IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Winter 2018 | Page 59

The Brentwood Borough School Board spends a lot of time
outside of board meetings reviewing contracts, financial reports,
resumés of applicants, policies and procedures, and personnel
reports. We have a good relationship with the administration, so
that when questions arise, they are answered quickly, and usually
ahead of meetings. Board meetings, you might be surprised to
learn move quickly at times for two reasons, one because most
of our questions have already been answered, or two it’s an item
where the results maintain the status quo (there is a lot of routine
business on the agendas).
Areas that require a lot of time invested in planning, review,
and discussion are referred to committees where a small number
of board members work with the superintendent and other
administrators to find the best solutions for the district. An
example of the use of a committee is during negotiations with
the two unions representing teachers, professional employees,
secretaries, paraprofessionals, custodians, maintenance
workers, and cafeteria workers, and when negotiating with the
administrative team. We have used committees to review policies
and procedures, and for strategic planning. Currently, there is a
very active committee working with architects, engineers, and
financial consultants on moving forward with safety and security
issues and badly needed capital improvements to our school
buildings.
It may also come as a surprise that our school district is part
owner of Steel Center for Career and Technical Education where
a number of our students attend to learn skills in industries from
computer technology to welding. In the 1960s, Brentwood joined
with 10 other school districts to form a consortium, pooling our
resources to provide excellent educational facilities and training
in our area. Board member, David Schaap is our representative
to their Joint Operating Committee, which meets regularly like
our district board, to oversee budgets, contracts, policies, and
personnel.
Our district has always worked with other school districts to find
joint solutions and cost-saving programs. This includes purchases
ranging from electricity to busing to internet service. The South
Hills Area School Districts Association (SHASDA) gives us an
opportunity to network with other elected school board members
from the South Hills. Board members, Gary Topolosky and Donna
Werner regularly attend SHASDA monthly meetings to learn about
the various facets of education and changes coming ahead.
Clearly, being elected to the school board means more than
showing up at two to three meetings a month, and it’s this work
that helps sustain and improve our district for the students in K-12
now, but also for the students yet to come to Brentwood.
DISTRICT NEWS
The Brentwood Borough School District has joined forces
with Precision HR Solutions, Inc. to secure substitute services
for teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, nurses, custodians
and food service. If you are interested in substituting in the
Brentwood Borough School District, please contact Paul Broman,
Talent Acquisition Manager at Precision HR Solutions, Inc. via
email at [e-mail] or by phone at 412-226-0770.
You can also explore the website at www.precisionhr.net.
Emergency Delays or Cancellations
In the event of a change in the school calendar due to inclement weather or emergency situations, necessary information for parents
and students will be provided on the following television and radio stations:

KDKA
WTAE
WPXI
TV STATIONS
(Channel 2)
(Channel 4)
(Channel 11)
RADIO STATIONS
KDKA
FROGGY
S C H O O L B O A R D U P D AT E
(1020 AM)
(104.3 FM)
In addition, the district notification system will continue to be used to contact homes in the event of school delays or school closures.
For the district notification system to work efficiently, updated contact information is a must and should be submitted to your child’s
school office. Or just follow the Superintendent on Twitter @AmyMBurchDEd for closings and delays.
Every effort will be made for all schools to remain open as originally scheduled on the school calendar. To reduce the number of days
the schools may be closed due to inclement weather or emergency situations, delayed starting times will be used when conditions allow.
On days when delayed starting times are used, all schools will begin at 10:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted in television, radio, or district
announcements.
BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL
❘
WINTER 2018
57