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

North Hills School District – Committee Meeting with Action – November 5, 2020

NORTH HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
COMMITTEE MEETING WITH ACTION
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020 – 7:00 P.M.
HYBRID BOARD MEETING IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LGI ROOM
AND VIA ZOOM
www.nhsd.net

Call to Order
The meeting, which was held in the Middle School LGI Room and via Zoom Webinar, and was called to order at 7:00 p.m.  Mrs. Mathis opened the meeting with a moment of silence and salute to the flag.  Mrs. Mathis took attendance via roll call.

Board Members Present
Ms. Kozera, Mr. Little, Mrs. Mathis, Mrs. Poniatowski, Mrs. Rennebeck, and Mrs. Spade.

Board Members Present via Telephone
Ms. Philpott, and Mrs. Reid.

Board Members Not Present
Dr. Nolish

Also Present
Dr. Patrick J. Mannarino, Dr. Beth Williams, Michael J. Witherel, Esq., Jerry Muth, Heather Pelat, and Kris Kaufmann.

Board Member Comments
Mrs. Mathis made the following statement:

We’ve made some modifications to the setup of the meeting to hopefully improve the audio for the board members in person, the board members who are remote, and the viewing audience including those in person and at home.  

Because we have some board members participating on the phone, I am going to make sure to specifically call on them throughout the meeting so that everyone is included and is able to participate equally.

Without belaboring the point, I did want to briefly address a situation that occurred at the last meeting when a member of the board called the question in order to move on from discussion. In my time on the board, we have not dealt with this particular situation before, but I did consult our solicitor who explained that this has always been handled in an informal manner, meaning that if a member “calls the question” it ends discussion. Another option is to handle this in a formal manner, which means that if a member calls the question we would need a 2nd to that motion and a 2/3rd vote in favor to end discussion.

My personal opinion on this matter is that as colleagues on the board, we should be patient with each other and allow all board members an opportunity for discussion and treat each other with professionalism and respect.  While we may not always agree, when we operate well as a team it benefits the entire district. 

Mrs. Reid responded to Mrs. Mathis’s comments stating that she prefers, when calling the question, that we utilize the informal manner.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Mannarino began his report, but we were experiencing technical difficulties.

Mrs. Mathis called a recess of the meeting at 7:11 p.m. while district employees corrected the technical issues.

Mrs. Mathis resumed the meeting at 7:14 p.m.

Dr. Mannarino resumed his report to the Board.  He discussed COVID cases in our schools, the temporary closure of the high school, and stated that the Allegheny County Health Department is responsible for notices of quarantine and conducting contract tracing.

He continued with an update on the Hybrid Teaching and Learning Model and a preview of Winter Athletics.  He closed by thanking our dedicated teachers, staff members, families and students.  He also reminded everyone to continue to wear a mask, social distance, practice good hygiene and stay home if you are sick.

Public Comments on Agenda Items
None

EDUCATION

Informational Item
Generally, the Board approves the school calendar in the Fall for the upcoming school year.  With the uncertain nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not yet prepared to present a year-long school calendar to the Board for approval.  In order to allow families and district staff members to plan for the Summer of 2021, we wanted to state that the first day for teachers will be no earlier than August 16, 2021, and the first day for students will be no earlier than August 24, 2021.

A motion was made by Mrs. Mathis, seconded by Mrs. Spade, and unanimously passed to add Education Item 2 to the Legislative Meeting Agenda:

2.	Grant Acceptance – A request for the Board to approve the acceptance of the 7-Eleven A-Game Grant by Ross Elementary in the amount of $1,000.  This grant money will be used to continue character education initiative at Ross Elementary.

ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES
Athletic Director, Mr. Patrick Weber provided a recap of the Fall Athletic Season.

A.W. BEATTIE CAREER CENTER
Dr. Mannarino announced that A.W. Beattie will be selling prepared Thanksgiving Dinners, and Christmas Cookies.  He highly recommends giving them a try!

PERSONNEL

Resignations

A motion was made by Mrs. Spade, seconded by Mr. Little and unanimously passed to approve Resignations, as per document 1, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Patricia Lewandowski – Food Service Worker at the high school, effective October 5, 2020.

Appointments

A motion was made by Mrs. Spade, seconded by Mr. Little, and unanimously passed to approve Appointments, as per document 2, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Kaitlin Hoch – Head Teacher at McIntyre, at the rate of $2,790, effective October 21, 2020.
Janet Eichner – Paraprofessional at Ross, at the rate of $13.10/hour, effective October 27, 2020.

Spencer W. Aten – Volunteer – Ice Hockey – effective November 5, 2020

Changes of Status

A motion was made by Mrs. Spade, seconded by Mr. Little, and unanimously passed to approve Change of Status, as per document 3, as recommended by the Superintendent.  

Kelly Feigel – From Paraprofessional at West View, to Teaching Assistant at West View, at the rate of $15.21/hour, effective November 9, 2020.

COMMUNITY & INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
None

POLICIES

Information – The following policy was reviewed and determined that no changes are needed:

Policy 238 – Independent Educational Evaluations at Public Expense

First Reading
A motion was made by Ms. Kozera, seconded by Mrs. Spade, and unanimously passed to move Policy Item 2 to the Legislative Meeting agenda.

2.	First Reading – Policy 226 – Locker Search – Revisions

Second Reading
A motion was made by Ms. Kozera, seconded by Mrs. Spade, and unanimously passed to approve Policy Items 4 through 12, as recommended by the Superintendent:

4.	Retirement of Policy 335 – Anticipated Disability
5.	Policy 223 – Use of Bicycles and Motor Vehicles – Revisions
6.	Policy 229 – Student Fund Raising – Revisions
7.	Policy 407 – Student Teachers – Revisions
8.	Policy 416 – Pediculosis (Head Lice) – Professional Employees – Revisions
9.	Policy 516 – Pediculosis (Head Lice) – Classified Employees – Revisions
10.	Policy 705 – Safety – Revisions
11.	Policy 805 – Emergency Preparedness and Response – Revisions
12.	Policy 907 – School Visitors - Revisions

LEGISLATIVE
None

FINANCE

ACTION ITEM:
A motion was made by Mrs. Mathis, seconded by Mrs. Spade, and unanimously passed to Authorize the Solicitor to begin the process of selling 2 district-owned properties located at 5310 Perrysville Road and 5314 Perrysville Road, as per document 1, as recommended by the Superintendent.

A motion was made by Mrs. Mathis, seconded by Mrs. Spade, and unanimously passed to add Finance Items 3 through 8 to the Legislative Meeting Agenda:

3.	General Fund Bills
4.	Capital Project Fund Bills
5.	Food Service Fund Bills
6.	Budget Transfers
7.	Payroll for the Month of October 2020 in the amount of $3,102,510.89.
8.	Resolution 2020-04 – Authorizing Participation by North Hills School District in, and Appointment of Representatives to, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Joint Purchasing Program.

SUPPORT SERVICES
None

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jeffrey Chips, 523 Cornell Ave. Ext., West View
Mr. Chips read a statement to the Board regarding the district’s use of the Indian as a mascot.  As a parent and taxpayer, he feels this mascot is out of step with the values he teaches his children.  He believes it should no longer be used as a mascot, and “when we know better, we do better.”

ADJOURNMENT

Mrs. Mathis adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.

__________________________________________
Loretta J. Rieger
School Board Secretary