FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES October 5, 2009 Heritage Elementary School

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1 FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES October 5, 2009 Heritage Elementary School A. BOARD MEMBER ATTENDANCE Present: Absent: Allan Shafer, Herb Yingling, Roberta Cook, Bill Evans Joe Seymour, Paul Scheinert, Dr. Gigliotti Lynn Gurrentz, Joe Thomas B. AGENDA TOPIC 1. Superintendent s Report Dr. D Arcangelo presented an update on two incidents pertaining to the school district which occurred during the week of September 28 th. The first incident was an threat which was received via the of the Senior High School Principal. Through the efforts of the local law enforcement agencies and District personnel, the was able to be traced to a European source where the was believed to have originated. The second incident involved an attempted abduction of a student as she was walking home from a bus stop in Delmont. At the time of the meeting, two persons of interest had been identified and were being questioned regarding this case. The District used its web site, the Global Connect System and a letter home to parents to keep parents updated regarding this case. 2. Relay For Life The dates for the 2010 Relay For Life will be Saturday, May 29 th through Sunday, May 30 th, the Memorial Day weekend. The Relay had originally been set for June 5-6, 2010; however, SAT s have been scheduled at Franklin Regional on June 5 th, thus the need to change the dates. It is hoped that the move away from the Friday school day will broaden opportunities for families to participate in the Relay. Since the dates for the Relay encompass a Sunday (a non-working day for maintenance and custodial staff members), members of the maintenance and custodial staff will be asked to donate their time in support of the Relay efforts. The total amount raised by the 2009 FR Relay For Life was $121,363; forty-five school teams contributed $81,000 of the total amount raised. The total amount raised statewide for 2009 was $19.7 million.

2 The Board will take action to officially recognize the 2010 Relay for Life as a District activity in support of the American Cancer Society s efforts at its regular voting meeting on October 19 th. 3. JEA National High School Journalism Convention Members of the Senior High School Advanced Journalism Class are requesting permission to travel to Washington, D.C. Thursday, November 12 th through Sunday, November 15 th to attend the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention. Senior High School Media/Journalism teacher Mrs. Becky Magness noted the many benefits, as well as knowledge, the students are able to obtain through their interaction with students from across the country. FR students have also been successful in receiving several awards for their work submitted during the convention. She has been contacted by a former student who is now living and working in D.C. and will be involved with this year s convention. Approximately fifteen (15) students are eligible to attend the conference. The students will participate in fundraising activities to help defray the costs associated with the trip (approximately $395 per student). Travel to and from the D.C. area will be provided by coach bus. The Board will be asked to take action on October 19 th on the request for the Advanced Journalism students to travel to Washington, D.C. November 12-15, 2009 to participate in the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention. 4. World Language Curriculum Proposed revisions to the French curriculum for Grades 7 and 8 (French I), as well as French II and III were presented to the Board for review. The changes will align the curriculum with the new textbook series purchased during the previous school year, Bien Dit, and reflect the new resources that are now available to both teachers and students. Changes are not so much in the area of content, but more in the area of presentation and the technology resources available to the students. It was noted that the entire textbook series is now available on-line; however, it is not available until the textbooks are purchased. There were no significant changes to the Grade 6 curriculum, as well as the French IV and V curriculum, all of which are less textbook dependent. The Board asked the Administration to provide a list of the changes, as well as a listing of the activities that will use technology to enhance the program. The Board will take action on the request for approval of the revised curriculum for French I (Grades 7 and 8), French II and French III at its regular voting meeting on October 19 th.

3 5. Softball Team Trip The Softball Team has submitted a request for permission to travel to the Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida from Wednesday, March 24,-Sunday, March 28, Two days of school would be missed by the students. For many of the players, this trip provides their initial exposure to a level of play that is outside what they experience during the academic and summer seasons. During the trip, the athletes will attend spring training activities and be scheduled for a minimum of three (3) non-section competitions. They will spend time learning and gaining insight into strengths and weaknesses as individuals, as well as a team. The members of the team traveling to Orlando will participate in fundraising activities to help defray the costs associated with the trip. There is no cost to the District for this trip. The $ entry fee will be paid by the Lady Panthers Softball Boosters. Cost of the trip will be approximately $1,000 per student and will be adjusted based on the number of players attending and on the flight costs. The Board will take action on this trip request at its voting meeting on October 19 th. 6. Cheerleaders Trip to Florida The Franklin Regional Competition Cheer Squad is seeking permission to travel to Orlando, Florida for the National High School Cheerleading Championship at Disney World from February 11, 2010-February 16, The students would be responsible for all costs associated with the trip (approximately $1200 per student), utilizing various fundraising activities in order to help defray the cost of the trip. There is no cost to the District for this trip. Mandatory study time will ensure the girls have time to complete the assignments for the three days of school that will be missed. Two coaches will accompany the girls; however, many of the cheerleaders families will also be attending and will be available for supervision, as needed. The Board will act on the request for the Cheer Squad to travel to Orlando, Florida to compete in the National Cheerleading Championships February 11-February 16, 2010, at its regular voting meeting on October 19 th. 7. Plancon K Plancon K is a form that must be submitted to the State in order for the District to begin receiving state reimbursement for the Series of 2009 bond issue which was approved at the May 4, 2009 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting as a refinancing of the Series A of 2003 and Series of 2004 bonds. The Plancon K form was prepared by Public Financial Management (PFM) as part of the financial advisor services they provide to the District. The Board will take action on the request to approve PlanCon K for the Series of 2009 debt issue at its regular voting meeting on October 19 th.

4 8. Budget Transfers Budget transfers are reported to the Board each month beginning in October and ending with transfers in June. Budget transfers in the amount of $8, were presented to the Board for review for the month of October. The Board will take action to approve the proposed October budget transfers on October 19 th. 9. Donations Board policy dictates that all gifts to the District monetary or material be presented to the Board for approval/acceptance. The following is a listing of recent donations to the District: Lillian Irene Mervis Charitable Trust - $2, SHS National Arts Honor Society F.L.A.S.H. Helping Fund - $ Fund-A-Meal Program The Board will be asked to take action to formally accept the above donations at the October 19 th regular voting meeting of the Board. 10. Paper of Record The Administration has requested the Penn Franklin News be approved as the official paper of record for all District legal notices and public relations matters. The District will continue to release the same information to other local papers, in compliance with the Sunshine Law. The Board will take action on the above request at its voting meeting on October 19, Personnel A leave of absence request is included in both the Certificated and Support personnel reports. The Supplemental personnel report includes a Curriculum Coordinator recommendation and a recommendation for a Transportation Aide. As there were no questions related to the Personnel recommendations, the Board will take action on those recommendations on October 19 th. C. Audience Recognition George Meert referred to the Letter to the Editor from Bill Yant which appeared in the Penn Franklin News regarding Redstone Highlands. George is concerned about the effect on the senior citizens of the community if Redstone Highlands is no longer required to pay property taxes. The entire community, as well as the senior citizens, would certainly feel the affect of that loss of revenue, most likely through an increase in taxes.

5 Meet the Candidates Night is planned for the Clover Ridge Community on October 21 st at 7:00 p.m. George will contact those running for a seat on the School Board with further details. D. Executive Session Board President, Mr. Herb Yingling, announced the Board had met in Executive Session prior to the start of the meeting to discuss contract negotiations. The Board would also meet in Executive Session following the adjournment of the meeting to discuss a legal matter. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.