To call the January 14th, 2019 meeting of the Derry Township School
Board of Directors to order and announce that this meeting is being audio recorded.
President Kathy Seger has an excused absence for this evening.
Mr. Friends Roll call.
Mr. Abel. Here.
Dr. Cronin.
Ms.. Drew Here.
Miscavige to.
Hear. Ms.. Mimi here.
Dr. Shore. Here. Ms.. Seger.
Mr. Singer Here.
Ms.. Steiner.
Here. Eight present. One absent.
Thank you.
Please rise if you are able, and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.
And then if you're able to remain standing as our high school professor
has a special surprise for us.
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.
One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Oh, say,
can you see by
the dawn's early light.
The loss of
the twilight's last gleaming.
Whose spots in my side?
Bright star,
are on the side of the road.
We are strong.
So God loves the stream.
And the rockets red glare, The bombs
bursting in
on the eyeglasses.
The upside
spangled banner.
My eyes were
all the know
of the
and o the.
Board members citizens.
Four of our amazing, amazing choral members
for our quartet at the direction of Mr.
O'Farrell, who's humbly standing in the back lines from what
a lot of the credit goes to him for teaching them
that you may not know.
This January is a school board appreciation month
and this is just one way that we can say thank you to our board members
for the time, the energy, the effort, the dedication they put in.
This is something that not every school has
the quality, the music of our music department.
And while many schools were going through cuts and
having music
programs, the arts diminished, arts flourished and that a lot of that
credit goes to a board who understood the importance of the arts
and committed the resources even through a tough time.
So enjoy
flow of the storm.
Clouds gather
for all across the.
La la la la
la la la la is free.
So grateful
for all Souls,
bearers of voices,
Song of
God bless America.
La la, la la.
Side by side.
Guide through
La la la.
From the mound to love
to the oceans White with flow.
God bless America. My O
oh, oh.
Plus my little sweet. Oh,
you really?
To tell us your names.
Tell the board members your names and your year in school.
Okay.
I'm Coroneos I'm a senior at
this.
I'm a senior at Hershey high School.
I'm Patrick Abbasi, Senior Hershey School.
I'm Smith Ramesh also senior at Hershey high School.
All right.
Thank you again very nice.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Again, to me. I'm not done yet.
Oh, and I said a lot about our board,
but I can't thank you enough for the time
public members.
I don't think everybody always realizes
you see these folks here for a couple of hours, twice a month,
but you don't really realize the multiple hours that go into it behind the scenes.
Yes, the board members are here twice a month
for a couple of hours at a board meeting.
But they also are at committee meetings.
They read volumes and volumes and volumes of material
that are sent to them on a regular basis.
They are engaged in the activities going on at our school.
It is much more
than what you see around this table on a weekly basis.
And on behalf of the the staff, the students, the administration,
the faculty, I can't thank you enough for all that you do.
And that you commit.
We're very, very fortunate to have board members that are as committed as you are.
So thank you.
And I'm with that being said,
I have a small token for each one of you.
It's a portfolio and it just says Derry Township School
District School Board on the cover.
So you can continue with the meeting and I'll just bring these around.
But thank you very much.
Thank you so much.
And thank you once again to the students who just performed,
I think one of my favorite parts about being a school board member is
School Board Appreciation Month for the fact that we get to
hear from so
many of our talented students and it's just a really
rewarding way to appreciate
what we have here in Derry Township.
So thank you again.
Okay, Onto approval of Board of Directors agenda.
May I have a motion to approve the January 14th, 2019 Board of Directors agenda?
So moved. Second.
Maria second by Teri.
Is there any discussion?
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I. II.
All those opposed saying this
motion carries
information and proposals.
Student of the Month Recognitions Students of the Month.
Mr. Smith.
Good evening.
School Board members, members of the community, parents, students.
It is indeed a privilege to be able to stand here as the principal of Hershey
High School.
As you know, we have just phenomenal students in our building
and we get to recognize some of those students as students of the month
throughout the school year.
So it's a pleasure to be able to stand here.
And you got a little sample of what I get to see each and every day.
And we just have the most amazing students in our building.
Earlier today, we were able to celebrate.
We were on behalf of the Hershey Rotary Club.
They hosted a lunch and our students of the month get honored.
And so it's just it's a fabulous day when it falls on the day
they get to come for the school board meeting and to enjoy a lunch.
And the community members of the Hershey Rotary, they just enjoy sitting
and talking to some of these young people that are going to be leaders
in a very short amount of time.
So I would it gives me it's my honor to introduce
our first dude in the month who was part of our quartet, Mr.
Smith, a Ramesh.
Good evening.
I would like to start off by thanking the school board for recognizing me today.
I would also like to thank the Hershey High School Administration and teachers
for aiding my great growth
over the last four years that led to me receiving this recognition.
Last, but definitely not least, I would like to thank my parents
and grandparents for encouraging me to achieve my full potential
and supporting me in all of my activities.
Thank you to all my teachers for helping me grow academically.
I'm honored to be recognized as a National Merit semifinalist
and a member of three academic honor societies at school,
the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Math Honor Society.
I'm also heavily involved in music, and I would especially like to thank Mr.
Farrell, my choir teacher,
who has motivated me and helped me mature as both a singer and person.
Over the years,
I've been in the Music Honor
Society for all four years of high school, and I'm currently the president.
Additionally, I'm in the school's audition choir, and apart from music at school,
I've played piano since I was four, violin since I was six,
six and sing and play violin in a classical Indian style.
I also like to give back to the community through music
by performing at senior community centers.
I'm also a part of the Leadership Council of the Re Matter Coalition at my school
volunteer over the past three summers at the hospital
and prepared dinners at the Ronald McDonald House.
Aside from academics and service, I love to play tennis
and have played on the school's tennis team all throughout high school.
I am fortunate to have been voted as captain of the varsity team
and my partner and I ended the last season strong by being
doubles Mid-penn champions.
Finally, regarding my plans after high school,
I will be attending Northwestern University
and will be pursuing a double major in cognitive science and psychology
with a minor in human communication sciences and disorders.
My internship with the Special Education Department
at the high school has elevated my passion in human development.
I plan to continue striving to reach my highest potential
and this new chapter of my life.
Once again, I would like to thank everyone who has helped me reach
this point and will and who will continue to assist me in the future.
And another big thank you to the school board
for recognizing me in allowing me to speak here today.
Thank you.
And I'm
now delighted to introduce yet another member of our quartet.
It's interesting how that worked out. Mr. Kevin Wong.
Hi, my name is Kevin Wong.
I go to Hershey High School on a daily basis.
First of all, I'd like to thank the school board for having me tonight
and as well as those high school
administrators and teachers who picked me for this opportunity
to get into me.
I'm a student who really loves and appreciates music in my life.
It's a subject and a passion that I can pour many, many hours into.
And as such, I dedicate a huge chunk of my time with within it,
such as voice and piano lessons outside of school.
Also, academically, I'm in the National Honor Society
and as such I do volunteering
at the Hershey Medical Center and the Hershey Public Library.
Going back to.
Music, I'm in the China Honor Society and have received two underclassmen
awards relating to music.
I hope in the future to go into music education at Penn State.
And Mr.
Ferrell, who Smith mentioned earlier, has really helped me in that because
I'm not only a choir officer for him, but I also interned for him,
which has really helped me develop my passion for music.
And I'd like to thank my parents as well.
And yeah, I'd like to thank the school board for having me today.
Thank you.
The board met
in executive session prior to this meeting to discuss personnel matters.
Recognition of citizens.
This is an opportunity for residents and taxpayers
to address the board on matters related to the agenda.
Those who speak are asked to come to the microphone and state your name and address
for the record to provide other residents with an opportunity to speak.
Each speaker during the public portion
comment portion is limited to 5 minutes of speaking time once recognized
and limited
to one opportunity to address the board during each of the public comment periods.
If necessary, the board may set a maximum time
for the public comment portion of any meeting.
Speakers are asked to review the protocol for addressing the board,
which can be found at the sign in table prior to speaking.
Those wishing to present private concerns or questions needing follow up
outside of the board meeting
are asked to fill out a contact card which can be found at the podium.
Completed cards may be turned in to members
of the administration to facilitate a reply.
Are there any citizens or taxpayers who would like to come forward at this time?
Standing Committee
reports The Athletic Athletics and Activity Standing Committee met today.
Mr. Singer, do you have a report?
Yes. Thank you.
We talked a little bit
about the examining policies, 122 and 123
which deal with interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities
and taking a look at them
and the corresponding administrative regulations
to better
align them if necessary, and also identify possible needs for administrative
new administrative regulations and or policy revisions.
So we sort of mapped our path forward,
and that's that's the way we'll be going.
Thank you.
Recognition of New Extracurricular Activities School Club.
Mr. McFarland.
Thank you.
In compliance with Policy 122 Extracurricular curricular activities,
the listed addition of the High School student club is recognized
as the Reading Club.
Thank the student representatives report.
Mr. Garcia.
Mr. Manager, do you have a report? Yes.
Good evening.
Good evening, Madam President.
Derry Township Board members and public.
We were starting to get back to working hard in our schools after the long
break has finished and we luckily escape any snow delays this past weekend.
So as we approach the end of the second working period, many of us are trying
to wrap our heads around the fact that we're halfway through the year.
And for our report today, we'd like to share
some exciting student involvements from the past couple of weeks.
So before the winter break, the high school hosted its
annual volleyball fundraiser tournament.
In total, we raised over $3,000.
And what student council did is they matched that.
So in total,
plus all the funds and what student
council donated, we raised over $6,000, which will be donated
to the American Cancer Society and our high school mini fund.
We also collected items from each team that will go to the Ronald McDonald House
and Katelyn smiles.
And so it was really great to see all these students, all these gym
teachers, lots of spectators, and even the journalism
students got to cover this event.
So lots of great donations and class work and just having a lot of fun
was really great. Lots of enthusiasm.
And so just thanks all the teachers, especially the teachers who helped
set this up and make a really memorable last day at school.
Many of the music ensembles before the break also got a chance to perform.
There were a lot of different ways to spread the festive cheer
and one of those special ones was the elementary school
who got to go to the Hershey Lodge and perform for the Hershey Rotary Club,
and they played some seasonal music.
So it was a nice way to bring people into that mood.
And also out in the community.
Lots of our students have been involving.
We were involved with a lot of different businesses
and doing a lot of incredible things
like our mini salon, for example, have partnered with two restaurants
and so forth at Duck Donuts until January 22nd.
$10 or not, $10, 10% of your bill will be donated to many times
if you tell them and over it for many brothers, if you show them this card
and I got a couple for each of the board members,
if you show them this card and say you're with team,
see which it says it on the card, let's pass them around
10% of that bill will go to your meal, go to the mini Santa
and also at Reebok, I think it is the H-k Club,
which is our partnership club with Milton Hershey School, is doing a soft drive.
And if you tell Reebok that you're with the NCAA Club at Hershey High School,
they'll give you a 10% discount, which is really nice.
And so just so great ways that our students
are not only working in school, but also out in the community.
Oh, sorry.
Lastly, since we didn't have time to report on this week,
we decided that we would survey some students and just ask them
what they thought about the school community in Hershey High School.
So I interviewed a freshman and sophomore, and the freshman told me
that while it's a lot of work
in high school, from what they were expecting,
they're really appreciative that the teachers
and the staff are so helpful and they help them understand everything.
And a sophomore said that it is like electives and extracurriculars.
All his contemporaries share his interests and his passions,
and he's so grateful for the friendships he wouldn't have formed anywhere else.
And I got to interview a junior and a senior about their experiences
in high school so far and the junior.
We all know that can be a stressful time because it's probably
one of the most heavily academic involved times for juniors.
So one of the juniors I interviewed, he was glad that he took
those challenging classes, those AP and honors classes,
because once he stepped in, he wasn't sure what to expect.
But then he realized that teachers are very supportive
and he was glad to take those in the end because he's still doing well
and he's challenging himself, which is great.
And then the senior responded that she is halfway through her last year,
so she's really excited that she can sort of coast along,
but she's happy how her experience has been at Hershey High School
and that she looks forward to creating new friends
and she's proud of the achievements
and the activities that she's been involved with so far.
And so since it's Student Board Recognition month,
we also wanted to thank you guys for your dedication to its students.
We know that the choices are very difficult to make
and we understand that,
especially since our position here, we get a direct look at it.
And it's it's an awesome way to see the great work
that has been put into the students, specifically towards students.
So it's awesome
to see that dedication and hard work that's being put directly to the schools.
And we're really proud of what we're able to do with that work as well.
So I would just like to thank you guys.
Yes, thank you.
On behalf of all the students at the high school
and not even just the high school
or just all the school districts, all the schools are.
And as always, thank you for your time and feel free to ask any questions
if you have them.
Thank you.
Mr. Predictive A Community Correspondence Report.
I have a very brief report.
As during the month of December, we received a single submission from the.
Constituent contact form and that was from a constituent asking a question
regarding the inclusion of current events into the curriculum at the middle school.
Thank you.
The listed items are on the proposed January 28th,
2019 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Unfinished Business.
As Vice President, I hereby invite the noted Board Members
to serve in the capacities as listed on the screen.
May I have a motion to approve the listed 2019 community
or committee delegate assignments?
So move to second Maria and Donna.
Is there any discussion?
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I II all opposed? No
carried.
Next item of business is the bond sale update.
Mr. Fedeli and Mr.
Remick
or Mr.
French?
Well, Lou, we're here to answer any questions
you may have, but attached to the agenda.
The bond sale did occur on January the eighth,
a little bit better than we had hoped.
We had shared with you before that we had anticipated the total, all in
including all fees and costs, would be about 3.29%
in total for the bonds issued.
They were issued at 3.21%.
So that's a savings of about $50,000 from what
we were showing you up until that point.
The one largest thing I would like to.
Draw your attention to in that bond sale document is our rating from S&P.
I encourage everybody to to read through that.
Once again, it
notes the
things that we are doing well with the finances.
And we have achieved a triple-A rating, which for S&P is rating.
There is only one other district in the state that receives that triple-A
and for S&P, their rating of school districts nationally.
There are only 86 districts in the nation that have triple-A rating.
So it's a
feather in our cap in terms of an outside agency
coming in and looking at all of our information
and still noting in there that we are doing the best
we possibly can with the resources that were provided.
We continue to plan that well.
So if you have any questions on the bond sale.
But that's was just to update the board on where we're at.
So there's the the money has been deposited
into our t account or I'm sorry will be deposited
closing on the bond, sort of like a house will happen
February 13th is the closing.
So that's when everything will be tied up.
Money moves forward in such.
Thank you.
Did anyone have any questions?
Thank you for that update and thank you
for including the information, too, about the the S&P rating.
I know that that was
just an interesting read and I would really encourage folks
to take the time to look at that on our agenda and read.
It talks a lot about the town and the economic strength
of Hershey in Derry Township in general
and really, I think tells a great story
about the finances of the school district and,
you know, oftentimes there are things that you hear,
you know, through various conversations and the rumor mill or,
you know, speculations and this summary
and S&P rating to me really brought it home because it's facts.
And it shows that that the school district has been
well managed from a finance perspective and to be one of only two districts
in the entire state to be able to receive that triple-A bond
rating is just really phenomenal.
So thank you for what you do to help us achieve that.
Those are the quick
questions that do on an annual basis or.
Or every other.
The ratings are only done at the time we go to market.
So the last time I think we had one done was 2016,
which was the triple-A rating and reaffirm it.
They will do if you don't go to the market every couple of years.
Sometimes they will have an update.
We don't.
But we've gone to the market enough where we've we've updated it on our own.
Excellent. Who was the other school district?
Downingtown. Downingtown,
the S&P rated.
So the Moody's has but S&P is who we go through.
Thank you.
Okay.
And thank you to the entire finance team, to Mr. Darling.
Mr. Remnick, thank you, you know, for your work and involvement in that as well.
Am I correct?
And Downingtown is one of your clients as well. Yes.
Thank you.
Okay.
Moving on to consent, agenda items, adoption of items of a routine nature
and those that normally do not require public
deliberations on the part of the governing board, a board member,
maple items which will then be discussed and voted on separately.
And I actually would like to pull under approval of policies
I would like to approve, call or pull policy three or nine assignment
and transfer to be voted on individually.
May I have a motion to approve the December seven?
Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm going to pull that out now, Lindsay, if we have a couple of questions
about a concern, then do you want it also pulled or just something to add?
If it's just questions you can ask during the discussion?
Okay. That's why I thought I just want. To make sure.
May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda items
as listed minus the policy 309 assignment and transfer.
So moved. Second.
Maria and Donna, is there any discussion?
Oh, yes.
I just want to just verify a couple things to clarify
the requests for use of school facilities with a waiver
and just that if for just recordkeeping purposes of.
For the township of.
Dairies request for a waiver and also the Parks and Rec,
if on their form it can be added that they are a nonprofit organization
that was just kind of missed when they filled out the form there.
And I just think it would be good for recordkeeping if we have that on the form.
So we know why it was the waiver was granted.
And then just one comment regarding the bullying policy.
You know, I
wish it didn't have to have that word severe in there for the definition,
because I feel that any kind of bullying should not be tolerated.
Even the mildest bullying should be addressed.
But I did talk to issues on the policy committee, and that is a definition
that from SBA, and that's why that has to be in there.
But really, no bullying should be tolerated.
And it's just because of the way it's defined that that word severe is in there.
Thank you.
Is there any other discussion?
Okay, this is standard voiceover.
All those in favor say I.
I opposed
carries.
Okay.
Moving on to new business rule.
039. Policy 309 will be our first item
of business approval of policies. Yes.
Don't ever.
Want to make a motion to approve it since it was pulled
first the motion set in motion. Second.
The administration.
Well, the administration recommends the approval
policy 309 of the Derry Township School District Policy manual,
which has been on display for 30 days in the Hershey Public Library
District Office and the Derry Township School District website.
May I have a motion to approve listed policy 309
What?
Maria, Give it a second.
Second.
And well, you move for a second.
Second. Thank you, Candy.
And then discussion.
I would like to just
read a statement that I've prepared about this because I was
unfortunately had missed the meeting when it was moved to 30 day
review and feels strongly
to say something
consistent with comments at previous meetings.
I am opposed to the modifications
of policy 309 assignment and transfer that are being presented
for final approval and adoption this evening.
The proposed change eliminates the requirement for board approval
regarding assignment and transfer following initial appointment.
This change has been requested by the administration
following the reassignment of teachers
and staff in the elementary and middle school.
During the last school year,
the board voted to approve the transfers at the June 25th 2018
meeting by a vote of 6 to 3 after it was discovered
that the board had inadvertently violated this policy.
When we recognized the transfers but did not formally approve at a meeting in May,
as we had been advised by the administration that it was not
within the board's authority to approve the changes.
I was one of the votes of opposition
and then and respect
the majority vote that prevailed and had no intentions of future comment.
However, I was disappointed at the start of the school year
when the policy was brought forward
with these proposed changes by the administration,
as I stated in previous board meetings and comments,
and I want to clarify again here, I do support change
and the reassignment of teachers when appropriate, and my opposition to
this should not be construed as a lack of support
or trust in our administration and decision making process as a whole.
I voice my opposition previously and made a motion in the fall to send this
policy with changes back to the Policy Committee for reconsideration.
The Policy Committee discussed and the decision was made to again
send this back to the board with the same changes.
As such, I anticipate that I'll be in the minority for this vote this evening.
However, I firmly believe that change to this policy is premature in nature
and I cannot in good faith support and
support the policy change for the following reasons.
Community Feedback.
During previous reassignment of teachers.
After the reassignment of teachers were announced in the fall,
we received more than a dozen comments during recognition of citizens.
There was a petition signed by students asking for reconsideration of assignments.
Multiple community feedback forms were submitted to voice opposition,
and many comments were made to me outside of the meeting by constituents as well.
The opportunity for the public to be a part of the education process
is very important to me.
We are elected by taxpayers and residents of Derry Township
and should always embrace the opportunity
to hear their feedback prior to taking action with a vote.
By eliminating this language, we in essence eliminate the opportunity
for the public to appeal to the board
and advocate for decisions that represent them on this matter.
Precedent set by peers.
I believe there is also value in noting that the majority of school
district assignment and transfer policies do not give authority or do not
take away authority, but rather give authority
to the board for assignment and transfer following initial assignment.
In researching this, I viewed the policies of districts
across the state who have a similar newsroom ranking
which ours is 19 for best school district in a state college area.
Quaker Valley Council Rank and New Hope Salisbury School districts,
as well as the number two two school district in Pennsylvania, Radnor Township,
who has comparable enrollment to ours, as well as neighboring districts
here in central P.A., lowered off in Middletown, Palmyra and Elizabethtown.
They all have assignment and transfer policies
which require board authority for the transfer of administrative
or professional employees and reference the majority vote section of Title
24 of the Pennsylvania School Code as the reference point.
One of our board members had previously indicated that they felt
this should be removed because Pennsylvania school code does not directly
address transfers, nor does it explicitly require boards to approve the transfers.
However, with this extensive research I've done to review the policies
of other districts,
I believe the generally accepted interpretation of the school code
does expect transfers to be within the authority of the board
and for future boards.
I believe that while this current board
and trust the administration to make decisions about the placements
and transfer of employees with the best interest of students
and the employees at the forefront of their reason,
I do not feel that this board should make a decision
which eliminates the authority for future boards to meet.
I do not feel that it should ever be the behavior of the board to micromanage
the administration to the point where we do not trust their expertise
and recommendation for placement and assignment of professional staff.
But I do strongly believe that as the governing body
of the school district,
we should have the authority to approve
the transfer of personnel, especially when it involves a change from buildings,
certifications or from professional staff to building level administration.
There are checks and balances for a reason, and while a board
should exercise good judgment and caution when exerting authority,
that is an opposition of the recommendation of administration,
I do not believe that
we should completely absolve ourselves of the ability to render a final decision
we are granted and exercise our authority to make decisions about the appointment
of limited service contracts and athletic coaches, many of whom
are already district employees simply because school code mandates it.
Yet we are quickly willing to change
policy related to the assignment of the individuals
who teach our curriculum and oversee our buildings.
Already, given all of these reasons and the lack of time
that has passed since the mass confusion during last year's reassignment,
I will be voting against this policy change and I ask board members to give
consideration to this.
If there's any other discussion over comment.
Was your was your research findings shared with the policy committee prior
to their last iteration?
It was not.
Mr. Rose.
Snyder had mentioned in one of the policy committee meetings that it
is standard language
in most school district policies, but I had not presented that
until I had not done that research until after it came back from policy.
And then I was absent the night of when I went to 30 day review.
So would it be reasonable to delay this so that the policy committee could
rereview it?
Tricia, do you feel that that would be an important just to look at more facts?
I think that the policy committee reviewed it
two times already,
and I think the policy committee is pretty firm on the fact that
we never feel like we're going to have enough information
of school board members to make those decisions,
at least those those of us on the policy committee.
That was the majority opinion.
And so we thought that it was in the best interest to have the administration
make those decisions and put our trust in those choices.
And we do have control over is the superintendents
review at the end of the year.
And so if we weren't happy with those transfers
or assignments or if there was public or feedback,
then that would be represented on his or hers review.
But nothing could be done about the transfers, though.
Right.
And and I addressed the policy committee and that was one of the points
that I made, is that while I believe in most cases
the recommendation of the administration would continue, it would just be another,
you know, vote that the board takes following the trust and guidance
of the administration.
I don't believe that we should remove our ability to take action
should public comment and feedback.
And you know, the opinion of board members this my recommendation of this change
not coming is not to,
you know, try and step on the toes of the administration,
but to leave the ability to open the door should the door need to be open
and how important evolvement
and that would come in the sense of having, you know, numerous
public comments or community feedback submitted to us.
Does anybody on
a policy committee want this to come back to committee.
On Policy as well?
And I agree with Ms.. Steiner.
I think I think my opinion that this is ripe for a decision by the full board,
I would add, and I really appreciate the. Mr..
His comments.
I thought they were very thoughtful and at the discussion
and I intend to vote for the policy and that is not meant to discount
or any way diminish the members of the public that came before this board.
I'm not of fact we all heard them.
And I think we're all very appreciative that I think I think this is
really just a judgment call by each individual board member
that they had to make that decision.
I respectfully disagree with with Ms.. Drew.
I think the question is, how far down is this board feel that
they need to have a role in decisions running the schools?
And I happen to believe that we owe an obligation to clear up this,
to clear this up, to get this kind of set in stone, moving forward
so that we now have some clear rules of the road.
And I happen to think that this policy makes the makes the best sense.
Yeah, I'm
also on the policy committee and I believe that this should be voted on
tonight and voted for, while I would never presume to vote
for are to speak for music or she's also on the policy committee
and has spoken several times in favor of the policy
as it is so.
And I do think the policy committee for, you know, having it come back
and for the board for voting for it to have gone back at that time,
you know, again, before we move to vote, of no one else has anything to say,
You know, again, I take the the position of that.
I mean, making the recommendation that we just allow for the vote
to continue to take place for those not that we were to get into,
you know, the decision making process of every reassignment and transfer.
It's just to leave the door open.
Any other discussion?
Okay.
Then I would ask that we do a roll call, please, Mr.
Friends.
Mr. Able. Yes.
Dr. CRONAN. Yes.
Mr. Drew.
No Miscavige. Stick? No.
Miss Mary? No.
Dr. Shah Yes.
Mr. Singer? Yes.
Ms.. Steiner Yes.
Five. Yes.
Three. Now,
Thank you.
Moving on to new business
approval of Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression Systems Inspection Agreement. Mr.
McFarland. Thank you.
The administration recommends the board
approve the inspection agreement for kitchen hood fire suppression
system inspections with Clarke Fire Protection, Inc..
May I have a motion to approve the Clerk Hood Fire Suppression
Systems Inspection Agreement So moved.
Second.
Maria and Donna, is there any discussion?
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I opposed
Carrie's
personal resignation.
May I have a motion to approve the listed resignation?
So moved second.
Maria, is there any discussion?
This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I.
I. Opposed,
not Carrie's
personnel.
General. Mr. McFarland.
Thank you.
The administration recommends the approval of the listed personnel.
May I have a motion to approve personnel?
General Sale moved.
Second.
Maria and Teri, is there any discussion?
I want to make a comment, and this is pretty relevant
to what we were just talking about.
I would like to say that my vote will be my vote
for all hiring this evening is in support of the administration's decision.
Those are
Mr. Macfarlane as well as Mr.
Govern.
And that's the basis of my vote this evening.
And I would just like to comment that we did have a chance to talk to
the athletic director and ask lots of questions and gather information
and it was very helpful for us to be able to talk with them
and discuss what's being recommended, and I appreciate that. And
that was just I, I
have a lot of respect and
just what he said was very important
and it just helps us be able to make this decision.
Thank you.
However, no settlements.
I think this is a this is a I would vote
for these list of appointments as a reflection of my confidence in Mr.
Governor's judgment and the recommendations of the board.
And I look forward
to moving ahead and having all the programs run consistent
with our Coco principles
and have every reason to believe that will in fact be the case.
Thank you.
Standard, please.
Okay. This is a standard voice vote.
All those in favor say I. I.
Any opposed
motion it carries.
Moving on to delegate reports, Dauphin County Technical School, Mrs.
Hover sick to have a report just what has been attached.
Thank you.
Capital area intermediate unit Mrs.
many same
board members report.
So are there any board members who would like to give a report?
Superintendents report?
Mr. McFarland. Do you have a report?
I do.
Thank you.
First, I want to congratulate Alyson Macaulay
and the Hershey High School
for being awarded Bronze Star from the Pennsylvania Library
Association's Pay Forward Star Library Program.
The Forward Star Library Program showcases and recognizes libraries
that incorporate the pay forward and the five key literacies
into their programing, activities, displays and events.
For those who may not be aware, the five key literacies are basic
literacy, civics, social literacy, financial
literacy, health literacy and information literacy.
Our library is the only school library that has earned a star
since its launch in January of 2007.
I also want to congratulate our most recent group of teachers
who earned their national board certification.
They are Andrea morrison and Kristen Ober at the elementary school,
Megan Hammond Rowe and Rich Miller at the middle school.
And Aaron Ives and Elise stats at the high school.
They join a cadre of 15 other nationally board certified educators in our district.
This is required a great deal of work, reflection and learning on these educators
parts, and we're very proud of them for that accomplishment and to my report.
Thank you.
Next is Board president, support school board, vice president.
There's no board president report tonight, but from the vice president perspective,
I just would also like to again, echo gratitude and thanks for the school
board appreciation and the students that sang and perform for us this evening.
I'd also like to thank Coco Pax, who so generously
and graciously left cupcakes on our tables for for each of us.
So thank you for going out of your way to show your appreciation.
And we appreciate you.
Recognition of Citizens.
This is an opportunity
for residents and taxpayers to address the board on matters related to the agenda
and or matters of district governance, not on the agenda.
Those who speak are asked to come to the microphone
and follow the same guidelines
outlined at the initial public comment portion of our meeting.
Are there any residents or taxpayers who would like to come forward
at this time?
Lou, Vacillating as to one
to London Road, Hershey.
I've looked over your revised
bullying cyberbullying policy,
and I will say I'm very glad to see that
there will be a poster put out the Department of Education
with the phone number on there, and it's being put in the schools.
That's a step forward.
I'm very glad to see that.
Finally, we need do more.
Sooner than later.
The bullying
is going on for the last 25 years, 12 years.
And today it's a fact.
Trust me, it's a fact.
It's not reported
by the students or the parents because of two reasons.
Number one, they know nothing will happen or it will get worse.
That that's a fact, too, that's put out by Department of Education.
And also that, you know, I I'm on Facebook and I put something on there every day
for the kids, for adults, whether it be bullying,
depression, anxiety, suicide
of students.
I've done a little research.
Okay.
And last year and this year, students,
students do not read that handbook.
There's got to be a better way.
And I do have something
that I brought up before, but only way.
I don't care what the students sign.
They don't read the book.
Every one of them that I checked with from last year, a student, seniors.
And this year I've been told, No,
I don't read it, but I signed it, you know.
So you're aware.
What I would like to see happen.
And I brought it up to Mr.
McFarland about a year ago to the fact I brought it up a couple of times
in discussions.
I would like to say to students all be brought into the auditorium.
It was the first day or the first week of school, and they'd be
told about the bullying policy and the consequences.
Or if you have enough time to take them shown the library is where the cafeteria
cafeterias you have 20 minutes or a half hour in that auditorium.
Read them the riot act, the bullying.
I wish I could tell you how to stop it.
It's not going to stop.
You know, it it just happens
each and every day.
So also, we need
teachers to be trained.
It's nonexistent. I know that.
I've been told by teachers right.
In the school district, it's nonexistent.
The other thing and very quickly,
I don't know how much you follow
the new.
Well, what was not even put on news
the other it was in December.
There were two suicides, both at CD East,
a boy and a girl, 16 years old.
There's a correlation.
The bullying leads to the suicide and shootings.
That's a proven fact. Okay.
I know you're trying to do much.
You know, let's get it moving. You.
You can't sit on this stuff.
Got to keep moving.
I appreciate like I said, you get the poster out.
Let's keep us going.
Okay? I'd.
I'll be glad to try to help you people as much as I can.
I really would.
You know my story.
And I'm not fighting just for one.
I'm fighting for every one of these kids.
If you see my Facebook page, you'd see
not even a
month ago, an 11 year old girl suicide.
This 11 year old. Think about it.
You know,
there are too many of these kids, too many problems.
Thank you very much for your time.
I appreciate it.
Thank you.
To anyone else who would like to just board.
Okay.
The next public board of directors meeting will be held
January 28th, 2019, starting at 7 p.m.
to be held in the District Office Board of Directors Room.
May I have a motion to adjourn this meeting, sir?
Donna and Maria.
All those in favor say I.
The time is 7:53 p.m..
Thank you for.