Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Octorara School Board Reorganization & Work Session 12/07/2009

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT



Reorganization Meeting


Dr. Newcome asked for nominations for Temporary President. Ms. Bicking was nominated & elected.

Ms. Bicking took over the chair.

She read the list of hold-over Directors:

Linda Bicking Region 1 Term Exp. 2011

Lisa Bowman Region 2 Term Exp. 2011

John Malone Region 3 Term Exp. 2011

Brian Norris Region 1 Term Exp. 2011

She read the name of the newly appointed Board Member (replacing Peter Mango).

Shawna Johnson Region 1 Term Exp. 2011



She read the list of the newly elected Board Members

Samuel Ganow Region 2 Term Exp. 2013

Robert Hume Region 3 Term Exp. 2013

John McCartney Region 2 Term Exp. 2013

Nelson Stoltzfus Region 3 Term Exp. 2013


Judge Gill administered the oath of office to the newly appointed & elected Board Members.

Ms. Bicking asked for nominations for Board President.


Ms. Bowman was nominated, as was Ms. Bicking. Ms. Bicking declined the nomination. Ms. Bowman was elected.

Ms. Bowman asked for nominations for Vice President. Mr. Stoltzfus was nominated & elected.


Ms. Bowman then made the following appointments:

A. Representative to the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau for the Calendar Year 2010.

Mr. Carsley

B. Alternative Representative to the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau for the Calendar Year 2010

Mr. Malone

C. Legislative Committee Representative for the Calendar Year 2010

Ms. Bowman

D. I.U./C.A.T Board Representative for the Calendar Year 2010

Mr. Stoltzfus

E. P.S.B.A Representative for the Calendar Year 2010

Mr. Ganow

F. Representative to the Octorara Community Education Foundation

Mr. McCartney

G. Representative to Cross Cultural Task Force

Mr. Norris

H. Personnel Committee

Mr. Malone, Mr. Stoltzfus, Mr. Ganow

I. Facilities Committee

Mr. Hume, Mr. Stoltzfus, Mr. Norris, Ms. Johnson

J. Policy Committee

Ms. Bowman, Ms. Bicking, Mr. Malone

K. Audit Finance Committee

Mr. Malone, Ms. Bicking, Mr. Norris

L. Representative to Regional Planning Commission

Ms. Bowman

M. Representative to the Chester County School Authority

Mr. Stoltzfus



A resolution was passed as to the meeting times for 2010.

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

WORK SESSION December 7, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.

Middle School Multi-Purpose Room
DISCUSSION GUIDE

1.Lord’s Prayer

2.Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

3.Roll Call

2 absent (Norris, Hume) 7 present

4.Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None

5..Presentations:

None

6.Information Items:

None

7.Presentation of Agenda Items for the December 14, 2009 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 Special Education Services and Contracted Services Agreements for 2009-2010.


B.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change orders to Lobar and Eastern Shore Services, Inc. for the High School renovation and addition project:

Lobar:
Change Order 401-15 Curb Revisions and Asphalt Credit $(5,977.77)

Eastern Shore:
Change Order 404-02 Duplex Water Pumps $2,632.00

C.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve setting up an account for donation of funds for the Memorial Alcove in the Octorara Area High School.

Dr. Newcome explained that there will be a Memorial Alcove in the lobby of the High School for graduates who died in service of our Country. It will be funded with private donations.

D.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve policy 707, Use of Public School Facilities, second reading.

The policy committee meets next week.

Resignation Approvals:

E.That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Mr. John Tercha’s resignation as a seventh grade wrestling coach at the Octorara Middle School effective November 17, 2009. (Hired October 20, 2008.)

Hiring Approvals:

F.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Mr. Brian Johnston as a computer technician for the District pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Mr. Johnston’s salary will be $30,000 effective November 18, 2009. (Replacing Robert Joseph (Joey) Steffy who transferred to another position in the technology department.)

G.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Billie Lynn Stanley as a bus duty aide at the Octorara Intermediate School effective December 1, 2009. (Ms. Stanley is presently employed by the District in the High School cafeteria. Replacing Francis DeJesse who resigned.)

H.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Mr. Jason Smith as a seventh grade wrestling coach at the Octorara Middle School. This position is designated at four points at $545 per point. (Replacing John Tercha who resigned.)

I.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Josh Smith and Mr. Rich Letts as volunteer wrestling coaches at the Octorara Area High School.

Mr. Ganow stated that Mr. Tercha's resignation said he would like to volunteer. He feels his name should be added here for approval so he can help if he chooses to.

J.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2009-2010 school year:

Sharon Rosander (Elementary)
Robin Elias (Elementary)

K.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Erika Porrecca as a mentor for Katie Dikun from approximately December 3, 2009 through April 27, 2010. This position is designated at one point at $545 per point.

L.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in Salary due to graduate credits earned:

Joanna Bowder From M+15 ($55,966) to M+30 ($58,074) Step 5
Beth Bushong From B ($44,572) to B+15 ($48,441) Step 4
Joe Lynch From M+15 ($59,890) to M+30 ($61,698) Step 10

M.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Jennifer Watson’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately March 23, 2010 through June 11, 2010. Ms. Watson is an English teacher at the Octorara Area High School.

N.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Katherine Balla’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately May 18, 2010 through June 11, 2010. Ms. Balla is an art teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center and the Octorara Elementary School.

8. Facilities Committee Report

Mr. Stoltzfus reported on the Facilities Committee. He stated that the shop & the classrooms in the back are almost ready to be turned over to the school. The inspection should take place this Friday. The front area should be ready by 12/15.

There is an issue out back. One pour of concrete is not quite meeting specifications. It will be re-tested next Spring.

There are some issues with the new generator. PECo needs to make some changes.

The new line for the fire system between the High School & the Intermediate School should be completed this week.

They are waiting on a 3rd estimate for the Asbestos abatement.

The Middle School roof needs to be replace in the sections that weren't fixed last year. Estimates are between $900,000 and $1.1 million.

We have a 20 year contract on the cell tower which brings in approx. $12,000/year. The company has offered a buyout, but it equals approx. 6 years of the 11 years remaining on the contract. They want to add providers. We could potentially get income from additional subscribers.

The District is looking into joining a purchasing group for electricity due to deregulation.

9.Other Items/Concerns

Dr. Newcome passed out information to the Board members concerning federal grants for "Race to the Top". Pennsylvania is eligible for $400 million. Dr. Newcome is attending a webinar this week. There is an aggressive timeline. A letter of intent must be submitted by Dec. 18th. A memorandum of understanding must be submitted by Jan. 15, 2010.

He also said that the District has received H1N1 vaccine. He is meeting with the school nurses to set up protocol for distribution. He would like to see it given before the Christmas break.

10.Visitors’ Comments – General

None.

11.Board Comments

Ms. Bowman thanked Mr. Propper (MS Principal) for the MS Newsletter.

She also wanted to congratulate the HS Boys Varsity Soccer team on their state championship.

12.Adjournment
Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, December 7, 2009 – 6:30 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel Monday, December 7, 2009 – following the Work Session in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, December 14, 2009 – 6:30 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, December 14, 2009 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room