MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 9, 2017 A Board Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Mars Area School District was held on Tuesday, in the board room of the Administration Office. Present for the meeting were board members Steve Boggs, Rebecca Brown, Rita Dorsch, Dayle Ferguson, Gordon Marburger, William Pettigrew, Christine Valenta, Bonnie Weaver (Ms. Weaver participated via a conference call), Board Secretary, Jill Swaney and Attorney Thomas W. King, III of Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham, L.L.P. Board member John Kennedy was absent. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley, Dr. Elizabeth McMahon, Kate Rich, Josh Schwoebel, members of the press and members of the public. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Roll call at 7:01 P.M. showed eight (8) board members present and one (1) board member absent. PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. Ferguson noted that tomorrow evening the Academic Banquet will be held. The Mars Planet Foundation funds this annual banquet. The district exercised an advance refunding of its bonds to reduce future debt service payments. Ms. Ferguson thanked Adams Township for the invitation to join in the grand opening of the new township fire station. It was noted that a closed executive session is required after this evening s meeting to discuss legal, personnel and real estate issues. Board member Gordon Marburger reported on the authority board meeting of the Butler County Area Vocational Technical School which was held last week. The audit was approved, the chairman was elected and Mr. Marburger was elected again as the vice chairman. The regular board meeting was also held and the student of the month, as well as state winners were introduced. Mr. Marburger was elected to another term as treasurer. The members of the board collected $1,000.00 amongst themselves, along with Attorney Thomas King for a cash reward, which will be presented to the student of the year on May 24 th. Student Council representative Claire Staresinic was introduced. The high school hosted a Red Cross blood drive today. The first annual Spike Volleyball tournament was a success. Council wants to continue the event and make it not only a fundraiser, but make it an event to motivate the students. Tonight is Claire s last evening as a school board student council representative. Ms. Ferguson thanked her for all of her efforts in attending the board meetings and wished her all the best in her endeavors at college. Claire introduced Anna Schauble. Anna is an upcoming sophomore and has been chosen to be the new school board student council representative.
Page 2 of 7 MINUTES A motion was made by Dr. Pettigrew and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to approve the Minutes of the Work Session Meeting of April 4, 2017 and the Minutes of the Board Meeting of April 11, 2017. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. PERSONNEL A motion was made by Dr. Pettigrew and seconded by Mr. Boggs to: Accept the Retirement of Janet Adams (Physics) effective at the end of the 2016 2017 school year. Approve the request of Nicole Carter (Mathematics) for Child Bearing/Rearing Leave tentatively scheduled to begin August 21, 2017 through September 27, 2017, as per the terms and conditions of the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association dated July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. Ms. Carter will utilize sick days and unpaid leave. Approve the request of Ashley Golias (Speech Language Pathologist) for Child Bearing/Rearing Leave tentatively scheduled to begin July 19, 2017 through October 1, 2017, as per the terms and conditions of the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association dated July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. Ms. Golias will utilize sick days and unpaid leave. Approve the request of Samantha Flanhofer (Life Skills) for Child Bearing/Rearing Leave tentatively scheduled to begin August 18, 2017 through October 1, 2017, as per the terms and conditions of the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association dated July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. Ms. Flanhofer will utilize sick days. Approve Matthew Piscitelli and Valerie Rebel as bus/van drivers for A. J. Myers & Sons, Inc. during the 2016 2017 school year. Pending the receipt of the necessary paperwork and the confirmation of meeting the minimum participation requirements, as established by the Athletic Director, per family ID Registrations, approve the following Supplemental Athletic Coaches for the Summer of 2017 and the 2017 2018 school year: Summer 2017 Activity Coach Stipend Co Weight Room Supervisor David Goodworth $ 720.50 Co Weight Room Supervisor Brian Hobaugh $ 720.50
Page 3 of 7 Fall 2017 2018 Activity Coach Stipend Head Varsity Football Scott D. Heinauer $8,174.00 Asst. 1 Varsity Football David Goodworth $5,725.00 Asst. 2 Varsity Football Scott Pfeiffer $5,391.00 Asst. 3 Varsity Football Brian Hobaugh $4,907.00 Asst. 4 Varsity Football Michael Hill $4,250.00 Asst. Varsity Football Terry Dillner Volunteer Asst. Varsity Football Kent Bloom Volunteer Asst. Varsity Football Christopher Protho Volunteer Head 9 th Grade Football Andy Bednar $4,285.00 Asst. 1 9 th Grade Football David Mayer $3,343.00 Asst. 2 9 th Grade Football Rob Case $2,685.00 Head 7 th /8 th Grade Football Dave Kuremsky $4,285.00 Asst. 1 7 th /8 th Grade Football Ted Gross $3,343.00 Asst. 2 7 th /8 th Grade Football Mark Murphy $2,685.00 Head Varsity Boys Soccer Chris Knauff $4,727.00 Asst. 1 Varsity Boys Soccer Cameron Frank $3,688.00 Asst. 2 Varsity Boys Soccer Nathan Lyons $2,969.00 Head Varsity Girls Soccer Blair Gerlach $4,727.00 Asst. 1 Varsity Girls Soccer Crysta Ganter $3,688.00 Asst. 2 Varsity Girls Soccer Jordyn White $2,969.00 Head 7 th /8 th Grade Boys Soccer Tim Tabisz $3,758.00 Asst. 7 th /8 th Grade Boys Soccer Jason Walter $2,936.00 Head 7 th /8 th Grade Girls Soccer Joe Haafner $3,758.00 Asst. 7 th /8 th Grade Girls Soccer Justin Karem $2,936.00 Head Varsity Boys Golf Tim Tyler $4,285.00 Asst. 1 Varsity Boys Golf Rich Schoeffel $3,343.00 Head Varsity Girls Golf Ralph Jockel $4,285.00 Asst. 1 Varsity Girls Golf Chris Jockel $3,343.00 Head Varsity Girls Tennis Mark Varlotta $4,285.00 Asst. 1 Varsity Girls Tennis Mike DelDuca $3,343.00
Page 4 of 7 Activity Coach Stipend Head Varsity Girls Volleyball Tami Caraway $4,285.00 Asst. 1 Varsity Girls Volleyball Alexandra Schmitt $3,343.00 Head Varsity Cross Country Joelle Patterson $4,285.00 Asst. 1 Varsity Cross Country Jason Thompson $3,343.00 Head 7 th /8 th Grade Cross Country Donna Dallatore $3,758.00 Asst. 1 7 th /8 th Grade Cross Country Joe Joswiak $2,936.00 Head 8 th Grade Girls Basketball LeighAnn Shankel $3,758.00 Head 7 th Grade Girls Basketball Ashley Bean $3,758.00 Co Athletic Ticket Manager Dana Petruska $3,149.00 Co Athletic Ticket Manager Ted Gross $3,149.00 Athletic Video Game Recorder Kent Bloom $2,893.00 Fall Weight Room Supervisor Michele Goodworth $1,484.00 Accept the Resignation of Cheri McGuire (Paraprofessional) effective June 3, 2017. Accept the Retirement of Margie Mueser (Secretary) effective July 1, 2017. Approve Thomas Crummie for the full time Head Custodian position at the Mars Area Middle School effective May 1, 2017. Approve the 2017 Summer Employees at the rate of $10.00 an hour, as earned, as presented. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. Ms. Ferguson thanked Ms. Adams and Ms. Mueser for all of their years of service to the students and the school district. FINANCE A motion was made by Mr. Boggs and seconded by Ms. Brown to: Approve the Payables List Bills to be paid in May 2017. Approve the Treasurer s Report for March 2017. Approve the Cash Receipts Report for March 2017. Approve the Payables List Bills paid in March 2017 (Check #43798 through Check #43944).
Page 5 of 7 Approve the Account Summary Report for the Revenue Account and the Expenditure Account for March 2017. Approve the Construction Fund Disbursements for March 2017. Approve the Student Activity Fund Reports for March 2017 for the Mars Area Middle School and the Mars Area High School. Approve the Mars Area High School Athletics Reports for January, February and March 2017. Approve the Mars Area School District s Health Care Rates for the 2017 2018 school year, as presented. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. A motion was made by Dr. Pettigrew and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to: Approve the Agreement with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 to provide K through 12 English as a Second Language Supervisory Services for the 2017 2018 school year, as presented. Approve the reappointment of Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham, L.L.P. as the Mars Area School District s solicitor for the 2017 2018 school year at a rate of $170.00 per hour for hourly work and a monthly retainer of $500.00 per month. A roll call vote was taken and with Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. A motion was made by Ms. Dorsch and seconded by Ms. Valenta to table the Athletic Training Services Agreement with UPMC Center for Sports Medicine of UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside for a term of three (3) years commencing July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020, as presented. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion was tabled. A motion was made by Dr. Pettigrew and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to tentatively adopt the Mars Area School District Budget in the amount of $47,769,675.00 for the 2017 2018 school year with no real estate tax increase. A roll call vote was taken and with Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. Dr. Shipley noted that the budget contains expenses of $47.7 million and does not have a real estate tax increase. The budget includes an early intervention classroom, an expanded K through 12 special education pilot program, a redesigned offering of special area courses in grades K through 6 and involvement with the National Math & Science Initiative to expand and improve AP offerings, participation, professional development and student proficiency on the AP Exam. This budget continues to support the district s growth and use of instructional technology. Dr. Shipley thanked the board and Ms. Swaney for the work they provided on the budget.
Page 6 of 7 Ms. Ferguson commented that, for ten consecutive years, the district s budget continues to accomplish student success while benefiting the tax payers with no tax increases. The school district is consistently the highest achieving district in Butler County. The district has been in the top ten ratings with the Pittsburgh Business Times. She thanked everyone who listened to the school board s priorities to come up with programs to benefit the students and teachers and the local taxpayers. The budget will be posted for public view and will be adopted at the second meeting in June. POLICIES A motion was made by Ms. Dorsch and seconded by Dr. Pettigrew to approve the adoption of the following revised and/or proposed Policies of the Policy Manual: 701 Facilities Planning 702 Gifts & Donations to the School District 703 Sanitary Management 704 Maintenance 705 Safety 706 Property Record 708 Lending of Equipment & Books 710 Use of Facilities by Staff 713 Liability for Personal Property 716 Integrated Pest Management 717 Cellular Telephones 718 Service Animals in Schools 902 Publications Program 904 Public Attendance at School Events 906 Public Complaints 908 Relations with Parents/Guardians 909 Municipal Government Relations 911 News Media Relations 912 Relations with Educational Institutions 913 Non School Organizations/Groups/Individuals 913.1 Submission/Distribution of Non School Materials 914 Relations with Intermediate Unit 917 Parental/Family Involvement A roll call vote was taken and with Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to approve the removal of the following Policies from the Policy Manual: Policy No. 013, 021, 217, 219, 253, 276, 303, 304, 321, 330, 401, 425, 433, 451, 452, 474, 502, 503, 504, 530, 531, 550, 551, 552, 571, 580, 640 and 641. These items have become obsolete due to the adoption of other policies to the manual. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried.
Page 7 of 7 BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to approve the Bid Recommendation to Tower Engineering in the amount of $22,700.00 for the Mars Area High School Gymnasium Air Conditioning Project, as presented. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. OTHER A motion was made by Mr. Boggs and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to: Approve the request for a Kindergarten student to miss more than ten (10) days of school to travel outside of the country, as presented. Approve Mars Varsity Tennis Boosters as a School Affiliated Organization during the 2016 2017 school year. Approve the request for High School Students A and B to take on line and/or face to face course(s) during the 2017 2018 school year, as presented. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Attorney Thomas King noted that there will be a final meeting with members of the Clarence Brown Special School Operating Committee with regard to the sale of the Clarence Brown School. Christine Petrini, representing the teacher s association, noted that Scott McCarthy and Karen Yost will continue on as President and Vice President, respectively, for the association, and she will continue to attend the board meetings as a representative. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made by Dr. Pettigrew and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to adjourn the board meeting. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 P.M. The board convened into a closed executive session to discuss legal, personnel and real estate issues. MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Board President MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Board Secretary