy also reflects that.
So that was approved.
We also approved a new policy.
252 Dating violence,
which is something that other school districts
have on their policy books
and came to our attention due to the title nine sexual harassment
updates that were made to our other harassment and discrimination policies.
And so this just brought that policy to our forefront, to have
that as an extra layer of protection for students that are on relationships
policy.
Three 17.1 Educator misconduct was also
similar with a
came up under the title nine sexual harassment
updates.
And so that was something that was also approved as a new policy and policy.
32 Educational equity,
which is a policy that PSB has been working to develop over
the last couple of years
and really worked hard over the summer with Dr.
Heather Bennett and Heather Massad and the Policy Services and Equity
Services Department of PSB to
to develop and implement and
offer as an optional policy across the state to school districts.
And I'm really proud of our school district for adopting this
educational equity policy, which falls in line with the initiatives
that we've already begun here in Derry Township.
And I just want to point out that this is an 800 policy,
which 800 is under our operations.
So it really just underlies
that equity is really just seen as
should be seen as the foundation of everything that we do.
And everything that we do
should be looked at through that equity lens.
And this policy just solidifies those efforts.
So that was approved as well.
And our next meeting is in February.
So if anybody has any questions, that concludes my report.
First, thank you very much.
Mr. JENNINGS, do you have a community correspondent's report?
Yes, Madam President. I have a brief report.
During the month of October, we received five.
Submissions via our constituent contact form.
One of those was a question regarding attendance.
We had three submissions that were related to the election
and we had one individual parent concern with student grades.
Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Barto and Mr. Parisi.
Do you have student representative reports?
We do.
This is very much a continuation
of last week's report, with many similar,
very similar topics being
built upon, one of which is fall sports.
Several of our teams have repeated and continue their their posts this season
over these past two or so weeks.
Unfortunately,
because of the temporary
COVID 19 shutdown, cross-country boys,
cross-country and cross-country over vote
certainly cannot
participate in their respective
and their respective races.
But we congratulate them on a great season regardless.
We have
our field hockey winning their
who won their semifinal game on Saturday.
We wish them luck and their in their following game
for the championship and
two of our teams, the girls volleyball team and the boys Soccer both
unfortunately lost their quarter final games earlier this week
on Thursday and Wednesday respectively.
So yeah, even amid that temporary shutdown,
we are still able to continue with the homecoming event that student
council in coordination with the senior class officers
and the science put together.
So this Thursday, November 12,
we are able to coordinate for food trucks to come in.
And so we have a few things to do as one of these
drinkers fries and hopefully a coffee truck.
They're all scheduled to come in.
Right now, we have about a hundred kids registered
as well as the court and the families.
So it should be a very successful event.
Hopefully the weather permits and we can still add that
everything's looking really good for that.
And then just briefly, the Winter musical division
now planning on moving forward with their event this year.
And they announced that.
Regarding the PSAT,
it is now open for registration for 10th and 11th grade students.
Hopefully they can start to prepare for their trek in taking the AP,
which will hopefully become more available in the next the upcoming months
as the
the OR many clubs
are starting their volunteer opportunities, such as people
who are participating with the Indy Russell McDonald Magazine Drive.
And we have a a club
in the in the process of being created
entitled Homeownership and Relief.
They just got fired from a nonprofit organization started by a board seniors
over the summer managed to raise over $1,000
for other underprivileged communities with supplies,
necessary supplies to combat
and treat the effects of COVID 19.
This concludes our report.
If you have any questions, we'd be more than willing to answer.
Thank you very much.
The listed items are on the anticipated November 23rd,
2020 Board of Directors Agenda.
The consent agenda contains routinely adopted items and items
that do not normally require public deliberations on the part of the board.
May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda items as listed so moved.
Maria Miami.
Second. Terry Singer
Hey, is there any discussion?
I just have one question regarding
the policies that are in there and
relating to the approval of policies
under the one of three
discriminatory harassment and then one or four
for discriminatory harassment for employment.
So both of those.
I was just curious if it's possible and I probably would not
catch this previously, but in the policy it states,
stalking is defined on the basis of sex.
And I was just curious if we could amend this
to add sex or gender identity
since the Title nine language actually
specifically references both.
And thank you. Mr..
I feel like we've had this conversation before
and I'm not sure if that
it's federal language.
I'm not sure if if that's something we can change legally is that the.
Federal the federal language to say on the basis of sex and gender.
And does it okay.
Mr. Rives, do you have any comments on the.
At this time?
I really don't have any comments.
I mean, that's the recommendation that was provided to us by SBA.
I know we had looked at it before.
Our solicitors have have looked at it as well.
I mean, ultimately that's a decision for the board.
But I,
I don't have any any comments at this time.
I just want to make sure that it's inclusive
so that if there were a policy violation brought up and brought forward
and was subject to a Title nine investigation,
that the title nine language for a federal statute
that includes those would supersede the policy that we have
so that it would not exclude gender or gender identity.
And hello, I'm Jeff Related, and I'm here
as the solicitor for tonight's meeting.
But policy you can't necessarily alter
any of the requirements under federal law, regardless of what those are.
To the extent it falls within the purview of the Title nine
Regulation, there would be an affirmative obligation.
So I think from that perspective, we do not worry about anything
that might hypothetically fall through the cracks.
So I think, again, if that is something that is is required
to be reviewed under Title nine and as it's interpreted
and as the guidance further comes out, because as I think everyone knows,
the Title nine regulations just became effective in August of this year.
So this is a constantly evolving area.
In fact, the president elect is already talking about
making some changes to the title settlement of regulations.
But in any case, I do understand that concern.
But regardless of the language of the policy,
depending on the nature of the complaint, which of course would be evaluated
on a case by case basis, there would be an affirmative obligation to to review it
under the Title nine regulations, so long as involved in discussions.
Okay. Thank you.
I just wanted to make sure that we were not inadvertently excluding
and that that would be considered, because I know that we did
modify the language
that was recommended by SBA when it was at the Policy Committee level
to be more in line with the actual title nine definition of stalking.
So as long as from a legal perspective, students and employees would still have
all rights based under either one of those buckets,
I'm okay with it.
Any further discussion?
All those in favor say I,
I, I was opposing. No.
Okay. The consent agenda is approved.
New business Revised title one non Public School Instructional Service Agreement.
Mr. McFarland.
Thank you.
The administration recommends the board approve the revised Title
one Nonpublic School Instructional Services Agreement
with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit for the 2020 2021 school year.
May I have a motion to approve
the revised Title one Nonpublic School Instructional Service Agreement?
So moved Maria me
second,
is there any discretion
all those in favor say I, I, I would say no.
Okay.
It's approved
approval of a memorandum of understanding early retirement instead of Mr.
McFarland. Thank you.
The administration recommends the approval of a memorandum of understanding
between the Derry Township School District and the Hershey Education Association
that provides an early retirement incentive to qualified members of the
bargaining unit.
May I have a motion to approve the 88 million for early retirement incentive?
So moved Maria me
second.
Donna Cronan,
Is there any discussion?
Okay, there's the standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I.
I think I. Was supposed to say no,
it is approved.
May I have a motion to approve personal resignation?
So move. To Maria. Me second teacher.
Is there any discussion?
Okay.
All those in favor say I.
I was.
Say no.
Okay. It's approved
personnel. General. Mr. McFarland.
The administration recommends
the approval of the listed personnel and recognition of any listed transfers.
May I have a motion
to approve the listed personnel and recognition of listed transfers?
So move to Maria. May.
Second.
Donna Cronan Is there any discussion?
Kate is no standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I are always opposed.
Say no.
Okay, It's approved delegate reports.
Donna, do you have anything to add to the attached SBA report?
No, I do not. Thank you. Okay.
A special report.
Are there any board members who would like to give a report?
Madam President, this is Lyndsey Drew.
I just wanted to say, and Mrs.
Steiner may have some more elaborate comments, but
she and I participated in the PSC delegate assembly this weekend,
and I seem to thank the board for, again, having this opportunity
to participate in that.
It's always a really great experience to hear from the representative
of school boards from across the Commonwealth
and the various things that we have in common and the things that are different.
Our board
had the significant contributions to the PSB platform for this year
and I'm really proud of that and sign up for all of her work
with us on that project and
I'm not sure if she'll add any more, but there were a couple of things
that didn't make it through that we're hoping will come back next year.
But overall, it was a really great experience and project being a part of it.
Okay, great.
Any other board members who would like to give a report?
Yeah.
Yes, I'd like to.
Just very briefly, I just wanted to
mention a couple of things.
First, and as a in my capacity as a member of the Hershey Rotary Club
overseeing and coordinating
their annual essay contest,
and I just wanted to thank Dr.
Smith and Dr.
Winslow for helping get the word out
to both our our students here
within the
district and some of the homeschooled students as well.
And secondly, I wanted to thank Mr.
McFarland and
Mark Anderson for their cooperation and support today
for a project of jurisprudence foundation that has been undertaken
to convert a unused
abandoned basketball court to repurpose it into a roller street hockey rink.
And there's been a lot of cooperation and support over the last year
to work on that.
So I just wanted to thank the district for their cooperation on that.
And the other board members.
Yes, Madam President, this is Tricia Steiner.
I just I did just want to echo what Ms..
Drew said about the delegate assembly on Saturday.
And as the board knows, we did have to significant submissions
for consideration.
One was to add a new
principal
support to supports,
increase equity and accountability, and that was for education reparations.
There was a lot of
lively comments and at the end
or throughout those discussions, it was ended up being tabled,
which means that it will automatically
go on the platform for next year to be brought up again
for discussion and a vote.
The other item that we
approved to submit from our board was based on the funding formula
and that was just adding additional language in a sentencing
in order to ensure that all students receive an equitable amount
of funding proportionate
to student needs and an ability to rely on a local tax base.
Thus closing the gap between high wealth and low wealth school districts.
The state should immediately put into place
a significant funding mechanism to provide equality and equitable
public education for every student in the Commonwealth,
and that was supported by 83% with the yes vote.
So that will be included in the platform.
Great. Congratulations.
And then I also just want to say that I also met with
I've been meeting regularly every month
with the Regional Adolescent Sleep Needs Coalition.
There are a subset.
Chapter group of START school leaders
and they have monthly meetings.
And I just wanted to emphasize
the need to promote sleep hygiene, especially now during COVID
as a pillar of health, along with exercise and diet.
But our kids really need really need sleep
to keep their immune systems healthy and to keep them alert whether they're in
person, school or online or in a virtual environment.
And there is still a sleep. 101
30 minute program that's available
where there's a grant being provided by State Farm.
State Farm has been a coalition partner.
And I just want to mention regarding State Farm
that October was National Distracted Driving month
and the first week of November,
it was a drowsy week.
Sorry.
Drowsy driving Prevention week is the first week of November.
Who knew? But
because, you know, sleep is a big part of
it plays a big role and drowsy drivers
that are very new to driving on the way to school early in the morning.
And so partnering with State Farm, they have provided
grant funding to provide this program free.
So I'll share that information again if that's something
that our school district wants to participate in.
But it is on a first come, first serve basis. So
but that's that's all I wanted to report.
Okay. Thank you.
Any other board members?
Mr. McFarland gave a superintendents report.
I do, Madam President. Thank you.
I just wanted to provide the board in the community with an update
as to where we are as a district related to COVID 19 cases.
To date, since August 17th, we've had five staff
test positive and nine students test positive for COVID 19.
As many of you know, the case counts across the state
as well as Dauphin County have continued to climb at concerning levels
while our district numbers have remained relatively low.
I want to take this opportunity to again remind everyone
to make sure that masks are made of two layer cotton material worn properly,
covering the nose and mouth at all times while on campus, maintaining appropriate
physical distancing and continue to practice good hand hygiene.
And additionally, if anyone is not feeling well,
please stay home and seek direction from your medical provider.
Thank you.
Okay.
Thank you.
Board Presidents Report.
I just wanted to announce that there is an All things diversity
presentation this Wednesday night at 7:00.
You can register. It's virtual via YouTube.
You can watch it.
And it is about in honor of Veterans Day.
And there are some veterans speaking about their experiences
in recognition of citizens.
This is an opportunity for residents and taxpayers to address the board on
matters related to the agenda or matters of district government governance.
It's not on the agenda.
If you are watching it livestream, you can raise your virtual hand.
Please state your name and address for the record
and your 5 minutes of speaking time.
Are there any taxpayers, her residents who would like to speak at this time?
Okay.
So we're going to unmute you and just please state your name
and address for the record and you get 5 minutes.
Richard Gamble.
He just disappeared.
Hello, my name is Richard Gamble, 39
Business Road, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
I submitted a question to the board earlier today concerning the discussion
between the School township Board of Supervisors and her company.
Are you going to be addressing anything or could you discuss
any of that information?
So this is not a question
and answer, but I didn't get any question from you.
I don't even know what you're referring to.
So do you want to go ahead and email that,
submit a community correspondence on the website?
Yes. Okay. That would be great.
And then we can get your email address.
I don't know.
I don't even know what this is referring to.
So just go to our website and submit a community correspondence.
Okay.
I submitted it on the notice you sent me about the meeting tonight.
Oh, we didn't get anything.
Out of.
The wrong, based on.
What it consists of, is discussing the idea
of increasing the amusement tax.
So with the increased cost
for the school, the township, and everybody else involved.
I'm wondering if you have discussed this with the Derry Township Board
or if you would be willing to meet and approach the company to take a look
at increase in revenue for the schools versus raising people's taxes?
I'm retired, living on a fixed income, and with the shortfall,
I think you're up to $2 million right now with the township
that we can't afford more and more taxes.
Surrounding communities that have tourist attractions
or collecting a minimum of 5% commission versus 85%
or $0.85, or to take it to cost $250.
I think equity is important here that we are gaining something.
In fact, now that we're considered
to be a, quote, tourist town.
All right.
Thank you.
I'm sorry. Go ahead. Oh, go ahead.
Thank you.
So are there any other citizens who have a comment?
Okay.
Is there anything to follow up with him? I don't mean to interrupt.
I just want to make.
Sure that he's not expecting something.
So he can submit a community correspondence.
Okay.
If he doesn't know how, then he should probably call in.
And ask for administrative.
Office and then
just press zero for the operator and they can.
Help you.
Figure out how to submit a correspondence report.
Okay.
Is there anything else for the good of the order?
The next public Board of Directors meeting will be held November 23rd, 2020,
starting at 7:00 in the District Office Board of Directors Room.
May I have a motion to adjourn this meeting?
So moved. Maria Miami
second.
Donna Cronan.
All those in favor say I have all this
personnel in the meeting is adjourned at 736.