School Board Work Session 4/13/2009

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT WORK SESSION
April 13, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
Middle School Multi-Purpose Room
DISCUSSION GUIDE
l. Lord’s Prayer
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
3. Roll Call
7 present 2 absent
4. Presentations: Grading Policy Review
Dr. Bishop: Committee has been working for 2 years to come up with a grading policy to make progress clear to students and parents. The goal is to diagnose strengths & weaknesses. The committee was made up of representatives from all buildings. They sent a survey to the teachers and attended conferences & seminars. From this, they determined best grading practices. They distributed a draft & received feedback, made changes, revised draft. There are 3 documents to come from this 1) Guidelines/policies 2) FAQ’s 3) Examples. They have drafted a letter to go to parents & community after the policy is approved. The teachers have one more opportunity to review before the policy comes to the board in June. If approved, it will be in place by August.

Mrs. Bowman asked about consensus & enforcement.

Dr. Bishop replied that most teachers are on board, as it is not very different from what they are already doing. The enforcement will come about as they see differences between standardized test scores & report card grades.

5. Visitors’ Comments – Agenda Items Only

None from the audience.
Dr. Newcome introduced Christian Haller, OIS Principal. He started 4/1/2009.

6. Information Item:
· The Octorara Intermediate School received a plaque for Best Public Construction Project Award of Excellence from Wohlsen Construction Company.
· Attached are the Discipline Summary Reports for the Primary Learning Center, Elementary, Intermediate, Middle and High Schools.

Mr. Norris would like to see the Discipline Summary reports standardized.

· Letter attached from Mr. John F. Lee, Business Administrator indicating his desire to “give back” $10,000 in severance payments of his contract upon his retirement June 29, 2009.

Mr. Hume thanked Mr. Lee.

7. Recommended Action Items:

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following policies/administrative regulations, second reading:

1. Administrative Procedures for Maintenance of Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants and for Inspection of External Components of Surgically Implanted Medical Devices (New)
2. Child Find and Screening (New)
3. Secondary Grading Procedures for Students with Disabilities Participating in General Curriculum (New)
4. Audio, Video, or Other Electronic Recording of Meetings (New)
5. Guidelines for Classroom and Program Site Visitations (New)
6. Policy 114 Gifted Education (Revision)
7. Policy 113.2 Independent Education Evaluations (Revision)
8. Policy 113.3 Behavior Support (Revision)
9. Policy 117 Medical Excusal and Homebound Instruction (Revision)
10. Policy 261 Behavior Support (Revision)

Dr. Newcome stated that the Policy Committee meets next week & the board will have a chance to ask final questions.

B. Resolved that the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2009-2010 Chester County Intermediate Unit Core Services Budget in the amount of $16,438,241. (Attachment)

This represents no increase from last year. We contribute approx. $ 16,000. Mrs. Bicking asked for more detail before the Board approves (for both this & “C”)

C. Resolved that the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2009-2010 Chester County Intermediate Unit Occupational Education Budget in the amount of $20,545,539. (Attachment)


Mr. Lee stated that the total has increased, as well as our contribution. The number of students has increased. The CCIU uses an average of 3 years enrollment. Our enrollment has increased:
06-07 37.875
07-08 45.25
08-09 55.7

Our share has increased approx. $ 164,000. There was an increase in the number of pupils, plus an increase in the per pupil charge. We pay $18,700 per student. Mrs. Bicking asked for last year’s rate.


D. Resolved that the Octorara Board of School Directors exonerate the Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau from collection of real estate taxes for the 2008-09 school year on parcel 550-96053-3-0034 for the reason that the property (mobile home) has been abandoned, junked, or removed. (Attachment)

E. Resolved that the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution authorizing the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau to act as the collection agency for Earned Income Tax imposed by the Octorara Area School District and as required by law under Act 32 of 2009. (Attachment)

Mr. Lee commented that this is a new regulation under Act 32. According to the Act, we are supposed to use the Chester County taxing authority, but we received a special exception, since we were already using the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau.

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the addendum contract agreement with Foreman Construction Manager in the amount of $149,000 for additional work incurred on the High School Renovation and Addition Project. (The contract was reviewed and is being recommended by the Facilities Committee Members.)

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the submission of PLANCON Part K “Project Refinancing” for the refunding of the 2004 SWAP General Obligation Bond. (Attachment)

Mr. Lee indicated that this was part of the refinancing approved previously.

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the awarding of a bid to Charles A. Higgins & Sons, Inc., Media, PA for the installation of a traffic signal device on Highland Road at a cost of $7,960.00 and to be paid from funds of the Capital Project Account.


I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve an agreement with Nemours Children’s Clinic to provide homebound instructional services to Octorara Area School District resident students. (Attachment)

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the contract with Acting Antics of Glenmoore, PA for services related to the Extended School Year (ESY) program in the amount of $2,376.50. (Funds are budgeted through the special education department)

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the annual submission of the Section 356 Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to provide personal income tax return information in order to administer and enforce the local earned income tax provisions. (Attachment)

A cross-reference check to make sure that the income reported to the state & local taxing agencies is the same & that the local funds are going to the correct school district.

Resignations:
L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Elizabeth Taylor’s resignation as a First Grade Teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center, for the purpose of retirement, effective June 5, 2009. (Hired September 1972)

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Mary Kay McCann’s resignation as a Gifted Teacher at the Octorara Elementary School, for the purpose of retirement, effective August 21, 2009. (Hired September 1975)

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Virginia Hartsfield’s resignation as a Family & Consumer Science Teacher at the Octorara High School effective June 5, 2009. (Hired August 2006)

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Jeanie Gaido-Barnett’s resignation as a Kindergarten Teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center, for the purpose of retirement, effective June 5, 2009. (Hired August 1986)

P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Darlene Shirk’s resignation as a Cafeteria Employee at the Octorara Primary Learning Center, for the purpose of retirement, effective June 5, 2009. (Hired October 1977)

Mrs. Bowman commented on the graciousness of the resignation letters. Dr. Newcome commented on the years of service.

Hiring Approvals:
Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Tammy Deminski as a Mid-Range Substitute Teacher, pending completion of employee related documents as required by law and the district. Ms. Tammy Deminski’s assignment is Physical Education in the Octorara Intermediate School for a period of approximately 62 days at a rate of $140.00 per day. (Replacing Deb Feather who is on medical leave)

R. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Candace Ott as a Mid-Range Substitute Teacher. Ms. Ott’s assignment is Seventh Grade Special Education at the Octorara Middle School for a period of approximately 42.5 days at a rate of $140.00 per day. (Replacing Danielle Smith who is on Maternity Leave)

S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Kim Bond as a volunteer Girls Lacrosse Coach.

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

U. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute Instructional Assistant/One-on-One Assistant at a rate of $9.40/hour for the 2008-2009 school year:

Lori Farish

V. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Nikola Freeland as an after school Van Aide for the Primary Learning Center at a rate of $9.40/hour.

W. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2008-2009 school year:

Nancy Beaton Longevity Bonus for Mentoring (06-07) 1 point @ $470
Krista Lease Longevity Bonus for Mentoring (06-07) 1 point @ $470
Beth Taylor Longevity Bonus for Mentoring (01-02) 1 point @ $405
Donna Edwards Longevity Bonus for Mentoring 2 points @ $1,040

X. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve a $7,500 increase in salary retro-active for the 2008-2009 fiscal year for John F. Lee, Business Administrator due to the additional duties assumed because the position of Facilities Director was not filled.

Y. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Beth Reburn as a Mid-Range Substitute Teacher. Ms. Reburn’s assignment is PM Reading Teacher at the Octorara Elementary School for a period of approximately 43.5 days at a rate of $140.00 per day. (Replacing Rita Boryszak who resigned)

Z. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Vera Graham’s request for unpaid Medical Leave from approximately March 24, 2009 to May 8, 2009. Ms. Graham is a Cafeteria Employee at the Octorara High School.


AA. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary for the 2008-2009 fiscal year due to graduate credits earned:
Christine Gray From M ($53,891) to M ($58,349) Step 10

8. Other Items/Concerns

9. Visitors’ Comments – General

Sharon Solomon noted that she & many parents are appreciative of Mrs. McCann’s years teaching .

10. Board Comments
See comments below for Mr. Stoltzfus’s comments on the facilities meeting.

Bob Hume attended the Wall of Fame presentation. It was very nice. The presentations were great & inspiring. He also noted that the Education Foundation’s recognition of community members was really nice.Bob Hume attended the Wall of Fame presentation. It was very nice. The presentations were great & inspiring. He also noted that the Education Foundation’s recognition of community members was really nice.

Mr. Norris wondered if there were any updates on the budget. There will be information at next week’s meeting.

Mr. Norris asked if there was any feedback on Mr. Weagley’s presentation from last month. Dr. Newcome stated there were mixed reviews. They will be bringing 3 different approaches next week concerning the athletic budget.

Mr. Norris reiterated the need to officially review & finalize football.

Mr. Hume received phone calls against adding to the budget.


11. Adjournment

Facilities Committee Meeting – Monday, April 13, 2009 – 6:30 p.m. District Office Conference Room

Mr. Stoltzfus stated that the HS Renovation project is moving along on or ahead of schedule. There is one change order for the asbestos removal. They determined that they need to remove 58,000 sq. feet of ceiling @ $1.88/ft. Some of the cost will be credited back, as b removing that much ceiling will make running conduit easier. There is additional unsuitable soil that needs to be removed, but we are still within the contract amount. They have started working on the parking lot out back.

Traffic signal will be installed around May 1 on Highland Road.

Middle School roof damage – started work last week. They expect to be done by May 1st. Some of the work is not covered by insurance.


Next regularly scheduled Policy Committee – Monday, April 20, 2009 – 6:30 p.m. District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, April 20, 2009 – 7:30 p.m. Octorara Middle School MPR

Next regularly scheduled Work Session – Monday, May 11, 2009– 7:30 p.m. Octorara Middle School MPR

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