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I-ND
IN THE
IN THE COURT OF COMMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
i
i Lindsay Boudman, a minor
by her parent and natural
guardian, Cynthia L. Stape
Appellant
V.
South Middleton School District
Board of Education
Appellee
No. 99-2,<174,
`ruil (?'2
Civil Action
APPEAL FROM DECISION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
TO THE HONORABLE, THE PRESIDENT JUDGE AND THE JUDGES OF
THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
1. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter by
reason of the Local Agency Law, 2 Pa. C.S. § 752,
2, The name and address of the parties seeking
review are:
Miss Lindsay M. Boudman
and
Mrs. Cynthia L. Stape
339 Limestone Road
Carlisle, Pa, 17013
3. The name and address of the government unit
which entered the order that is the subject of this
Appeal is:
Board of Education
South Middleton School District
44 Forge Road
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
4. Lindsay M. Boudman is a senior at Boiling
Springs High School, South Middleton School District.
She has been accepted into Manor College and Penn
College, both junior colleges, for each college's
respective dental hygiene program beginning this fall.
5. The Administration of South Middleton School
District informed Lindsay on or about May 5, 1999 that
because she did not pass the oral part of District's
new graduation project requirement, she could not
graduate with her class on Thursday, June 10, 1999.
6. In order to pass this project, students are
required to score 800 on both the written and oral
portions.
7. For all other courses, 70$ is the passing
score.
8. This is the first time that the graduation
project requirement has been imposed in South Middleton
School District in order to receive a diploma.
9. Lindsay first presented her project in April
of 1998, received a score of 63.01 on the tally sheet
but, because ten (10) points were deducted for
"lateness," Lindsay failed the oral presentation.
Neither Lindsay nor her parents were told that the
penalty was the only reason that she failed the project
on that attempt until that information was given to
Appellant's counsel immediately prior to the May 21,
1999 Board meeting. For both the oral and written
presentations, all that Lindsay received in the mail
was a copy of the scoring grid with two areas which the
team felt: that she needed to improve highlighted.
10. Lindsay then re-presented her oral
presentation in front of the same evaluation team on
May 5, 1999 and scored only 57.1. As explained by Dr.
Patricia Sanker, acting Superintendent, at Lindsay's
May 17, 1999 hearing, the passing score for the oral
portion of the senior project is 63 (21 categories
multiplied by 3).
11. since May 5, 1999 when Lindsay failed the
oral portion of the graduation project, the
Administration contended that it was impossible to give
Lindsay another chance before graduation to present her
project orally because the Administration was not
willing to call her evaluation team together for one
more chance.
12. However, the Administration did give students
who did not complete the written portion of their
graduation project an extension to May 29, 1999 to
complete their projects.
13. The Administration's position is that Lindsay
cannot graduate with her class on June 10, 1999. The
Administration suggested that Lindsay pass the oral
presentation during summer school -- only two weeks
after her scheduled graduation -- and participate in
next year's graduation ceremony. This position is
unfair, given the extension for the written project.
19. On May 17, 1999 the Board heard Lindsay's
complaint at a closed hearing using the format
proscribed under the Local Agency Law. Testimony was
taken and exhibits submitted on behalf of Lindsay. Dr.
Sanker and Principal Fred Withum also were in
attendance to present the Administration's case.
15. At a special meeting of the Board on Friday,
May 21, 1999, the Board voted to affirm the decision of
the Administration not to allow Lindsay to graduate
since she had not completed the oral part of the
graduation project. A copy of the Board's decision is
attached hereto and incorporated herein. At this
meeting the Board also voted on a motion to allow all
students who did not complete the oral part graduation
project a chance to present the project on or before
May 24, 1999. This motion was defeated 4-3.
16. After a threat of a Tuesday, June 1, 1999
walkout by students in support of classmates who failed
the project, the Board scheduled another meeting to
reconsider Lindsay's student complaint on Friday, June
4, 1999. Lindsay immediately filed a Petition for
Reconsideration of the Board's May 21, 1999 decision.
After the floor was opened up to public comment
concerning the graduation project and its problems by a
vote of 8-1, the Board voted 5-4 against rescinding its
previous order and giving Lindsay and similarly
situated students another chance to orally present
their projects before graduation.
17. To date, the Board has not given Lindsay a
written decision on the Petition for Reconsideration or
the Decision reached by the Board at the June 4, 1999
meeting.
18. Lindsay's future college attendance is in
jeopardy because she will not graduate with her class
on June 10, 1999. This is solely because of the School
District's and later the Board's arbitrary refusal to
grant her simple request to have a ten to twelve minute
speech reevaluated.
19. Generally, a school board has the sole power
to determine school policy and administration so long
as it does not act arbitrarily or capriciously.
Kamerer v Wilk-Rarrp City School District, 49
Luz.L.Reg. 243 (1959).
20. In failing to grant an extension of time to
Lindsay, the Board acted arbitrarily and capriciously
to deny a chance to graduate with her class.
21. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
by failing to consider the fact that the written
portion of the project had been extended to May 24,
1999 and granting a similar extension for completion of
the oral part of the project when Lindsay requested an
extension on the oral part of the project.
22. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
by failing to consider that for both parts of the
graduation project a passing grade of 800 was
established while the passing grade for all other
courses is 70%, making it technically impossible for
some students to pass the graduate project and obtain a
high school diploma.
23. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its
discretion by failing to consider that clear and
correct information was not provided to students and
their parents as to when the ten (10) point penalty for
lateness would be imposed. Moreover, the Board and
the Administration failed to clearly define when the
project would be considered "late." Finally, the Board
failed to consider that by deducting ten points from
the student's score for lateness, the passing grade
for the graduation project became 90% instead of 80%.
29. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
by failing to consider that neither Lindsay nor her
parents were given a meaningful explanation of why
Lindsay failed both of her oral presentations,
especially the fact that she failed her first
presentation because the ten points were deducted from
her score. Because of this lack of meaningful notice
of her April 1998 score, Lindsay could not properly
prepare for her May 1999 .oral presentation and, thus,
was deprived the opportunity to succeed at her May 1999
oral presentation.
25. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
by failing to consider that this is the first
graduating class subject to this graduation requirement
and allow some flexibility in this program, not only in
the written portion but also in the oral portion.
26. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
by issuing its may 21, 1999 decision without providing
Lindsay or her parents with findings or reasons for its
decision in conformity with Local Agency Law.
WHEREFORE, Appellant prays that this Honorable Court
review and reverse the Order of the Board in this matter and
provide immediate relief by granting any one or combination
of the following:
1. Order the Board to give Lindsay another chance
before graduation on June 10, 1999, to present her
project orally.
2. Strike the ten (10) point "lateness" penalty from
Lindsay's score since no notice was given to Lindsay
that she would have passed the oral part of the
graduation project the first time she took it but for
the ten point penalty and because the materials given
to the students and parents do not clearly say when the
project is late.
3. Change the passing grade for the oral
presentation from 80% to 70% so that the
"pass-fail" nature of this senior project will be in
line with the score that is necessary to pass a course
and obtain credits for it; or
4. Order the Board to waive the graduation project as a
requirement to receive a diploma for only this year; or
5. Order the Board to pass every student that made a
good faith effort to comply with the requirements of
the graduation project for this year only because the
requirements of the project and the grading of the
project were unclear.
Further, if the Court chooses to grant such immediate
relief, Appellant prays that this Court also order that the
Board grant the same relief, if possible, to review the
graduation project as a whole and rule as to whether the
requirements of such are clear and reasonablefor the Court
to other similarly situated students so that they may
likewise graduate with their class this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen K. Shaulis, Esq.
Counsel for Appellant
Attorney I.D. No. 37445
44 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-6655
Dated: June 8, 1999
4 Forge Road
Telephone 717-258.6484
May 21, 1999
Kathleen K. Shaulis, Esq.
44 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Dear Ms. Shaulis:
Facsimile 717-258-1214
This communication is to confirm the action taken by the South Middleton Board of
School Directors on Friday, May 21, 1999, to affirm the decision of the Boiling Springs High
School Administration regarding the Student Complaint No. 1 of 1998-1999 filed on behalf
of Lindsay Boudman.
The Board affirmed the decision of the Administration that Lindsay Boudman has
not successfully completed the Graduation Project and that no relief would be granted. A
copy of the Decision of Board of School Directors is enclosed.
Sincerely yours,
Patricia B. Sanker, Ed.D.
Acting Assistant Superintendent
cc: Philip H. Spare, Esq,
Fred S. Withum III, Principal
Joseph W. Mancuso III, Assistant Principal
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
IN RE: SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
LINDSAY BOUDMAN, BEFORE THE BOARD OF SCHOOL
A Student DIRECTORS
STUDENT COMPLAINT HEARING
NO. 1 of 1998.- 1999
DECISION OF BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
AND NOW, this 21st day of May, 1999, the Board of School
Directors of the South Middleton School District, after a
hearing held the 17th day of May, 1999 pursuant to District
Policy No. 219 regarding Student Hearing Process, on motion by
Mrs. Kenyon , recorded by _Mrs. Shakespeare and upon
the affirmative vote of 7 directors, with 0
negative votes and 0 directors abstaining (said votes
being recorded upon roll-call), it is the decision of this Board
to affirm the decision of the Administration in the above-
captioned Student complaint
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
ATTEST: BY:
//A?i / O, /YdI A/i
Secretary
(SEAL)
VERIFICATION
S verify that the statements made in the within Appeal -from Decision
of School Board are true and correct. I understand
that false statements herein are made subject to the
penalties of. 18 Pa. C.S. Sec. 9909 relating to unsworn
falsification to authorities.
Dated: June 8, 1999 ??k K y?rc
Cynthia L. Stape 'Q'?
IN THE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the Appeal From
Decision of School Board for Civil Action No. was
served on the parties listed below in accordance with
Pa. R.A.P. 1514 and Pa. R.A.P. 121.
Service by Personal Service
Board Members
South Middleton School District
4 Forge Road
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
Philip H. Spare, Esq.
44 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
*lahle,, K. Shaulis, Esq.
Pa. Bar ID. No. 37445
44 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA. 17013
(717) 243-6655
Dated: June 9, 1999
7
LINDSAY BOUDMAN
by her Parent a minor : IN THE COURT
Guardian and Natural; OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Cynthia Stape, ;
Appellant CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL
DISTRICT, BOARD OF
EDUCATION,
Appellee 99-3976
CIVIL TERM
l:,l
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 9th day of June
consideration of ' 1999, 'Pon
the Petition for Special Relief and conference
with counsel, it is ordered and
directed as follows:
1• The School Board will
provide the Court with the
tape of the hearing of May 17
' 1999, as well as all exhibits
presented in connection therewith.
2• An evidentiary hearin
is scheduled for Thursday, g to supplement the record
Y. June 10, 1999, at 11:00 a.m. in
Courtroom Number Five of the Cumberland County Courthouse.
3• Counsel are directed to file memoranda of law
detailing their respective
discretion at the Positions on the 'issue of abuse of
possible commencement of said hearing or sooner, if
.
Kathleen SHa over StEsquire
Carlisle, PA 117Street
P
For the Appellant
7Philip H.Spare, Es quire i S
SNELBAKER Crl G2. V oC/s ???
BRENNEMAN 6 SPARE
99 west Main Street /
Mechanicsburg,
For PA 17055 finny t?'? fa ?l1e?i,
the Appellee
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Lindsay Boudman, a minor IN THE COURT OF
by her parent and natural COMMON PLEAS OF
guardian, Cynthia L. Stape CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
Appellant PENNSLYVANIA
V. No.
South Middleton School District Civil Action
Board of Education
Appellee
COURT ORDER
AND NOW this _ day of June, 1999, upon consideration of
the attached Application for Special Relief and after a
hearing, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. Appellee is ordered to schedule a time prior to
graduation on Thursday, June 10, 1999 to allow Lindsay
Boudman to present the oral portion of her graduation
project; and
2. If Lindsay succeeds in completing this portion of the
graduation project requirement, Appellee shall award
her a diploma and allow her to participate in
graduation exercises on Thursday, June 10, 1999 with
her class.
BY THE COURT
,
IN THE
IN THE COURT OF C014MON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Lindsay Boudman, a minor
by her parent and natural
guardian, Cynthia L. Stape
Appellant
V.
South Middleton School District
Board of Education
Appellee
No.
Civil Action
SPECIAL RELIEF PENDING ACTION ON APPEAL
FROM DECISION OF SCHOOL BOARD
TO THE HONORABLE, THE PRESIDENT JUDGE AND THE JUDGES OF
THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Pursuant to Rule 1532 of the Pennsylvania Rules of
Appellate Procedure, Appellant Lindsay Boudman, a minor, by
her mother and natural guardian Cynthia L. Stape, requests
special relief in the form of a court order directed to the
Board of Directors of South Middleton School District
[hereinafter the "Board"] to expeditiously allow Lindsay a
chance to present the oral portion of her graduation project
so that she may graduate with her class on Thursday, June
10, 1999. This matter was considered by
the Board at a meeting on May 17, 1999. Its decision
affirming the action of the Administration was reconsidered
at a meeting of the Board on Friday, June 4, 1999. A copy
of the May 21, 1999 decision of the Board is attached hereto
and incorporated herein as Exhibit "A."
What is not reflected in the decision but is reflected
in the record of both meetings is that the Board also voted
on a motion concerning whether Lindsay and three other
fellow students would be allowed to retake the oral part of
the graduation project prior to graduation on June 10, 1999.
At the May 21, 1999 meeting, the Board defeated this motion
4-3 and at the June 4, 1999 meeting by a vote of 5-4. See
copies of the newspaper articles detailing these meetings,
attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit B.
Such relief is needed to prevent irreparable harm to
Lindsay that will result from this decision to deprive
Lindsay of her opportunity to meet the Board's current high
school graduation requirements so that she could graduate
with her class.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Lindsay M. Boudman is a senior at Boiling Springs High
School, South Middleton School District. She has been
accepted into Manor College and Penn College, both junior
2
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1 1
colleges, for each college's respective dental hygiene
program beginning this fall. Lindsay submitted a copy of her
unofficial transcript showing her SAT scores, her first
semester 12th grade report card and her counseling sheet
from the guidance counselor as well as acceptance documents'
from both colleges as exhibits at a hearing before the Hoard
on Monday, May 17, 1999. She has passed the written
component of a graduate project. Passage of this project is
necessary to receive a diploma. This is the first time that
such a requirement has been imposed in South Middleton
School District in order to receive a diploma.
Lindsay first presented her project in April of 1998,
received a score of 63.01 on the tally sheet but because ten
(10) points were deducted for "lateness," Lindsay failed the
oral presentation. She then represented her oral
presentation in front of the same evaluation team on May 5,
1999 and scored only 57.1. As explained by Dr. Patricia
Sanker, acting Superintendent, at Lindsay's May 17, 1999
hearing, the passing score for the oral portion of the
senior project is 63 (21 categories multiplied by 3).
Since May 5, 1999 when Lindsay failed the oral portion
of the graduation project, the Administration contended that
it was impossible to give Lindsay another chance before
graduation to present her project orally because the
Administration was not willing to call her evaluation team
together for one more chance. However, this did not stop
the Administration from giving students who did not complete
s
the written portion of their
graduation project an extension
to May 24, 1999 to complete their projects.
The Administration's position is that Lindsay cannot
graduate with her class. The Administration suggested that
Lindsay pass the oral presentation during summer school
only two weeks after her scheduled graduation -- and
participate in next year's graduation ceremony. This
position is unfair, given the extension for the written
project. It is also arbitrary, insensitive, unrealistic and
may jeopardize Lindsay's place in college for the fall
semester.
After a threat of a Tuesday, June 1, 1999 walkout by
students in support of classmates who failed the project,
the Board scheduled another meeting to reconsider Lindsay's
student complaint on Friday, June 4, 1999. This time the
Board voted 5-4 against rescinding its previous order and
giving Lindsay and similarly situated students another
chance to orally present their projects before graduation.
To date, the Board has not given Lindsay a written decision
on the Petition for Reconsideration.
A copy of the School District's Policy on Student
Complaints and Lindsay's Student Complaint along with copies
of the Exhibits presented at her May 17, 1999 hearing under
the Local Administrative Agency Law is attached hereto and
incorporated herein as Exhibit C. A copy of the Petition
for Reconsideration of Lindsay's Complaint is attached
d
hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit D.
ARGUMENT
The Appellant asks this Honorable Court to grant this
special relief pending judicial review of the School Board's
actions because the Board abused its discretion in refusing
Lindsay's reasonable request for an extension of time to
present the oral portion of her graduation project.
Furthermore, Lindsay will suffer irreparable harm absent
this order, the order will not substantially harm other
parties, and the order will not adversely affect the public
interest.
A. The Administration and the Board abused its discretion
in not allowing Lindsay an extension when other
students who will graduate had deadlines for the
written portion of their projects extended until May
24, 1999.
The Board abused its discretion and acted arbitrarily
and capriciously by not granting Lindsay's request to
present her oral presentation again.
Discretionary power such as is vested in a school board
is not unlimited and equity will intervene in the public
interest where the school board has been guilty of an error
or misapplication of the law, of arbitrary action, or of a
5
clear abuse of discretion
Myers v. Newtown Township School
District, 396 Pa. 352, 544 (1959). A school director must
familiarize himself with the elements of questions to be
solved in order that he may perform his duties
intelligently, and where statutes vest him with discretion,
he must act in good faith and with that diligence, care and
skill which ordinary prudent men would exercise under
similar circumstances in their personal business affairs.
McLaughlin v. School District of Borough of Lansford, 335
Pa. 17, 6 A. 2d 291(1939). Generally, a school board has the
sole power to determine school policy and administration so
long as it does not act arbitrarily or capriciously.
Kemerer v. Wilkes-Barre City School District, 49 Luz.L.Reg.
243 (1959).
Lindsay presented evidence to the Board at the May 17,
1999 hearing and made arguments in her Student Complaint
that more than justified the Board using its discretion to
grant her another opportunity to present her graduation
project again. See generally the arguments made in
Lindsay's Student Complaint, Exhibit C.
Furthermore, in Lindsay's Petition for Reconsideration,
she noted other compelling reasons to justify another
chance. Again the Board abused in discretion in not
granting her another opportunity. See Exhibit D.
6
For all of the reasons stated in Lindsay's Student
Complaint and in the Petition for Reconsideration given to
the Board, there is a strong likelihood that the Board's
decision will not withstand the review of the appellate
courts. Therefore, the Board should be ordered to
expeditiously give Lindsay an opportunity to present a
graduation project prior to June 10, 1999 graduation to
avoid unnecessary and irreparable harm to the Lindsay.
B. Lindsay Faces Irreparable Harm in the Absence of
Such Special Relief
Lindsay will only be allowed to participate in one high
school graduation ceremony since in all likelihood and
notwithstanding the school board's action, she will be
attending college in the fall of 1999. Furthermore,
Lindsay's not passing this graduation requirement may
jeopardize her attendance in college this fall and may
adversely affect her future career.
C. Such Relief Will Benefit and Not Substantially Harm
other Parties.
Special relief from the Board's opinion pending
judicial review will not harm the Board or any other
party, but instead will avoid irreparable damage to
Lindsay and, if the court so orders, to similarly
situated classmates of Lindsay. As stated, Lindsay and
7
three of classmates were not given an extension to
finish the oral portion of their graduation projects as
were other classmates who did not complete the written
portion of the project by the original deadline.
Lindsay has already given her oral presentation to
Principal Fred Withum in a dry run on Thursday, June 3,
1999 prior to the Board's June 4, 1999 meeting and was
told by him to change only two sentences. Scheduling a
ten - fifteen minute presentation within the next day
so that she can complete her graduation requirement on
time will not work a hardship on the Administration or
the Board.
D. Such Relief Will Not Adversely Affect the Public
Interest.
The special relief requested will not adversely affect
the remainder of the senior class who have already passed
the project. To be sure, many of those who completed the
graduation project had deadlines for the written portion of
the project extended until May 24, 1999, almost two weeks
past the time that Lindsay was told that she would not be
given another chance to give her oral presentation.
Furthermore, it will not harm underclassmen since any
activity involving the graduation project for those students
is completed for this school year.
8
J
CONCLUSION
For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court should
grant this application for special relief and allow Lindsay
to have another chance to present the graduation project
and/ or to participate in the graduation exercises.
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: June 8, 1999
J
Counsel for the Appellant
Kathleen K. Shaulis, Esq.
Pa. Bar ID. No. 37445
44 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA. 17013
(717) 243-6655
9
APPENDIX A
IN RE:
LINDSAY BOUDMAN,
A Student
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BEFORE THE BOARD OF SCHOOL
DIRECTORS
STUDENT COMPLAINT HEARING
NO. 1 of 1998 - 1999
DECISION OF BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
AND NOW, this 21st day of May, 1999, the Board of School
Directors of the South Middleton School District, after a
hearing held the 17th day of May, 1999 pursuant to District
Policy No. 219 regarding Student Hearing Process, on motion by
Mrs. Kenyon , recorded by Mrs. Shakespeare and upon
the affirmative vote of
directors, with 0
negative votes and 0 - directors abstaining (said votes
being recorded upon roll-call), it is the decision of this Board
to affirm the decision of the Administration in the above-
captioned Student complaint.
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
I
ATTEST:
BY:
of School Directors
h/, a-64,
Secretary
(SEAL)
4 Forge Road
Telephone 717-258-6484
May 21, 1999
Kathleen K. Shaulis, Esq.
44 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Dear Ms. Shaulis:
Facsimile 717-258-1214
This communication is to confirm the action taken by the South Middleton Board of
School Directors on Friday, May 21, 1999, to affirm the decision of the Boiling Springs High
School Administration regarding the Student Complaint No. 1 of 1998-1999 filed on behalf
of Lindsay Boudman.
The Board affirmed the decision of the Administration that Lindsay Boudman has
not successfully completed the Graduation Project and that no relief would be granted. A
copy of the Decision of Board of School Directors is enclosed.
Sincerely yours,
Patricia B. Sanker, Ed.D.
Acting Assistant Superintendent
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
cc: Philip H. Spare, Esq.
Fred S. Withum III, Principal
Joseph W. Mancuso III, Assistant Principal
APPENDIX B
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UL *ON. 61j 10A-- 6661't, aunp'Aepud soBed gS -'ed'alslNeO
SATURDAY The ipAt
June 5, 1999 '`
r
Harrisburg, Pa. O.C L
"'The scores given by
the [evaluation] panels Board ejects
are inconsistent. R
BY ELIZA9ITN GIBSON L®lling Springs IS
These inconsistencies OF OUR CARLISLE BUREAU iJ a b
1nalCe the SCOnng Despite a Student Council tiiem. "voted'5-0'against rescinding a vote,
mechanism ... ber's tearful plea, the South Middle- 'last month that denied Boiling
unreliable ." ton School Board yesterday refused Springs High School senior Lindsay'
to allow a senior classmate to par- ; Stape more time to complete the
ticipate in commencement . on project. Board members said Stape
SCHOOL AND PARENT BOARD RD CANDIDATE Thursday because she failed to will have to complete the work in
complete a graduation project. summer school.
In a special meeting, directors ,:,Directors, Virginia Kenyon,.
Ctt-?C?? -Section.
FArl E
m.a to let sensor graduate
?tudent didn't finis
i
George Stapleton; Ronald Mahan
and Robert Winters favored extend-
ing the deadline to give Stape a
chance to submit a passing project.
'We have the opportunity to
show that failure only occurs when
you stop t-ing - Ken on said
h project on time
ney, said the family plans to appeal
the decision to Cumberland County
Court.
In an emotional plea, Student
Council member Erin Ingle told the
board the senior class wants Stape
person in this class," she said.
Graduation projects were approv-
ed by the state Board of Education
in 1993 as part of Outcomes Based
Education. Nine midstate school
districts are requiring graduation
projects this year. In South $'liddle•
ton, students are required to study
a topic over three years and present
S to participate to commencement.
Kathleen Shaulis. Stape's attor• "It means something to every single See TEST / Back Page
TEST/Family to appeal
From Page BI
written and oral reports.
: Stape, one of several students to
fail'the oral portion of the project
last'winter,.missed two chances
thisspring to make another presen-
tation, on her psychology topic.
Stage-said she did not receive
school notices of the makeup dates.
-Several parents told the board
yesterday that expectations for the
oral reports are-unrealistic.
"I'm nervous Blending here. Are
you going to fail me for that?"
asked Tina Sheaffer, whose son
passed his graduation project "Not,
everyone's going to be a; [WH;X.
speaker."
'School board candidate-. Eile
West, the parent of `a junior, said'.
evaluations of graduation pro)'ects
are flawed.
"The scores given by the [evalua-
tion] panels are inconsistent;" she
said. "These inconsistencies make
the scoring mechanism .: unreli-
able."
70 at is @ Passing .
er, school testsR, but
ist t'0n
Met
she iede8tedlvHea oro i
rudely dismissed when they asked
teachers about project require. '
ments.
"The graduation project has not
been a good experience," Ingle said.
APPENDIX C
No. 219
SECTIONt PUPILS
TITLEt STUDENT HEARING
PROCESS
ADOPTED: November 17, 1997
REVISEDt
219. STUDENT HEARING PROCESS
1. Purpose The Board recognizes that students have the
right to request redress of complaints. Further, the
Board believes that the inculcation of respect for
lawful procedures is an important pert of the educa-
tional process. Accordingly, individual and group
complaints should be recognized and appropriate ap-
peal procedures provided.
2. Definition For purposes of this policy, a student complaint
shall be any such that arises from actions that di-
rectly affect the student's participation in an ap-
proved educational program.
3. Authority The Board or its employees will recognize the
complaints of the students of this district, provided
that such complaints are made according to guidelines
established by Board policy.
The student should first make the complaint'
known to the staff member most closely involved or,
if none is identifiable, his/her guidance counselor
and both shall attempt to resolve the issue informal-
ly and directly.
For complaints which must move beyond the first
step, the student shall prepare a writt n statement
of his/her complaint which shall set forth: the spe-
cific nature of the complaint and a brief statement
of the facts giving rise to it; the manner in which
and extent to which the student believes s/he has
been adversely affected; the relief sought by the
student; and the reasons why the student feels s/he
is entitled to the relief sought.
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219. STUDENT HEARING PROCESS - Pg. 2
The complaint may then be submitted, in turn, to 1
the building principal, the Superintendent and the 2
Board and at each 14v41, the student shall be afford- 3
ed the opportunity to be heard personally by the 4
school authority. 5
The student may seek the help of a 6
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Page 2 of 2 51
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2
Student Complaint
Re: Lindsay M. Boudman
Student No. 990071
Senior
To the Honorable Members of the
South Middleton School District
School Board
Lindsay M. Boudman has been accepted to Manor.
College and Penn College, both junior colleges, for
each college's respective dental hygiene program
beginning this fall. Lindsay submitted a copy of
her unofficial transcript showing her SAT scores,
her first semester 12th grade report card and her
counseling sheet from the guidance counselor as
well as acceptance documents from both colleges as
exhibits at her hearing before this honorable Board
on Monday, May 17, 1999. Lindsay will achieve more
than the required number of credit hours to receive
her diploma. She has passed one half of the
writing component of the graduate project. The
only thing standing in her way to graduate and
receive her diploma is that she pass the oral
presentation.
She first presented her project in April of
1998, received a score of 63.01 on the tally sheet
but because ten (10) points were deducted for
"lateness," Lindsay failed the oral presentation.
She then represented her oral presentation in front
of the same evaluation team on May 5, 1999 and
scored only 57.1. As explained by Dr. Patricia
Sanker at the May 17, 1999 hearing, the passing
score for the oral portion of the senior project is
63 (21 categories multiplied by 3).
The Administration contends that it is
impossible to give Lindsay another chance before
graduation to present her project orally. This was
absolutely the last date she could do her
3
presentation since they are not willing to call the
her evaluation team together for one more chance.
The Administration's position is that Lindsay
cannot graduate with her class. The Administration
has suggested that Lindsay pass the oral
presentation during summer school and participate
in next year's graduation ceremony. This position
is insensitive, unrealistic and may jeopardize
Lindsay's place in college for the fall semester.
ARGUMENT
Lindsay submits the following in support of her
case:
1. A passing score for all credit courses is
70%, but for the senior project, it is 80%. Refer
to pages 4 and 5 of the Boiling Springs High School
Graduation Project Student Handbook that is
attached hereto and incorporated herein as Appendix
A. Technically someone can score 70% in every
course, get credit for the course toward
graduation, but would have to score 10% above his
average to "pass" the graduation project and
receive a diploma. This is unfair especially when
one considers that this graduation project is a
pass-fail grade. Lindsay did not present an
exhibit demonstrating the grading scale for all
courses at Boiling Springs High School, but, since
the school district's calendar contains this
information, the Board is asked to take official
notice of its own grading scale.
2. The materials handed out to the students
and supplied to Lindsay's counsel did not identify
a "late" date for this project. The memorandum
dated September 24, 1997 sent by Mr. Fred Withum to
Parents/Guardians of Juniors indicated that
students such as Lindsay scheduled to take the
Graduation Project Preparation Course
during the first semester of their sophomore year
were to present their projects orally to a
committee of high school faculty on January 21,
I
1997, a physical impossibility. The Student
Handbook (Appendix A) likewise is not specific,
merely stating on page 3 that the "Timeline for
students enrolled in G.P.P. [Graduate Project
Preparation Course] during Semester I of sophomore
year" is:
Semester I (junior year) - Final Graduation
Project (written/oral components) due.
This misinformation as to the "late" date should be
justification for reversing the deduction of ten
(10) points from Lindsay's April 1998 score.
3. Neither Lindsay nor her parents were given a
meaningful explanation of why Lindsay failed both
of her oral presentations. As explained at the May
17, 1999 hearing, for both oral presentations, all
that Lindsay received in the mail was a copy of the
scoring grid with two areas which the team felt
that she needed to improve highlighted. Lindsay
could not possibly know from this information what
the range was in which her scores fell or how much
she needed to improve. Furthermore, it is doubtful
that Lindsay was told that she had ten (10) points
deducted from her April 1998 presentation which is
the only reason that she failed this presentation.
Because of this lack of meaningful notice of her
April 1998 score, Lindsay could not properly
prepare for her May 1999 oral presentation and,
thus, was deprived the opportunity to succeed at
her May 1999 oral presentation.
4. As demonstrated by testimony of one of
Lindsay's fellow students, Danielle Ruben, the
deadline for the completion of the written
component of her graduation project has been
extended for her by her counselor who is the
coordinator of the Senior projects to at least to
May 24, 1999. Lindsay and her parents, however,
have been told by the Administration that this
deadline had not been extended. Moreover, the
Administration argues that it would not schedule
5
another opportunity for Lindsay despite the fact
that there was nearly a month left to do so when
Lindsay and her parents requested another chance.
Given that this is the first graduating class
subject to this "requirement;" that this
"requirement" has been repealed by the Pennsylvania
State Education Department; and for all of the
reasons previously discussed, this honorable Board
would be justified in allowing some flexibility in
this program.
RELIEF REQUESTED
Lindsay asks that the Board do one of the
following to provide relief in her case:
1. Strike the ten (10) point "lateness" penalty
from her score since the materials given to the
students and parents do not clearly say when
the project is late; or
2. Change the passing grade for the oral
presentation from 80% to 70% so that the
"pass-fail" nature of this senior project will
be in line with the score that is necessary to
pass a course and obtain credits for it; or
3. Give Lindsay
finals are over
either to three
panel.
another chance before senior
to present her project orally
new judges or to the original
Sincerely,
Lindsey Boudman
By her attorney
Kathleen K. Shaulis, Esq.
Attorney I.D. No. 37445
44 S. Hanover street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-6655
Fax (717) 243-6618
APPENDIX
Boiling Springs High School
Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania
i
3
2
GRADUATION PROJECT STUDENT
HANDBOOK
Table of Contents
Pennsylvania Public School Code Chapter 5 Requirements .....................page 3
The Graduation Project Criteria ......................................................................page 3
Graduation Project Student Time line ..........................................................page 3
Graduation Project Elective Course ...................................................... ..page 4
Graduation Project Topical Guidelines ..................................................
.......pages 4-5
Details of the Research Paper component of the Project ...........................page 6
Details of the Oral Presentation component of the Project ......................page 7
Final Graduation Project Assessment ...........................................................page 7
Graduation Project Written Proposal Checklist ..........................................page 8
Graduation Project Contract ............................................................................page 9
Graduation Project Agreement for Off-Campus Work ............................page 10
i?.
f
3
GRADUATION PROJECT
Revisions in Chapter 5 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code mandate the following:
-in order to graduate from high school, a student will complete a project in one or more
areas of concentrated study under the guidance and supervision of the high school
faculty. The purpose of the project, which may include research, writing, and/or some
other appropriate form of demonstration, is to assure that the student is able to apply,
analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge
and anderstanding. Project m&X be •ad?a by in leid al student or;matt of
StudCaC4 "
The graduation project will provide all students with an opportunity to demonstrate their
cumulative skills and knowledge required for poet-graduation success. Upon successful completion of
this project, students will have solved authentic "real life" problems of setting priorities,
appropriating and managing time, and, perhaps, working as part of a team.
The Graduation Project Criteria
• Must be multidisciplinary
• Contains loth "written" and 'oral presentation' Components
• Requires that each student involved in either a group project or an 'out of school project' must
keep a'student journal' to be submitted to the graduation project advisor when requested.
• Should use available expertise, both within and outside the school
• Should make use of any appropriate technologies
• Must show creativity and originality
• Must reflect relevant South Middleton School District exit outcomes
• Time Line for students c=Hed in G P P arse during 5CMI of sophomore veer.
January (sophomore year)- Written Graduation Project Proposal due to Project
Coordinator for approval.
Semester I (junioryeul- Final Graduation Project (written/oral components) due.
Time r' for students enrolled in G P P Courm during Semester of snnhomore vea_r
May (sophomore yea} Written Graduation Project Proposal due to Project
Coordinator for approval.
Semester II (junior year/- Final Graduation Project (written/oral components) due.
10
4
Graduation Wgct 10airal Gi ?d ieea
In order to successfully complete the graduation project requirement the student may design and
develop a project from one of the following areas or in any other area that is judged acceptable:
Academic Projects:
Projects in this category should directly relate to a chosen field of study. A
major component of this type of project will be in-depth research of a particular topic
relevant to the student's future career/ life goals.
School ImprovementPmjeds
As education is a central component of individual development projects within
this category will strive'to enhance the educational environment either physically or
intellectually in Boiling Springs.
CommanftyProjects
In response to the need for strong community and educational relations, projects in this category
will strive to utilize the available educational resources to improve the lives of members within the
community. A major goal within this realm would be valuable interaction between students and
communftymembers.
EntrepreneurPmjectc
Students choosing to complete a project within this area will realise that in order to succeed in
business, mastery of a variety of skills, both social and academic, are required. Students will be
required to plan, develop, and implement a prospective business plan (prospectus). The student will be
held accountable as to sound business practices, record-keeping, etc-
Internships:
Some students could gain valuable experience and insight into potential career opportunities
through participation in an internship through a local business, industry or govemmental body.
r
Below is a list of project topics that have been used by students doin S
schools in Pennsylvania. This is not a list of
projects that g Project at other high
give you some ideas faryour own unique and new project you topic must select from. It's simply provided to
1. Science Fair Project
2. CreAte and design a residence
3. Write, perform, and evaluate original dramatic production
4. Videotape/ photograph historical architecture of a community
S. Math/Computer project 6. Engineering project
7. Composed foreign language short story or poem
8. Fashion show in a foreign language
9. Develop foreign language software
10. Plan preschool program
11. Develop a comprehensive personal fitness program
12 Weaving fabric and constructing clothing
13. Design and build furniture
14. fntensive study of a major author and work
15. Develop a Life Skills portfolio
16. Research personal family tree and link your family to several events in history, and how
these events affected your relative.
17. Write and illustrate beginning reader books in a foreign language for elementary student.
18. Write, perform, and evaluate an original dramatic production.
19. History day project
20. Instrumental/ Musical recital
21. Videotape/ Photograph historical architecture of a community
22 Compose a musical composition in a specified period style
23. Use computer technology for musical composition
24. Organize and direct a musical ensemble
25. Create an exhibition that illustrates information about a specific career or career area
26. Develop a plan to assemble an art exhibit that will travel within the district and/or
community.
27. Design and construct garment and organize a complete fashion show.
28. Write a history of (municipality)
29. Develop and execute a tutoring program for a school subject
30. Design and publish a newsletter or company brochure using a Desktop Publishing program.
31. Organize a career day.
32. Cater a school event
33. Develop a fitness video.
34. Work with elementary classes on a particular topic, project, etc
35. Design a playground or athletic area.
36. Do an internship/apprenticeship related to possible career choices,
37. Prepare income taxes for the elderly.
38. Organize a community service project.
39. Organize a health screaming day.
40. Create a media presauation, or a book format, that document thirty hours of community
service.
41. Volunteer at a hospital or nursing home as an aid/candy striper.
42. Refurbish a historical site,
43. Examine community needs and implement an improvement project
44. Design a golf course or miniature gold course.
1Z
6
A. General information
1. The paper must conform to the Boiling Springs High School Research Guide and utilize at
least five (5) varied sources.
2. The paper will be evaluated on content; organization, research„ and use of propel, grammar.
3. The paper will be word-processed.
4. Three copies of the project paper will be submitted to the students Project Committee at
least two weeks prior to the oral presentation
B. Project Paper Assessment Criteria
1. Papers will be evaluated and scored based on the rubrics listed below.
2. A satisfactory score will be 80go or higher.
2. Unsatisfactory papers will be returned to the student with suggestions for improvement of the
paper so it may be resulimitted in a satisfactory form.
4. Students will be assessed a 10 point penalty if the tum in their paper late due to an unexcused
reason.
GndnationProjeetResr Qri+n
I• - „re and OraanL b
bra (bl
logical paragraphing that follows the paper outline and the Boiling Springs Mgh School
Research Guide.
- effective introduction technique
• effective conclusion technique
- clearly stated thesis statement
f I.?rntat (0.20 pts)
- neatness
- double spaced
- one inch margins
- outline format
- proper use of citations within the text
- references/ work cited page format including a minimum of five
- title page (5) sources
III. 1. n¢,?a¢?Conv--ti s(rt^^?spelling
format usage
punctuation and capitalization
grammatical expression
N. Content nr? r•?K..,r ?n.a_u_g .,,,
accura and quality of information and reasoning
- specificity of explanations and examples
adaptation of technical jargon for the audience
- evidence of critical thinking, not just book reporting
V. $yle (0-20 otsl
- concrete word choices
- proper use of parallelism
non-redundant language
- varied sentence lengths and structures
l43
7
A. General bdNMation
1 All projects are required to induce an oral presentation.
2- The oral presentation will u==Is resources and will be presented approximately two
weeks after the written projsubmitted. public
3. The oral presentation will last between 10.30 minutes and will utilize proper P
speaking techniques.
4 oral presentations will be presented to an evaluation committee comprised of three members
one of which may be a member of the community.
9. Oral Premmution Assessment Criteria
1. oral presentations will be evaluated and scored based on the rubrics listed below.
2. A satisfactory score will be 80% or higher.
3. Unsatisfactory presentations must be re-presented to the Committee when the appropriate
deficiencies have been corrected.
4. Students will be assessed a 10 point penalty if their oral presentation is late due to an
unexcused reason.
T, ('nntent (1120 otsl
- How thoroughly did the student present the information?
- How clearly did the student define terms for the audience?
- How efficiently did the student provide explanations?
m- Did the student demonstrate mastery t If,aniz?tion (0 2 tsl
- Introduction
-Body
-Conclusion
ITT. Audio Vguai ^e Information (0 20 ntsl
was the presentation sufficiently supported with statistic, quotations, testimonies,
examples, charts, exhibitions, and/or modefs?
- Did these materials relate to the topic?
TV, m ,notion (0.24 ots)
- How confidently did the student deliver their presentation in terms of voice projection,
physical poise, and speaking pace?
V. Qgfi m. f0.20 otsl
- How &=rate were the student's answers to questions from the msesament committee?
- How did the student respond to the questions posed about content?
- How did the student respond to the questions about rationale?
Final Graduation prom L91eaat1101
Each project component (research paper/ oral presentation) counts for 50% of the total grade.
The grade will be calculated by the student's assessment committee and given to the GP. Coordinator
who will enter it on the O.Scan form for report card grades.
1 4
Name of student
Project Title
------------
RA?S1A ?TOIV PROI LT
OPEN PROPOS A .CHECKLIST
The following checklist will be used by the Graduation Project Coordinator to
determine if a student's written project proposal is acceptable. The student should
also use this list as an outline to prepare his/her proposal. The student should state
the following items in his/her proposal.
Date of
Approval
1, The topic of the project with a description
2. The reason for project selection
I A brief outline of the plan for gathering information .
4. A list of possible sources and references ___-_
5. A proposed time line to complete the project ------
6. The method of exhibition/ demonstration of completed
project to the Coordinator
Components not approved by the Coordinator must be revised b th
and resubmitted to the Coordinator within two weeks. Y e student
Additional recommendations/ suestions to
Coordinator. gg the student from the
When the above items have been approved, the student should complete the
Graduation Project Contract and submit it to the project Coordinator.
a
Date
i 1
15
GRADUATION PROTECT
CONTRACT
(Graduation Project Topic)
By
9
(Student's Name)
IN COORDINATION WITH
(Name of Project Coordinator)
I hereby agree to accept the requirement of a Graduation Project as outlined in the
Boiling Springs High School Graduation Project Student Handbook I further agree to
complete all these requirements by the contracted date to be determined by the
Graduation Project Committee.
(Signature of Student) (Date) (Signature of parznt/guardian) (Date)
i(0
10
GRADUA'I SON PROJECT AGREEMENT
EQR
OE-CAMPUS COURSE WORK
Student Name
Project Coordinator
The following agreement represents the commitment of the parties involved
in malting the graduation project off-campus program from the Boiling Springs
High School an effective leaning experience. The student will be released on a part-
time basis for the purpose of completing a graduation project as agreed by all parties
concerned. This program is an educational experience and is a very important part
of the student's curriculum. His/Her success in this program is just as important as
his/her success in the classroom.
The Graduation Project Student:
1. Agrees to be punctual in their attendance both at school and place of
graduation project experience.
2. Agrees to make appropriate entries into their project journal as, required so
that the Project Coordinator may be apprised of the project's current status.
3. Agrees to follow instructions, avoid unsafe actions, and to be alert of unsafe
conditions.
4. Agrees to keep the Project Coordinator informed of schedule changes and to
seek permission to work on the project at other designated times.
5. Agrees to provide their own transportation to and from the place of the
graduation project experience.
6. Agrees to attend classes as required before going to or after returning from
off-campus project experience.
------------------------ ----------
Signature of Student Date
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date
t7
fiH1-IU-yb I`IUN 14%od
dUILIU6 INGSHSUFFIUE
FAX NO. M(25850i4
r. U2
5WF,-Cw 7-
s/1 7/9c?
Lindsay Boudman
MaLME
Completed Grad Project Prep Course - First semester Gr. 10 - Final Grade 74
9/97 Notice mailed to parent - tentative outline not submitted by deadline
10/97 Notice mailed to parent - tentative outline and references not submitted by deadline
12/97 Written final paper not submitted by deadline
1/98 Not eligible for oral presentation - no paper
3/98 Paper submitted - loss of 10 points for lateness
4/98 Ellgible.for oral presentation- loss of 10 points for lateness
1/98 Results mailed to parent - both parts must be revised
9/98 Letter mailed to parent from At. Sponhauer (Mr. Sponhauer does not have copy)
ro'98 mr. SP,nhy,u nuid"4 $fid ra&L.nnunI5 - Auh&- +q PR.ent Saner ,n+crv,eu)
2/99 Eligible for repeat of ore! - did not show Mr Sronha uer spoke W, +A sh.dant
4/99 Revised paper submitted - paper passed
5199 Repeated oral presentation - below passing
19
Iw. ! l ICUO::U .9
September 24, 1997
To: Parents/Guardians of Juniors
From: Fred S. Withum III
Re: Graduation Projects
The purpose of this memo is to help clarity an
your student in the completion of their Gradu tion Projector concerns that May arise as you work with
Beginning with the Class of 1999, all students are required to complete a graduation project in order to
be eligible to receive a diploma from Boiling Springs High School. This la the result of revisions in
Chapter V of the Pennsylvania School Code,
Projects slates: The revision of the, code which applies to Graduation
"In order to graduate from high school, a student will complete a project in one or more areas of
concentrated study ender the guidance and supervision of.high
the protect, which may include research, wriNn
demonstration School faculty. The purpose of
, is h assure that the student Is able to a
information and communicate significant knowledge and understendinger Theopand form of
undertaken by an individual student groups of knowledge an u analyze, synthesize and evaluate
project may be
It has boon left to each school district to develop a means for students to demonstrate that they can
accomplish this task. In order to fulfill the slate requirement, the goat of the Graduation Project in the
South Middleton School District is to:
Provide all students with the opportune ry
required for post-graduation success, C n d mpleti rato their cumulative skills and knowledge
authentic "real life" problems of setter Pon completion of the
working as part of a team. g Priorities, approaching andmeanaging time, land, perhaps,
The faculty and administration believe that the demonstration of these competencies, especially
priorities, approaching and managing time
and as part of a team are critical
SkIlls I Problem solving, and the ability to work both r setting
repeatedly heard from ieadera in bualnees and dutry, entering t & college ?n professors, century force. W de have
have
the basic academic skills, these are the qualities that they desire a ourssors, stand and th e gwork for military ce that b that beyond
OVER
II
-oy i?c :u,cu nvi?,iwar,Ai.)r1.)VrrrLA flc illC?nCU.9 r,?c
In order to help prepare students to meet this requirement, all sophomores are scheduled to take the
Graduation Project Prep course. The course is taught by a member of the business and computer
education department and by the counselor in charge of supporting students through the development
and presentation of their Graduation Proleot.
/ All students who completed the Graduation Project Prep course the first semester of last year must
submit the written portion of their Graduation Projects by December 5, 1997 and will be presenting their
projects orally to a committee of high se of faculty on January 21, 1997. All students who completed
the Graduation Project Prep cours and semester last year rnust submit the written portion of
it Graduation P , 1gg d will be presenting their projects orally to a committee of
high scatty on April 30, 199 , o
4ibeina short asredit for aradrr rl ri r d on oi3 ro'e is iv n
remadIs ed and resubmit their project psortlo being eligible to epee ve aidiploma. ment will need to be
Our goal Is to demonstrate to colleges, members of business and industry, and the military that
ourstudents ar®a cut above tha competition because their Boiling Springs High School diploma
not only shows that they are academically prepared, but that they also have demonstrated the
traits necessary to compete and thrive In the twenty-first century work place.
I have included In this mailing a copy of the Graduation Project Handbook and a list of the most
commonly asked questions/concerns regarding the Graduation Project. If you have any questions or
concerns beyond what is contained in this mailing, please do not hesitate to call me or your student's
guidance counselor.
20
•il-yb Iii: r??[1 i1ulLINU?N?N?ShSul•r.Ut
Q: How do I get help with my prajacl?
rP.n N?. il2acoUi 4 N, Jd
A: Schedule a time to meet with Mrs. Horner or your counselor.
Q: What topic do i select for my project?
A: There is nothing wrong with selecting a topic that is of high interest and easily accomplished.
However, the project must demonstrate that you can apply the skills outlined on page seven of
the Graduation Project Handbook. Page five of the Graduation Project handbook lists over 40
suggestions from which you can draw ideas. If you are still unsure, check with Mrs. Horner or Mrs.
O'Marr on the topic you selected upon completion of the Graduation Project Prep Course.
Q: How Is the school district going to deal with a wide range of academic abilities?
A: 100% of our students can complete this task If they set their goals, organize their time, and follow
directions. We realize that the projects will range from carpentry to zoology. All of our students
have taken part in core courses which have given them the skills necessary to complete this
project. They need to apply those skills,
Q: Now am i going to find the time to do this?
A Don't wait until the last minutel We realize that this Is a challenge. That is the pointl The project
is designed to simulate an everyday "real world" occurrence, Students have been given a year
upon completion of the Graduation Project Prep course to complete the project. Some students
have found it a great advantage to complete their project immediately after the course and save
it until evaluation time.
Q: Why Isn't my friend who goes to another district required to complete ;a project?
A: Al School Districts are under the same requirements. However, the new regulations were phased
over three years beginning with he Class of 1999. South Middleton was selected by the state to
be included in the first phase. Your friend's school may be phasing in the project with the Class
of 2000 or 2001,
Q: Why le my friend who goes to another school district required to do community eervics or
develop a portfolio instead of a project?
A: It has been left to each school district to develop a means for students their students to complete
a graduation project(s), Some school districts are requiring community service. Other school
distdots are requiring the development of a portfolio. At districts are then using a written and an
oral presentation as a method to evaluate the application of skills. Community service and
portfolios are options for South Middleton students. However, so are science fair projects,
participation in local government, work study experiences, internships, shadowing experiences,
vocational education projects, art projects, and self-designed projects.
21
iY?• Yl rC o.'U:4 r, Jk
Q' MY Should I do this? I heard the state was
A. There Is no doubt that the Pennsylvania going to change the regulations)
direction. However, you can never [)apartment of Education has a noted history
curr nt
discussions The current
count on It, regarding statewide standards may his remnns a state requirement. °f The changing
administration and fcom project the Y of include a graduation
project
t a
student world. Even If does the not state complete removes the the requirement, the chool district may still ere
faculty consider this a valuable experience in preparing students for the real
complete this activity. In addition, the
quire students to
Q0 What happens If I do not complete the project to the appropriate standards
A. Students who do not meet the a p the opportunity Correct an p over standards will be receive specific feedback and have
who need to remediate an problems ms over r the next semester,
oral presentation to any problems. Students will then resubtheir work and/or make another
a review committee. mite
Q: What happens if 1 fail to complete the project on time?
A. Students who fail to submit their project on time will receive an automatic ten point deduction
their grade and Will be scheduled to come before a review committee after members of their class have had the opportunity to present their project the first time In aewo see
scenario, this would be January of your senior year. If the project is
appropriate standards a student will not be able to graduate on time,
of their academic ability, not completed to the
'There is no remit absent chaa complete these projects on time and Our students, regardless
re or in the wor/dofutaork, for sincere) and appropriate standard.
honest on time effort.
22.
.u ao luft ,4.4C DWUhOJr.Nc nSUrrUt ,
rPX Ili„ 1172bdtU;4
GRADUATION PROJECT
PROGRESS REPORT
w
I
FOR
The following items were due, but have not been submitted.
1.
3.
4. S`
5.
Reference lists should be submitted by Decembor 5, 1997
Students who meet the intermediate goals will be more successful in submitting the
final written and oral project bythe deadline.
Y
"Points will be subtracted, if the final paper and/or oral presentation are late.
Written project • due March 27, 1996
Oral presentation • due April 30, 1998 (Act 80 Day)
Please call Mrs. Horner, Graduation Project Coordinator, at 258.6484 if you have
rnmart,%. a
w4
r. 11
4
23
IV VV IIV.I IY-JV UVILIIIUN. IIIV'VIIUU.I IVL rnA iW. IIIL'JU7U14
4 Forge
Boiling Springs JR/SR High School
(717) 258.6184 .
May 6, 1998
Dear Parent or Guardian;
717-258-6484
Springs, PA 17007
4 Forge Road
Boiling Springs. PA 17007
Attached Please find a copy of the results for both the written and oral presentation of the Graduation
Project, which your student'recently produced. The Graduation Project is considered complete when
an adequate level has been reached for both components of the project, If your student has not
reached the adequate level on either or both components, the Inadequate sections of the project must
be improved and then resubmitted for another evaluation. A separate task analysis form has been
enclosed for those students who must revise a component. Specific items which need improvement
are highlighted on the separate tbrm. Please contact Mrs. Horner in the Counseling Office (258-
6484) if you have questions.
* REVISIONS TO THE WRITTEN PAPER MUST BE SUBM TTED AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE. STUDENTS WHO RESUBMIT THEIR PAPERS BY
MAY 18, 1998 WILL HAVE THEIR RESULTS BEFORE THE CLOSE OF
THE SCHOOL YEAR EVALUATION RESULTS MAY NOT BE
AVAILABLE UNTIL THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, IF THE PAPER IS
RESUBMITTED AFTER MAY 18TH.
* ORAL PRESENTATIONS WILL BE SCHEDULED AGAIN IN
FEBRUARY 1999
7 `'t'
••.U-atl Am Lq-4u WILMUOt:NubM6Urtilt: r8?. Nu. Ilicoocu.4 r,A
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOILING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION PROJECT EVALUATION SUMMARY
NAME i.ijso'
WRITTEN PAPER
An adequate performance level has been reached or exceeded
Date
To achieve an adequate performance level, a part or parts of the written paper
must be improved
Date it ORAL PRESENTATION
An adequate performance level has been reached or exceeded
Dale
To achieve an adequate performance level, a part or parts of the oral
presentalio must be Improved
B
Date 471
The complete Graduation Project requirement
must be fulfilled
for a South Middleton School District diploma
z3
10J9 t10N 14:41 80ILINGSPiNGSHS0FFiCE =AX NO. 7172535014 P. J8
1999
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOILING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION PROJECT EVALUATION SUMMARY
NAME LlAA5ay (0Ud man
WRITTENPAPER?2//l Muat 5a6rnLL$- reused gape-
An adequate performance level has been reached or exceeded
Date
To achieve an adequate performancs level, a part or parts of the written paper
must be Improved
Date
ORAL PRESENTATION X111 Did not Pr'esen't Must pyeat
An adequate performance level has been reached or exceeded
Date
To achieve an adequate performance level, a part or parts of the oral
presentation must be Improved
Date
The complete Graduation Project requirement
must be fulfilled
for a South Middleton School District diploma
Z6
PowHt' Fax Notee? 7672
I Pk,
'"" creep
in1 tr 40 a luean W :4ry,
die pus WV?VI
Jpiim ?Ce,b ?NM GGlb0aM0 '
Mrs. Cindy Stops
Sap Limestone no"
C4ftWe,PA 17013
Door Mo. Rbpo:
ro wsR tend
hhaPu e0foral Por*fI'olthamyuthat°sofour February MIUalions, Undeay has etlil not succcesfully camplatod
Of het d undem lat. Lkldasyhuonaopp°rtu?eo compbbhcpredaHOn?e 4 s rl1111 f the area(*) that Undsey
tkilled approjt? p??.itsitpebth 4gutonao prror to con,
i°t1191m4ce mhela eletH
IPr tom ke a Mw Ott too non svaIp p, eedAO be ma do. in addmon, Llndg"ti be scheduled
Maya, neap.
esWAa thn9pulsilcm and roupb •pndu ulorl Mlddlabn B`h
oot Dla41dbl
ragWr4 that 411 student must demonstrate mubry of beat
thenOWvelem bXtIng 4hon1raoldroaR for W 10 a ell llYps tar gr adues. Fanure to PropeMy complola ¦ pr°dwtion proJad p
rif AAlip
diploMo.gIn iddl6 n YAN he an. 4he wID nootil vol?ummit 10 C0MPNta th pedoaflanP f° trifm nnNin)po by
Participate In graduation eaerolasL -
ThefaaBy,atalandadmtWrsAon are wiling to help Undaay wodeesrully Complete her graduatic
several coureae of ac8on that ws recommend. They are a° follows
ao1en, mere are
1. Ths Wdhfn pPHdcrnAWaatn6 sd COPY Of Uedaeyl most recent Paper is on 64 in the guidance olfia. Thbben excellent
guide for me Y irvf°wtheoolededa
w4hn. Wa do M hawovsr allow he orlptsl b b0 removed homceNs guidance the School am".dMoot and Mika $W ants art txingl esdean she
Copy of their paper 4 the guidance omcs and making 1114 oorttdons on their copy, no 2. The DrW Presentation. Ltdsey needs 10 areruay rewsw the attached oral ev¦laetln eMat and request a time to meet
with members of her eVelu¦XOn commmes to list dlfaq reedbaak for areas of Improvement. In eddi0on, H f° r
tn¦t Undssyprsod" her preunbMn Mtn
6,
1299 "In HLlndsey"So% me, l would be more them aof tinfeWleytetra hstfinal presentation onM?
April. more than b CMrdi&ordkab 4 PncOCe ese*a during the trot two weeks in
Enclosed Is a CM oflnlorrtdn regarding lha grWuetlOn proled and aaopy of the gntluation poled hndboolL The
beep. stall and 4dMinhN¦Hon °n aAllna 10 help Llndery meet this gal. I would recommend that H you have any
ouesfbns, you and Lindsay most Mr eounselw b dlsdues this station, Undsars counselor an be reached at 240.2625.
n adaHtn, I ant wlgLV to spsakwhh you on this mehar tlyrour oenveMnce. I an be rwdled at 2564/84 dunnp the
school dry and 2S6.12t3 M the awntpL
SIndereh.
Fred B. WBhum M
PMC" of Boiling BPMVI Jrl& High Schott
27
BoWO1 Sprints JRISR with School
717) 25&UM 717.258-6484
4 Forp Road
IlallinA SPdnaa, FA 170M
NN lq;qu dU1L1NQ6?1NU6hSUr1*iUt ttiR NU, 11725 bl)14 ?.07
February 18, 1999
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Attached please find a copy of the results for both the written and oral presentation of the Graduation
Project, which your student recently produced. The Graduation Project is considered complete when
an adequate or average level has been reached for both components of the project. If your student
has not reached the adequate level on either or both components, the inadequate or below average
sections of the project must be improved and then resubmitted for another evaluation. A separate
task analysis form has been enclosed for those students who must revise a component. Specific items
which need improvement are highlighted on the separate form. Please contact Mrs. Homer in the
Counseling Office (258.6484) if you have questions.
' REVISIONS TO THE WRITTEN PAPER MUST BE SUBMITTED AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE.
' MAY 6, 1999 IS THE NEXT DAY SCHEDULED FOR ORAL
PRESENTATIONS
Bolling Springs 1R/SR High School 717-258-6484 4 Forge Road
(717) 238.6484 Bolling Springs. PA 17007
;.V Va-.IVII 17?VV U4. YIIIJN. IIN.MIIVV.I VC. rrIA IIV. IIICvV 7l/14 • r. v4
Graduation Project Oral Presentatioa
Using 3 main Points, how thoroughly did the
student present the information?
3
How clearly did the atudeet define terms which
are subject-specific for the audience?
a
0
,
How efficiently did the student provide clear and
concise explanations? 3 33
D
id the student demoostrale mastery of the
content? 3
,z
2. 04anizalim
introduction (capture. modvatc, assert, preview) f -!
Body. Point-support with sufficient detail
3
Body: point-support with clear transitions
Conclusion: restates main
points
Conclusion: clincher
NAME: 4 ^_?Sull R?ou?ma•?
Vol mleel F'I Canned Ado lum Pi0nil?eCt E1 ?
II coma
tl
? I
??
1 , , 4
Not PrtSmk lulha Lroiud Adequu4 1 Profidrne
3, Audin/Vie 1 C n f?a,=? 0
• Wu the pro s"AdOn suBScientlY suppottod with
statistics
tati No Plum
,
ons testimonlee, cxamplee,
chnrta ex6lbitt??aad/ormodels? 3.33
oterfals rolats dlrcctiy to the topio tmd
main points?
3 G7
Were audialvisuaal materials easily heard mm?
Were audlo,vistW materials promted at the
prop's limo?
/
J
4. CnmmUWC&daa .
How coaddectly did the student deliver tb*
presentation In rums of'.
voice projection 3
articulation & promntcietion g.(t 1
sped pact, amoothtrws, std pauses 3•L)0
physical poise (posture, lamer a, eye contact) 1.67
1
S. !]efettsn
How accursto were the atudent'e atswme 00
Wow from the assucncat committee? 3r3?
• Fpplooow dtdyy?the ,? student m V ood to the questloas ,
HowddldthscobIxI nt? .?^
about rationtie? R0P°ad to the questions
• Was the student prbpartd and did they used the j
time requitement?
Total Points Eamed: 6-5.01,
Pcoalty Points Assoasod G sI
??.
0 1 s s 4 s
Not lfiwa ?Nay Usm Adegoeb Rofldoot auprior
i
ll
t 3 4 r
Val 11.04 AGq" R4adfer TgMor
I I
I I
? I 1
I II ~
1
0
Na h? t
!cabs
- s
lieitea
)
- r
Adeeray
I
If •
hoadrp
f s
tyaeor
1 7 I
EfdaltnT 44441
Darts. ?l 2.
.,? '? atl 'N,t 14•J0 OW LtItlaJr .IVVgnJVrr ;?C
Graduation ProjOct Research Paper
I Snucmra_and•ALLY
Logical Paragrap gLPUJ
that follows the paper
outline and the Boiling Springs High School
Research Guide
Effective introduction technique
Effective conclusion teclutique
Clearly stated thesis statement
NIA limo, t I ,CooCU. q
r. j.,
NAME:
r
2
3
3
3
MI
Eamta'-4 ' PW • Follows BSHS Research Guido
Neamess (page oumbe
fs, font, presentation)
Double spaced
One inch margin,
Cm
W,ilyd
, 10M
1
?• • I P.m
OutlinaForlnat Li•Cm.. olenm 11
.4rj
Proper use of citations -`1
within the text 1.67
References/w•ork cited page format including e
minimum of 3 (live) sources
Tito page .21
?. 3
40
AdaQuu. Prct'Ieient
li
e I 1
Not Prywte tunaWd Adtquep r
?- _ Atoncisn
3' -?w?{aJanvenrtnn /p`?n? a
pc g t q
Not Ptslgi Faitina Laaatd Ad
• Format usage • (Corntct word usage) 3
• Puoctuatlonand capitailzSaoa ?.bq I
• Gramimatiedexpression . (sentence structure) I I
4. CenMnt • .t h •-•
rreeioau?itandqualityofmformatiomand Notlv.?.ms rnma LWUd s
Adegi
• Specificity Ofexplanatioos and e 3
xamplee I I
Adsptationof("haic+i)argooCortho,udience 3
rrevpo ttog oterltica? thirtlday, n0t1uet I I
book I
.? 41 .
Concrete word choice, Not o t
As.m r,,wa t?a?d s
' Proper useofparellelism •?•V'I Aa%
NOG-reduadant language
2y? I II
Varied sentence lengths and structure , u•t I
I I
J
? 1 1
N'N P?oficbnt 8u j
7 TOW Points Eamed' / a z f. 3 ':•)
d
NA.ind 7upCia
-1
4 f
rmncrnt Sun"
? I
Pooll?ppiAyy?Kead: 10
GRAD alms aw i)
----?_ , ^-
sd. 3 Date: ?Io /i $
3a
cl-tt,"J? IIVr1 19-41 DJILVIVj.),,MUJnDVrriut:
Graduation Project Oral'-Presentation
Cnntn:nl
Using 3 main points, how thoroughly did the
student present the information?
How clearly did the student define terms which
are subject•speci6c ror the audience?
How etiieiendy did the student provide clear and
concise explanlttions?
• Did the smdeot demonstrate mastery of the
content?
2. Oani jinn
Introduction (capture, motivate, assert, preview)
Body: point-support with sufficient detail
Body: point-support with clear transitions
Conclusion: restates main points
Conclusion: clincher
3.
the preaenution suIDeieotiy
Was supported with
statistics, quotations. teslimodes, examples,
charts,exiubite and/or models?
main poln pointms7 storf98 relate directly to the topic and
me
Were audiovisual materials easily hcard/acce?
Wsro Audlo/vlMW mstOdAll presented at the
proper tune?
rtm AU. IIiCtltlDUl4 r. W
NAME: /I n ors t]o ?d. n«,.
Nol PndpA 1
Ftdm, _
l.imrud
AdeQueee
Pronettet
Supt rim
? I!
I!/
0
Not et.ttet LLMftd Adcqwk ml
W
3
AI
.3-
7
d-
3
?. 7
0
7
e
Not Pntew 1
Furaa _
t:mAed
Adequate 4
rtoficial 7
aupttlor
! ?r
I I
r?
17
7, 3
y
U
4. CommuniGadnn
How confidently did the student deUver Weir
presentadon in tame of
voice projection
• articulation & pronunciation
• speaking Pte, smoothness, and pauses
• physical poise (posture, gestures, eye contact)
0
Not Resent t
Feilins =
Umi4d 3
Adequate
Road,nd ,
SV is
11 r
!i
1E
11!
1
3.7
3
a.7
fly
S. Mronse
• How accurate were the student's answers to
H Wuesdonl fbom the assessment committee?
ow did the student respond to the questions
respond to the questions
sod and did they mat the
Total Points gassed: VO l
Penalty Points Assessed: GRADE:
0
Noeree m 1
Fb&g a
LWIld ,
Ad"ode ?
Ronelest ,
sol.ritr
T
111
r 1r
Date: S
,31
3
3
3
q3
03
"rn .-1 U-C7C IIVA A4•Yt OV1LINUOr A;znou,, IuC
Graduation Project Research Paper Mq=azao -OrALL?
Logical PtubgrAp6ing that follows the paper
outline and the Boiling Springs High School
Research Guido
Effective introductioa technique
EtTectivO conclusion technique
Clearly stated thesis statement
2• EQMULln_ZQ41W - Follows BSHS Research Guide
• Neatness (page numbers, font, Presentation)
• Double spaced Rare -
• One inch margins j I = if=
Ilia
• Outline Format °!
Proper use of citations within the text
• R01rences/wOrk cited PASO format including a
minimum of S (Hvo) sources
- Title page
3. tanottaoe r'anea dMU (0.7_ Q octal
Spelling
Format usage • (Correct word usage)
Punctuation and capitalization
Grammatical expression - (Sentence nmcturo)
Igo ilm : IWX pm - lilt
4. Contwne and tA&A •ijking 2n nhl
• Accuracy and quality of information and
romoamg
• Specificity of explaaadoos and examples
Adaptation of technical jargon for the audience
• Evpideence of critical thinking, not just book
5. Swk4o_lQV4
- Concrete word choices
• Proper use of Parallelism
• Noa•rcdundent langwgc
V&W sentence lengthr_ and structure
Total Points Earned:
GRADS:
zE
V.'
3
7-
0 r s
? i4 s
Not Freest _ Faft UWW Al° Proficient Sloe
a
2
3
9
0 s i d r
Pbt Meta Fc7cA Lmiud Adequy Mfkina &Nerior
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il I!i
-
3
3
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o
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3"
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9th GRADI.i
Adjustment to I IS
Acade tic Progress
Course Selection
Graduation Requirements
Student Signature:
Student Name: t!j (,lI (1 exI
Meeting Dote eeyrrA
s?1-r?g9
Career Uevelupment/Post Seconday flans
Activity Fur",
vo= Tech Inl'unnatiun
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I Idi GRADE
tcl/0 7
// // Cu?in V?'y ?i'ti5,
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?I:ollcge Planning Guide
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?Ichularship infumtatiun
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?fj??S1. tL tiiCeviewJunior Checklist
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Meeting Datc U O n???? f???} >L
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Student Signature:' 0 . 1,gDC?p4`i
357
Lo"- .
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOILING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION PROJECT EVALUATION SUMMARY
NAME kinds ?oud?ylQn
WRITTEN PAPER
An adequate performance level has been reached or exceeded
Date 5/99
To achieve an adequate performance level,
must be improved a part or parts of the written paper
Date
ORAL PRESENTATION
An adequate performance level has been reached or exceeded
Date
To achieve an adequate performance level, a part or parts of the oral
presentation ust be improved
Date 5 9
The complete Graduation Project requirement
fulfilled
must be for a South Middleton School District diploma
36
cauuatioll vl?uftat l/t at a asJctlldlluu
e
r µ •
I Content
Using ! main points, (tow dtoroughly did the
student present We information?
How clcarly did the student define terms which
arc subject-specific for the audience)
How elGciendv did die student provide clear and
concise explanations?
Did the student demonstrate mastery of die
content?
Qrgalltlanmt
Introduction (capture, motivate, assert, preview)
Body: point-support with sufficient detail
Body: point-support with clear transitions
Conclusion: restates main points
Conclusion: clincher
g, AlletinNieual SuppLtng InfeirmAdnn
Was the presentation sufficiently supported with
statistics, quotations, testimonies, examples,
charts, exhibits, and/or models?
Do these materials relate directly to the topic and
main points?
Were audio/visual materials easily beard/seen?
Were audio/visual materials presented at the
proper time?
J, romm trio altnn
How confidently did the student deliver their
presentation in terms of:
voice projection
articulation $ pronunciation
speaking pace, smoothness, and pauses
physical poise (posture, gestures, eye contact)
5. Qyfcnse
How accurate were the student's answers to
questions from the assessment committee?
How did the student respond to the questions
posed about content?
How did the student respond to the questions
about rationale?
Wits the student prepared and did they meet the
time requirement?
Total Points Earned:
Penalty Points Assessed: GRADE:
I tltltll.. p.ll I- Ilk nlc(.1I
n
'I'll 14emnl 1
I Am
Limned t
\dntune I
14"dic,ent ?
S„pMM
o
Not 14eanl I
I •dinK :
Limned l
Adequ•le ,
14nli.... I
0
Not Peeemt 1
FulmR r
Imuled 1
Adequae J
Peulielenl 3
Supenov
0
Not Pmmt 1
Fulinr 3
limned 1
Adequae J
Proficient
SupMm
0 I 3 1 J r
Not Ptmeot Fatima tanned Adequue 14otictmt Supena
Evaluator:
Date: ??
.GI-IJ"JC IIVIt 14.41 a JILIIIUJIII'JyIIJ'd'iIw iIL? InJ, I, ,?1•-,y
Graduation Projeci Oral Presentation I
t. canunt
. Using 3 main points, bow thoroughly did the
student present the information?
• How clearly did the student define terms which
are subject-specific for the audience?
How efBeiently did the studeot provide clear and
concise expianetlom?
Did the student demonstrate mastery of the
content?
I OCganl,rdlinn
• Introduction (capture, motivate, assert, preview)
• Body: polnt•support with sufficient detail
• Body: point-support with clear transitions
Conclusion: restates main points
• Conclusion: clincher
?. A„AiaNGu?tl Gcnnnrtino InfnentnNnn
war the preacatstltxi tuIDcieady supported with
statistics, quotations, testimonies, examples,
charts, exhrbifs and/ormodols?
Do theao matatf ale relate directly to the topic and
main points?
• Were audlotAisusl materials easily hetud/seen?
Were audio/vltmal materials preseoted at the
proper time?
4. Cnmmunlratlnn
How eorsBdently did the rtudent deUver their
presealwon in terms or
• voice projection
• utieuladoa & proauncistlon
• speaking Pat, smoothness, and pauses
• physical poise (posture, gestures, eye coated)
s. DrrPurim
How accurate were the student's answers to
W utitions ft as the assessment committee?
our did the student respond to the questions
it respond to the questions
• Was the student prepared and did they meet the
Total Points Corned: _
Penalty Points Asseattd: GRADti:
NAME: l??na(Sa? ?iAalthati, l{JI-C:O
SlKth,
0
Not Pment
Fd's
t'un'ny 3
Ad,liwees 4
Frofincat ,
supra
/
I 11
111
0
Na Fneeet !
Failing 2
tJ11tMd 3
Ade'guW ?
Proficient
111
!i
I 'I
d.7
3
j?
d-
3
d. 7
d
0
Not Mcew I
FWiag 7
LaTifted r
Adq-a 4
rtoficimt 7
9updor
1 rl
i !
rl
17
73
y
U
o
Not F=c a l
Feline r
L'®ied 3
AdpaYC 4
rrnedaet s
swonice
ll
11
1 i
3.7
3
a.7
0
Not b-M I
VU&I 1
UMkd )
Ad.gare e
haficieet s
]urwior
Of
ll/
ire
? !r
Swiss 9" Y /_ k7ea-usw,+ , W
Data: T
3
3
3
q3
/3 33
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT cM h ck
BOILING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
/ GRADUATION PROJECT EVALUATION SUMMARY
,i11C_ISA?/ &An-la
WRITTEN PAPER
An adequate performance level has been reached or exceeded
Date
Y
To achieve an adequate performance level, a part or parts of the written paper
must be improved
Date '} t
ORAL PRESENTATION
An adequate performance level has been reached or exceeded
Dale
To achieve an adequate performance level, a part or parts of the oral
presentatio must be improved
Date 1+ q,
The complete Graduation ProJect requirement
must be fulfilled
for a South Middleton School District diploma
3q
..._,..... .... r. a-.• i...?. ... ....
r
Graduation Project Orol Presentation NAAME. 'I
1. Cnnteut
Using 3 mein xm n;t.ar TWLI tan W Adt,um Rcniirot
'at'- how 6?y did the t uw,,,,
student present the information? s
How clearly did the student donne tonne which 3
are subject-specific for the audience?
How elBcientiy did the sntdcut provide clear and 3 33
Rdiha a fan demonstrate mastery of the
I
content? 3 ? I
2. ?ganizatipn MMF&'LbF s Gltroduetlnn (CaptUle, motivate, y .w„ q heriesn,
preview) • Body. PoWL•support with sufacient deud
• may:point-dupportwithcleartransitions Conclusion: rostata main points
Contusion: clincher 3. 0
x•67
i 3 ) d
• was tho presentation sulSelently, supported with No Pro"" p` t®v d M*Vab RonNeat supe,lar
Statistics,qquootations testimonies, atnmploa, ? 33 P I
chary, ta?Rig rmd/nr models?
. Do ma o tut? 14 rolato dirocdy to the mpio and
main poietm 3,G7 ?
• wen audiohdMW madatals easUy, haawsom? .? I t
• Were audlohis%W m&dds prosenteci a< the
proper time? q I -T
J
d, Comm=k&dW
How confidently did the student deliver their xd hum r t t 1 d s
prosaaution in WW of i°WS L ®e/a AaM+W. T*ona.r sw ma
voice projection 3
articulation tit prontmeiedon 0.61f spaaidus pace, mtoathtxa,, ad pactse, 00
Physical Poi" (postius, ieanues, eye contact) 2.67
S. tlefenra
How accurate were die iodic', mxwen to
?uestioaa nom the asse"Mcat commitmo?
ow did the stodmt n apnnd to the gaesdotm
&ban
How didtha aasdent?
shout rationale? mopow to the questions the tiwmsoo rtt nutrient ptspated and did they Meet the
S
Tots! Polam Eerno& G 3.B P ?3: 01
Penalty Pointe Assessed-?? G /
40
L<VQIQmr' ? ? ?. ? r
rNfir 'Nair
1V??.? o
,? junior College"
A»uv*zik1hrn1ernm.jn Gz#A(lkC7AW
??t?Ird, t c
s?r7?gl
March 24, 1999
Ms. Lindsay Boudman
399 Limestone Rd.
Carlisle, PA 17013
CONGRATULATIONS!
Dear Lindsay,
On behalf of Manor Junior College's Admissions Committee, I am pleased to inform you
that you have been accepted as a full-time student in the Dental Hygiene program for the
Fall 1999 term. Based on the strength of your academic and personal prof tie, we are confident
that you will be a valuable asset to Manor's freshmen class.
In order to provide you with registration and housing information, it is necessary that you
confirm your intention to attend Manor Junior College.-A one hundred dollar ($100) deposit or
a two hundred dollar ($200) deposit if you choose to reside ca campus, is due within two weeks.
This deposit is non-refundable alter May 1, 1999. This deposit is ntH an additional fee, rather will
be attributed toward tuition and/or dormitory fees. Please use the self-addressed, stamped
envelope for your deposit.
Please submit an original final transcript from your high school. Please have your
physician complete the enclosed medical form and return it to our office prior to Registration.
We look forward to having you with us at Manor Junior College, and we know that our
association will be mutually rewarding. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call
us at (215) 884-2216.
Sincerely-,
r 1. Jerry CZCnstUCh
Dean of Admissions
AlanorJunlor College
• 700 Fox Chase Road Jenkintown, PA 19046 (215) 885.2360 • Fax (215) 576.6564
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APPENDIX D
Petition for Reconsideration of
Student Complaint
Re: Lindsay M. Boudman
Student No. 990071
Senior
To the President and Honorable Members of the
South Middleton School District
School Board
By decision dated Friday, May 21, 1999, the
requested relief in the matter of Lindsay M.
Boudman's Student Complaint was rejected by this
Honorable Board. Lindsay by her attorney
respectfully requests that this Board reconsider
the information and argument contained in her
complaint along with the following additional
information:
1. Lindsay, Lindsay's parents and Lindsay's
counsel were not informed of the necessity of a
Student Complaint until they were called into
Executive session of the school board at
approximately 8:45 p.m. on Monday, May 17, 1999.
In all fairness, the Board's solicitor asked if the
parents and counsel wanted to postpone the hearing
until a formal complaint could be made. Because
Lindsay's parents and counsel wanted this matter to
proceed as expeditiously as possible, they decided
to proceed with the matter without the formal
complaint. However, Lindsay's counsel prepared a
formal student complaint and submitted it to the
Board members immediately prior to the vote that
was taken by the Board on Friday, May 21, 1999.
Since then, at least one of the Board members has
admitted to Lindsay's parents that he had not read
Lindsay's complaint prior to the vote in Lindsay's
case. This justifies the Board's reconsideration
of this matter.
2. Prior to the vote of the Board in Lindsay's
case, an Executive Session of the Board was held
behind closed doors to discuss other matters. Dr.
Patricia Sanker and Mr. Fred Withum, however, were
in attendance at this Executive Session. Counsel
for Lindsay nor Lindsay's parents were not admitted
to this Executive Session. If Lindsay's case was
discussed by the Board members during this
Executive Session while these two members of the
Administration were present, Lindsay's right to due
process was violated and justifies the Board
reconsideration of this matter.
3. Lindsay's counsel was not informed until
immediately prior to the time when she was to
present her case to the Board that formal
procedures under Local Agency Law would be used to
hear Lindsay's request concerning the graduate
project. The Board's solicitor felt this was
proper since he likened Lindsay's complaint to a
hearing on a student disciplinary matter.
Furthermore, he stated that a request such as
Lindsay's had not been heard before by the Board
and he was the one who felt it appropriate to
handle it in this way. All along, Lindsay's
counsel was under the impression that the hearing
would be informal. Rather, Lindsay's counsel was
required to call witnesses to substantiate
documents that were given to her earlier that
afternoon by Dr. Sanker and to formally present
them as "exhibits" before the Board. This lack of
notice of the form that the hearing was to take
justifies the Board reconsidering this matter.
Furthermore, because the Board's solicitor acted as
a hearing officer, there may have been an
impermissible co-mingling of the prosecutorial and
adjudicative functions of the proceeding and of the
Board's action on this matter. Again, this would
deprive Lindsay of her constitutional rights to a
fair hearing on her complaint.
4. With a little over one week until graduation, an
exact number of seniors who may not graduate
because of this graduation project still has not
been established by the Administration.
Furthermore, the Administration has not produced
any evidence other than the September 24, 1997
memorandum with the typographical error as to the
project's due date to show that students
specifically were told when the graduate project
was due, or when it would be considered "late" or
any information as to how the student would be
notified that ten points were to be deducted from
the student's score for lateness. In Lindsay's
case, she did not find out until May 17, 1999, the
day of the hearing when her counsel received the
tally sheets from Dr. Sanker, that she failed her
first oral presentation in April of 1998 only
because she lost the ten points for lateness.
Again, because the Board did not have sufficient
information to make its decision, the Board is
justified in reconsidering this matter at this
time.
5. On Tuesday, June 1, 1999, some of Lindsay's
fellow students plan to show support for all those
individuals who will be denied participation in
graduation exercises because of failing the
graduation project. [It is noted that Lindsay,
Lindsay's parents and Lindsay's counsel have
advised some of the students against such course of
action.] Instead of showing a willingness to
compromise and work with these students to allow
them to exercise their right of free speech in a
reasonable organized matter, say, a pre-approved
ten minute walk-out, the Administration has stated
that they themselves may miss some of the
activities in Senior Week if they stage this
protest. This "exclusion" from Senior Week
activities, though innocuous on its face, could
mean that protesting students would not be allowed
to take finals, thereby, jeopardizing their own
diplomas and frustrating their own immediate
college plans. This course of action would not be
responsive to students, will make them feel even
more "powerless" and may escalate the controversy.
[It should be remembered that the voting age in
Pennsylvania is 18 years old and this is the age
when the majority of students receive their high
school diplomas. What type of message is an
autocratic response going to send to these new
"voters?" Furthermore, does the Administration
really stand in loco parenti with respect to 18
year old students?] Moreover, should the
Administration attempt to suspend or expel any
student for the simple reason that he or she
chooses to exercise his or her constitutional right
to free speech, the student would be entitled to an
immediate hearing and this could mean further
inappropriate publicity for this school district
and its graduation project. Because this issue has
become a matter of public concern, the Board should
reconsider its position.
6. In its Editorial section of its Sunday, May 30,
1999 edition, page B-4, the Sentinel carried a
letter to the editor written by Tina Shaeffer, a
South Middleton Township parent who took it upon
herself to contact the State Department of
Education concerning this graduation project as a
requirement to receive a diploma. She was told
that there is no such requirement for graduation at
this time. Lindsay, in paragraph 4 of her Student
Complaint, advises the Board that the requirement
upon which this graduation project was based, has
since been repealed by the Department of Education.
Again, this fact about state graduation
requirements and again the growing public concern
about this issue for this year and future students
justifies the Board taking another look at its
decision in this matter.
Based on the foregoing and in addition to the
relief previously requested in her Student
Complaint, Lindsay asks that either the Board waive
the graduation project as a requirement to receive
a diploma for this year or the Board amend the
4
graduation project
making a meaningful
participate in the
project.
requirement so that any student
and sincere effort to
project passes the graduation
Sincerely,
Lindsey Boudman
By her attorney
Ka Teen K. Shaulis, Esq.
Attorney I.D. No. 37445
44 S. Hanover street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-6655
Fax (717) 243-6618
June 1, 1999
I verify that the statements made in the within this Application
for Special Relief P>nding Action on Appeal from a Decision of the School Board
are true and correct. I understand that false
statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18
Pa. C.S. Sec. 9904 relating to unsworn falsification to
authorities.
Dated: June 8, 1999
Cynt ia^L. Stap
IN THE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the Appellant's
Application for Special Relief Pending Action on Appeal
From Decision of School Board for Civil Action No.
was served on the parties listed below in accordance
with Pa. R.A.P. 1514 and Pa. R.A.P. 121.
Service by Personal Service
Board Members
South Middleton School District
4 Forge Road
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
Philip H. Spare, Esq.
44 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Q?tIC6?(.•-?s?
Ka,thleen K. Shaulis, Esq.
Pa. Bar ID. No. 37445
44 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA. 17013
(717)-243-6655
Dated: June 9, 1999
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Lindsay Boudman, a minor
by her Parent and Natural
Guardian, Cynthia Stape,
Appellant
V.
South Middleton School
District, Board of
Education,
Appellee
IN THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT
99-3476 CIVIL TERM
PRAECIPE TO WITHDRAW AND DISCONTINUE
M DECISION OF SCHOOL BOARD AND APPLI,
SPECIAL RELIEF
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Please enter this praecipe to discontinue the above-
captioned matter.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen K. Shaulis, Esquire
Supreme Court 37445
Counsel for the Appellant
44 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-6655
IN THE
IN THE COURT OF COMMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Lindsay Boudman, a minor
by her parent and natural
guardian, Cynthia L. Stape
Appellant
V.
South Middleton School District
Board of Education
Appellee
No. (79-J//71" elU(( !?"--h7
Civil Action c- , n
APPEAL FROM DECISION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD rC' G?
TO THE HONORABLE, THE PRESIDENT JUDGE AND THE JUDGES K
THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
1. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter by
reason of the Local Agency Law, 2 Pa. C.S. § 752.
2. The name and address of the parties seeking
review are:
Miss Lindsay M. Boudman
and
Mrs. Cynthia L. Stape
339 Limestone Road
Carlisle, Pa. 1701.3
3. The name and address of the government unit
which entered the order that is the subject of this
Appeal is:
Board of Education
South Middleton School District
44 Forge Road
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
4. Lindsay M. Boudman is a senior at Boiling
Springs High School, South Middleton School District.
She has been accepted into Manor College and Penn
College, both junior colleges, for each college's
respective dental hygiene program beginning this fall.
5. The Administration of South Middleton School
District informed Lindsay on or about May 5, 1999 that
because she did not pass the oral part of District's
new graduation project requirement, she could not
graduate with her class on Thursday, June 10, 1999.
6. In order to pass this project, students are
required to score 80% on both the written and oral
portions.
7. For all other courses, 70% is the passing
score.
8. This is the first time that the graduation
project requirement has been imposed in South Middleton
School District in order to receive a diploma.
9. Lindsay first presented her project in April
of 1998, received a score of 63.01 on the tally sheet
but, because ten (10) points were deducted for
"lateness," Lindsay failed the oral presentation.
Neither Lindsay nor her parents were told that the
penalty was the only reason that she failed the project
on that attempt until that information was given to
Appellant's counsel immediately prior to the May 21,
1999 Board meeting. For both the oral and written
presentations, all that Lindsay received in the mail
was a copy of the scoring grid with two areas which the
team felt that she needed to improve highlighted.
10. Lindsay then re-presented her oral
presentation in front of the same evaluation team on
May 5, 1999 and scored only 57.1. As explained by Dr.
Patricia Sanker, acting Superintendent., at Lindsay's
May 17, 1999 hearing, the passing score for the oral
portion of the senior project is 63 (21 categories
multiplied by 3).
11. Since May 5, 1999 when Lindsay failed the
oral portion of the graduation project, the
Administration contended that it was impossible to give
Lindsay another chance before graduation to present her
project orally because the Administration was not
willing to call her evaluation team together for one
more chance.
12. However, the Administration did give students
who did not complete the written portion of their
graduation project an extension to May 24, 1999 to
complete their projects.
13. The Administration's position is that Lindsay
cannot graduate with her class on June 10, 1999. The
Administration suggested that Lindsay pass the oral
presentation during summer school -- only two weeks
after her scheduled graduation -- and participate in
next year's graduation ceremony. This position is
unfair, given the extension for the written project.
14. On May 17, 1999 the Board heard Lindsay's
complaint at a closed hearing using the format
proscribed under the Local Agency Law. Testimony was
taken and exhibits submitted on behalf of Lindsay. Dr.
Sanker and Principal Fred Withum also were in
attendance to present the Administration's case.
15. At a special meeting of the Board on Friday,
May 21, 1999, the Board voted to affirm the decision of
the Administration not to allow Lindsay to graduate
since she had not completed the oral part of the
graduation project. A copy of the Board's decision is
attached hereto and incorporated herein. At this
meeting the Board also voted on a motion to allow all
students who did not complete the oral part graduation
project a chance to present the project on or before
May 24, 1999. This motion was defeated 4-3.
16. After a threat of a Tuesday, June 1, 1999
walkout by students in support of classmates who failed
the project, the Board scheduled another meeting to
reconsider Lindsay's student complaint on Friday, June
4, 1999. Lindsay immediately filed a Petition for
Reconsideration of the Board's May 21, 1999 decision.
After the floor was opened up to public comment
concerning the graduation project and its problems by a
vote of 8-1, the Board voted 5-4 against rescinding its
previous order and giving Lindsay and similarly
situated students another chance to orally present
their projects before graduation.
17. To date, the Board has not given Lindsay a
written decision on the Petition for Reconsideration or
the Decision reached by the Board at the June 4, 1999
meeting.
18. Lindsay's future college attendance is in
jeopardy because she will not graduate with her class
on June 10, 1999. This is solely because of the School
District's and later the Board's arbitrary refusal to
grant her simple request to have a ten to twelve minute
speech reevaluated.
19. Generally, a school board has the sole power
to determine school policy and administration so long
as it does not act arbitrarily or capriciously.
KKem r v Wi 1 kps-Rarre City School Di i .t, 49
Luz.L.Reg. 243 (1959).
20. In failing to grant an extension of time to
Lindsay, the Board acted arbitrarily and capriciously
to deny a chance to graduate with her class.
21. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
by failing to consider the fact that the written
portion of the project had been extended to May 24,
1999 and granting a similar extension for completion of
the oral part of the project when Lindsay requested an
extension on the oral part of the project.
22. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
FN
by failing to consider that for both parts of the
graduation project a passing grade of 800 was
established while the passing grade for all other
courses is 700, making it technically impossible for
some students to pass the graduate project and obtain a
high school diploma.
23. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its
discretion by failing to consider that clear and
correct information was not provided to students and
their parents as to when the ten (10) point penalty for
lateness would be imposed. Moreover, the Board and
the Administration failed to clearly define when the
project would be considered "late." Finally, the Board
failed to consider that by deducting ten points from
the student's score for lateness, the passing grade
for the graduation project became 908 instead of. 800.
29. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
by failing to consider that neither Lindsay nor her
parents were given a meaningful explanation of why
Lindsay failed both of her oral presentations,
especially the fact that she failed her first
presentation because the ten points were deducted from
her score. Because of this lack of meaningful notice
of her April 1996 score, Lindsay could not properly
prepare for her May 1999 oral presentation and, thus,
was deprived the opportunity to succeed at her May 1999
oral presentation.
25. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
by failing to consider that this is the first
graduating class subject to this graduation requirement
and allow some flexibility in this program, not only in
the written portion but also in the oral portion.
26. The Board committed errors of law, acted
arbitrarily and capriciously, and abused its discretion
by issuing its May 21, 1999 decision without providing
Lindsay or her parents with findings or reasons for its
decision in conformity with Local Agency Law.
WHEREFORE, Appellant prays that this Honorable Court
review and reverse the order of the Board in this matter and
provide immediate relief by granting any one or combination
of the following:
1. Order the Board to give Lindsay another chance
before graduation on June 10, 1999, to present her
project orally.
2. Strike the ten (10) point "lateness" penalty from
Lindsay's score since no notice was given to Lindsay
that she would have passed the oral part of the
graduation project the first time she took it but for
the ten point penalty and because the materials given
to the students and parents do not clearly say when the
project is late.
3. Change the passing grade for the oral
presentation from 80% to 70% so that the
"pass-fail" nature of this senior project will be in
line with the score that is necessary to pass a course
and obtain credits for it; or
4. Order the Board to waive the graduation project as a
requirement to receive a diploma for only this year; or
5. Order the Board to pass every student that made a
good faith effort to comply with the requirements of
the graduation project for this year only because the
requirements of the project and the grading of the
project were unclear.
Further, if the Court chooses to grant such immediate
relief, Appellant prays that this Court also order that the
Board grant the same relief, if possible, to review the
graduation project as a whole and rule as to whether the
requirements of such are clear and reasonablefor the Court
to other similarly situated students so that they may
likewise graduate with their class this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen K. Shaulis, Esq.
Counsel for Appellant
Attorney I.A. No. 37445
44 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-6655
Dated: June 8, 1999
S O I 1 I I 1 All
l Forge (toad
Iblephone 717-258-6,18.1
May 21, 1999
Kathleen K. Shaulis, [sq.
,14 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Dear Ms. Shaulis:
Boiling Springs, l'A 1
Facsimile 717-258-121
This communication is to confirm the action taken by the South Middleton Board of
School Directors on Friday, May 21, 1999, to affirm the decision of the Boiling Springs High
School Administration regarding the Student Complaint No. 1 of 1998-1999 filed on behalf
of Lindsay Boudman.
The Board affirmed the decision of the Administration that Lindsay Boudman has
not successfully completed the Graduation Project and that no relief would be granted. A
copy of the Decision of Board of School Directors is enclosed.
Sincerely yours,
Patricia B. Sanker, Ed.D.
Acting Assistant Superintendent
cc: Philip 1-1. Spare, Esq.
Fled S. Wilhum III, Principal
,lusel)li W. Mancuso 111, Assistant Principal
IN RE:
LINDSAY BOUDMAN,
A Student
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BEFORE THE 130AIZD OF SCHOOL
DIRECTORS
STUDENT COMPLAINT HEARIIIG
110. 2. of 1990. - 1999
DECISION OF BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
AND NOW, this 21st day of May, 1999, the Board of School
Directors of the South Middleton School District, after a
hearing held the 17th day of May, 1999 pursuant to District
Policy No. 219 regarding Student Nearing Process, on motion by
Mrs. Kennon , recorded by Mr=•.S1 kr;;Pa`crr and upon
the affirmative vote of 7 directors, with 0
negative votes and 0 directors abstaining (said votes
being recorded upon roll-call), it is the decision of this Board
to affirm the decision of the Administration in the above-
captioned Student complaint.
ATTEST:
Secretary
130ARD OF SCHOOL D1RECTORS OF
SOUTH MIDDLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BY:
(SEAL)
VERIFICATION
I veri Iy Lhal. el,e I;taI.ements made in the within. Appeal truln Decisi
Itnnr,l ere true and correct. I understand
(lull. Ca L::y sLal.emenl. , her:ei.n are made subject to the
f+„l allies,, of lu ha. C.3. ;;ec. 4904 relating to un43worn
falr.ificatioll to autllol:it.i.es.
I al eci: :Inll, tt, 1909
QC- N,
cyut ila L. Stape
IN THE
COMT OF CGNWN PLZU OF CMERUM c0t7Nry,
PEl1NgYLVA,q,A
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the Appeal From
Decision of School Board for Civil Action No.
served on the parties listed below in accordance withal
Pa. R.A.P. 1514 and Pa. R.A.P. 121.
Sorvioe by Personal Service
Board Members
South Middleton School District
4 Forge Road
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
Philip H. Spare, Esq.
44 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 V Of
T e Sh'?,: Es-I!'vi?-i
Pa. Bar ID. No. 37445 q
44 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA. 17013
(717) 243-6655
Dated: June 9, 1999