Taschner to forego raise for 2015-16 school year
By Lauren Parker- Gill, Staff Writer, The Times
Jason Palaia gave a presentation to the school board and the public, outlining the process of hiring a new company for therapy and nursing services.
CALN – The Coatesville Area School District Board of Education held its monthly committee meeting, followed by a special board meeting last Tuesday where discipline methods were discussed, new teachers and administrators were hired, a new company was approved to provide therapy services to the district and the board presented superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner’s annual performance evaluation.
The educational committee discussed services for speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. The CASD has outsourced these services for a number of years with a company called Pediatric Therapeutic Services (PTS). At the end of the school year, when the contract with PTS was up, the district put out requests for proposals.
A presentation led by Jason Palaia outlined the process by which the proposals that came back were narrowed down and made a recommendation to the school board to go with Educational Based Services (EBS) for speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and nursing services.
This was based on references and a total savings of approximately $120,000 annually over the next three years. With less than three weeks before the school year begins, the school board pushed this item through to the special board meeting and approved the motion to enter a contract with EBS. EBS assures the district that their staff will be ready service the 711 students with IEPs – 370 in speech/language, 257 in occupational therapy, 84 in physical therapy – throughout all schools at the start of this school year.
Taschner took an opportunity to thank PTS for the services they have provided:
“They’ve been a very upstanding company to us and they really care about children.”
Taschner announced that the district is considering hosting a doctoral program through Immaculata University on campus. The school board is being asked to waive fees for the Immaculata’s use of the facilities and all district employees would receive a 20 percent discount.
“I think it’s a win-win for everyone, especially for our district,” stated board member Diane Brownfield.
Also discussed, bringing in an independent evaluator, related to the Community Learning Center Federal Grant, as the grant requires, ensuring the district is in compliance with how the grant money is being used. Payment for the evaluator is built into the grant, at a rate of $250 per hour, for 25 hours, not to exceed $6,250.
Administrators at both the elementary and secondary levels gave presentations for alternative discipline. Catherine Van Vooren, principal of Reeceville Elementary gave the presentation to provide the following alternate options for elementary discipline issues including: student conference, parent contact, verbal warning, written apology, loss of privileges, recess or lunch detentions, a timeout, restitution, community service at home and school, and referral to the guidance counselor, which may include scheduling counseling sessions. Any violent behavior or weapon and drug related issues would require a higher level of discipline, which could result in suspension or expulsion.
Ms. Anderson and Miss Feragotti, assistant principals at the 11/12 center, gave the presentation for secondary alternative discipline options that include students in grades 6 – 12. Discipline options will now include natural consequences and levels of progressive discipline, with the focus being on preventing future infractions. An example for a level one infraction was given: If a student, who drives to school, leaves the premises without permission, they may have their driving privileges revoked for a period of time. Some consequences for lower level actions will include community service and mediation between students. More serious actions that are violent or drug related in nature will require suspensions or expulsions, depending on the severity.
Mr. Smith, the CASD Home School Visitor presented his revisions to the attendance policy for students with attendance or truancy issues. College visits are now being referred to as educational trips; they must be pre-approved through the principal and are not a part of the 10-day absence limit.
Parents/guardians must submit a written explanation for their absence within three days upon returning. Letters will now be sent to students’ homes after each day that an unlawful absence occurs. After the third unlawful absence, the family will receive an official notification of absence outlining the consequences of future unlawful absences, which could include a truancy fine. A meeting with the home school visitor and administrative team will then be held and an attendance improvement plan will be put in place.
Mr. Robert Fisher, principal of the 11/12 center of the high school proposed a reduction of costs for parking permits at the high school for students. Currently the rate is $100 per permit but Fisher stated that CASD currently charges at the very high end, compared to other districts and has recommended a charge of $10 per parking spot, with 350 available parking spaces for students.
The Operations Committee recommended a motion to accept the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant awards for the 2015 – 2016 school year for Rainbow Elementary in the amount of $50,268.00 and at Reeceville Elementary School in the amount of $29,264.00.
Also discussed by the Operations Committee was the approval of the list of bus runs for the 2015 – 2016. Bus assignments will be mailed out to students in the district Friday, Aug. 21.
At the special board meeting following the committee meeting, the board approved bills payable and announced the hiring of four new elementary teachers in the district, in addition to two new administrators.
The school board approved the hiring of Mrs. Rita Perez as the principal of Caln Elementary. Perez is the current Director of the Bureau of Curriculum, Data and Instruction at the Pennsylvania Department of Education and will begin her work at Caln Aug. 24.
“I’m kind of jumping out of my skin, I can’t wait until the 24th to come here and be a part of the Coatesville family and the Caln family,” she said.
Elisha Gee has been hired as the new assistant principal for Scott Middle School. In addition to serving as a teacher and library media specialist in the Abington School District, Gee was also an administrator for an after-school program that served under represented and at-risk students in the Upper Dublin School District.
“I am thrilled to be coming to Coatesville…I can’t wait to work with Miss Taylor and I can’t wait to be a part of Scott Middle School,” Gee said.
The school board went on to discuss Taschner’s annual performance evaluation. Following the Pennsylvania School Board Association guidelines and in accordance with Taschner’s employment contract, all nine board members gave the superintendent a proficient rating.
“The board is pleased with the many accomplishments during Dr. Taschner’s first full year with the district,” stated school board president Dean Snyder.
Snyder went on to say that although Taschner has met the criteria to receive a salary increase according to the terms of her contract, she has elected to forego her increase for the 2015 – 2016 school year.
A copy of the superintendent’s full evaluation can be found on the district’s website or by following this link.
