NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT September 1, 2012

Transcription

1 NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT September 1, 2012 A special meeting of the New Hope-Solebury School District Board of Directors was held in the District Conference Room on Saturday, September 1, Mrs. Elefante, President, called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. and announced the meeting was being audio recorded. Mrs. Elefante led members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call: Members present: Mrs. Atkinson, Mrs. Elefante, Mr. Harraka, Ms. Kingsley, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Panzica, Mr. Zander Members absent: Mr. Adar, Mr. Vaughn Administrators present: Dr. Boccuti, Mr. Lieberman Appoint Secretary Pro-Tem Upon a motion made by Ms. Kingsley, seconded by Mr. Harraka, the Board voted to appoint Mr. David Lieberman as Board Secretary Pro Tem due to the absence of Mr. Gregory Hogg, Board Secretary. New Business Mrs. Elefante announced that the Board would meet in Executive Session to discuss personnel items following the meeting. Mrs. Elefante stated that today s special meeting was being held for the sole purpose of the action item on the agenda, which she read aloud, which Ms. Kingsley motioned, seconded by Mr. Zander: It is recommended that the Board of School Directors authorizes the administration to contract on an interim basis for a behavior analyst (BCBA) with the firm of Glasberg Behavioral Consulting Services, LLC, effective September 4, 2012, at a rate of $1,050 per day, three days per week. The Board further authorizes the administration to secure an interim contract for this service from Glasberg Behavioral Consulting Services, LLC, to be reviewed by the solicitor, for approval at the public Board meeting on September 12, 2012.

2 Page 2 Board Discussion Mrs. Elefante provided background on the BCBA services contract and stated that one contract had come before the Board in July and it had been approved, but at an inaccurate rate. She shared that during the July meeting there had been public discussion on the BCBA services provided by Jenkintown Psychological Associates, and information was shared that some families desired an alternative. The administration requested to have the Jenkintown Psychological Associates contract, with the corrected amount, placed on the August agenda. Mrs. Elefante agreed, with the stipulation that an alternative BCBA provider option also be placed on the August agenda for discussion. The administration collected names of alternative professionals, but not in the form of a contract or agreement. BCBA services were not added to the agenda for August. Jenkintown Associates, which had previously been working parttime with New Hope-Solebury and part-time with another district, accepted a 5-day a week contract with another school district in August. Mrs. Elefante shared that she has since reached out to community members for BCBA referrals and has shared these with the administration. Dr. Boccuti provided a history of two parents who had concerns over the three years that Jenkintown Psychological Associates had provided services for the district. Dr. Boccuti indicated that one parent who had concerns was offered an alternative BCBA. Dr. Boccuti indicated that there was a green sheet prepared reflecting the correction of the contract and the provision of a list of five alternative providers. He indicated a need for services to commence on September 4, 2012, the first day of school. Mr. Harraka asked questions seeking clarification of the history, specifically why didn t we correct the hourly rate at the August Board meeting. He recalls that at the July meeting Mrs. Mitchell shared that several parents were not pleased with the BCBA services. He recognizes and appreciates that we should offer alternatives. Mrs. Elefante indicated that not placing BCBA services on the Board agenda for August was her decision. Without clear alternatives available, in her opinion, the Board conversation would spiral on the issue as it did in July. Mrs. Elefante stated that between July and August, clear expectations were communicated to the administration for an alternative BCBA option being placed on the August agenda. Those expectations were not met nor was it communicated that the services provided by Jenkintown Psychological Associates were at risk of being lost to another school district. Mrs. Atkinson stated that she would think that if they didn t have a contract that they would be looking elsewhere and that community members are upset at the loss of this person. She stated that she sees a connection between the conversation at the July Board meeting and Jenkintown Psychological Associates leaving.

3 Page 3 Mrs. Panzica said that at the July Board meeting there was no measure of effectiveness provided for BCBA services, that Mr. Lieberman had stated that some parents wanted the person and some did not, and that she could not make a decision without data. Additionally, Mrs. Panzica stated that she would like to know what procedures are in place to make sure this new BCBA service will be effective. Mrs. Mitchell stated that it is a bigger picture discussion of what contracts the district has, how performance is evaluated, and the ability to justify a decision in an appropriate amount of time. The current expectation is a rolling approval of contracts, that may or may or may not be good, and she is accountable to the people she serves on these decisions. Mrs. Elefante indicated she had asked Mr. Adar to work with Dr. Boccuti to develop a calendar of contracts that will come before the Board and come up with a process by which the Board will evaluate all contracts. Mrs. Elefante said that this is the second or third contract that has come before the Board, and the Board has struggled renewing contracts without data. Going forward, there will be a process, a timeline, and enough notice to gather metrics. Dr. Boccuti indicated that the contract had a 30-day out clause for the district to be able to exercise. Mr. Harraka stated that he thinks the Board mishandled the matter since we had a 30-day out clause. Mrs. Atkinson agreed with Mr. Harraka and that three parents not being happy does not mean that the person is not doing their job. Dr. Boccuti stated he could provide whatever data the Board needs for each contract. Mrs. Elefante asked that a copy of all contracts that have been agreed to in the past 12 months be sent to Mr. Adar. Ms. Kingsley said before anything comes to the Board, the Board needs data to make informed decisions. She stated that if data had come to the Board in July with the contract, the Board would not be in the current position. Mr. Lieberman explained the need for the BCBA services in the district. There are three classes that are considered autistic support, one each at the LES, UES, and MS that all receive BCBA services. Additionally, there are individual cases that arise for functional behavioral assessments and behavior improvement plans.

4 Page 4 The proposed contract is with Glasberg Behavorial Services and Beth Glasberg Katz has provided summer social skills services in the past to the district. Christina Quigley from this same group will provide services on an interim basis (4-8 weeks). Mr. Lieberman is familiar with Christina Quigley because she worked for him at Bridgewater Raritan School District. Mr. Lieberman reported that he connected with two other referrals. The first was a group that he had an conversation with, but they could not provide 3-days per week service. Mr. Lieberman met with a second referral, a BCBA, who is currently under contract but she is not interested in coming to us via contract, only as an employee. Mr. Lieberman stated that since we do not have a position, he did not conduct an interview with this person, just an informational meeting. He felt that she was very qualified with a strong set of credentials. Lastly, he has been involved with the BCIU and participated in interviews along with other school districts. NHS is currently 3 rd in line and there was only one viable candidate of the BCIU interviews. Mrs. Panzica asked who implements the plans and who receives training. Mr. Lieberman stated that formal training, by law, is provided to the paraprofessionals - 20 hours annually, through the contracted BCBA. Mrs. Elefante confirmed that there is an obligation to provide training to parents annually as well. Mr. Lieberman confirmed. Mrs. Panzica stated that the BCBA contract originally came to the Board as being support for the Autistic Support Program, but then it was determined that BCBA services were also being provided to non-autistic students as well. Mr. Zander asked if any references had been provided for Christina Quigley and Beth Glasberg. Mr. Lieberman stated Beth Glasberg had provided services to the district in the past and that he was part of the team that hired and evaluated Christina Quigley, so he felt that he is able to speak very freely of her qualifications. Mrs. Panzica asked what procedures were put in place to measure the effectiveness of ESY. Mr. Lieberman observed the program during the summer while Beth Glasberg was onsite and he thought the service provided was extraordinary, however no metrics were provided. Mr. Lieberman would be happy to provide metrics once an instrument is provided. Public Discussion Jennifer Gormley stated that she had a private concern and asked to speak to the Board in Executive Session. The Board then adjourned at 9:00 a.m. to Executive Session to discuss personnel. At 9:10 a.m., the Board reconvened the public session.

5 Page 5 Action Item Mrs. Mitchell moved to bring to vote the action item on the table, seconded by Mrs. Panzica, and the Board voted to authorize the administration to contract on an interim basis for a behavior analyst (BCBA) with the firm of Glasberg Behaviorial Services, LLC, effective September 4, 2012, at a rate of $1,050 per day, three days per week. The Board further authorizes the administration to secure an interim contract for this service from Glasberg Behavioral Consulting Services, LLC, to be reviewed by the solicitor, for approval at the public Board meeting on September 12, The Board requested that a resume for both Christina Quigley and Beth Glasberg be provided to the Board. The Board requested that an update on the short-term BCBA selection process be provided in September and that a long-term solution be established by October. Adjournment Mrs. Elefante adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m. The Board then went into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Following the Board meeting, the Board held a Board Retreat to discuss the Superintendent s goals. Respectfully submitted,. David Lieberman Board Secretary Pro Tem