The board was slated to vote on the 2015-2016 school calendar but after some discussion on clarity and transparency decided to table the motion until a future meeting.

The calendar itself is not in question but rather the structure of the notes presented at the bottom of the calendar and how the district calculates snow days. Board Director Ziad Munson explained some parents planning family vacations find it difficult to predict how snow days will be used or how extra holidays might be used as make-up days.

The calendar includes 182 instructional days– just two over the state requirement– and two built-in snow days. If the snow days are not used (and it has happened, Assistant Superintendent Kristin Campbell said), then they are not given back but rather add up to a total of 184 instructional days.

If the snow days are used and more are needed, then predetermined holidays, such as Presidents Day and part of spring break, are used as make-up days.

Last school year, 11 snow days were required.

It was not considered critical to pass the calendar at the March 9 meeting so the board voted to table until the language in the notes could be clarified.

The board approved the contract with PSBA's policy review service in the amount of $5,500. The contract is for the length of time required to complete the work and the intention is to have policies listed for reading and public board approval on revision in large groups. Payment can be split between two fiscal years.

Superintendent Dr. J. Michael Schilder reported to the board a list of capital improvements to be made throughout the district in order, he said, to get a jump on bids so work can begin in the summer.

The highlights include roofing at the high school building, masonry and building repairs throughout the district, flooring replacement at Macungie Elementary School, paving at Shoemaker Elementary School and Eyer Middle School and security cameras in the high school.

These improvements and repairs total nearly $900,000 and are not part of the budget. The capital reserve is meant to fund such repairs and currently rests at about $2.4 million, Schilder said.

The costs listed for the board were only estimates, emphasized Board President Alan Earnshaw, and often in the past capital projects have been bid at far less than estimated and sometimes more. But real numbers cannot be presented until bids are out. Schilder wants the bids to go out so work can begin as soon as possible.

Big ticket items coming up in the five to six year plan include heating conversion at Eyer Middle School which is estimated at almost $2 million. But that is not on the list for the 2015-2016 school year.

Board Director Charles Ballard asked if the administration would look at developing a budget analysis for the full list of priority capital projects over the coming years, to show the board how much money would need to be infused into the budget to cover these projects.

Schilder said the administration would be moving forward with starting bids.

In light of a recent announcement by Schilder regarding community district foundations, Community Liaison Nicole Bloise made a brief presentation on the structure and purpose of such foundations for the board's review.

Bloise explained the main purpose of a foundation, such as those which exist in other districts nationwide, is to generate necessary funds to provide students with educational and extracurricular opportunities that might not otherwise be funded through the usual budget.

As a 501(c)3 charitable organization, furthermore, the foundation is not part of the district but rather a partner to it, and, as Ballard confirmed with Bloise, able to access educational improvement tax credit funds student clubs in the district cannot.

The foundation raises money through numerous ways, including sometimes employee giving through payroll deduction; an alumni association; EITC; fundraising events; and district advertising.

Projects and goals funded by the foundation include scholarships for graduating seniors (often through personal legacies), facility improvements, supplies, equipment, technology and professional development. Bloise also mentioned specific concrete examples such as band uniforms, recently mentioned in board meetings as in need of replacement, turf facilities, musical equipment, summer camps, greenhouses and playground structures.

It is recommended to establish a board of trustees and the district superintendent takes part as an advising but non-voting member to guide funding priorities. Members of the foundation offer their time voluntarily and are asked to serve at least one subcommittee and attend four to six board meetings per year.

The district will create a write-up for local interest in the community and post it on social media and the website. At this point, the project is exploratory and Bloise is looking for community interest to see if a foundation is something that could be self-sufficient and productive within the district.

Board President Alan Earnshaw said he was in support of testing the waters in the community.

The school board took time at the meeting to recognize and congratulate the district's participants in the Math 24 Game. Gifted students from fourth and fifth grades took part in a 10-district wide competition and brought home several bronze and silver medals. The gold for the entire competition was awarded to Michael Witland who attends Willow Lane Elementary School.

The 28 students were presented with an award certificate and introduced by their gifted classroom teachers.

The 24 Game, created and popularized by Robert Sun, is an intellectually challenging game which aims to improve skills with problem solving, calculating, and mental arithmetic, explained Director of Special Education Dr. Linda Pekarik. The game focuses attention on mathematical patterns with the intent of developing skills in students to identify patterns and connections between other numbers.