School Board Work Session 05/11/2009

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
May 11, 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
All present
4. Presentations: Budget Discussion
Dan Carsley presented some budget items.
District received the amounts from the gambling revenue on May 1st. Residents will receive a credit of $284 on their property tax bills. This is $2 less than last year, even though the amount of money generated was greater. More people applied for the exemption.

The District has also applied for additional Title I grant funds, as well as some other grants.

Dr. Newcome stated that he & Mr. Houghton discussed with PDE the grants and the district should receive close to what was requested.
The Stabilization funds are in jeopardy. The State may use them to fund district allocations rather than using the funds for additional grants.

Athletic budget – recommendation to fully fund football. It eliminates the booster/club additional contribution. The budget is decreased by $11,000 from last year.

Alternative Education – in the process of determining what is legal & what isn’t. Looking at a “twilight” program, because there is no appropriate space during the day on campus. The Board needs to discuss this.
Mr. Hershey stated that 15 students costs $394,000.
Dr. Newcome said that they need to be separated from the general population.
Mr. Hume asked if this was to save money.
Mr. Norris asked if this was best for the kids (money aside).
Dr. Newcome said that it was different for every student. It is easier to bring them back to campus now because of online courses (Brandywine Virtual Academy).
Mr. Hume asked about the parents’ reaction.
Dr. Newcome said the parents are part of the process.
Mr. Ganow asked who transports the students.
Dr. Newcome said it is currently the I.U., but if we bring them back to campus, they would ride the regular buses.
Mr. Stoltzfus asked if this could cause problems.
Dr. Newcome said that it potentially could.
Mr. Malone commented on the number of staff and asked what would happen if the number of students increased.
Dr. Newcome said that the number of students is pretty consistent and he wants to make sure it is not understaffed.
Mr. Malone wanted to know if we would still send any students off campus.
Dr. Newcome said it would be rare.
Mr. Ganow thought that the policies for automatic expulsion should be reviewed. He’s worried about the bussing situation.

Mr. Norris questioned the % of collection for Real Estate taxes.
Mr. Carsley is concerned for next year.

Mr. Malone had some questions on the recommendation for the athletic budget. He wanted to know how the activity fee would be collected and where is the additional fund raising coming from.
Dr. Newcome said that Mr. Weagley needs to come up with fund raising of $10,000.

Mrs. Bicking said she cannot support fully funding football when they are taking 20% out of the buildings budgets.

Mr. Norris said that there still needs to be a discussion about football and he is not fond of the activity fee. He feels the $19,000 should be spread among the populace. The district is constantly going back to the same people for funding.
Mr. Mango also does not like the activity fee. He feels the district can’t keep going back to the same people.

Mrs. Bowman feels that the activity fee is short term and equitable. She feels that the football program has proven itself.

Mr. Norris feels the activity fee isn’t equitable. It puts an unfair burden on the coaches in terms of playing time. He feels that athletics has done more than their fair share for too long.

Mr. Stoltzfus agree with the activity fee.

Mr. Mango suggested they break the motion into two parts.

Mr. Hershey feels that $45 is not excessive.

Mr. Hume thinks that athletics is part of an education & the district is supposed to provide a free education.

Mr. Hershey asked Mr. Hume if he would like to see a 5-year plan which leads to separate funding of athletics.

Mr. Hume would like to see an additional $600,000 taken from the fund balance to offset the millage increase. Mr. Carsley replied that there is already $712,000 being taken from the fund balance.


Act 32
Mr. Lee provided an update on Act 32. It was passed in 2008 to minimize the number of tax collection agencies being used for the EIT. The law provides for each district to use the taxing agency chosen by each county. Octorara was granted an exception to use the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau. However, all of the municipalities in the District must adopt a resolution that agrees to this. Two municipalities have not adopted the correct resolution. One of the two is correcting this. There is still one that has not. If Octorara was forced to use the agency chosen by Chester County it has the potential to cost the District more. The resolution must be in place by June 30, 2009.

5. Visitors’ Comments – Agenda Items Only
none
6. Information Item:
none
7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the May 18, 2009 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve bid awards for the 2009-2010 school year as per attached summary for:
Art Supplies $12,423.78
Industrial Arts/Vo-Ag Supplies $9,855.54
Science Supplies $2,612.58
Copy & Computer Paper $29,708.85
Technology Bid $3,387.99
TOTAL: $57,988.74

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Winifred Sebastian as district solicitor for the 2009-2010 school year at a rate of $150 per hour.
Dr. Newcome stated that the rate is the current rate.

C.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the athletic budget of $365,000. This budget will include funding all previously tax-funded activities at Octorara Middle School and Octorara Area High School with the addition of funding 100% of the operating cost of football in Octorara Middle School and Octorara Area High School. Additionally, the budget will include assessing an activity fee not to exceed $45.00 per year for an individual student athlete.

Mr. Norris asked about the pool of funds for those who can’t pay.
Mrs. Bicking would like the word “athlete” removed if the fee is going to be charged for all activities.
Mr. Hume asked about multiple children in a family. Dr. Newcome stated that isn’t considered in the current plan.

D.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of current Class of 2009 Seniors of the Octorara Area High School, having been individually considered for graduation by the Octorara Board of School Directors, contingent upon their successful completion of all local and state requirements.

E.That the Octorara Board of School Directors elect ____________ as Board Treasurer from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

John Malone

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors authorize the administration to develop and file applications for external funding for the 2009-2010 fiscal year under the following federal rograms:
Title I – Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEA’s
Title II (A) – Improving Teacher Quality
Title II – Educational Technology
Title III – Improving Language Instruction Programs
Title IV – Safe & Drug Free Schools

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution for the General Fund Budget for the 2009-2010 school year and that the millage rate in real estate taxes for the school year beginning July 1, 2009 to be established at 32.23 mills for Chester County and 27.68 mills for Lancaster County in order to support the recommended 2009-2010 General Fund Budget. (Millage increase Chester County = .62, Lancaster County = .31)

Mr. Ganow wanted to clarify that this opened the budget for public inspection, not that it was the final vote.
H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution for the 2009-2010 Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion.

Resignations:

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Sarah Smoker’s resignation as an English as a Second Language teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective June 6, 2009. (Hired August 2007)

J.That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Frances DeJesse resignation as a Cafeteria Employee at the Octorara High School, effective April 24, 2009. (Hired October 2004)

K.That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Ashley Halota’s resignation as a Half-Time Learning Support/Special Education teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center, effective June 5, 2009. (Hired December 2008)

Hiring Approvals:

L.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2008-2009 school year:
Wendy Bucklin (Emergency)
Jerome Moraczewski (Emergency)
Nathan Cool (Emergency)
John Burke (Emergency)


M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the change in retirement date for Ms. Mary Kay McCann from August 21, 2009 to June 5, 2009.

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

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached list of student summer employees, effective June 8, 2009.

There are 6 students.

P.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Cheryl Johnson as a Personal Care Assistant for the Summer Reading Camp. Ms. Johnson’s hourly rate will be $12.30/hour from June 22, 2009 through June 30, 2009 and will increase to $12.85/hour from July 1, 2009 through July 23, 2009 for approximately 20 days. (Currently employed as a One-on- One Instructional Assistant at the High School)

Q.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached list of 2009 Summer Reading Program/Summer Outreach employees at the hourly rates listed.

R.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of __________ as an Accounting Supervisor at the Octorara District Office, pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the district, at a salary of $___________ effective _____________. (Replacing Dan Carsley)

S.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Shara Townsend as a Summer Clerical Assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning Center. Ms. Townsend’s hourly rate will be $10.30/hour from June 8, 2009 through June 30, 2009 and will increase to $10.85/hour on July 1, 2009 through August 21, 2009 for approximately 50 days. (Currently
employed as a Clerical Assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning Center

T.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary for the 2008-2009 fiscal year due to graduate credits earned:
Megan Munn From B+15 (45,259) to M (49,821) Step 5
Amber Karpathios From M ($51,449) to M+15 ($56,055) Step 7

8. Other Items/Concerns

Facilities Committee report- Mr. Stoltzfus reminded everyone that the Facilites Committee meetings are open to the public.

There is a lot of activity taking place. We will soon start to see brick in the back.

Net change orders so far = $90,000

Next month there will be a walk through at 6 p.m.

The road signs are working (15 mph)
The Middle School roof repairs are complete.

Field development is moving along.

Mr. Lee stated that the waste water agreement with the EPA will be presented to the Board at the regular meeting.

Mr. Mango wanted to clarify that the football field renovations are being funded by the Football Club.

9. Visitors’ Comments – General
none

10. Board Comments

Mrs. Bowman commented on the Sr. Art Show being held – very talented.
Mr. Hume noted that the Octorara Heroes community recognition would be held at the Parkesburg Fire House on Wednesday at 7 p.m. He also commended the Football Club on the funding they’ve generated.

Mr. Propper shared that Mrs. Kiefer (7th grade science teacher) is going to Space Camp this summer.

Mr. Harmer reminded everyone that OES open house is on Thursday.

11. Adjournment
Facilities Committee Meeting – Monday, May 11, 2009 – 6:30 p.m.
District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Policy Committee – Monday, May 18, 2009 – 6:30 p.m.
District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, May 18, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
Octorara Middle School MPR

Next regularly scheduled Work Session – Monday, June 8, 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