The Boyertown Board of School Directors will no longer be operating on a committee-based structure. At their Oct. 11 meeting, the board unanimously approved a new system and structure to be piloted through the end of the fiscal year.
The dissolved committees include: Curriculum, Enrollment Review, Facilities, Planning, Finance, Parent/Community & Intergovernmental Relations, Personnel, Policy Review, and Suggestion. Information pertaining to these topics will now be handled directly by the school board.
As a part of the new system – presented as part of the board president’s report – the board will hold a minimum of two meetings a month, with the exception of July, and portions of policies related to committees will be suspended.
Another notable difference is the earlier start time. All board meetings will now begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Education Center.
The proposal originally listed that the administration would schedule two meetings a month. Several board members, including Clay Breece and Robert Caso shared concerns that two meetings wouldn’t be enough time.
Caso proposed changing the language to include a “minimum” of two meetings so that the board wouldn’t be held to a certain number.
“These meetings are going to be long; we have to be prepared for that. We’re going to try to get a lot of things in,” said John Landino, board member. “I’d rather we have the time and fully discuss them as we did before in committee process. That may mean three meetings a month.”
Board Member Donna Usavage agreed with the use of the word “minimum” and pointed out that there’s no time frame outlined for piloting the system. She requested a time line be added to the proposal.
Superintendent Dr. Richard Faidley recommended piloting the system through the end of the fiscal year.
“I think the board is going backwards,” said board member Christine Neiman. “We’ve had these committees for so long and they’ve worked. We’re going to have things slammed at us that we’re going to have to push through.”
Neiman stated her belief that the board is in violation of the Sunshine Law because they discussed this topic in an executive session.
Board President Jill Dennin responded by explaining how an executive session was held about a personnel manner, and now the board is having a public meeting to discuss the board’s meeting structure.
Usavage, in response to Neiman, commented that the idea did surface in an executive session, and the board then agreed to put the topic on the agenda for the public meeting.
“I’m confident we’re doing to the right thing,” said Breece. “To me it was absurd to wait for committee meetings to have discussions. I think this a home run. I think this is going to help us conduct our business. We’re going to get work done.”
Board Member Stephen Elsier says he sees this as a “home run” as well.
Neiman questioned whether costs would go up if additional meetings are going to be held that will require a solicitor. She suggested the idea of a board work session. Faidley said work sessions are included in the policy as an option.
With a vote of 9-0, the board approved the changes to the board meeting schedule and structure. The topic will be readdressed in July 2017.
