BOARD NOTES BOARD NOTES - Hampton Township School District

Board NotesA summary of the Hampton Township School Board MeetingHampton Township School District April 20124591 School Drive, Allison Park, PA 15101 412-486-6000 Option 8 www.ht-sd.orgDistrict Hires Mandarin Teacher for New ProgramIn its final step to creating a Mandarin language program at the Middleand High schools, Board members voted April 9 to hire a teacher for thedevelopment of the program.Board members voted 7 to 0 to hire Ms. Jun Gee as a World Language(Chinese/Mandarin) and Science teacher, effective Aug. 20, 2012. Ms.Gee is certified in foreign language, Chemistry, Biology, and English as aSecond Language, and will be able to split her time between teachingthe new Mandarin program at the Middle and High schools, as well asserving as a science teacher to help reduce class sizes.Ms. Gee was hired at the Master’s +30, Step 13 level, at an annualsalary of $68,600. She has 12 years of teaching experience in thePittsburgh Public School System.Mrs. Gail Litwiler, personnel committee chairwoman, said she waseager to see what Ms. Gee would do with the new Mandarin program.Ms. Gee, who was present for the meeting, called the new program a“21 st Century investment” and said she believed it would be successfulat Hampton.Finance ReportAt the April 9 session, Board membersauthorized the District Administration toratify appeals filed with respect to the2013 Allegheny County assignedvalues, where the difference between a2002-2011 purchase price and thecounty-assigned value was such tosuggest an annual revenue loss of$3,000 or more at the current millagerate.Mr. Jeff Kline, Administrative ServicesDirector, said 45 properties in theDistrict met the criteria. Appeals werefiled prior to the county’s April 2deadline.In other financial business, Boardmembers took the following action:• Approved the 2012-2013Allegheny Intermediate UnitProgram of Services budget inthe amount of $47,194.80,which represents a $407.30increase from last year.• Approved a transfer of$200,000 from the general fundto the “post war” capitalprojects fund to support thecapital projects plan.• Approved the extension of theHampton Township SchoolDistrict Fridley FieldDevelopment Agreementbetween the District andTownship through May 29,2013. The current agreementexpired May 29, 2012.

BOARD NOTES --2-- APRIL 2012Personnel ReportDuring the April 9 Voting Meeting, Board members took the following actions during the personnel portion ofthe meeting:• Accepted the resignation of Mrs. Virginia Dawson, who is retiring after 23 years with the District, effectiveJune 19, 2012. Mrs. Dawson is a Music Teacher based at Wyland Elementary School.• Accepted the resignation of Mr. John Musulin, who is retiring after 35 years with the District, effective June11, 2012. Mr. Musulin is a Technology Education Teacher at Hampton High School.• Approved Mr. Scott Stickney for a Professional Development Sabbatical for the first semester of the 2012-2013 school year. Mr. Stickney is a World Language (Latin/English) Teacher at Hampton High School.• Approved Ms. Jun Gee as a World Language Mandarin/Science Teacher at Hampton High School andMiddle School, effective August 20, 2012. Salary is (Master’s +30) Step-13, $68,600. This is a newposition.• Approved Ms. Ashle David to move from a Building Substitute to a Long-Term Substitute Grade 4Elementary Teacher at Central Elementary School, effective February 16, 2012 through the remainder of the2011-2012 School Year. Salary is (Master’s), $26,000, pro-rated. Ms. David is replacing Mrs. LaurenMytinger.• Approved Ms. Rosemary Kay as a Building Substitute at Central Elementary School, from February 21,2012 through the remainder of the 2011-2012 School Year. Salary is $19,500, pro-rated. Ms. Kay isreplacing Ms. David.• Approved Ms. Elizabeth Tetil as a Long-Term Substitute Elementary Guidance Counselor, based at CentralElementary School, from March 15, 2012, through the remainder of the 2011-2012 School Year. Salary is(Master’s) $26,000, pro-rated. Ms. Tetil is replacing Mrs. Melissa Maley, Elementary Guidance Counselor.• Approved Ms. Krista Long as a School Psychologist Intern from Duquesne University, for the 2012-2013School Year, at a stipend not to exceed $10,000, effective August 20, 2012.• Approved the job descriptions for the following positions, effective April 9, 2012: Head Custodian, Night-Lead Custodian and Custodian.• Approved the following Building and Coaching Supplemental positions for the 2011-2012 School Year: GregShumaker, HMS Auditorium Manager, $1,276 annual stipend; and Amy Baumann, HMS Softball Coach,$3,248 annual stipend.• Approved Mrs. Mary Beth Stoddart, to continue as a Long-Term Substitute English Teacher at HamptonMiddle School, from March 30, 2012 through an indeterminate period of time not to exceed the end of thecurrent school year, (original effective date was August 22, 2011). Salary is $25,500 (Bachelor’s), pro-rated.Mrs. Stoddart is continuing as a substitute for Mrs. Jennifer Rossi, English Teacher at Hampton MiddleSchool.• Approved Ms. Taylor Pastrick to move from a 1-D Paraprofessional to a Casual Substitute KindergartenTeacher at Central Elementary School, from approximately April 27, 2012 through the remainder of the2011-2012 School Year. Salary is $100 per-day. Ms. Pastrick is a Substitute for Mrs. Julia Walls.• Approved Ms. Gina Audo as a Long-Term Substitute Grade 8 English Teacher at Hampton Middle School,effective March 12, 2012 through the remainder of the 2011-2012 School Year. Salary is (Master’s)$26,000, pro-rated. Ms. Audo is replacing Mrs. Stacy Biggs.

BOARD NOTES --3-- APRIL 2012Facilities ReportAt the April 9 meeting, Board members awarded the Topnick Hillside Erosion project to Anthony Glasso of Allison Park at a costof $5,880. The District received two bids for the project, with Mr. Glasso’s being the lowest. Mr. Glasso has done other work forthe District in the past.Board members also received updates on various projects occurring in the District at the April 2 Work Session.Mr. Rick Farino, Building and Grounds Supervisor, said Gateway Engineers recommended the installation of a French drain withperforated pipe covered in limestone to address the erosion/drainage issue on the Topnick Hillside. Mr. Farino also updated theBoard on the High School Baseball Fields project, informing them that approximately 56,000 square feet of sod had beeninstalled at the site. The infield also is 50 percent complete. Trenching for the irrigation system is expected to begin within twoweeks, weather permitting. Lastly, fine grading at the Totem Pole Field also has begun which, weather permitting, will be followedby seeding.Mr. Kline and Mr. Farino also reviewed the Annual Facilities Budget with the Board at the April 2 meeting. The budget containedprojects and their anticipated expenditures over a five-year period. There were no significant changes or unanticipatedprojects/expenditures included in the budget. A complete list of projects included in the long-range plan can be found on theDistrict website under District/School Board/Meeting Notes-Minutes.Student AffairsBoard members approved an expenditure of $850 to defray the cost of lodging/meals/transportation for the PMEA All-StateBand and Concert Choir trip. They also recognized members of the Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team for their great season andcapturing of the WPIAL AAA Section I Title; the Boys’ Swim Team, which placed second in the WPIAL AA Championships; andmembers of the Boys’ Varsity Wrestling Team, who placed at the Section 3 Championships.They also recognized Mr. Joe Bursick, Varsity Wrestling Coach, for being named Section 3 Coach of the Year and students whoattend the A.W. Beattie Career Center for their accomplishments at the 2012 Pennsylvania Association Family, Career andCommunity Leaders of America 66 th Annual State Leadership Conference in March.A Board member also inquired about how the District should handle students who have participated in or achieved awards in anactivity that was not school-sponsored. It was indicated that students who achieve great things outside of school should berecognized for their accomplishments by the Board. Dr. Jo Welter, Assistant Superintendent, said the District already does this,indicating that parents, friends and even teachers are welcome to inform Administration when a student has a significantachievement. Students will then be appropriately recognized by the District.Mrs. Mary Alice Hennessey, Board Vice President, said she was concerned that an existing District Recognition Committee wasfocusing too much on staff recognition and suggested it might be nice to find more ways to include students. Dr. Welter said shewould follow up with Mr. Jeff Kattan, an Assistant Principal at the High School who is in charge of the Recognition Committee.

BOARD NOTES --4-- APRIL 2012Special ReportsUnder the Board President’s report, Mrs. Hennessey said there had been an executive session following theApril 2 meeting to discuss teacher contract negotiations. She announced another executive session would beheld following the April 9 meeting for the same purpose.Mrs. Hennessey also reported that six Board members, along with Dr. Hoover, attended the AIU’s AnnualConvention for Board members on March 29. She also reminded those in attendance that a special Boardmeeting would be held at 7 p.m. on April 23 in the High School LGI Room for the purpose of discussing the2012-2013 proposed budget.Under the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Hoover commented on the success of the Hues and HarmonyCommunity Arts Show, which was held March 27-29 at the Hampton Community Center. The show featuredthe fine and performing arts from students throughout the District.Dr. Hoover mentioned the free senior citizens breakfast being held at the Middle School on April 12 andexpressed thanks to Metz Food Service for underwriting the cost of the event. He also indicated that the HighSchool’s spring musical – Damn Yankees – will be performed this weekend and next weekend. Informationabout ticket sales and show times is located on the District website.Lastly, Dr. Hoover announced that the Pittsburgh Business Times has ranked the District number four inWestern PA and number seven statewide in its annual “Western PA Guide to Great Schools” special edition.Central Elementary School is featured in the report, noting it is ranked in first place for its stellar third-gradescores on the state assessment test for three consecutive years. The full report will be available on the Districtwebsite once it is released for use by the Pittsburgh Business Times.April 16: Key Communicators’ Meeting, 1 p.m., Administration Center Conference RoomDedication of HMS Library to Dr. Harold Sarver Memorial Library, 6:30 p.m.April 23: Board Special Meeting (Budget), 7 p.m., HHS LGI RoomMay 7: Board Work Session, 7 p.m., HMS LibraryMay 14: Board Voting Meeting, 7:30 p.m., HMS LibraryMay 21: Board Special Meeting (if necessary)May 28: Memorial Day Holiday – NO SCHOOLBoard Notes is compiled by Shari Berg, Public Relations Specialist, The Communication Solutions Group. Board Notes isnot intended to be an official record of Board meetings, but rather a synopsis of discussions at the work session andduring the voting meeting. Official Board minutes will be posted following the next voting meeting.