LOWER MERION SCHOOL DISTRICT

301 E. Montgomery Avenue

Ardmore, PA 19003

Regular Business Meeting of the

Board of School Directors

Agenda
January 25, 2010

Lower Merion High School Library – 8:00 p.m.

Welcome to a Regular Public Meeting of the Lower Merion Board of School Directors

The Board believes it is in its best interest and the best interest of the students of the District to
hear comments from members of the public. It has been, therefore, a long-standing practice of
the Board to encourage and allow residents to speak at the public meeting, prior to the Board
vote on agenda items, by notifying the Board Secretary. In the interest of time, each speaker is
limited to three minutes. It is the policy of the Board not to engage in dialogue with or respond
to questions from the audience during the meeting. All or a portion of the meeting is being
video recorded for purpose of public broadcast.

Board Members and Officers

Mr. David Ebby, President

Ms. Linda Doucette-Ashman, Vice President

Ms. Diane DiBonaventuro

Mr. Gary Friedlander
Dr. Melissa R. Gilbert
Dr. Susan Guthrie
Ms. Lyn Kugel
Mr. Jerold Novick
Ms. Lisa Pliskin

Dr. Christopher McGinley, Superintendent of Schools

Ms. Fran Keaveney, Board Secretary

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. AUDIENCE RECOGNITION (Agenda Items Only)

IV. RECOMMENDED ACTION

A. ROUTINE

Approve minutes of the following meetings of the Board of School Directors:

December 14, 2009 Regular Business/Special Board

January 11, 2010 Education/Special Board

Accept the minutes of the following meetings:

January 12, 2010 Communications Committee

January 15, 2010 Policy Committee
January 21, 2010 Facilities/Purchasing Committee

B. SUPERINTENDENT

1. SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE

a. Recognition of Students
Presentation of certificates of appreciation to Harriton and Lower Merion students who
were instrumental in orchestrating the Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday,
January 18, 2010.

2. HUMAN RESOURCES

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Superintendent recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the Human Resource actions as listed in Exhibits #HR-1 through
#HR-9.

a. End of Assignments/Resignations/Retirements/Terminations as per Exhibit #HR-1

b. Leaves as per Exhibit #HR-2
c. Appointments – Professional Staff as per Exhibit #HR-3
d. Appointments – Support Staff as per Exhibit #HR-4
e. Changes for Current Staff as per Exhibit #HR-5
f. Appointment of Coaches and Activities Sponsors as per Exhibit #HR-6
g. Additional Responsibilities as per Exhibit #HR-7
h. Appointments/Terminations of Substitutes as per Exhibit #HR-8
i. Professional Conferences as per Exhibit #HR-9

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Superintendent recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the following Resolution:

Be It Resolved, that the Board of School Directors authorizes the administration to

establish a change in the hourly rate for per diem substitute instructional aides to be paid
at the rate of $75.00 per day effective January 25, 2010.

j. Change the Hourly Rate for Per Diem Substitute Instructional Aides
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3. CURRICULUM SERVICES
Report of the Curriculum Committee – Lyn Kugel

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the Curriculum Services items as listed: Adopt Course of Study -
Spanish Speakers Honors I as per Exhibit #CS-1 and Adopt a Pilot Course – Sports
Medicine as per Exhibit #CS-2.

a. Adopt a Course of Study – Spanish Speakers Honors 1

This proposal is to provide a Spanish course for students in grades 9-12 who are fluent in
speaking Spanish. Currently there are 21 self-identified fluent Spanish speaking students at
Harriton and 33 at Lower Merion. The design of the course has the potential to enhance
the proficiency in reading and writing of these students and metrics will be in place to
measure this progress. (Exhibit #CS-1)

b. Adopt a Pilot Course – Sports Medicine

This course is for students thinking of going into medicine, physical therapy, athletic
training or are interested in sports related injuries. They will learn to assess injuries and
apply injury management techniques to assist the healing of body tissues. Some of the
class time will be spent in the athletic training room to explore different rehabilitation
modalities and treatments. This pilot will be implemented at Harriton HS for the 2010-11
school year. Plans to fully implement it in both high schools will be made during the
curriculum review next school year. (Exhibit #CS-2)

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the contract with Children and Parents Enrichment Services
(C.A.P.E.S.), who will provide a Parent As Leaders program for a cohort group of Lower
Merion School District parents for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year for the
amount of $ 23,275.00.

c. Approve Parent As Leaders Program

Andrea Lawful Trainer, President/CEO of C.A.P.E.S. will provide a Parent As Leaders
program (a twelve week course of study) with a cohort group of parents in Lower Merion
School District for the school year 2009-2010. Ms. Trainer will also work directly with
school faculty to support parent outreach and improved communication.

4. PUPIL SERVICES

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the Pupil Services items as listed: Agreements for Students Receiving
Non-District Educational Services as per Exhibits #PS-1 through #PS-4.

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 a. Students (#PS-1 through #PS-4) are in need of accessing educational programs or
services not typically provided within the public school system in order for the district to
meet its legal obligation of providing these students with an appropriate education.

1) $7,840
2) $15,166.45
3) $96,000
4) $35,280

5. BUSINESS OFFICE AND FINANCE

Report of the Facilities/Purchasing Committee – Gary Friedlander and/or Diane
DiBonaventuro

RECOMMENDED ACTION - Approve List of Bills for Payment

RECOMMENDED ACTION - Approve Financial Report, December 2009

RECOMMENDED ACTION - Receive Second Quarter Athletic and Activity Reports, per
Exhibit #BF-1.

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the bonds for Samuel Adenbaum, Tax Collector for Lower Merion
Township and Regina Watson, Tax Collector for the Borough of Narberth.

a. Approve Tax Collector’s Bond

The School District has received the tax collector’s bonds for Samuel Adenbaum, Tax
Collector for Lower Merion Township, in the amount of $53,332,178 beginning January 1,
2010 and ending January 1, 2014 and Regina Watson, Tax Collector for the Borough of
Narberth, in the amount of $2,164,414 beginning January 1, 2010 and ending
December 31, 2013.

RECOMMENDED ACTION – The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors accept the Rainer & Company “Financial Statements, Lower Merion School
District, June 30, 2009”.

b. Accept Audit
The school district auditors have completed the audit of school district accounts for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors adopts the following resolution:

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 Be It Resolved that the Tax Collector for the Borough of Narberth be paid at an annual
salary rate to be determined as that percentage of $10,000 which the millage levied and to
be levied by the School District within the Borough of Narberth bears to the total millage
levied and to be levied by the Borough of Narberth and the School District within the
Borough of Narberth for the 2010 calendar year, as school tax collector for the Narberth
Borough 2010 School Tax Duplicate including interim additions thereto, plus the cost of
postage, printing and other necessary expenses with the school tax duplicate.

c. Set Salary for Borough of Narberth Tax Collector

6. FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the proposal from Siemens Building Technologies for Software
Updates & Building Automation Network Diagnostics support to LMSD Technology.
Work will be in accordance with the Siemens Building Technologies proposal dated
March 19, 2009 for a contract value of $10,550.00, per Exhibit #FO-1.

a. Approve Network Programming Support

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the Mandate Waiver Program Application, per Exhibit #FO-2.

b. Approve Request for of Requirement to Use Separate Prime Contractors

The new Lower Merion High School project includes demolition of all the existing buildings
on the site except the District Administration Building/”A” Building, which is listed as a
Class I Historic Resource in the Lower Merion Township Historic Inventory. In the future,
the DAO will be heated and cooled from a central plant in the new high school. In order to
accommodate this change, the HVAC systems in the DAO must be modified. Additionally,
LMSD is required to install fire sprinklers and make other building modifications to comply
with current building, ADA, and life safety codes. The work outlined above will be phased
while the administration continues to occupy the building. The use of a single prime
contractor for all interior work will provide better administration of the project, reduce
costs, reduce risk to occupants and students of Lower Merion High School, and reduce risk
of delays and extra costs due to claims and litigation.

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the Architectural Hardware Consultant Professional Services at Lower
Merion High School with A.G. Mauro Company for a lump sum fee as per the attached
proposal submitted December 7, 2009, per Exhibit #FO-3.

c. Approve the Professional Services Agreement with A.G. Mauro Company for
Architectural Door Hardware Consultant – Lower Merion High School
It is recommended that an Architectural Hardware Consultant inspect the installation of all
hollow metal frames, wood and steel doors and door hardware to ensure proper function
of doors and hardware at Lower Merion High School.
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RECOMMENDED ACTION – The Administration recommends that the Board of School
Directors approves the submittal of Form PDE-3074 (a) (dated 1/25/10) with the
Pennsylvania Department of Education for the non-reimbursable Diesel & Unleaded Fuel
UST & Dispensing System Project, per Exhibit #FO-4.

d. Submittal Form PDE 3074(a)

The District must submit PDE 3074(a) to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the
Diesel & Unleaded Fuel UST & Dispensing System Project.

RECOMMENDED ACTION – The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the submission of PlanCon Part I: Interim Reporting forms to the
Pennsylvania Department of Education for the Lower Merion High School – New
Construction and Demolition Project, per Exhibit #FO-5.

e. Submission of PlanCon Part I: Interim Reporting – Lower Merion High School – New
Construction and Demolition
As part of the PlanCon process, the School Board is required to approve and submit
PlanCon Part I whenever Change Orders reach 3% of the total cost of all bids and/or
$300,000.00. The total Change Orders to date for Lower Merion High School have reached
$300,000.00. The following Change Orders are included in this PlanCon I submittal:

Change Order #820404-01-043 $ 26,927.00

Change Order #820404-01-045 $ 10,833.00
Change Order #820404-10-011 $ 12,743.00
Change Order #820404-11-002 $ 14,208.00

RECOMMENDED ACTION – The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the submission of PlanCon Part I: Interim Reporting forms to the
Pennsylvania Department of Education for the Harriton High School – New Construction
and Demolition Project, per Exhibit #FO-6.

f. Submission of PlanCon Part I: Interim Reporting – Harriton High School – New

Construction and Demolition
As part of the PlanCon process, the School Board is required to approve and submit
PlanCon Part I whenever Change Orders reach 3% of the total cost of all bids and/or
$300,000.00. The total Change Orders to date for Harriton High School have reached
$300,000.00. The following Change Orders are included in this PlanCon I submittal:

Change Order #810403-03-002 ($ 25,000.00)

Change Order #810403-03-003 ($ 14,954.00)

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RECOMMENDED ACTION – The Administration recommends that the Board of School
Directors certifies that it has received approval of PlanCon Part I: Interim Reporting
dated 1/8/10 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the new Harriton High
School Project, per Exhibit #FO-7.

g. Receipt of Approval of PlanCon Part I: Interim Reporting forms dated 1/8/10 - Harriton
High School
The District must certify that it has received approval of PlanCon Part I: Interim Reporting
form dated 1/8/10 for change orders #07-028, #07-029 and #01-057 by the Pennsylvania
Department of Education for the new Harriton High School Project.

RECOMMENDED ACTION – The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors approves the following change orders and directive:

Re-Bid New Construction and Demolition – Harriton High School

General Construction – Boro Construction
Change Order #810403-01-057 for an increase in the amount of $13,994.85, per Exhibit
#FO-8.

Electrical Construction – Electri-Tech, Inc.

Change Order #810403-07-028 for an increase in the amount of $25,449.00, per Exhibit
#FO-9.
Change Order #810403-07-029 for an increase in the amount of $22,439.00, per Exhibit
#FO-10.
Change Order #810403-07-037 for an increase in the amount of $1,475.00, per Exhibit
#FO-11.

Mechanical Construction – Guy M. Cooper, Inc.

Change Order #810403-06-012 for an increase in the amount of $5,067.00, per Exhibit
#FO-12.
Change Order #810403-06-013 for a decrease in the amount of $5,782.00, per Exhibit
#FO-13.

General Construction – Oxford Engineering

Change Order #810901-01-004 for an increase in the amount of $905.96, per Exhibit
#FO-14.

RECOMMENDED ACTION - The Administration recommends that the Board of School

Directors declares various pieces of technology equipment, per Exhibit #FO-15, as surplus
property and authorizes the disposition thereof by the Superintendent or his designee.

h. Declare Items as Surplus Property

Various pieces of equipment are no longer needed or usable.

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 i. Theft and Vandalism
Bala Cynwyd – Vandals etched graffiti into the wood bench outside of the Principal’s office.
The cost of labor and material to remove the graffiti was $354.

Lower Merion – Vandals wrote graffiti in the 2nd stall of the boys’ bathroom. The cost of
labor and material to remove the graffiti was $147.

C. BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Report of the Policy Committee – Linda Doucette-Ashman

1. OLD BUSINESS
The following policies have been reviewed for second reading:
Policy No. 008 (Orientation Program For New Board Members) as per Exhibit #BD-1
Policy No. 100 (Goals and Philosophy of Education) as per Exhibit #BD-2

2. NEW BUSINESS
The following policies have been reviewed for a first reading:
Policy No. 005 (Conflict of Interest – Financial Interest)as per Exhibit #BD-3
Policy No. 236 (Behavior Support-Special Education Students)as per Exhibit #BD-4
Policy No. 800 (Records Management) as per Exhibit #BD-5
Policy No. 907 (Visitors to School District Buildings and Classrooms)as per Exhibit #BD-6

3. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS

V. AUDIENCE RECOGNITION

VI. SUNSHINE ACT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING MEETINGS

In accordance with Act 93 of 1998 (Sunshine Law), the Board of School Directors met in
executive session on the following dates/times and discussed:
December 14, 2009 – Personnel and Litigation
January 11, 2010 – Personnel

Future School Board Meetings are scheduled for:

Education/Special Meeting February 8, 2010
Regular Business Meeting February 16, 2010

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 Future Committee Meetings are scheduled for:
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 8:00 a.m. – Curriculum Committee Meeting –
Board Room, Administration Building
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 8:00 a.m. – Policy Committee Meeting –
Harriton High School, Conference Room L (New date and location)
Thursday, February 11, 2010 8:00 a.m. – Facilities/Purchasing Committee Meeting –
Board Room, Administration Building
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 8:30 a.m. – Communications Committee Meeting –
Conference Room, Administration Building (New Date)

VII. ADJOURNMENT