School Board Meeting Highlights
10-22-19
Agenda:
For a complete agenda, please visit us at:http://www.boarddocs.com/pa/parkland/Board.nsf/Public
All motions were approved.
Regular Meeting
Dr. Tony Naradko from Parkland High School recognized the 2020 National Merit Semifinalists and Commended students as follows:
National Merit Commended Students
Aishani Agrawal
Olivia Denman
Ojas Gupta
Suzanne Kozloski
Andrew Laudenslager
Coby Lindenmuth
Sophia Liu
Nishitha Mandapati
Neha Pamidi
Nathan Reimer
Meghna Sequeira
Jacob Shaffer
Emma Stolinas
Alan Uthuppan
Arjun Vedantham
Jerry Zhang
National Merit Semifinalists
Vicky Chen
Imran Dharamsi
Raphael Ettinger-Finley
Akaash Kapoor
Ga Lee
Maya Parekh
Maya Paul
Kara Schmitt
Michael Schmitt
Farid Shahid
Joshua Ye
2019 Outstanding Visual Arts Community
Mark Stutz, Director of the Performing and Visual Arts, recognized the art teaching staff (pictured above) for winning the Outstanding Visual Arts Community Award which you can read more about here.
Elementary Schools
Susan Hardy – CE
Marlanda Birns – FO
Emily Wesolowich – IR
Megan Kirschman – JA
Nancy Nahrgang – KV
Helen Krizan – KR
Marcie Kuhns – PM
Hailey Adlard – SV
Orefield Middle School
Ashley Foster
Laura Wright
Kristi Robbins
Springhouse Middle School
Christian Eggleston
Kerri Griffin
Parkland High School
Christopher Barrett
Kaye Coval
Monica Danner
Linda LaDue
Richard Shemonsky
Reports
Marie Maritch commented that CAC was great this past week with its focus on the College Planning process.
The CLIU met last night. Bob Bold reported that a survey was taken by students and parents and people are happy with services that are offered. They are adding three new positions to their staff. A person in Palmerton is building a facility that that the IU plans to rent as the current building is inadequate.
Bob Bold reported that the Legislature is back in Harrisburg as of yesterday. SB334 sponsored by Senator Argyle would severely restrict districts of the ability to appeal under assessed property. He is also a leader in the idea to eliminate property tax and in particular is trying to help senior citizens. Special Ed money is a concern and, on the national level, there is a push to increase national funding.
Linda Perlman-McKenna reported about the PSBA conference. She thought it was very worthwhile. She enjoyed the keynote speakers and all of the breakout sessions. Parkland staff presented a session about Career Readiness activities for high schoolers to a packed audience who asked lots of questions.
Rob Cohen will not approve thousands of dollars in cyber school payments as he feels these are tax dollars being wasted. Lisa is joining him there. David Kennedy agrees with Mr. Cohen, but unfortunately, the Board has been advised not to vote against the payments by legal counsel. If a majority votes against payments, we are penalized and money is taken out of our state contribution. School Board members have met with local representatives to educate them on wasted tax dollars to try and help change the law.
Patrick H. Foose addressed the Board to request that future Board Meetings be live-streamed to the community. The matter will be taken under consideration.
Roundtable
Lisa Roth said everyone was very proud that David Hein was named PSBA Vice President at the conference in Hershey, PA last week. The Board congratulated him on this appointment.
Everyone loved the art reception and David Hein mentioned that the Bus Safety Banquet was a wonderful event earlier this month.
Everyone thanked and congratulated Bob on his tenure at the IU and all he's done for students with disabilities. He's been a supporter and advocate of children for many years. We are going to miss him at the IU! Marie Maritch will proudly serve on the Board of Directors starting in December.
Congratulations to all of the National Merit students.
Don't forget to vote!