WATTSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION The Regular Board Meeting of the Wattsburg Area School District Board of Education was held on at the Wattsburg Area Elementary Center. President Nancy McNally called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. The following members were in attendance: Mr. Eric Duda, Mr. Josh Paris, Dr. Andy Pushchak, Mr. Marty Pushchak, Mrs. Brenda Sandberg, Mr. Aaron Snippert, Mr. Ed Snippert, Mr. Joseph Walko and Mrs. Nancy McNally. Also in attendance were Mr. Kenneth Berlin, Superintendent; Mr. Thomas Rinke, Assistant Superintendent; Ms. Michelle Knuth, Business Administrator and Attorney Christine McClure, Solicitor. Roll Call Mrs. McNally announced that the Board met in executive session prior to the regular board meeting this evening to discuss personnel matters. Mrs. McNally called for a recess to hold an executive session to discuss athletics/extracurricular items. The meeting reconvened at 7:14 PM. Motion by Mr. Paris, seconded by Mr. A. Snippert to approve the agenda and addendum as presented. In a voice vote all members voted to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Motion by Dr. Pushchak, seconded by Mr. Duda to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2014 Work Session, the February 10, 2014 Policy Committee Meeting, the February 10, 2014 Extra-Curricular Committee Meeting and the January 20, 2014 Regular Board Meeting. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the minutes. Motion carried. Mr. Richard Magee from Fairview addressed the Board regarding his dissatisfaction with the handling of a situation which took place during a Fairview vs. Seneca Girls Basketball game in January. A SHS student taunted and made crude gestures toward the Fairview player while the player was making free-throws. Mr. Magee requested a copy of a full report of the investigation and discipline action no later than March 3, 2014. Mr. Berlin gave the Superintendent s report highlighting that Seneca has 3 wrestlers and both the boys and girls basketball teams advancing to play-offs. Also the musical will be performed beginning February 28, 2014. Motion by Mr. Pushchak, seconded by Mr. A Snippert to approve the following reports, payments and invoices as presented: Revenue & Expenditure Reports for MONTH o General Fund: $6,543,549.02 o Cafeteria (-$10,123.15) Checks and Invoices o General Fund Bills (Exhibit A) to be $160,119.85 o General Fund Bills, Checks Already Written (Exhibit A1) to be Agenda Meeting Minutes Visitors Superintendent s Report Business Administrator s Report
Page 2 $39,403.56 o General Fund Bills, (Exhibit A2) to be $173,025.72 o Cafeteria Bills, (Exhibit B) to be $38,760.23 o SHS Activity Fund (Exhibit D) to be $55,592.82 o Special Revenue Report (Athletics) (Exhibit E) to be $4,564.11. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the Business Administrator s report, payments and invoices as presented. The motion carried. Motion by Mr. E. Snippert, seconded by Mr. Duda to approve the following resolution on Transfer of Entities: Resolved, that in accordance with Section 1113 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949, as amended, the Wattsburg Area School District initiate the Transfer of Entities process with the Northwest Tri- County Intermediate Unit #5 for the following programs or classes: the Autistic Support Classroom K-6 and that the Administration is authorized to notify the IU immediately of this resolution and the administration is authorized to take all steps necessary to complete the transfer of this position. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the resolution. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Pushchak, seconded by Dr. Pushchak to approve the 2014-2015 General Fund Operating Budget Preliminary General Fund Operating Budget WASD for the 2014-2015 school year in the amount of $24,025,033.00. Also, to direct the Business Administrator to submit the preliminary budget (PDE 2028) to PDE and provide notice that the district intends to seek approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for referendum exceptions allowed under the Act 1. Exhibit F. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the preliminary General Fund Budget for 2014-2015. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Pushchak, seconded by Mr. E. Snippert to approve the opening of a checking account at Northwest Savings Bank to administer the district s dental & vision programs through BAI. Also to approve Delores S. Myrick, BAI Treasurer as a signatory on the account along with a bonded signature. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the opening of a checking account. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. A. Snippert, seconded by Mr. Walko to approve the following facility requests: o Use of SHS Auditorium and classrooms (for costume change) on Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 12:00 9:00 PM and Friday, June 13, 2014 from 4:00 10:00 PM and Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 4:00 10:00 PM for a dance recital by Paula & Judy s Dance Connection. Cost $1,454.94. o Use of SHS Kitchen and Cafeteria Dining Room on Friday, October 3, 2014, 5:00 10:00 PM for a 35-Year Seneca High School Class Reunion/Dinner. Cost: $550.05. Transfer of Entity Preliminary Budget Opening of Checking Account for BAI Payment Facility Use
Page 3 o Use of SHS gymnasium, boys and girls locker room and concession stand on Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 8:30 AM 5:30 PM by Seneca Sports Boosters. o Use of SHS boys and girls locker rooms, football field, and cross country course on Saturday, May 31, 2 014 from 7:00 AM 12:30 PM by the WASD Foundation. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the facilities use. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. A. Snippert, seconded by Mr. E. Snippert to approve the agreement to allow Independent Energy Consultants to bid WASD utilities through auction. Exhibit G. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the agreement. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. A. Snippert, seconded by Dr. Pushchak to authorize the district to utilize state purchasing programs and suppliers (such as Costars and US Communities) for various products and supplies. In a voice vote, all members voted to authorize the district to utilize state purchasing programs and suppliers. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Duda, seconded by Mr. A. Snippert to approve the additions to the emergency substitute list for 2013-2014 as outlined in Exhibit H. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the additions. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Duda, seconded by Mr. A. Snippert to approve Major James Johnson as an addition to the 2014-2015 substitute list. In a voice vote, all members approve the addition. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Duda, seconded by Mr. A. Snippert to approve Carrie Burlingham and Susan McGill as additions to the Service Personnel Substitute List for the 2013-2014 school year. In a voice vote, all members voted the additions to the Service Personnel Substitute List. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Duda, seconded by Mr. E. Snippert to approve a physician requested sick leave for Rebecca Lazarz according to the WASD/WESPA Local 1 Collective Bargaining Unit Agreement, effective January 14, 2014. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the leave. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Duda, seconded by Mr. A. Snippert to accept the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Major James Johnson, Senior Aerospace Science Instructor of the AFJROTC at Seneca effective August 1, 2014. In a voice vote, all members voted to accept Major Johnson s resignation. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Duda, seconded by Dr. Pushchak to approve the following conference requests: o Jeff Gifford to attend the Turf & Ornamental Conference of Northwest PA in Meadville, PA on March 18, 2014. Cost $109.20. Funding: Energy Bidding State Programs & Vendor Authorization Emergency Substitute List Day to Day Substitute List Service Personnel Substitute List Leaves Retirement Conference Requests
Page 4 maintenance. o Audrey Coletta and Hillary Barboni to attend the Women in Leadership Development in Erie, PA on April 30, 2014. Cost: $180.00. Funding: Principal s Fund. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the conference requests. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. E. Snippert, seconded by Mr. A. Snippert to approve the first reading of policy 320.1 Social Media as outlined in Exhibit I. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the first reading of the policy. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. E. Snippert, seconded by Dr. Pushchak to approve the second reading of policy 333 Professional Development as outlined in Exhibit J. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the second reading of the policy. Motion carried. Motion by Dr. Pushchak, seconded by Mr. Walko to approve the curriculum review cycle as per Exhibit K. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the review cycle. Motion carried. During the Principal s Report, Mr. Podpora and Mr. Semrau shared the STEM initiatives that are done at the high school to engage students in education. Programs including the Science Olympiad, The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Trout In the Classroom, Creek Connections, and Seaperch are offered at SHS and inspire, encourage and involve our students in their education. First Reading Policy 320.1 Second Reading Policy 333 Curriculum Review Cycle Principal s Report Motion by Mr. Walko, seconded by Mr. A. Snippert to approve the following Transportation Requests: Transportation Requests Group Requesting: Date: Destination: Cost: Funds By: Advanced Chemistry Students Friday, April 11, 2014 Slippery Rock University $570.00 Student Activities/Sub WAMS Students/Teachers Thursday, May 01, 2014 Jerry Uht Park $3,150.00 Student/Student Activity Dramatics Friday, March 14, 2014 - Shakespeare Competition $1,180.00 Club Funded Saturday, March 15, 2014 DeSales University, Cntr Valley, PA No cost to district Environthon Students Thursday, May 01, 2014 Erie Co Conservation District $205.00 Student Activities/Sub Grade 4 Thursday, May 01, 2014 Jerry Uht Park $970.00 PTO Community Based Experiences Monday, March 03, 2014 Iroquois Swim/Arby's $120.00 IU5 Program (CBEP) Tuesday, March 04, 2014 Stan Cliff w/autistic Class $110.00 IU5 Monday, March 10, 2014 Barnabus Court/Wendy's $115.00 IU5 Thursday, March 13, 2014 Mercyhurst/DQ $110.00 IU5 Monday, March 17, 2014 Iroquois Swim/Barbatos $120.00 IU5
Page 5 Thursday, March 20, 2014 YMCA/Bob Evans $120.00 IU5 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Eastway/Iroquois $120.00 IU5 Thursday, March 27, 2014 Mercyhurst/DQ $110.00 IU5 Monday, March 31, 2014 Four Nine/Michaels (NE) $125.00 IU5 Thursday, April 03, 2014 Patrone s/wendy's $105.00 IU5 Monday, April 07, 2014 Iroquois Swim/Panera $120.00 IU5 Thursday, April 10, 2014 Mercyhurst/DQ $110.00 IU5 Monday, April 14, 2014 Blasco/Erie Museum McDonalds $130.00 IU5 Wednesday, April 16, 2014 Snow Make Up Day if needed for activity Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Eastway/Iroquois $110.00 IU5 Thursday, April 24, 2014 Mercyhurst/DQ $110.00 IU5 Monday, April 28, 2014 Iroquois Swim/Barbatos $120.00 IU5 IU5 In a voice vote, all members voted to approve the transportation requests. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Sandberg, seconded by Mr. A. Snippert to approve an activity account for the Winter Color Guard for the 2013-2014 school year. In a voice vote, all members approved the activity account. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Sandberg, seconded by Dr. Pushchak to approve Erika Pound, Desirae Toy, Amanda Cavarretta and Matt Calabrese as softball volunteer coaches for the 2013-2014 school year. In a voice vote, all members approved the volunteer coaches. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Sandberg, seconded by Mr. Walko to approve subsidizing the difference between the district-transportation quoted price and the actual cost of Winter Color Guard Club transportation for trips that occurred on 1/25/14 and 2/1/14. Cost not to exceed $375. Funds from district contingency. Future expenses are the club s responsibility. In a voice vote, all members voted to approve subsidizing the transportation difference. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Sandberg, seconded by Mr. A. Snippert to accept the resignation of Ben Stepnowski, SHS Stage Coordinator effective February 12, 2014. In a voice vote, all members voted to accept the resignation. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Sandberg, seconded by Mr. Walko to approve Steven O Donnell as SHS Stage Coordinator effective February 12, 2014. In a voice vote, 8 members voted to approve the appointment. 1 member voted against the appointment. Motion carried. During Board Correspondence and Dialogue, Dr. Pushchak shared that there are 160 students participating in the elementary soccer program. That is about 32% participation. Activity Account Volunteer Coaches Winter Guard Transportation Extra-Curricular Resignation Extra-Curricular Appointment Board Correspondence & Dialogue
Page 6 Mr. Duda shared that Erie County Technical School s Board is due to adopt their 2014-2015 budget at next week s meeting. Mr. Paris shared that the Northwest Tri-County Unit presented it s preliminary budget to the Superintendents and Business Administrators last week and are set to adopt their preliminary budget at their up-coming meeting. Mrs. McNally announced that an executive session for the purpose of legal items would follow this meeting. There being no further business before the Board, by acclamation, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Adjournment Signature on File Michelle Knuth School Board Secretary