There’s a saying: we do x so you don’t have to. We’d like to change that up! We watch and attend board meetings and want you to come too but will recap them for when you’re too busy. It may not be as quippy a message, but it’s far more sincere. WCASD had a Property and Finance Committee Meeting followed by a School Board Meeting on Monday 12/19/2022. All minute markers are for the video available here on WCASD's YouTube channel.
Highlights include:
Salute to the Flag and school update led by Hillsdale Elementary School students (minute marker 5:22)
Spotlight on some of the way all 17 schools are giving back this holiday season shared in the Superintendent’s Report (minute marker 17:41)
All three high school student representatives reported about DECA District 9 Competition. East High School has the largest DECA chapter in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania! (minute marker 21:10)
Personnel recommendations made by Dr. Ulmer, Director of Human Resources, including Mr. Wagman, Director of Technology’s retirement 07/2023 and Mrs. Yabor’s status change from acting assistant principal to assistant principal of Fugett Middle School. The board approved all recommendations unanimously 9-0. (minute marker 33:22)
The education committee report from Director Shaw requested approval of the 2023-24 School Calendar second reading, with Spring 2024 conferences moved to week of 03/25/2024 allowing West Chester families a longer Spring Break from school. The board approved the second and final reading unanimously 9-0. (minute marker 41:03)
After conducting the Property & Finance Committee meeting earlier, Vice President Bevilacqua brought forward the motions to approve Act I Resolution for Inflation Index Budget Limit, Bids for 2022-23 Capital Reserve Projects, Bids for 2023-24 Capital Reserve Projects, and terminating a trust set up in 1964 administered by Wells Fargo and hold the funds as a district for the intended purpose of scholarship funds. All motions were approved unanimously by the board 9-0. (minute marker 46:55)
Director Durnell provided an equity report. Padres Latinos hosted an informational evening for Spanish speaking families of special education students on 12/7/2022. Dr. Martin facilitated a District Equity Leadership Team (DELT) meeting at East High School on 12/7/2022. The team discussed strategies to remove equity barriers and implementation of measurements to determine success. (minute marker 57:07)
As we posted yesterday, President Tiernan announced the addition of an ad hoc policy committee that will commence a multi-year effort to thoroughly review all district policies and evaluate what can be removed, what should be updated, and what needs to be added. Directors Detre, Fleming, Whomsley, and Vice President Bevilacqua have been appointed to the committee. Meetings will be public and are planned to begin in January. We encourage all policy wonks and engaged WCASD stakeholders to attend these meetings and provide feedback in public comment. (Minute marker 59:35)
In other business, motions to vote on the renewal of Director of HR Dr. Ulmer’s Contract of Employment for five years beginning on July 1, 2023 and an addendum to agreement between Superintendent Dr. Sokolowski and the WCASD Board of School Directors. The board approved each motion unanimously 9-0. (minute marker 1:01:45)
There was one public comment on non-agenda items. There were no public comments on agenda items, earlier in the meeting. The commenter addressed the field trip some district students took to see People’s Light performance of Alice in Wonderland: A Musical Panto. The commenter expressed concern that manufactured outrage from people who had not seen the show resulted in death threats made on social media, putting WCASD students in harm’s way. (minute marker 1:07:01)
The next meetings will be held:
Education and Pupil Services Committees Monday 1/9/2023 6:30 pm
Property & Finance Committee Tuesday 1/17/2023 (note the date change in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day that Monday) 6:30 pm
Monthly School Board Monday 1/23/2023 7:00 pm
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