BOARD NOTES A summary of the Hampton Township School Board Meetings

Hampton Township School District September 2014 4591 School Drive 412-486-6000, Option 8 Allison Park, PA 15101 www.ht-sd.org

District Safety Report Reveals Few Issues

The District Safety Report presented to the Board at the Sept. 2 Work Session revealed very few safety issues within the District during the 2013-2014 School Year.

The report, which was presented by Superintendent Dr. John Hoover, and Assistant Superintendent Mr. Jeff Finch, categorized data by both inci-dent and individual student infractions. Total enrollment figures for 2013-2014 were reported at 3,027 students, with 16 total incidents resulting in arrests and 22 offenders being assigned to alternative education. Misconduct categories included:

Misconduct Type Incidents Associated with the Misconduct

Percent of Total Incidents Incidents Per 100 Students

Fighting 1 6.25 % 0.03Threatening School Official or

Student3 18.75% 0.10

Possession of Knife 1 6.25% 0.03Possession/Use of a Controlled

Substance4 25% 0.13

Sale/Possession/Use of Under the Influence

2 12.50% 0.07

Possession/Use or Sale of To-bacco

5 31.25% 0.17

Mr. Finch reviewed the criteria for suspension categories and provided an overview of the scope of expulsion-level offenses, and explained that the data were similar in frequency and in categories of offense as in previous years. A member of the public inquired about the incident with a knife, and Dr. Hoover explained that it was a pocket knife that was unintentionally left in an elementary student’s backpack. The student received a one-day suspension in order to send the message that the District does not want to have those kinds of incidents occurring where weapons are concerned, Dr. Hoover said.

Student representatives who will attend the 2014-2015 School Board meetings were invited to comment on their impressions of school safety. Nico Katsafanas, Senior Class President, and Luke Lacher, Junior Class President, both said they feel confident in their safety during school hours. Both students also commented on incidents of bullying in the District and said the majority of bullying happens outside of school in the realm of social media.

The complete District Safety Report is available on the District website at ht-sd.org.

2014-2015 School Year Opening Day a SuccessDuring the Educational Programs Committee report at the Sept. 2 Work Session, Administrators commented on the opening day of the 2014-2015 School Year.

Dr. Hoover stated that third-day enrollment figures were at 2,950 students District wide. This year’s figures reflect a slight decrease over last year’s third-day enrollment statistics, which indicated 3,027 students were enrolled dur-ing the same time period.

Administrators reported that the opening day for students was very positive and the school year is off to a good start.

BOARD NOTES --2-- SEPTEMBER 2014

Personnel Report

During the personnel report, Board members took the following action:

• Accepted the resignation of Mr. Ryan Budziszewski, who resigned effective August 12, 2014. Mr. Budziszewski was a Building Substitute at Hampton Middle School.

• Accepted the resignation of Mr. Nicholas Weaver, who resigned effective August 16, 2014. Mr. Weaver was the LTS Social Studies Teacher at Hampton High School, replacing Mrs. Jennifer Lavella.

• Accepted the resignation of Ms. Lisa Eiben, who resigned effective August 15, 2014. Ms. Eiben was a Class 1-B Paraprofessional at Central Elementary School.

• Approved Mrs. Emily McBee, as a Professional Employee English Teacher at Hampton High School, effective August 18, 2014. Salary is Master’s +45, Step-3, $57,393 pro-rated. Mrs. McBee is replacing Mrs. Jennifer Webler.

• Approved Ms. Allison Dockter as a Math Academic Support Teacher at Hampton High School, effective August 18, 2014. Salary is $23,500. Ms. Dockter is replacing Ms. Kerri Patterson.

• Approved Ms. Casey Benson as a Long-Term Substitute Social Studies Teacher at Hampton High School for the first-semester of the 2014-2015 School Year, effective August 18, 2014. Salary is $27,500, pro-rated. Ms. Benson is a Long-Term Substitute for Mrs. Jennifer Lavella.

• Approved a change in status for Mrs. Adina Marks-Vescio, from a Building Substitute at Hampton High School, to a Long-Term Substitute ESL Teacher for the District, effective August 28, 2014. Salary is $27,500, pro-rated.

• Approved Ms. Lauren Marshall as a Building Substitute at Hampton Middle School for the 2014-2015 School Year, effective August 18, 2014. Salary is $19,500.

• Approved Ms. Lindsey Leja, as a Building Substitute at Hampton Middle School for the 2014-2015 School Year, effective August 28, 2014. Salary is $19,500, pro-rated.

• Approved Mr. Benjamin Famoso, as a Building Substitute at Hampton High School for the 2014-2015 School Year, effective August 28, 2014. Salary is $19,500, pro-rated.

• Approved Mrs. Christine Grossman as a Class VI – Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent, effective September 2, 2014. Salary is based on the current HESPA salary schedule (Step-3) $21.54 per hour, with the probationary period waived. Mrs. Grossman is replacing Mrs. Lisa Easley.

• Approved the request to rescind Ms. Lidia Liberto’s resignation from the District as a Class 1-B Paraprofessional with a subsequent transfer to a Class II – Health Office Secretary at Hampton High School, effective August 22, 2014. Salary is based on the current HESPA salary schedule (Step-3), $15.75 per hour, with the probationary period waived. Ms. Liberto is replacing Ms. Jessica Barry.

• Approved Mrs. Cari Hartle as a Class 1-B Paraprofessional at Central Elementary School, effective August 18, 2014. Salary is based on the current HESPA salary schedule (Step-2), $14.30 per hour, with the probationary period waived. Mrs. Hartle is replacing Ms. Lisa Eiben.

• Approved Mrs. Lisa Altimore as a 2-Hour Per Day/Class 1-B Paraprofessional at Wyland Elementary School, effective August 18, 2014. Salary is based on the current HESPA salary schedule (Step-2), $14.30 per hour, with the probationary period waived. Mrs. Altimore is replacing Ms. Lidia Liberto.

• Approved Mrs. Sharon Vay as a Class 1-B Paraprofessional at Wyland Elementary School, effective August 18, 2014. Salary is based on the current HESPA salary schedule (Step-1), $13.10 per hour for the 60-day probationary period, and $13.35 per hour thereafter. Mrs. Vay is replacing Mrs. Debra Anthony.

• Approved Mrs. Sheila Schwartz as a 2-Hour Per Day/Class 1-B Paraprofessional at Central Elementary School, effective August 18, 2014. Salary is based on the current HESPA salary schedule (Step-1), $13.10 per hour for the 60-day probationary period, and $13.35 per hour thereafter.

• Approved a voluntary transfer request for Mrs. Virginia Sondej, from a Class 1-D Paraprofessional at Hampton High School to a Class 1-B Paraprofessional at Hampton High School, effective September 2, 2014. Salary is based on the current HESPA salary Schedule, $14.68 per hour. Mrs. Sondej will replace Mrs. Rochelle Hahn.

• Approved a voluntary transfer for Mrs. Rochelle Hahn, from a Class 1-B Paraprofessional at Hampton High School to a Class 1-D Paraprofessional at Hampton High School, effective September 2, 2014. Salary is based on the current HESPA salary schedule, $15.45 per hour. Mrs. Hahn will replace Mrs. Virginia Sondej.

• Approved the following as Paraprofessional/Secretary Substitutes, effective August 28, 2014: Ann Allen, Traci Stotler, Kathy Mc-Grath, and Thomas Jakovlic

• Approved the Coach/Building Supplemental positions for the 2014-2015 School Year as listed on the Board agenda.• Approved the non-bargaining unit salaries for the 2014-2015 School Year as listed on the Board agenda.

BOARD NOTES --3-- SEPTEMBER 2014

Personnel Report (continued)

• Approved a change in the current pay-rate for District substitutes, effective September 1, 2014: Substitute Custodians – $10.00 per hour Substitute Custodians (working 20 consecutive days) – $10.50 per-hour Permanent Substitute – $11.00 per-hour Substitute Paraprofessionals – $10.00 per-hour Substitute Secretaries – $10.00 per-hour• Approved a 2014-2015 salary of $109,086 for Ms. Laurie Heinricher, Curriculum Director, which includes a salary adjustment, as

well as a COL/Merit-based adjustment.• Approved a 2014-2015 salary of $103,335 for Mr. Edward McKaveney, Technology Director, which includes a salary adjustment, as

well as a COL/Merit-based adjustment.• Approved the 2014-2015 salary of $92,167, for Mrs. Marlynn Lux, Middle School Assistant Principal, which includes a salary adjust-

ment, as well as a COL/Merit-based adjustment.

Paving Project Comes in Under Budget, New PA System Approved for High School

A new public address system processor upgrade for the High School was approved at the Sept. 8 School Board meeting. Mr. Rick Farino, District Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, reported the week prior that the current PA system had been installed in 1999 and had become obsolete. Repairs had become necessary for an amplifier card in early August when it burned out, and because the system is obsolete, the parts to fix it were no longer available. Mr. Farino suggested replacing the control system, and the Board agreed. The new system will be purchased from Dobil Laboratories Inc. at a cost of $4,497.50.

Additionally, Mr. Farino announced that the cost for the Central Elementary School Pav-ing Project came in under budget. The net effect of the additional work for the project, in conjunction with the reduction in quantities from the original bid, resulted in the savings from the original contract.

Mr. Farino also reported that damage had occurred to the flashing school zone/speed limit sign in front of Central Elementary School during an automobile accident on Aug. 25. The sign has been repaired and the District’s insurance carrier is seeking full reimbursement from the driver’s insurance company.

A plan to construct dugouts for the High School baseball field was presented to Board members during the Sept. 2 Work Session. Mr. Bill Cardone, District Athletic Director, and Mr. Gary Wilson, Varsity Baseball Coach, outlined the plan and explained that funding for the project would be covered entirely by the Baseball Booster Club.

Mrs. Mary Alice Hennessey, Facilities Committee Chair-woman, said the dugouts were included in the initial site plans as a potential future addition when presented to Hamp-ton Township for the purpose of obtaining the proper per-mits for the work. District Administration will consult with Township Administrators to determine if any permissions or permits will be required before proceeding with the project.

Mr. Farino said there is enough current electrical capacity be-ing routed to the field to handle the additional lighting and electrical needs that will result once the dugouts are complet-ed and ready for use.

BOARD NOTES --4-- SEPTEMBER 2014

HAEE 5K WALK/RUN

The 22nd annual HAEE 5K Walk/Run is slated for Oct. 11 at Hartwood Acres. This is the main fundraiser for the HAEE, which provides grants to Hampton faculty and staff for unique educa-

tional programs within the Hampton Township School District.

Event details can be found on the HAEE website at hamptonalliance.org, along with registration in-formation.

This year, students and staff will be encouraged to participate in the race in a variety of ways. As always, Dr. John Hoover, Superintendent of Schools, will issue his “Hoover Challenge.” Elementary students who

beat Dr. Hoover in the race will receive $5. Dr. Hoover also will donate an equal amount to the HAEE based on the number of students who beat him in the race.

Dr. Eric Stennett, Middle School Principal, also issues his own challenge to middle school students. Anyone who beats him will receive a free ticket to a middle school dance, and $2 per student will be donated to the HAEE.

In addition, elementary students have a chance to win the coveted Alliance Cup. The elementary school with the highest percentage receives the cup. Last year, Central Elementary School had the highest percentage of students and staff participating.

September 22: Board Special Meeting (if necessary), 7:30 p.m., Dr. Harold Sarver Memorial Library, HMSSeptember 26: Talbot Tailgate and Homecoming, starting at 3:30 p.m., HMS and Fridley FieldOctober 6: Board Work Session Meeting, 7 p.m., Dr. Harold Sarver Memorial Library, HMS

October 11: HAEE 5K Walk/Run, 9 a.m., Hartwood AcresOctober 13: Professional Education Day (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

October 13: School Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Dr. Harold Sarver Memorial Library, HMSOctober 26: Board Special Meeting (if necessary), Dr. Harold Sarver Memorial Library, HMS

Board Notes are compiled by Shari Berg, Public Relations Consultant, The Communication Solutions Group.