School Board Meeting Highlights
10-21-14
Agenda:
For a complete agenda, please visit us at:http://www.boarddocs.com/pa/parkland/Board.nsf/Public
All motions were approved.
Arts Leadership Award
Wizards Coming to PHS on Nov 20 to Benefit the PSD Education Foundation
March of Dimes Says Thanks
Workshop
2015-16 Budge Planning Presentation
John Vignone, Director of Business Administration, gave budget planning presentation and reviewed the information which can be found here.
Smart Snacks in Schools Regulation
Todd Holmes, Director of Food Services, gave a Smart Snack in Schools Regulation update. As a result of 1/3 of U.S. children being either overweight or obese, the government has changed some regulations in an effort to curb this epidemic. There have been more changes to the regulations over the past three years than over the last 20 years. See the history and his full presentation here.
Business Meeting
Todd Gombos opened the meeting by talking about what the vision statement, Educating for Success, Inspiring Excellence means to him. He talked about the Elementary schools which graduate wonderful students to enter the middle schools. He also spoke of about the wonderful career awareness opportunities that exist to inspire students for their futures.
Special Recognitions
The March of Dimes and Marilyn Heffner who is a previous Parkland employee, rallied some principals to create teams of walkers in the annual fundraising event. The team raised $968 for March of Dimes. Sarah Dickey, Kerri DiDario and Marilyn Heffner presented a plaque of gratitude for the Parkland support.
On October 2, 2014, the Parkland School Board was awarded the 2014 Arts Education School Board Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania Arts Education Network due to its deep commitment to sustaining and expanding arts education in the Parkland School District. The School Board is credited for showing great leadership in developing comprehensive K-12 music, dance, theater, and visual arts curricula; committing financial resources to sustaining and expanding arts programming; and developing partnerships with local businesses and organizations to foster community interest and investment in school arts programs – all culminating in the annual Parkland Festival of the Arts, an outstanding community event that celebrates the abundance of art available in their schools and neighborhoods each May on the Parkland High School campus. Pictured above is Mark Stutz (Director of Visual and Performing Arts), David Kennedy (VP of School Board) and Roberta Marcus (President of School Board and Master School Board Member).
PlanCon Reimbursement
The state has finally approved the district's application for assistance with paying down debt associated with the Jaindl Elementary School project. Parkland applied for the money through the Pennsylvania Department of Education's PlanCon (short for Planning and Construction Workbook) process four years ago, but the state suspended funding for a while which has caused a significant backlog. Mr. Vignone is cautiously optimistic the district will receive $440,000 from the state in 2014-15 and between $80,00 and $100,00 annually over the next 20 years but we'll know more once we actually receive the payment.
New Varsity Lacrosse Coach
Dawn Cipolla was hired as the new girls varsity lacrosse coach. For more info, click here.
Roundtable
Lisa Adams mentioned that the Community Advisory Council met on Thursday, October 16th. Diane Neikam discussed the new elementary report card and Eric Roberts talked about career planning at PHS. The next meeting will be about the Comprehensive Planning process and has been moved from its originally planned date on November 20th. It will be held on November 19th at the Administration Center at 7 PM. The public is invited to attend.
Bob Bold mentioned the Lehigh, Carbon, Monroe, Northampton and Pike County Superintendents united to publish a report on the cost of school choice which calls for a change in Charter School Legislation. The report outlines concerns about flawed funding formulas, ineffective governance of charters, performance disparities, and different rules and standards. Locally, the report received media coverage on the Morning Call and WFMZ web sites as follows:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-lehigh-valley-superintendents-charter-schools-20141017-story.html
Bob Bold announced that Nominations for the PSD Education Foundation's Alumni Wall of Honor are due by November 30, 2014. Forms can be found here. He also reported that the Harlem Wizards will be playing a group of Parkland All Stars on November 20, 2014 as a fundraiser for the Foundation. Get your tickets at www.harlemwizards.com.
Roberta Marcus and other board members complimented the staff and students for a wonderful Homecoming event, and particularly highlighted how wonderful the float building event was.
Mr. Sniscak congratulated two payroll clerks who are retiring. Maryann Wolfe, an administrative assistant who handles payroll for the district, is retiring next spring after 29 years in Parkland's employ. Sheila A. Lindenmuth, a financial technician who, like Wolfe, specializes in payroll, is leaving the district after 21 years of service. He also congratulated Caitlin Carlson, student rep to the Board this year, for being nominated to the Homecoming Court.