Board members argue over new courses & resource allocation between the two high schools; $865,000 lawsuit settled

School board education meeting
Monday, November 15, 2010

School Directors present: Susan Guthrie, Gary Friedlander, Lisa Pliskin, Diane DiBonnaventuro, David Ebby (Board President), Lyn Kugel, Virginia Pollard, Jerry Novick, Melissa Gilbert
Audience: About 8 people.

The meeting consisted of:
• Recognition of LMEA representatives
• New AP courses discussed and approved for high schools
• Approval of administration recommendations
• Settlement of Merion & Cynwyd ES construction lawsuit
1. LMEA reps recognized and awarded with flowers

2. Three new AP courses for high schools

Jerry Novick(JN): What happened to the other 2 courses that were being considered?
Superintendent McGinley(CM): Those did not receive the full endorsement of the committee, so they are no longer on the table
JN: Are those courses dead for now or will they be reconsidered?
Lyn Kugel (LK):There was not majority support on the committee. Original plan was for AP courses for LMHS only, not Harriton. Her personal opinion is that those courses were worthwhile.
JN: [Insists on hearing if those 2 courses are coming back for reconsideration]
LK: There's a cycle to these things [they could come back eventually]
Lisa Pliskin(LP): It's not fair to accuse the administration of trying to put programs in place only at one school. This is not the full story.
Melissa Gilbert(MG): Everyone in the district has the ability to attend Harriton, not LM. IB is not the same as AP. These questions need to be discussed in the context of the larger resources allocation issue.
JN: Can we follow up on this at another Curriculum meeting?
LK: We can bring it to Curriculum for discussion.
Diane DiBonnaventuro(DB): As the schools enrollments become more balanced we can revisit the course and resource issues again.

Gary Friedlander(GF): Does not like that a committee is able to deny the board the ability to vote on the courses. Committee should just make recommendations to full board.
[Others seem to disagree with this]

LK: Wants to encourage people to take new courses at Harriton and then bring them to LM as enrollments balance out.
Susan Guthrie (SG):Why should we withhold courses [at LM]? We need to promote the non-IB enrollment. Need to offer AP courses at LM.

CM: Wants to stress that we are adding 3 more course opportunities at both high schools. Originally wanted to add courses at LM because Harriton had IB.
JN: [speaking to CM] Would you bring these up again or are they dead?
CM: Only if invited by the Curriculum committee. Too late for these courses for this year.
JN: How about for next year?
CM: Yes
MG: [Next time courses like this are considered] would like to see the Admin bring analysis of resource issues. Act 1 environment [puts pressure on school district resources]

Courses pass 8-0 (Pollard abstains due to not being involved in discussion)

3. Administration recommendations

9 new buses purchased

DB: Purchase of buses is part of a long term plan
JN: We've applied for a grant from PA alternative fuels association

High school construction cost changes

GF: Both schools still within allotted budget. LM is within 2.2%, H within 2.8%

4. Settlement of construction related lawsuit

District to pay out $865,000

5. Committee reports

Policy, reported by LP: For 2nd read: Policy #800 has been revised. Email to be kept for 2 years. No 72 hour purge period. (This is responding to public comments). Policy #207 amended to follow state guidelines on attendance. Policy #915 on school related organizations, replaces older policies on ISC and HSA. New policy is more broad.

Policy #811 on GPS in vehicles.:Uses to limit idling, verify speeds, keeping records.

Communications reported by MG: Had discussions focusing on community conversations. Heard concerns about lack of transparency in appointment of Virginia Pollard

Legislative reported by JN: Change in Harrisburg brings greater support for charter schools.

6. Public Comment:

BD from Wynnewood: About AP Psych: offered at LM, but what is Harriton IB equivalent?
CM: Was an enrollment and staffing issue. As enrollments of high schools equalize so will staffing allocations.