MSD of New Durham Township board approves donation, policies, personnel and awards lawn-care contract

The MSD of New Durham Township School Board on March 11 approved a slate of routine actions including a $2,000 donation from the Girl Scouts for a water filling station at Westville Elementary, updates to district policies and several personnel and program approvals.

Board President Karen Jedrysek called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and the board moved through its agenda after a brief public-comment period in which Mr. Pitrowski of MP Lawn Care said he "would be willing to cover all damages" to the baseball field and asked the board to consider his late bid.

The board accepted the Girl Scouts' $2,000 donation to fund a water filling station at Westville Elementary. Lynn Wilson moved to accept the donation and Karen Jedrysek seconded; the motion carried.

The board approved minutes for several prior meetings. On separate motions the board approved the January 15 and January 30, 2020 minutes (motion by Wayne Hodge, second by Mark Parkman) and approved the February 12, 2020 minutes on a motion by Mark Parkman and second by Lynn Wilson; Wayne Hodge was recorded as abstaining on the February 12 vote.

Superintendent Sandra Wood reviewed the Summer School proposals for elementary and MS/HS levels and the board approved the 2020 Summer School program and staffing terms (motion by Wayne Hodge, second by Lynn Wilson).

The board accepted resignations from Gayle Dickinson (FACS teacher) and Marcia Gloff (chemistry teacher) and approved recommended hires including Kendrick Shepherd (HS math), Ronda Carr (substitute), Toni Bincardi (HS business) and MS/HS summer staff (Ms. Joll, Mrs. Toth, Miss Spurr and Mr. DeVries); the personnel motion passed on a motion by Lynn Wilson, second by Karen Jedrysek.

Professional-leave requests to attend IASBO, IIAAA and PLTW Core Training were approved on a motion by Mark Parkman, second by Wayne Hodge.

The board conducted NEOLA policy readings required by state law. After a first reading of Update 31-2 and Policy 5771, the board approved Update 32-1 and Policy 7440 on a motion by Lynn Wilson, second by Karen Jedrysek.

After reviewing lawn-care bids and staff input, the board accepted the recommendation to award the 2020 lawn-care contract to Signature Lawns. The motion to approve Signature Lawns was made by Karen Jedrysek and seconded by Mark Parkman and carried; the board had earlier heard from Mr. Pitrowski, who offered a late bid and said he would cover prior field damage.

The board approved the Summer 2020 Driver's Education program and fees (motion by Karen Jedrysek, second by Lynn Wilson) and adopted the district financial report (motion by Mark Parkman, second by Wayne Hodge); both motions carried.

The board left the April 8 meeting date unchanged and adjourned at 7:06 p.m.

Votes at a glance: donation ($2,000) — moved Lynn Wilson, second Karen Jedrysek; minutes approvals — moved Wayne Hodge/Mark Parkman and Mark Parkman/Lynn Wilson (Feb. 12 abstention by Wayne Hodge); summer school — moved Wayne Hodge, second Lynn Wilson; personnel — moved Lynn Wilson, second Karen Jedrysek; professional leave — moved Mark Parkman, second Wayne Hodge; NEOLA policy updates — moved Lynn Wilson, second Karen Jedrysek; lawn-care contract to Signature Lawns — moved Karen Jedrysek, second Mark Parkman; driver's education — moved Karen Jedrysek, second Lynn Wilson; financial report — moved Mark Parkman, second Wayne Hodge.

The actions approved were described as routine business; no executive session was held.