THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA MINUTES Meeting of: August 25,2004 Call of the Meeting: Regular Meeting Members Present: Mr. Brentley, Mrs. Colaizzi, Dr. Dowd, Mrs. Fink, Mr. Isler, Mr. Matthews, Mr. McCrea, Mr. Romaniello, Sr., and Mr. Taylor Present 9. Members Absent: Absent 0. The following matters were received and acted upon. Actions taken are recorded following the reports. THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15213 Administration Building 341 South Bellefieid Avenue August 25,2004 AGENDA ROLL CALL Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of July 21,2004 Announcement of Executive Sessions Committee Reports 1. Committee on Education Roll Call 2. Committee on BusinessEinance Roll Call Personnel Report 3. Personnel Report of the Superintendent of Schools Roll Call Financial Matters Financial Statement and Controller's Reports on the Status of Appropriations New Business Roll Call(s) We are an equal rights and opportunity school district. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS Legislative Meeting of August 25, 2004 In addition to executive sessions announced at the legislative meeting of July 21 2004, the Board met in executive session on July 27, August 16, and immediately before this legislative meeting to discuss various personnel matters, that may include, but are not limited to: administrative vacancies, residency waivers, disciplinary matters, and positions opened and closed. The Board does not vote at executive sessions. Committee on Education August 25,2004 Page 1 COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AUGUST 25,2004 DIRECTORS: The Committee on Student Services recommends the adoption of the following resolutions, that the proper officers of the Board be authorized to enter into contracts relating to those resolutions and that authority be given to the staff to change account numbers, the periods of performance, and such other details as may be necessary to carry out the intent of the resolution, so long as the total amount of money carried in the resolution is not exceeded. Except that with respect to grants which are received as a direct result of Board action approving the submission of proposals to obtain them, the following procedures shall apply: Where the original grant is $1,000 or less, the staff is authorized to receive and expend any increase over the original grant. Where the original grant is more than $1,000, the staff is authorized to receive and expend any increase over the original grant, so long as the increase does not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the original grant. Increases in excess of fifteen percent (15%) require additional Board authority. ProposalsIGrant Awards RESOLVED, That the Board of Education of the School District of Pittsburgh authorize its proper officers to submit proposals for grants and accept grant awards in the amounts and for the purposes set forth in subparagraphs 1 through 10, inclusive. RESOLVED FURTHER, That upon approval of the grant by the granting agency, the Board authorize the establishment of appropriate accounts and, where necessary to implement the grant, authorize the advancement of funds to operate the program until the grant and fees are received. Acceptance of $7,500 of Weed and Seed Program funds from the City of Pittsburgh. This funding will facilitate the design and development of a display of inspirational signs and banners to be hung in the hallways and in other select areas at Westinghouse High School for the purpose of articulating the mission of the school district and motivating students in all areas of human development. The signs and banners will be developed through the active involvement of interested students, staff, and parents. The funding period shall be from September 1, 2004 through December 30, 2004. 2. Submission of a request for $36,218 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for Pittsburgh's Adopt-A-School Demonstration Grant. This program will be implemented through a partnership between the District and the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, to pilot a project that will enhance and strengthen the Health Careers Academy curriculum. The program will increase opportunities for students to explore health careers and Committee on Education August 25,2004 Page 2 learn the elements of a healthy lifestyle, and will further demonstrate the relevance and importance of mathematics, science, and the language arts to health professions. Funding will also support staff travel to Chicago, IL, for the National Health Science Curriculum Conference and consultant travel to Washington, DC, for the DHHS Technical Assistance Workshop. The funding period shall be from September 1, 2004 through August 31, 2005. 3. Submission of an application for $600,000 from the USDOE for Mentoring Programs. This action will be implemented through a partnership between the District and Family Guidance, Inc. (FGI). Based on FGl's highly successful one- to-one mentoring program model, the program will serve as a prevention component of the District's Pittsburgh Youth Intervention Project and will enable the city to reach those East End middle school youth whose behavior has not yet reached the threshold of gang-related activity. Funding will also support staff travel to Washington, DC, to attend conferences and technical workshops required by the granting agency. The funding period shall be from September 1, 2004 through August 31,2007. 4. Submission of an application for a grant of $40,000 of Safe Schools lnitiative funds from the PADOE. This funding will augment the District's Student Assistance Program. Funding will be used to train thirty (30) new elementary school and thirty (30) middle school SAP Core Team members, provide updated training for 280 veteran elementary and middle school Core Team members, and purchase program materials for research-based and previously evaluated programs-Comer School Development, Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS), Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, and Community of Caring. In addition, funding will also support staff travel to Harrisburg, PA, to attend the Safe Schools lnitiative Conference, as required by the granting agency. The funding period shall be from September 1, 2004 through August 31, 2005. Submission of a proposal to The Heinz Endowments for up to $1,500,000 over three (3) years. Funding is requested to support an external evaluation of Literacy Plus. This evaluation is to be longitudinal in nature across at least three consecutive school years. Criteria for the evaluation--i.e, what we want to measure and better understand about Literacy Plus and its effect on student achievement--will be articulated into an RFP that will be circulated for bid to interested evaluators. This RFP will also define key qualifications the evaluator must have, such as experience with large evaluations of academic programs in an urban school environment. The funding period shall be from November 1, 2004 through November 1,2008. 6. Submission of a proposal to The Grable Foundation for $20,000. Funding is requested to support the creation of a webpage to support the Emerging LinksIDigital Divide Project, which links students and families to technology and district technology-based support systems. This webpage will better enable the Committee on Education August 25,2004 Page 3 district to support students, families, PPS teachers, and after-school/extended year homework tutoring providers so that students may benefit from more sustained and collaborative educational efforts. The funding period shall be from October 1, 2004 through October 1, 2005. Submission of an application to the National Association of Elementary and Secondary Principals (NAESP)'s Sharing the Dream Program, which specifically seeks to assist principals in creating cultures of engagement and involvement in their schools. Funding in the amount of $5,000 is requested to support parent engagement at Allegheny Traditional Academy (ATA) in helping students to achieve improved academic outcomes, specifically with respect to the PSSA and all supportive behaviors that assist students in learning; i.e., improved communication between home and school, increased student sense of belonging and increased understanding of hidher academic and behavior expectations. The funding period shall be from September 1, 2004 through September 1, 2005. 8. Acceptance of $2,000 from the Westinghouse High School Commission of Recognition. Funds are given in support of monetary incentives for Westinghouse students. The funding period shall be from September 1, 2004 through September 1, 2005. 9. Acceptance of a grant of $250 from Dr. Helen S. Faison. Funds are given in support of the Westinghouse Science and Mathematics Program (SAM). This gift is given as part of a matching gift program with The Buhl Foundation. The Foundation will provide the match as a separate gift to the district in the coming months. The funding period shall be from September 1, 2004 through September 1, 2005. 10. Acceptance of $200,305 of Literacy Plus-Reading First state funds from the Berks County Intermediate Unit as additional funding to support costs associated with the Reading First Grant. This grant targets early literacy instruction K-3. The funding period shall be from July 2004 through June 2005. Consultants/Contracted Services RESOLVED, That the Board authorize its proper officers to enter into contracts with the following individual for the services and fees set forth in subparagraphs 1 through 22, inclusive. 1. Fiona Seels