School Board Meeting Highlights
10-20-15
Agenda:
For a complete agenda, please visit us at:http://www.boarddocs.com/pa/parkland/Board.nsf/Public
All motions were approved.
Workshop Meeting
Early Childhood Literacy Committee and Full-day Kindergarten
Kelly Rosario, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development and the Parkland Early Literacy Committee comprised of teachers, administrators, a school psychologist and guidance counselor, gave this presentation which outlines findings and research related to full-day kindergarten programs. They stated that such a program will provide a strong foundation for learning, especially among Parkland's neediest population. Goals of the program include time for reading intervention strategies to help the 54% of incoming kindergarteners who are not reading on benchmark levels, adding time for purposeful play that establishes collaboration and communication skills, and more time for hands-on learning activities and creative exploration. Ultimately, the goal is also to help bring them closer to ensuring reading proficiency among all third graders by the end of third grade. It was reported that 80% of Parkland third graders are reading proficiently and on grade level currently. However, demographics are rapidly changing in Parkland as the free and reduced population has grown to almost 25% in a district who had single-digit poverty levels only a decade ago. More early learners are struggling with reading skills each year. That combined with increased rigor associated with adoption of the PA Core Standards is widening an achievement gap that is concerning as the District plans for the future. On October 27, 2015, Stantec will deliver the results of a Feasibility Study that was performed over the last six months to discuss options for full-day kindergarten implementation. The School Board is scheduled to vote on whether or not they will approve a full-day kindergarten implementation plan for next school year on November 17th.
Business Meeting
Coordinated Health Partnership Proposal
Dr. Emil DiIorio, CEO of Coordinated Health, presented a PowerPoint which outlined a plan for a potential 10-year partnership with the Parkland School District which would include the sponsorship of a Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science program, replete with on-site clinical experience and help in designing capstone projects that will give students real-world experiences in health and medicine.
Budget Timeline in Preparation for 2016-17 General Fund Budget
Mr. John Vignone, Director of Business Administration, gave an update on budget timeline plans and gave a first blush look at an initial estimate for the 2016-17 General Fund Budget. His handout can be found here. Development is growing in the southwest corner (Jaindl and Fogelsville area) of Parkland and slowly decreasing in the north. A redistricting plan would help alleviate the increasing enrollment in the south and move some populations north and east. Options for redistricting will be discussed during next week's School Board meeting on October 27.
The District appointed Kurt Weber as Boys' Head Baseball coach and Ali Thompson as a Springhouse Middle School Assistant Principal and Jude Sandt as a new Parkland High School Assistant Principal.
Roundtable
Bob Bold gave a report stating that it is day 111 of the budget impasse. Legislators have been meeting and everyone is hopeful that the impasse will end soon. It was noted that the Community Advisory Council (CAC) enjoyed good attendance when Eric Roberts made a presentation about the College Application process. The next CAC meeting will occur on November 19th and include a Curriculum & Instruction presentation. It will take place in the Administration Center Board Room at 7 PM.
Roberta Marcus thanked the Early Literacy Committee for their illuminating report and stated she looks forward to more information in the weeks to come. She noted that this week is National School Bus Safety Week.
Mr. Sniscak mentioned that board members and administrators attended the annual PSBA/PASA School Leadership conference last week. He said Parkland was well represented as Emily Giordano, this year's Student Representative to the School Board, attended and the PHS Chorale sung in the exhibit hall on Thursday. He welcomed Ali Thompson to the administrative team and congratulated all employees on their new appointments who were listed on the agenda.