OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Minutes of Board Meeting Held on January 21, 2013

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1 OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Minutes of Board Meeting Held on January 21, 2013 The regular meeting of the Octorara Area School Board was held in the Octorara Area Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room on January 21, A moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance preceded the meeting. The President, Ms. Bowman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Other members present were: Mr. Ganow, Mr. Hume, Ms. Johnson, Dr. Melton, Mr. Norris, Mr. Oleyniczak, and Mr. Stoltzfus. Mr. Lapp was absent. Also present were; Mrs. Hardy, Secretary; Dr. Newcome, Superintendent; Mr. Carsley, Business Manager; members of the administrative team; one reporter, and five citizens. The minutes of the Reorganizational Meeting of December 3, 2102, the Work Session of December 3, 2012, the Regular Meeting of December 10, 2012, and the Special Meeting of December 17, 2012 were approved on motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Ganow and approval of all members present. Under presentations, Mr. Carsley said tonight the Board will be approving the display and advertising of the Proposed Preliminary Budget as well as authorizing the application of Referendum Exception. The Proposed Preliminary Budget expenditures are currently $1,200,000 over last year s budget. The Preliminary Budget shows Chester County at mills, an increase of 3.2% over last year. The millage rate for Lancaster County is mills, an increase of 4.0% over last year. Mr. Carsley said we may have state numbers in February. The budget we are authorizing for display tonight may look different in February. Ms. Bowman reminded Board Members that by law they have to approve a balanced Preliminary Budget even if numbers are not received from the state. The Board will take the next few months to work on the budget. There were no information items. The Treasurer s Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes as Appendix A-1/21/13 was presented by Ms. Johnson and approved on motion of Mr. Norris, second by Mr. Ganow and approval of all members present. A list of bills for the General Fund totaling $3,329,609.11; Athletic Fund totaling $17,686.06; Cafeteria Fund totaling $48,481.49, and Capital Projects totaling $395.00, of which are attached to these minutes as Appendix B-1/21/13, were approved and ordered paid on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Stoltzfus and approval of all members present. Dr. Melton questioned check number written to the Octorara Football Club for $1,000. Mr. Carsley said it was a donation written to the District instead of the club. This check is to get it into the appropriate account. There were no visitors comments for agenda items only. The following items were approved on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Hume and approval of all members present: The Octorara Board of School Directors approved the Resolution Authorizing the Proposed Preliminary Budget Display and Advertising and Authorizing Referendum Exception. (Appendix C-1/21/13)

2 The Octorara Board of School Directors approved the school calendar. (Appendix D-1/21/13) The Octorara Board of School Directors accepted Ms. Crystal Leonard s resignation as an Instructional Assistant at the Octorara Area Jr. High School effective January 7, (Hired April 20, 2010) The Octorara Board of School Directors accepted, with regret, Mr. Phil Rudisill s resignation as a baseball coach at the Octorara Area Jr. High School effective January 1, (Hired school year) The Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Michelle Gemma as an ESL Title III Instructional Assistant at the Octorara Intermediate, Jr. High, and Sr. High schools effective December 10, Ms. Gemma s rate will be $11.65 per hour for 5.75 hours per day. (Replacing Chris Henley who resigned.) The Octorara Board of School Directors approved the following supplemental contracts for the school year: Christian Taylor Mentor Jan D Angelo 1 $585 $585 The Octorara Board of School Directors approved the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned: Joshua Irons From B+15 ($52,066) to M ($53,941) Step 16 to MAX Timothy Ergler From M+30 ($60,274) to M+45 ($62,946) Step 17 to MAX Alison Mannetta From M+15 ($58,086) to M+30 ($60,274) Step 17 to MAX Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Linda Haslett as a long term substitute first grade teacher at the Primary Learning Center effective December 19, 2012 through approximately February 15, Ms. Haslett s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing a medical leave.) On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Norris and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Christine Kuderka as secretary to the business manager effective January 16, Ms. Kuderka s salary will be $31,500. (Replacing Tracy Villa who resigned.) Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Amy Ellsworth as a Title I Math instructional assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective January 22, Ms. Ellsworth s rate will be $11.65 per hour for 5.75 hours per day. On motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Hume and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved the following substitute cafeteria employees as permanent cafeteria employees at the rate of $8.50 per hour: Cindy Brownback April Pidgeon Kathryn Zimath On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Dr. Melton and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Jennifer Mitchell as a substitute cafeteria employee at the rate of $8.25 per hour. Mr. Ganow asked why there is a difference in pay in the permanent and substitute cafeteria staff. Mr. Carsley will look into it. 2

3 On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Ganow and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved an unpaid leave of absence for Ms. Gwendolen Klotz from January 2, 2013 through approximately February 15, Ms. Klotz is a first grade teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center. The following items were approved on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Stoltzfus and approval of all members present: The Octorara Board of School Directors accepted, with regret, Ms. Robin Peace s resignation as food service secretary effective January 14, (Hired March 1, 2001.) The Octorara Board of School Directors accepted Mr. Mark Prokay s resignation as assistant varsity football coach effective January 15, (Hired school year.) The Octorara Board of School Directors accepted, with regret, Mr. Benjamin Douts resignation as assistant varsity football coach effective January 17, (Hired school year.) Ms. Bowman said the resignations with regret are due to time served in that position. On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Norris and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved the changes in the Octorara Area Sr. High School Program of Studies for the school year. (Appendix E-1/21/13) Dr. Rohrer noted the addition of the new CTP course Homeland Security and Protective Services which will be taught by Mr. Barto. Other new courses are Guitar II, Piano, and Senior Accounting Seminar. There are apps in the back of the Program of Studies to help students find the information they need. The Counseling Department has created a Twitter account to help remind students of the various programs and deadlines they will need during their four years at the Sr. High School. Dr. Rohrer thanked Dr. Rutledge, Ms. German, and Mr. Lauletta for their help in producing and printing The Program of Studies. The Program of Studies also lists the graduation requirements. Beginning with the class of 2017, students must pass the Keystone Exams in order to graduate. If a student fails a Keystone Exam, they will have to take a remediation course before they can take the test again. All other grades need to take the Keystone Exams, but it will not be a graduation requirement until the Class of Ms. Bowman asked if the Class of 2017 will have to take the PSSA tests. Dr. Rohrer said those students will take the PSSA. He said some students who are taking the Keystone Exams may be taking the test on a course they took two years ago as well as taking the PSSA. Ms. Bowman asked how the state will reconcile those scores with AYP (Average Yearly Progress). Dr. Rohrer said students scores will be banked until their junior year. The state will come up with a formula to average the scores for AYP. Octorara Board of School Directors approved Plan Con Part K for refinancing of the 2008 bond issue. (Appendix F-1/21/13) Under the Finance Committee Report, Ms. Johnson said the Committee reviewed the Plan Con document for the reissue of the 2008 bond. They also reviewed the Proposed Preliminary Budget and the budget timeline. Under the Policy Committee Report, Mr. Ganow said the Committee reviewed policies 105 Curriculum Development, Curriculum Review By Parents and Students, 109 Resource Materials, 709 Building Security, and 907 School Visitors. There will be first readings of these policies in February. 3

4 Under the I.U./C.A.T. Board Representative s report, Mr. Stoltzfus said both the Authority and the I.U./C.A.T. Boards met. He reported the renovation at CAT-B campus is going well. Breslin is doing the work and it is going smoothly. They may be finished ahead of schedule. They are looking at possibly doing renovation work at CAT-Pickering. There is a possibility of selling some ground to help fund the potential renovations. More information will follow. The I.U. Board shared their audit report. Mr. Stoltzfus reported the I.U. is hoping to have no increase in their Core or Regular Budgets for next year. There were no items of old business or new business. Under other items and announcements, Dr. Newcome said January is Board Director Recognition Month. He recognized the District Directors for their time and talents in bettering the education for our students. Dr. Newcome said Board Directors are public servants and encouraged the community to thank Board Directors for their service. On behalf of administration, he thanked the Directors for the time and seriousness they put in to the work they do for the District. Under visitors comments for items in general, Ms. Cheryl Cantrell, London Grove Township, thanked the Board Members for their service. She said she saw a posting on the District website asking for substitutes. She said she had been subbing here since Ms. Cantrell said she hasn t been called since January 2012 when she approached Mr. Haller and inquired about a gun incident involving a student the week before. She said Mr. Haller made it clear this was not her concern and said she could leave immediately. Ms. Cantrell said she understands no longer subbing in the Intermediate School but what about the rest of the buildings? If you need subs, why aren t you using them? She said she understands Pennsylvania has employment at will. Under administrator comments and announcements, Dr. Newcome said there is a Safe Schools Summit that is being held at the Owen J. Roberts High School on Thursday, January 31, 2013 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The target audience is Chester County Board Directors, school administrators, and law enforcement partners. The CCIU is sponsoring this event at no charge to the participants. Dr. Newcome invited both Chief Sheller and Chief Wilmont to attend. Chief Sheller will be a speaker at the event. Under Board comments, Mr. Norris asked for an explanation for the necessity of the half day early dismissal before the Christmas break on the school calendar. Dr. Newcome said by contract there are three half days per year to compensate for evening conferences. They are the day before the Thanksgiving break, the day before the Christmas break, and a day close to the Spring break. Mr. Norris said Board Members are invited to the Open House for the Parkesburg Food Cupboard. Please RSVP as soon as possible. Ms. Bowman announced the following meetings to be held: Education Committee Meeting Monday, January 28, :00 p.m. in the District Facility Committee Meeting Monday, February 11, :00 p.m. in the District Next regularly scheduled Work Session Monday, February 11, :30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room Finance Committee Meeting Monday, February 18, :00 p.m. in the District 4

5 Policy Committee Meeting Monday, February 18, :30 p.m. in the District Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting Monday, February 18, :30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room There being no further items of business the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Stoltzfus and approval of all members present. Respectfully submitted, Jill L. Hardy, Secretary Octorara Board of School Directors 5