School Board Meeting Highlights
5-20-14
Agenda:
For a complete agenda, please visit us at:http://www.boarddocs.com/pa/parkland/Board.nsf/Public
All motions were approved.
Workshop Meeting
2014-15 Proposed General Fund Budget
Mr. Vignone, Director of Business Administration, presented the Proposed General Fund Budget for the next school year. It includes $602,000 of Commonwealth funding that has been proposed in the Governor’s budget for Pennsylvania public education for the upcoming year. The Board adopted the Proposed General Fund Budget for 2014-15. A complete recap can be found here:
Press release can be viewed here: http://www.parklandsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Press-Release-Proposed-Budget-2014-FINAL.pdf
College and Career Readiness Skills
Kelly Rosario, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development, Rob Thornburg, Director of Student Services, and Jason Henry, Supervisor of Special Education, gave a presentation about updated College and Career Readiness standards and plans for Parkland students. Jason gave an overview of the Career Cruising/Career Exploration online course that will take the place of the Parkland graduation project starting in the fall of 2015. It starts by allowing students to take a personal interest survey that matches their interests, skills and abilities with career possibilities and how they match up with their choices. To view their presentation, click here: http://www.boarddocs.com/pa/parkland/Board.nsf/files/9KALF25613B0/$file/ParklandSchoolDistrict%20Chapter%20339%20plan%20_%20CCScreenshots%20(2).pdf
Business Meeting
Tracy Smith, Assistant to the Superintendent for Operations, read the mission statement at the opening of the meeting, Educating for Success, Inspiring Excellence. She noted how the recently inducted alumni embody the mission and shared a compilation video of their thoughts and advice as shared at the recent Parkland SD Education Foundation Gala. You can view the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/uylzlzxjt65crn2/gala.mov
Beth Breiner introduced the 2014 Parkland Tech Integrators who have utilized technology in inspiring ways to complement classroom instruction. This year’s winners are:
Candace Lewis 2nd Grade Cetronia
Kelly Casey 3rd Grade Fogelsville
Wendy Rice 3rd Grade Ironton
David Whitby 3rd Grade Jaindl
Debra Newhard Media Specialist Kernsville
Melissa Waring Media Specialist Kratzer
Danielle Williams 7th Grade Social Studies OMS
Janiel Spisak 4th Grade Teacher Parkway Manor
Brian Ding Math PHS
Deb Nagy Teacher of Gifted Schnecksville
Noel Mahmood 7th Grade Science SMS
To view the video which includes pictures of all of these staff members in action, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Pes_mHeeY&feature=youtu.be
Dr. Scott Watson, AP Music Teacher at PHS, introduced Jacob Wilkinson, a Parkland High School junior and AP Music Theory student who was named a winner in the 2014 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Student Composition Contest. He was one of only 12 students chosen nationwide, and the only student from Pennsylvania, to receive this honor. His winning piece,"Sonata for Clarinet and Piano," will be performed in a “Young Composers Concert” on Monday, October 27, 2014 during the NAfME National Conference in Nashville, TN.
The Board and Mr. Sniscak wished all retirees an enjoyable and healthy retirement.
Round Table
Rich thanked Kelly, Rob, and Jason for the workshop presentation. Many commented on Barb Keller’s retirement and wished her well.
Lisa Adams reported on what a great weekend we had for the 11th Annual Arts Festival last weekend.
Roberta Marcus followed by saying that the Festival of the Arts is known state-wide as an amazing community event. She thanked Mr. Stutz and everyone involved with the festival, especially the students who worked tirelessly to pull it together. She also commented that this year’s Parkland School District Education Foundation was a wonderful event and thanked all of the people involved in making it a success, including the students who performed and volunteered.
Next meeting: May 27, 2014 at 7 PM.