Octorara School Board Work Session 06/08/2009

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
June 8, 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. Visitors' Comments - Agenda Items Only
none

5. Presentations:
Grading Policy
The Grade Committee presented the new Grading Policy. The Purpose is for consistency of grading, identify student weaknesses and measure achievement.
Mr. Malone asked if the grade scale is consistent between the buildings. Dr. Bishop stated that is one of the goals.
Mr. Mango asked if a standardized report card is coming. Dr. Bishop stated that is part of the process.
Mrs. Bowman asked how much of this was already being done. Dr. Bishop felt that is was pretty close to what is currently happening.

6. Information Items:
none



7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the June 15, 2009 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Sarah Roenigk request for sabbatical leave for the first semester 2009-2010 school year for professional development. Ms. Roenigk is an Art teacher at the Octorara High School.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution adopting the 2009 ¬ 2010 General Fund Budget Expenditures in the amount of $44,021,839.

Dr. Newcome said that there was nothing additional for budget discussion on the agenda because of this item.

Mr. Ganow asked if the vote for the budget gets passed with a simple majority or if they need 6 votes. Dr. Newcome & Mr. Lee think it is a simple majority.

Mr. Norris brought up that the Board was given bad information concerning Indoor Track and whether it was a PIAA sport. Dr. Newcome read a statement apologizing for error. Having gone over the athletic budget again, he stands by his recommendation that Indoor Track be eliminated due to the cost & that he feels it is an off-season conditioning bridge for Cross Country & Spring Track. He also stated that the PIAA does not sponsor Indoor Track championships.

Mr. Norris also raised concern over the wording of how Football was going to be included in the athletic budget as fully funded. Dr. Newcome didn’t think it was an issue since it stated ‘operating costs’.

Dr. Newcome stated that the Administration did not take the PSBA membership out of the budget.

He also asked that if the Board is not in a position to pass the budget, that he needed to know what to work on for next week.
Several Board Members indicated that they are comfortable with this budget.

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution establishing a real estate millage rate of 32.23 mills in Chester County and 27.68 mills in Lancaster County.

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following financial institutions and investment firms for financial services during the 2009-2010 school year, in accordance with Section 621 of the School Code:

1. Fulton Bank-depository and investment

2. PA School District Liquid Asset Fund ¬ depository and investment

3. PA Local Government Investment Fund-investment only

4. RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc.-investment only
5.Sovereign Bank-investment only

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following list of signatories for the designated bank accounts effective July 1, 2009:

General Fund: ¬ President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
Cafeteria Fund: ¬ President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
Fitness Center Fund: ¬ President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
(Required 3 Signatures)

Official Imprest Fund: - Superintendent, Business Manager, High School
Principal, Asst. High School Principal, Athletic Director, Board Secretary
(Required 2 Signatures)

School Activity Fund: - Building Principal, Building Asst. Principal, Business
Manager
(Required Business Manager signature with one counter signature)

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the appropriate budget transfers for the year ending 2008-2009 as a result of the annual financial audit.
(Note: This is a requirement for the school code to be done prior to June 30th of each fiscal year.)

Mr. Stoltzfus asked where we currently stand.
Mr. Lee replied that the District is currently under budget, but they won’t know for sure until closer to June 30.
Mr. Hume asked if this goes to the Fund Balance.
Mr. Lee replied that it did.

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached list of salaries for school district employees for the 2009-2010 school year.

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors appoint the following facilities to provide school health services for the 2009-2010 school year:
Brandywine Valley Family Care
County Line Medical Center

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Dr. Jeffrey Blair and The Coatesville Dental Clinic as the school dental consultants for the 2009-2010 school year at a rate of $90.50 per session: ($.50 increase from 2008-2009)

Mr. Hershey asked what is considered a session. Mr. Lee replied that it is one exam. The District provided transportation.

J.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve a price change for student lunches at the High School for the 2009 ¬ 2010 school year to $2.50. (See attached memo)

K.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the submission of Part H of PLANCON for the High Addition and Renovation Project. (Project Financing)

Mr. Lee explained that this is temporary reimbursement from the state of money we borrowed.

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the change order to Bristol Environmental, Inc, in the amount of a credit of $12,500 for the Asbestos Removal contract of the High School Renovation and Addition Project. (This information was presented to the Facilities Committee)

Mr. Stoltzfus explained that this is what he has discussed in past meetings – a credit due to coordination of effort.

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the OAEA (Octorara Area Education Association). ¬ Relating to revision of the HRA Plan for retired professional employees.

Changing brokers for health coverage for retirees.

N.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve an agreement with Tri- Star/Systems for the administration of the HRA Plan for retired professional employees.

This goes with item “M”

O.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached revised Position Descriptions for the Octorara District Office.

Resignation Approvals:
P.That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Elizabeth Bushong's resignation as a Head Cross Country and Head Track and Field coach effective June 1, 2009.

Q.That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Anita Ungerbuehler's resignation as a Learning Support teacher at the Octorara Elementary School effective June 5, 2009. (Hired August 2008)

R.That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Christine Chilson's resignation as a Lunchroom/Playground Supervisor at the Octorara Intermediate School effective May 14, 2009. (Hired August 2008)

Mr. Mango wondered if there needed to be a discussion on an increase in pay to help reduce turnover. Dr. Newcome said it could be looked at in the next contract negotiation in 2011.

Hiring Approvals:
S.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2008-2009 school year:
Jennifer Locke (English)
Amanda Lenton (Elementary)

T. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute cafeteria employee at a rate of $8.00/hour for the 2008-2009 school year:

Margaret Hanning

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

Patrick Lauletta Mentoring 2 points @ $520 = $1040

V.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Judy Lion as a Personal Care Assistant for the Summer Reading Camp. Ms. Lion's hourly rate will be $10.90 from June 22, 2009 through June 30, 2009 and will increase to $11.45 from July 1, 2009 through July 23, 2009. (Ms. Lion's is currently a Title I Reading Assistant at the Octorara Middle School)

W. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Tara Pitts as a Family and Consumer Science teacher, pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the district, at the Octorara High School. Ms. Pitt's salary will be $43,741.00 effective August 26, 2009. (Replacing Virginia Hartsfield who resigned)

Mr. Ganow wanted to know what Step this was. Mr. Rohrer replied that it was Step 1.

X.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Charlotte Bridges as an ESL Instructional Assistant, pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the district, at the Octorara Primary Learning Center and Octorara Elementary School. Ms. Bridge's hourly rate will be $9.65/hour effective August 31, 2009. (Replacing Rana Watterson who resigned)

Y.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the appointment of Mr. Scott Rohrer as Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education grades 7 through 12 effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012.

This is to take care of certain items for the State.

Z.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Sharon Richey as a Learning Support Assistant for the Summer Literacy Camp. Ms. Richey's hourly rate will be $10.30 from June 22, 2009 to June 30, 2009 and will increase to $10.85 from July 1, 2009 through July 23, 2009. (Ms. Richey is currently a One-on-One Assistant at the Octorara High School)

Mr. Ganow wanted to know why the rate changed. Mr. Lee replied that it is for the new fiscal year.

AA. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following Summer EAP Tutoring teachers at a rate of $30.00/hour:
Sarah Callaway
Roberta Souders
Roxanne Sockoloskie
Anita Ungerbuehler
Melanie Johnson

8.Facilities Committee Report
Mr. Stoltzfus reported on the walk-through of the construction. They are starting to lay the brick out back. They are a little ahead of schedule. The additions are scheduled to be completed in December. We will start seeing a lot more happening now that school is out. He wanted to make the Board aware that some of the sidewalks are being redone & they may want to redo more. They are getting the numbers. There are also two fire hydrants that need to be replace. They will cost approx. $2,400 each. The change-orders for interior doors is a net $2,500.

9. Other Items/Concerns

10. Visitors' Comments ¬ General
Lennie Brown let the Board know that Rachel Miller received a scholarship of $1,000 from the Lanco Soccer League.

11. Board Comments
Mr. Mango said the Flag Football camp went well.
Mrs. Bowman said that Graduation went well.
Mr. Hume complimented the Middle School Music Program

12. Adjournment
Dr. Newcome recommended that for the summer, Board meetings should move to the Intermediate School Library starting next week. – due to the construction.

Facilities Committee Meeting ¬ Monday, June 8, 2009 ¬ 6:30 p.m. District Office Conference Room (Tour of the High School Addition and Renovation work to begin at 6:00 p.m. meeting in the District Office at 5:45 p.m.)

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting ¬ Monday, June 15, 2009 ¬ 7:30 p.m.
Octorara Middle School MPR

Next regularly scheduled Work Session ¬ Monday, July 13, 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