School Board Meeting Highlights
6-21-16
Agenda:
For a complete agenda, please visit us at:http://www.boarddocs.com/pa/parkland/Board.nsf/Public
All motions were approved.
Workshop Meeting
2016-17 Final Budget Update
Mr. John Vignone, Director of Business Administration, gave a final budget update. The School Board will be asked to vote on a final budget next week. He reported that the Administration was able to bring the tax increase down from 3.76% to 3.48% since the Proposed Final Budget was presented in May and published in the summer edition of the District Newsletter. This was largely due to an increase in the value of a mill. Vignone said Parkland gets monthly reports from Lehigh County on the property assessment in the school district, and the latest one had higher-than-predicted assessments. Additionally, hiring for the implementation of full-day kindergarten has been completed and the costs of hiring the new staff came in lower than expected. This, in turn, lowered budgeted PSERS and Social Security costs. Many newly hired staff opted for single medical coverage in lieu of family coverage which lowered the budget for healthcare costs. See the budget update here: http://www.boarddocs.com/pa/parkland/Board.nsf/files/AB5SY658A7BD/$file/Budget%20Update%2006-21-16.pdf
Student Recognition
Mr. Tim Rushton introduced the PHS/LCTI State Competition winners as follows:
DECA - 1st Place
Cheyenne Fenstermaker, Supply Chain Management & Logistics Technology Material Handling/Logistics, 1st Place Material Handling/Logistics, Gold Medal Written, Role Play A and Role Play B
Tyler Young, Marketing & Business Education Principles of Hospitality, 1st Place
Londynn Jones, Marketing & Business Education Chapter Awards Project, 1st Place
HOSA – 1st Place
Emilanna Kim, Epidemiology
FCCLA - Silver
Andrew Everett, Commercial Baking, Pastry, Cake Decorating
SkillsUSA 1st Place
Kyle Tretter, Precision Machine Tool Technology Contest: Precision Machining Technology
PHS Assistant Principal Tammy Bennick introduced Sean Flueso, Physics Teacher to speak about junior Yogeshwar Velingker who is one of only 20 students in the nation to fill a spot on the 2016 U.S. Physics Team.
SMS Principal Michelle Minotti introduced teacher Josh Abrams who spoke about the following National History Day State Winners.
Group Website
First Place
“Ellis Island: Land of Joy and Tears” Ankhitha Manjunatha and Akshatha Manjunatha
Paper
Second Place
“Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats Exploring the Use of Radio to convey information to the American People” by Jacob Roth
Individual Documentary
Second Place
“The Mariel Boatlift: A Cuban Exodus” by Maggie Gareca
New Cafeteria Prices Approved
Elementary $2.50
Secondary $2.75
Adult Lunch $3.75
Elementary Breakfast $1.35
Secondary Breakfast $1.50
Adult Breakfast $2.25
Reduced Price Lunch $.40
Reduced Price Breakfast $.30
Mr. Sniscak mentioned that the federal government requires the increase in school lunch prices.
Roundtable
Mr. Long expressed appreciation to Mr. David Keppel for his work in School Services as many projects were reviewed and bids were awarded this month. He congratulated the Class of 2016 and stated that it was a wonderful ceremony at PPL Center. Mrs. Roth echoed the sentiments about graduation. She and Rob Cohen recognized Pam Kelly and the HR team for the tremendous caring and dedicated effort in hiring new talent this spring, as listed on the board agenda. Mr. Sniscak thanked all three committees and the Administration who put forth a lot of input this month on personnel hirings, construction projects and budget preparation. He also thanked all of the principals who spent hundreds of hours in interviews during the hiring process over the last month. He also commended the PHS team for organizing and planning another excellent graduation ceremony.
Dave Kennedy closed the meeting by thanking the parents and students for coming to be recognized for outstanding achievements.