Penn-Harrisburg School District public meetings in 2020
22 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
December 15, 2020 Special Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a special public voting meeting to appoint a new board member to fill a vacancy, approve consent agenda items including grant spending, a copier contract, personnel actions, and other resolutions. Public comment will be accepted in writing and the meeting will be live-streamed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
- Appointment to fill vacant board term expiring December 2021
- Ratify $16,799.70 Title I/ESSER/Cares Act grant for 30 Lenovo Chromebooks for Trinity Christian
- Award 5-year copier lease/service contract to AmCom at $8,880/month ($106,560/year)
- Ratify purchase of 9 water bottle filling stations for $5,446.26, with partial donations
- Approve IGA agreement for high school and elementary school buildings
MINUTES - December 15, 2020 Special Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors held a special public voting meeting on December 15, 2020, where they appointed Joseph Capozoli to fill a vacant board seat, approved several consent agenda items including grant spending and a copier contract, and discussed an intergovernmental agreement with McClure for school buildings. The meeting was conducted with COVID-19 safety measures, including social distancing and live streaming.
- Appointed Joseph Capozoli to fill vacant board term expiring December 2021 (6-2 vote)
- Approved $16,799.70 in Title I/ESSER/Cares Act funds for 30 Lenovo Chromebooks for Trinity Christian
- Awarded 5-year copier fleet lease and service contract to AmCom at $8,880/month ($106,560/year)
- Approved McClure IGA for High School and Elementary School buildings (9-0 vote)
- Ratified purchase of 9 water bottle filling stations for $5,446.26, with partial donations
December 2, 2020 - Reorganization Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors is holding its annual reorganization meeting, required by the Pennsylvania Public School Code, to elect a temporary chairperson, president, and vice president for the board. The agenda is procedural and contains no policy decisions or public hearings.
- Election of temporary chairperson
- Election of Board President
- Election of Board Vice President
- Next special voting meeting scheduled for December 15, 2020
- Committee meetings scheduled for January 13 and 20, 2021
MINUTES - December 2, 2020 - Reorganization Meeting
This is the minutes of the Penn Hills Board of School Directors' annual reorganization meeting held December 2, 2020. The board elected its officers for the coming year, re-electing Erin Vecchio as president and electing Jackie Blakey-Tate as vice president. The meeting was conducted with COVID-19 precautions, including social distancing, masks, and a live-streamed public feed.
- Erin Vecchio re-elected Board President by unanimous voice vote
- Jackie Blakey-Tate elected Board Vice President by 5-3 roll call vote
- Marisa Jamison elected Temporary Chairperson by unanimous voice vote
- Meeting held at Linton Middle School cafeteria with COVID-19 safety measures
- Next special public voting meeting scheduled for December 15, 2020
MINUTES - November 24, 2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors held a regular public voting meeting, accepting the resignation of board member Yusef Thompson and authorizing the collection of letters of interest to fill his seat. The board also approved various financial, curriculum, and personnel items, including a motion to nullify a previous action on instructional mode shifts and maintain current learning options.
- Accepted resignation of Yusef Thompson, Sr., effective Nov 16, 2020; letters of interest due Dec 9, 2020; appointment at special meeting Dec 15, 2020
- Approved payment of bills totaling $4,374,448.99 (General Fund) and $75,740.04 (Food Service Fund)
- Ratified rejection of copier/printer bids and authorized re-advertisement
- Accepted $3,000 United Way donation for student attendance incentives
- Approved lien on 201 properties for delinquent 2019 real estate taxes at $60 each, total $12,060
November 24, 2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a regular public voting meeting with consent agenda items, including accepting a board member's resignation and appointing a replacement, approving school finance resolutions (bill payments, donations, tax liens, insurance increase), and curriculum items (travel, grants, purchases). Public comments are invited on the resolutions before roll call votes.
- Accept resignation of School Director Yusef Thompson, Sr., effective Nov 16, 2020; collect letters of interest until Dec 9, 2020, appointment Dec 15, 2020
- Ratify payment of bills: General Fund $4,374,448.99 and Food Service Fund $75,740.04
- Approve lien on 201 properties for 2019 real estate taxes at $60 each, total $12,060
- Approve increase in Cyber Insurance to $1,000,000 at cost of $3,466
- Accept $3,000 United Way donation for student attendance incentives
MINUTES - October 28, 2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors held a regular public voting meeting on October 28, 2020, where they appointed Marisa Jamison to fill the vacant board term expiring December 2021, approved school finance and curriculum resolutions, and discussed a phased return to in-person learning. The board also ratified payments totaling over $8 million and accepted several grants for technology and programs.
- Appointed Marisa Jamison to fill vacant board seat (5-0, 2 abstentions)
- Ratified General Fund payments of $8,009,883.36 and Food Service Fund payments of $74,170.15
- Approved $92,928 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant for 2020-21
- Accepted grants for devices: $60,181 Special Education Covid Mitigation, $115,008 AST-I, $34,000 GEER
- Approved purchases for virtual learning tools: Ascend Math ($3,850), Seesaw ($1,210), Vocabulary/Spelling City ($1,675.35)
MINUTES - October 21, 2020 - SPECIAL Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors held a special voting meeting on October 21, 2020. They voted unanimously to accept the resignation of School Director Kristopher Wiegand and to begin the process of appointing a replacement. The board also authorized advertising for a Request for Proposals (RFP) for printers/copiers.
- Accepted resignation of School Director Kristopher Wiegand, effective October 13, 2020
- Authorized collecting letters of interest for Wiegand's replacement until October 26, 2020, with appointment on October 28, 2020
- Authorized advertisement of RFP for printers/copiers
- Vote passed unanimously 7-0-1
MINUTES - September 30, 2020 - Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors held a public voting meeting on September 30, 2020, where they approved routine financial items, including over $8.1 million in general fund payments, and tabled the appointment of PNC Bank as the 2020-21 depository. The board also discussed the start of the school year, including technology distribution and remote learning challenges, and recognized the late Bill Fralic with a Distinguished Alumni Award.
- Approved $8,071,140.98 in General Fund payments and $43,361.80 in Food Service Fund payments
- Tabled appointment of PNC Bank as depository for 2020-21 (8-1 vote)
- Accepted $650,000 DCED grant for school security
- Approved AIU#3 alternative education contracts at $56/day (regular) and $72/day (special education)
- Discussed remote learning concerns, including student engagement and device distribution
September 30, 2020 - Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a public voting meeting on September 30, 2020, at Linton Middle School. The board will consider consent agenda items including approval of bills, financial reports, and various contracts and grants. Public comments are invited on the finance resolutions.
- Ratify $8,071,140.98 in General Fund payments and $43,361.80 in Food Service Fund payments
- Accept $650,000 DCED grant for school security
- Approve PNC Bank as depository for 2020-21
- Approve AIU#3 alternative education contracts at $56-$72 per day
- Approve NMSI service agreement for $15,370
August 19, 2020 - SPECIAL Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a special public voting meeting to consider several action items, including approving preliminary energy audit proposals, increasing repair costs for a dump truck, granting Comcast access to property, and paying an invoice for virtual courses. The board will also hear public comments and take roll call votes on these items.
- Approve preliminary GESA proposals from McClure or SiteLogic/Reynolds for energy audit
- Increase repair cost authorization for Ford 550 dump truck by up to $2,500
- Approve Comcast access consent form for Penn Hills School District property
- Pay $9,625 invoice to Genesis Virtual Academy for online courses using ESSER/CARES Act grant
- Public comments limited to 3 minutes per speaker
MINUTES- August 19, 2020 - SPECIAL Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors held a special voting meeting to decide on boiler repair proposals. After discussion, the board voted 5-3 to proceed with SiteLogic (previously Reynolds) over McClure for preliminary GESA proposals. The board also approved other items, including an increased repair cost for a dump truck and a payment to Genesis Virtual Academy.
- Voted 5-3 to proceed with SiteLogic (previously Reynolds) for preliminary GESA boiler proposals, over McClure.
- Approved an additional $2,500 for Ford 550 dump truck repairs, on top of a previously authorized $6,000.
- Approved a $9,625 payment to Genesis Virtual Academy for online courses, funded by the ESSER/CARES Act grant.
- Approved a COMCAST access consent form for the school district.
- Board member Mr. Wiegand was absent.
August 12, 2020 - SPECIAL Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a special public voting meeting to approve a series of financial and curriculum items. The board will consider ratifying about $2.66 million in payments, accepting grants, and approving various educational purchases and program changes for the 2020-21 school year.
- Ratify $2,469,233.74 in General Fund and $189,474.58 in Food Service Fund payments
- Accept $34,000 Round 2 Continuity of Education Equity Grant
- Approve $13,500 Newsela subscription and OverDrive digital library subscription
- Rename CHIEFS Academy to Penn Hills Cyber Academy (PHCA)
- Approve $1,300 payments to students in Future of Readiness Lab pilot
MINUTES-August 12, 2020 - SPECIAL Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors held a special public voting meeting on August 12, 2020, to vote on school finance and curriculum resolutions. The board approved a student start date of September 8, 2020, and ratified payments totaling $2,658,708.32. They also accepted grants, approved curriculum purchases, and modified agreements for the upcoming school year.
- Approved student start date of September 8, 2020
- Ratified $2,469,233.74 in General Fund and $189,474.58 in Food Service Fund payments
- Accepted $34,000 Round 2 Continuity of Education Equity Grant
- Approved $13,500 Newsela subscription and $3,942.55 for Black Chronicle books
- Renamed CHIEFS Academy to Penn Hills Cyber Academy
June 29, 2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a regular public voting meeting on June 29, 2020, to consider several major financial actions. These include approving an amendment to the Financial Recovery Plan, adopting a final tax levy of 29.6965 mills, and adopting the 2020-2021 final budget of $87,219,863. The board will also vote on various school finance items, including contracts, insurance, and equipment purchases.
- Adopt final tax levy of 29.6965 mills for 2020-2021
- Adopt 2020-2021 final budget of $87,219,863
- Approve amendment to Financial Recovery Plan
- Approve insurance proposals totaling $524,511 (Yorke Agency $209,659 and HRIE Workers' Comp $314,852)
- Ratify purchase of 70,000 surgical masks at $0.26 each and 8,000 KN95 masks at $1.50 each
May 26, 2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a regular public voting meeting on May 26, 2020, at Linton Middle School Auditorium. The board will consider adopting the proposed 2020-2021 final budget of $87,187,372, with three tax millage options, and will vote on a series of finance, curriculum, and safety resolutions. Public comments will be taken on the resolutions.
- Proposed 2020-2021 final budget of $87,187,372 with tax options: 30.2415 mils (max increase), 29.4146 mils (0.75 mil increase), or 28.6646 mils (no increase)
- Ratification of bills: General Fund $1,274,660.14 and Food Service Fund $40,927.16
- Approve $6,783,172 operating budget and $144,757 administrative budget for Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
- Approve $25,758 contract with Pittsburgh Education Consulting for Title I services
- Approve $45,000 purchase of security equipment from 123 Security Products, plus $1,088.56 from technology budget
MINUTES-April 29,2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors held a regular public voting meeting on April 29, 2020, at Linton Middle School, with most members attending by phone due to COVID-19. The board approved a series of school finance and curriculum resolutions, including a debt ordinance to refinance up to $58,147,333.33 in general obligation bonds, a Pass/Fail grading model for grades K-11 for the 4th nine weeks, and various purchases and contracts. Public comments were accepted via email during the meeting.
- Adopted debt ordinance to issue up to $58,147,333.33 in Series 2020 A bonds to refund Series C of 2012
- Approved Pass/Fail grading for all students in grades K-11 for the 4th nine weeks of 2019-20
- Ratified payment of bills totaling $604,904.87 from General Fund and $86,130.47 from Food Service Fund
- Awarded Food Service Management bid for 2020-21 to The Nutrition Group
- Approved reallocation of $88,292.60 in Ready to Learn Grant funds to purchase Chromebooks
MINUTES: March 30,2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors held a regular public voting meeting on March 30, 2020, at Linton Middle School Auditorium, with most members attending via phone due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The board approved consent items covering school finance and curriculum, including payments, an audit report, and several program changes. Public comment was accepted via email, with none received.
- Ratified payment of bills totaling $1,302,199.09 from the General Fund and $138,436.78 from the Food Service Fund.
- Approved the 2020-21 Allegheny Intermediate Unit Program of Services Budget; Penn Hills contribution estimated at $45,040.58.
- Ratified closing of the Delinquent Real Estate Tax Sale in the amount of $3,612,592.47 on March 16, 2020.
- Authorized the amended Financial Recovery Plan and placed it on display for 30 days.
- Approved Grade 5 moving to the Elementary building and a 6-8 middle school model for 2020-21.
March 30,2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a regular public voting meeting on March 30, 2020, at Linton Middle School Auditorium. The board will vote on consent items covering school finance, curriculum, and safety/technology, including the amended Financial Recovery Plan, the 2020-21 AIU budget, and various curriculum and technology purchases. Public comments will be accepted via email during the meeting.
- Ratify delinquent real estate tax sale closing for $3,612,592.47
- Approve 2020-21 AIU Program of Services Budget with Penn Hills contribution of $45,040.58
- Approve Grade 5 move to elementary and middle school 6-8 model for 2020-21
- Approve Title I summer tutoring K-3 at cost not to exceed $25,000
- Approve Palo Alto Networks Firewall renewal for $24,545.62
February 26, 2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a regular public voting meeting on February 26, 2020, at Linton Middle School Auditorium. The board will consider consent agenda items covering school finance (including bill payments and a tax collection contract renewal), curriculum (including field trips and a school calendar), and safety/technology (including security camera purchases). Public comments are scheduled for the finance and curriculum resolution sections.
- Ratify/approve bills totaling $1,103,132.12 from the General Fund and $153,267.59 from the Food Service Fund
- Renew one-year agreement with Keystone Collections Group for real estate tax collection with no rate increase
- Adopt resolution calling for charter school funding reform
- Approve purchase of ten Pelco security cameras for Penn Hills High School from 123 Security Products at $4,424.50
- Approve 2020-21 academic school calendar (Option 1)
January 29, 2020 - Regular Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold its regular public voting meeting on January 29, 2020, at Linton Middle School Auditorium. The board will consider adopting a preliminary 2020-21 General Fund budget of $92,508,205 and an Act 1 referendum exception to allow a real estate tax increase. Other actions include approving bills, financial reports, and various curriculum and finance resolutions.
- Adopt preliminary 2020-21 General Fund budget of $92,508,205
- Seek Act 1 exception for real estate tax increase
- Ratify bills totaling $4,969,684.31 (General Fund) and $206,176.93 (Food Service)
- Approve $18,765 USDA grant for conveyor oven at Linton Middle School
- Approve field trips including varsity baseball to Myrtle Beach, SC
January 9, 2020 - Special Public Voting Meeting
The Penn Hills Board of School Directors will hold a special voting meeting to consider school finance resolutions, including the Act 1 resolution and display of the proposed preliminary 2020-21 budget, and to approve personnel actions. The board will also take action on HR policy items, including the employment of a new Director of Special Education and other staff. Public comments are invited.
- Resolution authorizing Act 1 resolution and display of proposed preliminary 2020-21 budget
- Employment of Brian Francis as Director of Special Education at $92,000 annual salary (pro-rated)
- Employment of Bora Caliskan as Plant Manager at $92,000 annual salary (pro-rated)
- Employment of Brittany Maurizi as Grade 5 teacher at $46,641 annual salary (pro-rated)
- Approval of two band chaperone volunteers