MC School Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 22nd
7:30pm: MC Middle School Auditorium (White Oak Road)

Topics of interest:

• Task Forces for transportation and community engagement
• Proposal to conduct credit card audit
• Appointment of committee members
• Architect contract for all-weather track replacement
• Recognition of the Boys and Girls Soccer Teams - GO BARONS!

MC School Board Meeting 12/18/07

The meeting began with several public speakers. One speaker even prepared a power point presentation on keeping the current committee structure. Two other speakers spoke on discipline issues and The Baron Code. Most citizens spoke on the topics of the "gag" rule or the committee structure.

President Sarley requested Dr. Saylor to share great news about the MC Girls’ Soccer Team. The girls are rated #1 academically in PA and #8 academically in the nation! WOW! Everyone in the audience applauded!

Dr. Saylor reviewed the hiring process and that the middle school principal position has been posted. She is looking at interviews in January and a board approval at the February board meeting.

Dr. Deisley briefly reviewed the new shorter form for the cumulative violence report.

President Sarley changed how action items were handled. Typically, all of them are lumped together for one vote. Last night, Mrs. Sarley handled each item separately, with each item getting it’s own discussion time and vote.

One of the action items was on the current committee structure. After very much discussion from every board member and community members, it was finally decided that three committees would remain (Planning and Program Dev., Facilities Planning, and Performance). Those committees will meet the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 at the same time in different rooms at the middle school. Then at 7:30, a committee of the whole meeting would take place for the board to hear from the committees. Letters will go out to the current members of the Community Relations to see if they would like to be part of the remaining committees. Justin W. suggested that for next time they discuss having a community member be a committee chair instead of a board member. Task Forces will also be instituted as needed where more community input will be needed for research, etc. Examples of task forces could include: transportation, curriculum review, disposition of the existing vacant buildings, etc. A regular board meeting would be held the 4th Tuesday of the month. The board vote for this new committee structure was unanimous. There was also a discussion regarding the process and timeline for interviewing for a solicitor. A member of the community asked if the interview process for the solicitor could be open to the public and the board said, "Yes!".

Policy 453 (aka the "gag" rule) was another action item. Justin W immediately made a motion to eliminate this policy for several reasons of which he articulated citing research. Joe J seconded the motion. After discussion concerning confidentiality issues regarding child welfare by Dave G, Kirk R asked to have the solicitor respond for legal clarification. The school’s solicitor did respond that the policy was not necessary. It was also asked that the motion be amended to include policies 353 (administrative staff) and 553 (support staff). The motion was then voted on unanimously! The "gag rule" has been eliminated!

The business manager gave information on House Bill 777 that effects tax collection.

Anne P reported that she attended the Lanc County Academy Graduation and it was a wonderful event that gave students a second chance at graduating. Dave G responded that he personally knew one of the two MC students that graduated and that it was a rewarding experience. District credit cards also came up for discussion by President Sarley. Apparently there are 53 district credit cards that are used by administrative and teaching staff for various reasons. In light of the problems in The School District of Lancaster, the board has requested an internal audit/review be performed as a start. Mrs. Sarley shared concerns including liability and proper use, stating that we must remember that this is taxpayer money we work with.

Whew! The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:50pm. The board met in executive session after the public meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8th (since the first Tuesday is a holiday) with the three committee meetings beginning at 6pm at the middle school.

Check out the school’s website for updates and agendas (www.manheimcentral.org).

COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY!