Members of the Board of Education and district staff appreciate your interest in the board meetings and business of the school system. Public understanding, participation, and communication are vital to a successful educational environment for students in the Pennsbury Schools. You are encouraged to read the summary of recent meetings and anticipate agenda items of the next meeting to assist in your active participation. 2006-2007 Board Meeting Schedule

Board Members
Gregory Lucidi, Jr., President(lucidgre@yahoo.com),
Arlene Gordon, Vice President(agordon@pennsbury.k12.pa.us)
Richard Johnson, Assistant Secretary(rbjohnson@pennsbury.k12.pa.us)
Michielle Deis(mdeis@pennsbury.k12.pa.us)
Gene Dolnick(gdolnick@pennsbury.k12.pa.us)
Howard Goldberg(hgoldberg@pennsbury.k12.pa.us)
Adele Governatore(agovernatore@pennsbury.k12.pa.us)
Linda Palsky(lpalsky@pennsbury.k12.pa.us)
Gabriele Smyth(gsmyth@pennsbury.k12.pa.us)

The Board is comprised of nine residents, each elected for a four-year term. Five members will complete their terms in the year 2007, and four in 2009. Two student members (nonvoting) are appointed according to state guidelines. Anyone who is 18 years old, a citizen of the United States for three months and a resident of the district for 30 days, is eligible to vote in school board elections. Any qualified voter who is 21 years old may stand for election to the Board.

Board Duties and Responsibilities

The Board has complete and final control over local school matters within the framework set by the Pennsylvania State Legislature and Pennsylvania State Board of Education. The Board acts as a legislative body, determining general policies for the programs, care, management, and finance, of the district's public schools. The superintendent and his administrative staff are responsible for the execution of these policies.

General Responsibilities

• Define the general purpose of the district. Set goals toward the achievement of district purposes. Approve programs and organization for pursuing the district goals and purposes. Secure resources for school operating needs and programs. Decide how resources will be used. Review all phases of the school district operation. Evaluate general achievements of goals and performance. Express and represent the views of the community in matters effecting education. Interpret educational programs and needs of the community.
  
• Communicate with the community, other educational governing boards, municipal bodies, and legislators.

Participants at Board Meetings

A quorum of five Board members is needed to conduct any official school district business. However, a majority of the full Board is necessary for most financial and legal actions. In addition to the Board, the superintendent and members of his administrative team will be on hand to provide reports and explanations on matters of concern to the Board. At most meetings, a department representative will share information about the function, effectiveness, and future plans of the service. Such issues as goals, evaluation, growth, budget, instructional methods, and programs are addressed.

Recognition of the Public

Individuals or delegations who wish to appear before the Board, concerning any item may speak for five minutes at agenda or regular Board meetings.

How You Can Be Involved

Citizen participation is one key to successful school programs. Community members have served on district advisory councils in areas such as vocational education, community school services, technology and special education; advisory committees for school finance, safe schools, transportation; and PTO study committees for annual reviews of curriculum areas and many others. If you're interested, call Public Information and Community Relations, 215.428.4178. The community is an important resource. If you would like to be involved at your school, call or stop by and find out what you can do to help. Volunteers are valuable in schools in tutoring students, serving on PTO boards or community councils, assisting teachers, supervising activities, etc.

How You Can Be Informed

Copies of "Report to the Staff and Community", a summary of actions taken by the Board, are sent to schools, PTO and community leaders on a regular basis. Anyone wishing to receive this report should contact Public Information and Community Relations, 215.428.4178. Copies of policies established by the Board are available through school principals or at the District's Central Administration offices.

Addressing Your Concerns

Citizens with questions about the operation of individual schools are encouraged to first contact the teacher or staff member closest to the situation. The next step is to contact the school principal. Then, if necessary, concerns may be brought to the attention of the appropriate central administrator. Unresolved matters would then be brought to the Superintendent.

Press Coverage

News media representatives are invited to each meeting. Meetings are frequently covered by the Yardley News, Courier Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, and in some cases television and radio stations.

Agenda

Copies of the agenda are available in the Board Secretary's office and at each Board meeting. The agenda contains business to be considered at each meeting. Board members receive the agenda and supporting documents before each meeting so they may be prepared to make decisions.

Board Meetings

The Board usually meets on the second and third Thursdays of each month in the multi-purpose room of Fallsington Elementary School, 134 Yardley Avenue, in Fallsington at 8:00 p.m. Meeting dates and locations for 2004-2005 are listed above.