Tuesday Morning
Highlights of Monday Evening's Abington School Board Meetings
Vol. XXIX No. 8
December 6, 2016
SIX TIME
WINNER!
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WEDNESDAY MORNING AND MATERIALS PRESENTED AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
ARE AVAILABLE VIA OUR WEB SITE AFTER EACH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT LAST NIGHT'S SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:
REORGANIZATION MEETING … At the Reorganization Meeting last night, held prior to the regular Board meeting,
the Directors re-elected Raymond McGarry, Esquire, as president and Mrs. Michele Tinsman as vice-president of the
Board. Congratulations and best wishes to Mr. McGarry and Mrs. Tinsman and a grateful “thank you” to all Board
members for the dedication, time, and energy they devote to serving our children and community and for working
so well together for the residents and families of Abington and Rockledge.
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT LAST NIGHT'S REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:
The School Directors approved: Refinancing the General Obligation Bond Series of 2007 with the issuance of a
new bond series, saving the school district over $4.4 million in interest costs … Personnel Appointments and
Changes … The second reading for review and approval of School Board Policies in the Business and Human
Resources sections of Board Policies … Taxpayer Relief Act and Certification of Sterling Act Tax Credits …
Designation of Depositories for school district funds … Public Disaster Application designating Mr. Thomas
Schneider as the district’s agent to file and execute documents necessary for disaster assistance funds through
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania … Permits for Buildings and Grounds Use ... Awards of Contracts.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND COMMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS ... Mr. McGarry and
Board members thanked the finance team for its excellent work and the savings the school district will realize with
the refinancing of the Series 2007 Bonds.
Board members wished everyone Happy Holidays and New Year.
REPORTS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT ... Dr. Sichel was pleased to recommend the appointment last night of
Mr. Christopher Sharkey as Assistant Supervisor of Facilities. Mr. Sharkey has an extensive background in HVAC,
is an asbestos state certified building inspector, a state certified management planner, is experienced in emergency
planning and management, and has school district and commercial company experience.
BOARD ORIENTATION – The 2017- 2018 Budget Process … Last night Dr. Sichel and Mr. Lionetti reviewed the budget
process timeline for the 2017-2018 budget through adoption, which is planned for the June 27, 2017 Board meeting.
The timeline presentation can be viewed with the BoardDocs materials from last night’s meeting on the district
website.
BOARD ORIENTATION - Professional Construction Services … Last night Mr. Schneider provided an orientation on
Professional Construction Services for the renovations and additions proposed to Abington Senior High School.
Mr. Schneider reviewed the three available levels of construction management: full construction management
services; modified construction management services; and clerk of the works services. The Administration
recommended and the Board approved the modified construction management level of services. The presentation
provided the rationale for this level of services, described the services at the various phases of the project, and
recommended issuing an RFP to various professional construction management firms. The presentation can be
viewed with the BoardDocs materials from last night’s meeting on the district website.
BOARD HONORS – Abington Junior High School Video Production Students Win FIRST PLACE In Attorney
General’s “Peer 2 Peer Prevention” PSA (Public Service Announcement) Contest! … Last night Dr. Pellico
announced that Abington Junior High School Video Production students, led by teacher Ms. Beth Nord,
participated in the Pennsylvania Office of The Attorney General’s PSA (Public Service Announcement) contest.
Three teams of students created PSAs and submitted them to the contest. In mid November we were pleased to
be informed that the Junior High School team of Isabella DiPasquale, Emily Gill, Margaret Hanley, and Alicia
Whisman was one of the top five entries in the state. Their PSA was posted on YouTube and for one week the
public was invited to vote for the best video. Everyone is thrilled that the Abington team’s PSA won the highest
number of votes! The Attorney General’s office will present the award to the four students in an assembly at the
school, and provide a pizza party for the entire ninth grade next week. Last night the Board honored the students
and teacher and their award-winning PSA was shown.
The PSA can be viewed at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnZ-b_Mv5ho as well as with the materials for last night’s meeting.
REFINANCING 2007 BOND FUND SAVES OVER 4.4 MILLION DOLLARS … Last night Mr. Leslie Bear and George
Magnatta, Esquire of the school district’s finance team reported that refinancing the General Obligation Bond Series
2007 with the issuance of new Series 2017 General Obligation Bonds will save the school district $4,414,945 in
interest costs. Mr. Bear reported that the district’s excellent AA bond rating saved approximately $200,000 since
no bond insurance was required. It was noted last night that these are incredible savings – approximately 8.78% -when the target goal was 2% or better.
BOARD APPROVES AWARDS OF CONTRACTS ... Last night the Board awarded contracts to: M.A. Brightbill Body
Works, Inc. for a 9-passenger student transportation school van; Mobile Technology Graphics for a large screen
LED rental for the Abington Senior High School commencement exercises; and to several vendors for spring sports
supplies.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE ...
Last night, the Board approved the retirements of Ms. Barbara Wolf, a teacher at Copper Beech Elementary School,
who has served Abington for 26 years and Ms. Karen Cassidy, an aide at Abington Junior High School, who has
served Abington for 30 years. We wish these fine folks good luck, health, and pleasant, well-earned retirements.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR … (meetings at the Administration Building, unless otherwise noted)
Next Board Meeting:
January 10, 2017
7:30 p.m.
IMPORTANT PARENT COUNCIL MEETING
“Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention NOPE Program”
NOPE – “Narcotics, Overdose, Prevention, and Education”
An informative and interactive presentation by the
Montgomery County District Attorney’s Community Outreach & Education Program
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at Rydal East Elementary School
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Recognizing drugs & drug abuse in children
Understanding consequences of drug use, abuse, and addiction
Knowing the laws in Pennsylvania regarding underage drinking
and consequences to adults
TO STUDENTS, STAFF, AND EVERYONE IN
THE ABINGTON AND ROCKLEDGE COMMUNITIES:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND BEST WISHES FOR A
HEALTHY, SAFE, AND GOOD NEW YEAR!
REMEMBER TO CHECK COMCAST DIGITAL CHANNEL 968, VERIZON CHANNEL 34
AND COMCAST CHANNEL 43 FOR EVENTS IN ABINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SUPPORT THE ABINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION.
FOR INFORMATION, A CONTRIBUTION FORM, OR TO SUGGEST PROGRAMS,
CALL 215-517-2888 OR VISIT WWW.AEF-PA.ORG.
WEDNESDAY MORNING is distributed to the community and staff of Abington School District to highlight actions taken at School Board Meetings.
It is not intended to take the place of the minutes of the meeting. Citizens are encouraged to attend meetings; for information, call 215-884-4700.
Compiled by Byron L. Goldstein.