Board Work Session 02/09/2009

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
February 9, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
Middle School Multi-Purpose Room

1. Lord’s Prayer

2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

3. Roll Call
1 absent

4. Presentations: Dr. Nancy Bishop - PVAAS (Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System)
State Secretary of Education produced DVD to explain this to school board members.
Dr. Bishop gave a brief summary: The PVAAS is a statistical analysis of the PSSA. It details academic growth. It does two things: answers whether there was growth from year to year & predicts outcomes for next PSSA.

The district receives Value Added Growth Data by grade level for Reading & Math. Octorara has had great growth & adequate achievement, for the most part.

The State is going to add growth formula into AYP. This is good for our district.

Another report takes individual student’s previous scores & predicts the next PSSA test. The district has one for each student.

5. Visitors’ Comments – Agenda Items Only

Larry Lavenberg (Atglen) commented on item #8A. He doesn’t think the Board should accept this bill. He doesn’t know why it exists, but suggests that the Board offer to pay them if they finish the construction early.

6. Information Item:

Mr. Lee informed the Board that the refinancing of the bonds is coming along. The District received a bond rating of ‘A’. They will hopefully have all the information for the board to take action next week.

7. Action Item:

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve from the January 19, 2009 board meeting the following items:
# 4 Minutes
# 7 Treasurer’s Report
# 8 Business Manager’s Report
#10 Recommended Action Items

All were approved 8-0. Note: only the items with no questions or followup are here. Anything that required followup is on this agenda.

8. Recommended Action Items:

A That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the contract addendum #1 for Foreman Program and Construction Managers for the High School Addition/Renovation for an increase of $204,420 as a result of the construction schedule increasing by 3½ months with final closeout increasing by one month.

This will be taken off the agenda for next week. It was discussed in the Facilities meeting & the Board feels they need more information.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the changes/additions to the Octorara High School 2009-2010 Program of Studies

Board members are to review the course catalog before next week’s meeting

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Octorara Soccer Club use of the Octorara Intermediate School Gym starting at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2009

D. The Board of Directors of the Octorara Area School District approves the Resolution authorizing, among other things, the issuance of the School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series A and B of 2009 for the payment of costs of certain capital projects of the school district, for the refunding of the School District’s outstanding 2004 Bonds, for payment of the termination fees in connection with the termination of the 2004 Swap and for the payment of the costs of issuance of the Series A and B of 2009 Bonds.

District is going with the fixed option. See January Work Session notes.

E. That the Board of Directors of the Octorara Area School District approve an agreement with Conrad Siegel Actuaries through the PA Trust to provide GASB 45 Valuation Service at a cost not to exceed $6,000 as outlined on the attached agreement. (This agreement is for the purpose of audit compliance)

Actuarial study to comply with auditing standards effective 7/1/2009 per the Commonwealth. It looks at the District’s liability for severance, retired employees, and sick pay accumulation.

F. That the Board of Directors of the Octorara Area School District acknowledge receipt from the PA Department of Education approval of PLANCON Part F: Construction Documents for the Octorara Area High School addition and alteration project as per the attached.

Revision of plan that was already approved & submitted.

G. That the Board of Directors of the Octorara Area School District authorize submission of the form PDE 3074 for Non-Reimbursable work that will be contracted and directly funded by the school district’s insurance company. (This is for the repair to the Middle School Roof damaged from a wind storm 12/31/08)

Discussed in Facilities – Insurance will pay repairs directly, so it doesn’t have to go to bid. Mr. Ganow suggested that the Administration to look at putting the best roof possible on.

Hiring Approvals

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute
teachers for the 2008-2009 school year:

1. Melanie Schillinger (Elementary)
2. Shavonne Scott (Elementary)
3. Nicole Musho (Elementary)
4. Susan Smith (Elementary)
5. Diane Eckman (Special Ed, Elementary & Secondary English)
6. Christopher Erikson (Elem & Middle Level Math)
7. Rebecca Scotland (Home Ec)

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary for the 2008-2009 fiscal year due to graduate credits earned:

1. Lori Boldt From B ($43,155) to B+15 ($44,720) Step 3
2. Shauna McAllister From M ($48,193) to M+15 ($52,997) Step 3
3. Jennifer Watson From M ($50,635) to M+15 ($55,291) Step 6
4. JoAnn Marinacci From B+15 ($45,529) to M ($50,635) Step 6
5. Scott Cullen From B+15 ($46,568) to M ($51,449) Step 7
6. Lisa Welsh From M+30 ($57,993) to M+45 ($60,600) Step 7
7. Marjory Zajac From B+15 ($47,432) to M ($52,263) Step 8
8. Nicole Bonaduce-Davis From M+45 ($65,087) to M+60 ($67,903) Step 12
9. Melissa Pillus From M+45 ($66,552) to M+60 ($69,267) Step 13
   

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Chris Henley as a volunteer basketball coach for the 2008-2009 school year.

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Betty Rylee as a Playground/Lunchroom Supervisor at the Octorara Elementary School, pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the school district. Ms. Rylee’s hourly rate will be $8.00/hour effective January 13, 2009. (Replacing Stacy Kerr)

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Mr. Harry S. Rylee as a Custodian at the Octorara Middle School, pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the school district. Mr. Riley’s salary will be $21,216/prorated effective January 26, 2009. (Replacing Howard Steen who retired)

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the promotion of Yvonne McComsey from Assistant Cook to Cook/Manager at the Octorara Area High School. Her salary will be $15.13 effective February 2, 2009. (Replacing Nancy Brotzman who retired)

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Rebekah Doane as District Office Secretary/Registrar, effective February 26, 2009 at a salary of $30,000. This is a twelve month, full-time position. (Replacing Bernadette Maurer who is retiring)

Amount to be pro-rated.

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Christian Haller as principal at the Octorara Area Intermediate School, pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the school district. Mr. Haller’s salary will be $96,000/prorated, effective date to be determined. (Replacing Dawn Mickel)

He will meet with the Board before next week’s meeting.

P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Diane Eckman as a Mid-Range Substitute Teacher at the Octorara Intermediate School, pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the school district. Ms. Eckman’s rate will be $140/day effective from approximately March 19, 2009 through June 5, 2009. (Replacing Kelly Wetzel who will be on child rearing leave)

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following people to be placed on step and scale to be paid for duties during the one hour skills block time (retroactive from August 25, 2008):

Kathleen Dikun Bachelors Degree Step 1
Christine Cordisco Bachelors Degree Step 1
Fallon Jordan Bachelors Degree Step 1

Mr. Ganow questioned the benefits for these people. Dr. Newcome will research

9. Facilities Committee Report
Mr. Stoltzfus stated that the Facilities committee met at 6:30 p.m. A lot of what was discussed has been covered. The HS renovation is going well. They are ahead of schedule in the back portion of the school.

The day the high school had off from the fire will not be made up. The construction company’s insurance will be billed for the clean-up.

There have been some problems with the waste treatment plant. They are looking at some other companies.

Field Development – no news.

10. Other Items/Concerns

Dr. Newcome:

1) Budget status next week
2) Election of IU Board member
3) Chester County Poverty Report
4) Ethics forms need to be returned.

11. Visitors’ Comments – General

12. Board Comments

Mr. Norris would like an update on the homework policy.
Mr. Rohrer discussed a group of technology students who were taken to a competition by Mr. Lefever – There were several 1st place finishes

13. Adjournment

Facilities Committee Meeting – Monday, February 9, 2009 – 6:30 p.m. District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, February 16, 2009 – 7:30 p.m. Octorara Middle School MPR

Next regularly scheduled Work Session – Monday, March 9, 2009– 7:30 p.m. Octorara Middle School MPR

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, February 16, 2009 – 6:30 p.m. District Office Conference Room

Executive Session for Personnel will be held following this meeting in the District Office Conference Room