FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – 7:30 P.M.
MURRYSVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 4100 SARDIS RD., MURRYSVILLE, PA 15668
Striving for Excellence
Dr. Borland, President of the Franklin Regional Board of School Directors,
opened the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Borland announced that the Board met in Executive Session from 6:45 p.m. –
7:15 p.m. for labor and personnel issues.
Superintendent's Report:
Dr. Piraino introduced Ms. Burns to present information to the Board on Sloan
Elementary School’s Differentiated Supervision Project. Differentiated Supervision is
a component of our Supervision and Evaluation Process that allows teachers to
work collaboratively with colleagues on a specific area of professionalism,
environment, instruction, and/or planning.
Ms. Burns said this year’s Grade 2 Professional Learning Community differentiated
supervision goal is a team effort in professionalism and parent engagement. The
focus for this evening’s discussion is the Second Grade Math Nights at Sloan hosted
by Mrs. Connors, Mrs. D’Eramo, Miss Klimchock, Mrs. Pampalone, and Mrs. Vincent.
Mrs. D’Eramo spoke first about the team’s goal to provide information for both the
parents and students with the introduction of new concepts in the second and
fourth math units and there will be one additional meeting in May. In the first two
meetings, the parents reviewed the new unit’s math concepts and various ways the
students could solve the various problems. The team broke into two parts with Mrs.
D’Eramo and Mrs. Vincent spending time with the parents and Mrs. Connors, Miss
Klimchock, and Mrs. Pampalone working with the students during the program.
Mrs. Vincent presented examples to the Board of some of the information provided
to the parents. The handouts provided showed that there are often multiple ways to
solve the same problem. The teachers emphasized that they want the students to
be able to write an equation but that not all the students are at that level yet so they
are working with the student’s at their level to develop concrete foundations. They
reviewed examples of the different types of word problems that the students need
to learn how to solve with the parents. Word problems can contain too much
information, not enough information, or hidden information and the students need
to be able to identify ways to solve each of those types of problem. The second
Math Night presentation for parents mapped out several ways for students to solve
take-away problems, strategies for grouping, ungrouping, time, and money.
Mrs. Pampalone spoke about the student portion of the Math Nights. She showed
the Board a sample of Math Mountain that they use to help students understand
difficult word problems. It helps the students with both addition and subtraction
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FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – 7:30 P.M.
MURRYSVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 4100 SARDIS RD., MURRYSVILLE, PA 15668
Striving for Excellence
because the total is always at the top. They can plug in what they know and it helps
them figure out which part is missing.
Mrs. Connors shared that the Expression program had a limited number of units on
money and time and they have created new lessons and games to supplement that
area of the curriculum. They use a variation of Dominoes, a game called Money War
similar to the card game War, a game called Break the Bank, and Sweet Shop where
the students role play shopping to buy sweets, paying for them, putting the money
in the cash register, and sometimes making change.
Miss Klimchock shared information on several games that the students use in class
and at home over the summer. The first game she spoke about is Rocket star with
two students playing against each other. They roll two ten-sided die, they add the
numbers up, pick a color, and color the star above the number until all the stars are
colored. Whoever gets the most stars wins the game. For the second session, they
used a game called Geometry Bump. This game uses a spinner made from a pencil
and a paperclip. Each player spins and when they land on a shape they put a bingo
chip on the shape. If your opponent spins and lands on the same shape, they can
bump you off the space unless you have two chips on it. Whoever runs out of chips
first wins the game. There are other variations of the game using addition,
subtraction and other strategies. It is a fun way to learn and practice their skills.
There are approximately 100-second graders at Sloan and we had more than 45
families attend the events. The teachers followed up with a survey and received
very positive feedback.
Google ChromeBooks (Att. pp. 1-4):
Mr. Schrecengost recommended that the Board approve the purchase of 395
additional ChromeBooks at a cost of $99,935.00 for both the Middle School and
Senior High School.
During the 2015/16 school year, three teachers from the English and Social Studies
departments piloted 100 Google ChromeBooks at the Senior High School and there
were 418 students impacted by the Google Chromebook pilot program.
High School Gym Bleacher Repair (Att. pp. 5-6):
Mr. Heck presented to the Board a recommendation to repair the high school home
side bleachers. Mr. Heck requested that the Board approve awarding a purchase
order to C.M. Eichenlaub Company for $7,800.00 to repair the bleachers.
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FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – 7:30 P.M.
MURRYSVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 4100 SARDIS RD., MURRYSVILLE, PA 15668
Striving for Excellence
Proposed Capital Budget for 2016/17 (Separate Attachment):
Mr. Heck presented the proposed Capital Budget for the 2016/2017 school year. The
amount for Capital Replacement is $453,390, Capital Maintenance is $191,625, and
New Capital Projects is $134,800 for a total of $779,815.
IDEA Part B and IDEA Section 619 Flow Thru Funds Agreements (Att. pp. 7-38):
Mr. Perry recommends that the Board approve the 2015/2016 IDEA Flow-Thru
Funds contracts with the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit (WIU) for IDEA-Part B
allocation of $587,421.42 and IDEA-Section 619 amount of $1,527.00.
Student Activity Clubs, Sponsors, and Officers (Att. pp. 39-41):
Mr. Perry presented a recommendation that the Board approve the attached list of
student activity clubs, sponsors, and student officers for the senior high and middle
schools for the 2015/2016 school year.
Budget Transfers (Att. pp. 42-43):
Mr. Perry requested that the Board approve General Fund transfers of $4,077.97
and Athletic Fund transfers of $1,075.75.
Gifts and Donations (Att. p. 44):
Mr. Perry requested that the Board approve the following gifts and donations for
approval per policy 3702 “Gifts and Donations to the School.”
Company/Organization Name Gift Amount Contribution Utilization FREA Staff Contribution $199.00 Food Service "Fund‐A‐Meal" Program Mrs. Ethel Hall $200.00 Food Service "Fund‐A‐Meal" Program Stern Advertising $500.00 Middle School Inquiry Science ‐ McDonald's Grant Eli Lilly & Company Foundation $100.00 Sloan Library TOTAL $999.00 A.J. Myers Scoreboard Partnership Agreement (Att. pp. 45-51):
Dr. Piraino presented the A.J. Myers Scoreboard Sponsorship Gold Package
Agreement of $25,000 for the Senior High School’s Panther Gymnasium. The
donation would be $5,000 per year for the next 5 years.
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FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – 7:30 P.M.
MURRYSVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 4100 SARDIS RD., MURRYSVILLE, PA 15668
Striving for Excellence
AIU/Sunrise School Agreement (Att. pp. 52-57):
Mr. Regelski presented an agreement with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to
provide services as proposed in the contract at the Sunrise School during the
2015/2016 school year as necessary.
Use of Facilities: Young Writers Institute (Att. p. 58):
Mrs. Reljac requested approval of the use of the Franklin Regional Middle School
facility at Group II rates for the summer academic opportunity of the Young Writers
Institute (July 11-15). This is the summer creative writing program for students
entering grades 4-12 and Franklin Regional School District will be the only host site
in Westmoreland County. The Young Writers Institute will use approximately eight
classrooms, the Large Group Instruction room, the library, and the cafeteria at the
Middle School.
Teachers for the program are Fellows of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project,
or instructors from the Creative Writing Program, or School of Education at the
University of Pittsburgh. Val Piccini, reading specialist at Heritage Elementary, is the
Westmoreland County Director of the Young Writers Institute.
Use of Facilities: Camp Invention (Att. p. 59):
Mrs. Reljac requested approval of the use of Franklin Regional Heritage Elementary
School at Group 1 rates for Camp Invention (June 20-24). The District sponsors the
event and it is a valuable opportunity for our students and those in the surrounding
districts. Camp Invention will use approximately eight classrooms and the
gymnasium.
One of our teachers, Brett Bielewicz (Grade 4, Heritage Elementary) is the Camp
Invention Director. He, along with other Franklin Regional teachers, will instruct
students in this summer program. The Camp Invention organization provides the
program plans and assists with the purchasing of materials and administration of the
program.
Safe Schools Initiative Competitive Targeted Grant (Att. p. 60):
Mrs. Reljac requested that the Board approve the acceptance of the $25,000 Safe
Schools Initiative Competitive Targeted Grant provided through the Pennsylvania
Department of Education. The grant money is being used for programing to
enhance the district emergency preparedness including review and revision of
emergency response plans, training for the district leadership teams in emergency
response, and certifying additional trainers in de-escalation techniques.
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FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – 7:30 P.M.
MURRYSVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 4100 SARDIS RD., MURRYSVILLE, PA 15668
Striving for Excellence
Policy Review: First Read (Separate Attachment):
Mrs. Reljac presented the following policies for the Board’s first read.
 Policy 216.1 – Supplemental Discipline Records
 Policy 218 – Student Discipline/Behavior Standards
 Policy 218.1 – Weapons
 Policy 218.2 – Terroristic Threats
 Policy 233 – Suspension and Expulsion
 Policy 236 – Student Assistance Program
 Policy 249 – Bullying/Cyberbullying
The administration recommends that the Board approve the first read for these
policies and move them forward for second read.
Dr. Borland thanked the Policy Committee and Administration for the enormous task
in undertaking the review of the entire School District policy manual. He thanked
them for the work they are doing and the extraordinary amount of time they are
devoting to this project.
There was a discussion regarding the weapons policy and what is included in
possession on school property.
District Shutdown Pilot (Att. pp. 61-62):
Dr. Piraino presented to the Board a recommendation that would restructure the
District’s schedule during the month of July. Historically the Teamster’s group had a
mandatory week off in July with other employees still working. In an effort to
decrease our utility costs approximately 20%, we have worked with the Act 93,
PSEA, and individual contract holders to take Friday’s off in July, shutting down the
entire district facilities.
The Administration recommends the Board approve the Memorandum of
Understanding made between the Franklin Regional School District and Teamster’s
Local 205 that addresses the development of a pilot program for five days of
mandatory leave during the second summer of the Collective Bargaining
Agreement.
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FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – 7:30 P.M.
MURRYSVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 4100 SARDIS RD., MURRYSVILLE, PA 15668
Striving for Excellence
Personnel (Att. pp. 63-67):
Dr. Piraino took a moment to recognize the retirees who have applied for retirement
at the conclusion of the 2015/2016 school year: Susan Almgren, George Blank,
Barbara Calfe, Lucinda Clark, Richard Kralik, Debra Pundai, and Valerie Stahurski.
Dr. Piraino presented the following personnel items be provisionally approved upon
submission of appropriate documentation such as Act 33/34, Act 114, and Act 151
clearances:
 Certified Personnel
Appointments/Transfers
Approve the extension of Kelley Jacob’s assignment as a Long-Term Substitute 1st Grade Teacher at
Heritage, effective the second semester of the 2015 – 16 school year at a prorated salary of $48,900
based on Step 1 of the Bachelor’s Scale.
Leave of Absence (Dates are approximate)
Approve a family and medical leave of absence for Valerie Stahurski, Social Studies Teacher at the
Middle School, effective 2/20/16 through tbd.
Resignations/Retirements
Accept the retirement of the following teachers, effective at the conclusion of the 2015 – 16 School
Year.
a. Susan Almgren, Social Studies Teacher at the Middle School
b. George Blank, Reading Teacher, at the Middle School
c. Barbara Calfe, 2nd Grade Teacher, Heritage
d. Lucinda Clark, Reading Specialist, Heritage
e. Richard Kralik, Social Studies Teacher at the Middle School
f. Debra Pundai, School Counselor at the Middle School
g. Valerie Stahurski, Social Studies Teacher at the Middle School
Substitutes
Approve the following Teacher substitutes for the 2015 – 16 School Year.
a. Lori Begg
d. Tiffany Ott
g. Ashley Ulicne
b. Jordan Feinberg
e. Leah Schott
c. Rachel Forsythe
f. Hannah Stynchula
Approve the following Homebound Instructor’s for the 2015 – 16 School Year.
a. Jordan Feinberg
c. Tiffany Ott
e. Ashley Ulicne
b. Rachel Forsythe
d. Hannah Stynchula
 Support Personnel
Appointments/Transfers
Recognize a transfer for Ronald White from Full-Time Custodian to Full-Time Custodial Team
Leader at Sloan, effective 2/23/16, with a $0.80 shift differential.
Leave of Absence (Dates are approximate)
Approve a medical leave of absence for Deborah Sloss, Special Education Aide at the High School,
from 2/5/16 through tbd.
Approve a medical leave of absence for Diane Sickles, Special Education Aide at Sloan, from
1/21/16 through tbd.
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FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – 7:30 P.M.
MURRYSVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 4100 SARDIS RD., MURRYSVILLE, PA 15668
Striving for Excellence
Substitutes
Approve the following support substitutes for the 2015 – 16 School Year.
a. Rachel Forsythe – Instructional Aide, Library Aide, Special Education Aide
b. Jessica Hughes – Greeter, Library Aide, Secretary
Approve Cecelia Lora as a Substitute English as a Second Language Tutor at a rate of $18 per hour.
 Supplemental Personnel—Appointments/Transfers
Appointments/Transfers
Approve the following list of certified staff mentors for the 2015 – 16 School Year at a stipend of $300
for a full year.
New Employee
Assignment
Location
Mentor
Gretchen Hill
LTS English
Middle School
Jennifer Landsberg
th
Middle School
Jennifer See
Stephanie Guffey
LTS 7 Grade Reading
Kelley Jacob
STS 1st Grade Teacher
Heritage
Corina Berkoben
Michelle Longo
Sp Ed Teacher / Transition Coord.
High School
Laurie Sweitzer
Approved the attached list of Coordinators and Coaches for the 2015 – 16 School Year.
 Coordinator Recommendations: Spring 2016
Name & Sport
TRACK
Robert Ralston
SOFTBALL
James Armstrong
TENNIS (BOYS)
Howard Fisher
GIRLS LACROSSE
Eric Barnabei
BOYS LACROSSE
TBD
BASEBALL
Robert Saddler
Position
** Total
Coordinator
$4,747.00
Coordinator
$5,097.00
Coordinator
$5,919.00
Coordinator
$4,291.00
Coordinator
Coordinator
$4,434.00
** Calculated on current CBA
Zachary Kessler
2/1/2016
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FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – 7:30 P.M.
MURRYSVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 4100 SARDIS RD., MURRYSVILLE, PA 15668
Striving for Excellence
 Coach Recommendations: Spring 2016
Name
TRACK
Position
** Base
Head
Total
Elena Shields
Ryan Miller
Varsity Assistant
Varsity Assistant
$3,180.00
$3,180.00
$3,180.00
$3,180.00
Brandon Stanoszek
Varsity Assistant
$3,180.00
$3,180.00
Bruce Corna
Varsity Assistant
$3,180.00
$3,180.00
TBD
Varsity Assistant
Paul Conrad
Middle School Head
$4,868.00
Sean Cartwright
Middle School Assistant
$3,180.00
$3,180.00
Mary Cartwright
Middle School Assistant
$3,365.00
$3,365.00
Michael Visnick
Middle School Assistant
$3,180.00
$3,180.00
TBD
Middle School Assistant
Paul Dick
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
$180.00
$5,048.00
BASEBALL
Patrick Marchese
Varsity Assistant
$3,009.00
Frank Szatkowski
J.V. Head
$3,009.00
$180.00
$3,009.00
$3,189.00
Matt Mangery
Jr. High Head
$3,009.00
$180.00
$3,189.00
Ed Carr
J.V. Assistant
$3,009.00
Tim Quinn
J.V. Vol. Ass't.
$0.00
$0.00
Travis Welch
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
Jason Miller
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
Varsity Assistant
$2,994.00
$2,994.00
Ashley Dolan
J.V. Head
$2,994.00
Kelly Jockel
J.V. Assistant
$2,994.00
Jeff Blahusch
Middle School Head
$2,994.00
Kevin White
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
Nicole Sleith
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
Hannah Stynchula
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
$3,009.00
SOFTBALL
Hannah White
$180.00
$3,174.00
$2,994.00
$180.00
$3,174.00
$0.00
GIRLS LACROSSE
Mackenzie McGuire
Varsity Asst./J.V. Head
Brisa Colaizzi
Volunteer Assistant
Cassandra Bortot
Sabrina Zottola
$3,101.00
$180.00
$3,281.00
$0.00
$0.00
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
BOYS TENNIS
Kevin Fisher
Varsity Asst./J.V. Head
$2,794.00
$180.00
$2,974.00
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FRANKLIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – 7:30 P.M.
MURRYSVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 4100 SARDIS RD., MURRYSVILLE, PA 15668
Striving for Excellence
VOLLEYBALL
Emily Wetzler
Head 7th/8th Grade
$2,907.00
$180.00
$3,087.00
Jordan Pogue
Head 9th Grade
$2,907.00
$180.00
$3,087.00
Heidi Scriven
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
Volunteer Assistant
$0.00
$0.00
Volunteer
$0.00
$0.00
BOYS LACROSSE
TBD
Varsity Asst./J.V. Head
GYMNASTICS
Lori Mertz
** Calculated on current CBA
Zachary Kessler
2/1/2016
Audience Recognition: None
Motion to adjourn: Mr. Pavlik
Second: Mr. Harding
Adjournment was at 9:02 p.m.
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