Author: Haberman, Denise
Last saved by: Rieger, Lori
Company: north hills school district

North Hills School District – Committee Meeting with Action – December 8, 2020

NORTH HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
COMMITTEE MEETING WITH ACTION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 – 7:15 P.M.
VIA ZOOM
www.nhsd.net

Call to Order
Mrs. Mathis called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m., directly following the Board’s Reorganization Meeting.

Board Members Present
Ms. Kozera, Mr. Little, Dr. Nolish, Mrs. Mathis, Ms. Philpott, Mrs. Poniatowski, Mrs. Reid, Mrs. Rennebeck, and Mrs. Spade.

Also Present
Dr. Patrick J. Mannarino, Dr. Beth Williams, Michael J. Witherel, Esq., Jerry Muth, Heather Pelat, Kris Kaufmann, and student representatives Ellie Fleischer and Hannah Sciulli.

Board Member Comments
Mrs. Mathis announced that the Board met in Executive Session on Thursday, December 3, 2020 to discuss personnel and legal matters.

Mrs. Spade extended her congratulations to everyone involved in the Hilltop Light Up Night.  She said it was a wonderful event and thanked everyone who organized the event and announced that they raised almost $9,000 for district families in need.

Ms. Philpott praised the district’s elementary art department curriculum leaders and teachers for the terrific lessons they are providing to our students during both the virtual and hybrid instructional models.  She is very pleased with the type of projects her sons are doing and wished to thank all staff members for their imagination and creativity.

Ms. Kozera addressed the district’s requirement to appoint an official newspaper to publish legal ads.  She feels it’s ridiculous that the district must pay a fee to publish our ads in a newspaper when so many other digital options are available to us.  She believes this law needs to be updated.

Mrs. Poniatowski stated that she does not support the district’s decision to continue the virtual instructional model through January 8^th.  She believes that the North Hills School District has the ability to provide our students with a safe environment for in-person instruction.  She acknowledges that the COVID numbers in our area are alarming and she is not denying that in any way.  However, by following the mitigation guidelines, including masks and social distancing in the hybrid model, we are able to do this.  She feels we must provide parents the right to choose what is best for their family.

Mrs. Renneback wished to piggyback with what Mrs. Poniatowski said regarding in-person instruction.  The decisions we are making should be in the best educational interest of the students.  We are not health experts, but we are charged with deciding what’s the best way for us to provide quality education to our students.  She understands why we are waiting until after the holiday to resume in-person instruction, but we must do so in January to get the kids back in school and to give them the education they deserve.

Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mrs. Mathis, seconded by Mrs. Spade, and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2020 Committee Meeting with Action, and the November 19, 2020 Legislative Meeting.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Mannarino provided his report regarding decisions on which operational model the district will follow and when we might move forward with the Hybrid Instructional Model.  He discussed the online attendance form and the need for this type of requirement.

Dr. Mannarino announced the winner of the Holiday Card Art Contest.  This year’s winner was Ella Niemi, 9^th grade student at the high school.  Ella will receive a gift card and a supply of her cards for her personal use.

Student Representatives’ Report
Ellie Fleischer and Hannah Sciulli provided an update on the Hilltop Light Up Night, the Stand Together Club (which raises awareness of mental health issues), and the Architectural Design Class project is able to access the VPN and it allows students to utilize the programs they need to work on this project at home. 

Presentation
Mrs. Lindsay Radzvin, Director of Food Services provided an update on the Grab N’ Go Meal initiative as well as the PA Harvest of the Month Program.

Public Comments on Agenda Items
None

ACTION ITEMS

Since the agenda only had a few action items, Mrs. Mathis recommended they be approved via consent vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Spade, seconded by Ms. Philpott, and unanimously passed to approve the following items, as recommended by the Superintendent:

PERSONNEL

Resignations:
Jessica Thompson – Elementary LPN, effective December 7, 2020
Marc Chuderewicz – Custodian at the High School, effective December 11, 2020

Appointments:
Sydney Riddle – Drama Club Volunteer, effective December 8, 2020
Kathleen M. Kosanovich – Swimming & Diving Volunteer, effective December 8, 2020

FINANCE
General Fund Bills were ratified, including checks numbered:  62269 through 62327;  and 62332 through 62391, as per document 1.

Food Service Fund Bills were ratified, including checks numbered:  62252 through 62268;  and 62328 through 62331, as per document 2.

Budget Transfers were approved, as per document 3.

Approval of Payroll for the month of November 2020 in the amount of $3,271,881.10.

A.W. BEATTIE CAREER CENTER
Mrs. Rennebeck announced that 11^th grader Austin Gehry was the Challenge Program winner in the Automotive Technology category and received a $200 stipend sponsored by PGT Trucking.  

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
None

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mrs. Mathis announced that the next meeting of the North Hills Board of Education will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 7 pm.  The format of the meeting will be announced at a later date.  She wished everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.

ADJOURNMENT

Mrs. Mathis adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.

__________________________________________
Lori Rieger
School Board Secretary