OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Minutes of Board Meeting Held on March 19, 2018 The regular meeting of the Octorara Area School Board was held in the Octorara Area Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room on March 19, 2018. A moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance preceded the meeting. The President, Ms. Bowman, called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Other members present were: Mr. Falgiatore, Mr. Fox, Mr. Ganow, Mr. Hurley, Mr. Koennecker, Mr. Kloss, Mr. Norris, and Mr. Zimmerman. Also present were; Mrs. Hardy, Secretary; Dr. Newcome, Superintendent; Mr. Curtis, Business Manager; members of the administrative team; one reporter; and 13 citizens. The minutes of the Work Session of February 12, 2018 and the Regular Meeting of February 19, 2018 were approved on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Norris and approval of all members present. Mr. Curtis gave a 2018-2019 budget update. There were no information items. The Treasurer s Report, which can be found at the end of these minutes, was approved on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Falgiatore and approval of all members present. (Appendix A-3/19/18) A list of bills for the General Fund totaling $1,395,660.08; Cafeteria Fund totaling $22,304.52, Capital Projects totaling $0.00, and Capital Reserve totaling $0.00 of which are attached to these minutes as Appendix B-3/19/18, were approved and ordered paid on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Zimmerman and approval of all members present. Mr. Kloss questioned the Fitbit expenditure. Mr. Curtis said they were purchased with a grant received from CCRES which covered the cost of the Fitbits. There were no visitors comments for agenda items only. The following items were approved on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Kloss and approval of all members present: The Octorara Board of School Directors approved the following policies, second reading: 246 Student Wellness 719 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles Drones (Appendix C/3/19/18) The Octorara Board of School Directors approved the Services Agreement with ATI Holdings, LLC to provide athletic training services effective August 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020. (Appendix D- 3/19/18) The Octorara Board of School Directors accepted, with regret, the resignation for purpose of retirement of Ms. Donna Edwards as Intervention Specialist at the Octorara Elementary School effective the end of the 2017-2018 school year. (Hired September 1, 1988) The Octorara Board of School Directors accepted the resignation of Ms. Ashley Stern as JV volleyball coach at the Octorara Area Jr/Sr High School effective February 15, 2018. (Hired February 22, 2016.)
The Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Kelly Holub as a long term substitute third grade teacher at the Octorara Elementary School effective February 28, 2018 through the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Ms. Holub s rate will be $140 per day. (Ms. Holub is an approved substitute and is replacing Fallon Manchin who is on child rearing leave.) The Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Lisa Foster as a cafeteria employee effective March 2, 2018. Ms. Foster s rate will be $9.50 per hour for 5.75 hours per day. (Ms. Foster was a previous cafeteria employee who resigned on December 21, 2017 and is replacing that position which was not filled.) The Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Rachel Maddox as payroll/accounts payable personnel effective April 2, 2018 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Maddox s salary will be $36,700 pro-rated. (Replacing David Villa who resigned.) The Octorara Board of School Directors approved the following teachers and support staff for the Extended School Year Program: Melanie Johnson, Lead Teacher - $35 per hour Jane Delaney, Teacher - $30 per hour Tabitha Wallace, Teacher - $30 per hour Fran Propper, Teacher - $30 per hour Pat Ford, Aide - $15 per hour The Octorara Board of School Directors approved the following substitute teachers for the 2017-2018 school year: Joseph Teklits, Social Studies Amy Hollingsworth, Elementary The Octorara Board of School Directors approved the following supplemental contracts for the 2017-2018 school year: Dena Schott Mentor Kelly Holub.68 pts @ $620 $422.13 Alysyn Hoffman JV Softball Coach 6 pts @ $620 $3,720 Kim Stoudt Sr High Track Coach 6 pts @ $620 $3,720 Buffie Vaught 8 th Grade Softball Coach 4 pts @ $620 $2,480 Stephen Roberts 7 th Grade Baseball Coach 4 pts @ $620 $2,480 On motion of Mr. Norris, second by Mr. Koennecker and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved the contract for Orner s Landscapes & Tree Service for grass cutting and related service for Spring 2018 through Fall 2018. (Appendix E-3/19/18) On motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Zimmerman and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Giselle Pagan as a District interpreter effective March 15, 2018 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Pagan s rate will be $30 per hour. On motion of Mr. Kloss, second by Mr. Fox and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Kathleen Reger as a long term substitute school counselor at the Octorara Area Jr/Sr High School effective March 12, 2018 through April 20, 2018. Ms. Reger s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing a medical leave.) On motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Norris and approval of all members present by a roll call vote the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Dr. Michele Orner as District Superintendent 2
effective July 1, 2018 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Dr. Orner s salary will be $155,000. (Replacing Dr. Newcome who will be retiring.) Ms. Bowman read the following statement: We are excited to appoint Dr. Michele Orner as the next superintendent of the Octorara Area School District. After an extensive 6 month search in which we contracted with the Chester County IU, advertised throughout the commonwealth, consulted with stakeholders throughout the district through 9 focus groups, reviewed over 20 applications and interviewed those candidates who most closely met the needs of the district, we are confident that Dr. Orner is the best candidate for this position. Dr. Orner s excellent communication skills, her extensive background as an educational leader and her student centered approach to education are just some of the qualities which made her the top candidate. Her experience with budgeting, her strong career and technical education background, her leadership skills and outstanding character are all things which both our stakeholders and the School Board felt were essential for our next superintendent. We fully expect Dr. Orner to lead our district in driving forward our Comprehensive Plan and also continuing the visibility, community collaboration, and open communication of our retiring superintendent. Dr. Orner is currently the superintendent of schools in the Halifax Area School District in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. She has served as superintendent at Halifax since 2014. Prior to Halifax, Dr. Orner served as the director of career and technical education and staff development coordinator at the Center for Careers and Technology in the Carlisle Area School District in Carlisle, PA. Dr. Orner holds a bachelor s degree in Theatre Arts from California University of Pennsylvania, a masters in English Education from Shippensburg University and a doctorate in Education Leadership from Duquesne University. She is certified as an English teacher, K-12 principal, supervisor of language arts, vocational administrative director and superintendent of schools. We look forward to introducing Dr. Orner to the entire Octorara Community. Plans are being made for Dr. Orner to meet with staff, students, parents and the community in the near future. Dr. Orner thanked the Board for the search process and the opportunity to serve the students and community of the Octorara Area School District. Under the Finance Committee Report, Mr. Ganow noted that Orner s Landscape and Tree Service is not related to Dr. Orner, the newly appointed superintendent. He said the Committee discussed the ATI Agreement that was approved, the CCIU Maintenance Agreement, and the 2018-2019 budget. There was also a concern brought to the Committee by a parent about the band students not paying a co-curricular fee. Under the I.U./C.A.T. Board Representative s report, Mr. Norris reported on the meeting held on February 21, 2018. He sent a copy of the minutes to Ms. Bowman and Mrs. Hardy. There were no items of old business, new business, or other items and announcements. 3
Under visitors comments for items in general, Ms. Kelly O Donnell, West Fallowfield Township, thanked Dr. Newcome for his years of service and thanked the Board for their support of the PTO. She said STEAM night was amazing. Under administrator comments and announcements, Ms. Lease announced the online kindergarten registration is up and running. She encouraged parents to register now. Dr. Tachau reminded the Board of the Education Committee Meeting to be held on Monday, March 26 at 6:00. Discussion will include trimester reporting and an update on Goal 3 of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Dikun said the third grade community service project, the Laundromat Library League, which provides book boxes filled with children s books to laundromats for kids collected 242 books. Dr. Rohrer thanked Fran Propper, Betsy Gillen, Tina O Conner, and the students that participated in the Positive Prom Fashion Show. He announced this Saturday, March 24 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. an Empty Bowls event will be held at The Chantry Place in Christiana. Students have created many of the bowls the event will support the Octorara Food Cupboard. Dr. Rohrer also announced the College and Career Planning Workshop will be held this Wednesday, March 21 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Dr. Newcome announced a memorial service for Mr. William Bittle, past Elementary School principal, will be held in the Octorara Area Sr. High auditorium this Saturday, March 24. A time of visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. with the service beginning at 3:00. Dr. Newcome thanked Ms. McNamara for making sure Octorara was well represented in the Western Chester County Life magazine that was given to Board Directors this evening. Under Board comments, Mr. Norris suggested purchasing your ticket ahead of time for the Empty Bowl event. He said he attended the Positive Prom Fashion Show and was impressed with the event. He said students who cannot afford a dress for the prom can purchase one of the dresses by donating a canned good to the Octorara Food Cupboard. Mr. Koennecker announced the next Educational Technology Committee meeting will be held on April 5 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. He commented on the great job at STEAM Night. Mr. Zimmerman thanked the students who helped with STEAM Night. He said it was very well attended and he believes it is important to show the younger students what is out there for their future. Ms. Bowman announced the School Director Legislator Breakfast meeting will be held on April 20 at the Chester County Intermediate Unit. She said last year s breakfast was well attended by the Legislators. Two topics of discussion will be Charter School funding and unfunded mandates. Ms. Bowman welcomed Dr. Orner to the Octorara Area School District. Ms. Bowman announced the following upcoming meetings: 4 Executive Session for legal purposes - Monday, March 19, 2018 - following the Regular Meeting the District Office Education Committee Meeting Monday, March 26, 2018 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Policy Committee Meeting Monday, April 9, 2018 6:00 p.m. in the District Office
Facility Committee Meeting Monday, April 9, 2018 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Next regularly scheduled Work Session Monday, April 9, 2018 7:00 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room Finance Committee Meeting Monday, April 16, 2018 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting Monday, April 16, 2018 7:00 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room Education Committee Meeting Monday, April 23, 2018 6:00 p.m. in the District Office There being no further items of business the meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Koennecker and approval of all members present. This Board meeting can be viewed in its entirety on The Cube.com or You Tube.com. Respectfully submitted, Jill L. Hardy, Secretary Octorara Board of School Directors 5