School Board Work Session 3/8/2010

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

WORK SESSION
March 8, 2010 – 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
4.Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None.
5. Presentations:

A.Budget – Dan Carsley

Mr. Carsley stated that the District had submitted exceptions to the State in the amount of $ 1,539,000.  These include healthcare, retirement, special education and construction costs.

Dr. Newcome said that the staff had been asked for input for budget savings as directed by the Board last month.  He should have a document to present at next week's meeting and they will attach monetary values where they can.

Mr. Norris asked if there was any news from Harrisburg regarding the budget.  Mr. Carsley said that he did not include any increases in general education funding from the state.   Dr. Newcome said that Sen. Brubaker indicated that the District should not spend any money that is in the Governor's proposed budget.

Mr. Norris said he appreciates input from the staff.

Dr. Newcome said that 3 school districts in Chester County applied for "Race to the Top" grants.  We don't know yet if Pennsylvania will get any of the money.

Mr. Carsley said that the index next year will probably be lower.  Part of the calculation is based on the standard average weekly wage and it was negative in February.

Mr. Stoltzfus remarked that he has read articles where school districts throughout the country are looking at a 4-day week.  He wondered if Octorara should be looking at this; would it save money; and what would the contract implications be.

Dr. Newcome said that it is on the list, but there are contract issues, etc. that might make it not attractive.

Mr. Norris said there would be parental concerns about childcare for the extra day.

Dr. Newcome said that if it saved the district money, there could possibly be other costs to the community.  There could be unsupervised students.

Mr. Malone said that other districts are looking at increasing 'pay-to-play' and eliminating classroom aides.

Mr. Norris asked if there is any way to earmark potential savings.  Dr. Newcome said they would do their best.

Mrs. Bowman asked that there be an indication of the ease of bringing back any program they might temporarily eliminate.

Mr. Norris said it is evident from the news that there are broad concerns about public service pension funding.

Mrs. Bowman distributed a resolution to the Board urging legislative action on pension reform.  It will list what it will cost the district over the next 4 years for pension funding.  She asked for it to be an agenda item next week.

6. Information Items:

Mrs. Bowman brought up correspondence between the District & the Octorara YMCA and the agreement voted on last month.  Dr. Newcome distributed to the Board a timeline of correspondence & other relevant information.  He stated that the intention of the agreement (which included the High School fitness center) was to help the YMCA develop their membership.  

Much of what was discussed next is referred to in this attachment:
YMCA Docs

Dr. Newcome received an e-mail from Brian Wenzka introducing Sherri Schuldheisz as taking over the leadership role at the Octorara YMCA.  A time was set up for them to meet.  In the meantime, a letter went out to Y members which caused some confusion for the District. 

Dr. Newcome documented what has transpired in the above attachment. 

Dr. Newcome was dismayed that within 2 weeks of the agreement that such drastic changes occurred.   The only recommendation that needs fairly immediate action is #1 (see attachment).

Mr. Norris feels the agreement should be null & void.  He is stunned by these developments.  He believes that if the District hadn't moved toward the agreement, that the Board would have been blamed for the demise of the Octorara Y.  He thinks the District should develop its own programs & produce a revenue stream.

Mrs. Bowman stated that there will be community disappointment.

Mr. Norris said that although family memberships are on hold for the fitness center that the District needs to pursue this as a future endeavor.

Dr. Newcome said they can look at models in other districts.

Mr. Malone asked what Mr. Wenzka & Ms. Schuldheisz's reason for the meeting.

Dr. Newcome said that it was to introduce Ms. Schuldheisz.  If he hadn't asked the right questions, he wouldn't know that the Octorara YMCA doesn't actually exist.  We don't need to subsidize the Jennersville Y, as it is already successful.  He said that they did have a question regarding the in-kind services. The agreement calls for $1,000 in equipment to be provided by the YMCA.  The Y had a list of $2,300 worth of equipment they wanted to bring in.  They gave the District 3 options:  1) to not bring in the equipment 2) for the District to pay for the additional $1,300 or 3) give the Y an additional $1,300 credit.  Dr. Newcome said his recommendation would have been "no equipment", as the District had already stretched the credits as far as they could.

Mr. Malone asked if there was actually a contract.

Dr. Newcome said that there is not - nothing had been signed.

Mr. Malone thinks the District should go ahead with Dr. Newcome's recommendations.

Mr. Hume talked about how wonderful the Y is at working with kids.  He thinks it's a shame that the municipalities in the district have not been more supportive of the Y.

Ms. Bowman said that the Y does provide benefits to their communities.  The District did try to work with them.

Dr. Newcome would like to verify the direction he is to take.

Ms. Bowman feels they should go ahead with all of the recommendations.

Mr. Nelson asked if this should be an agenda item for next week.

Dr. Newcome said he would create an agenda item and will notify the YMCA as soon as possible.

Mr. Malone thanked Dr. Newcome for all of his effort.

7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the March 15, 2010 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change orders to Lobar and Reed for the High School renovation and addition project:

Lobar:
Change Order 401-14 Countertop Credit ($25,492.00)

Reed:
Change Order 408-01 Doors and hardware in areas D & E $3,598.00

Resignation Approvals:

B.That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Jane Nields’ resignation as an instructional assistant at the Octorara Elementary School for purpose of retirement effective June 15, 2010. (Hired September 20, 1992.)

Ms. Bowman noted that the District is losing a good employee.
Hiring Approvals:
C.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Janelle Sherman and Ms. Kristin Winner to split the seventh grade girl’s softball coaching position at two points each. (The Board originally approved Ms. Sherman for the full four points of the supplemental contract.)

Mr. Hume asked how this is to be split.  Mr. Weagley said that they both plan to be there full-time.

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2009-2010 school year:
Deanna Downey (Elementary)
Lauren Hunter (Early Childhood)
Terri Kauffman (Emergency)
Jessica McGrath (Elementary and Special Education)

E.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:
Beth Hrincevich From M+30 ($74,974) to M+45 ($77,334) Step 19
Fallon Jordan From B ($43,741) to B+15 ($45,855) Step 1
Amy Rios From B+15 ($53,613) to M ($55,314) Step 10
Kristen Winner From B ($44,295) to B+15 ($47,579) Step 3

F.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the request for Jody Bradley to take an unpaid leave of absence without benefits for the 2010-2011 school year.

8. Facilities Committee Report

Mr. Nelson reported on the Facilities Committee meeting.  There was an update on the renovations.  They are moving into the second stage.  There should be bids by next meeting for asbestos removal in the shop wing.

The lockers in the shop wing were supposed to be painted & reset.  They need more work than originally anticipated.  They are using parts from old lockers, but there will be a change order for an additional $18,000.

The District is trying to get better rates on electricity.

The Middle School roof needs to be replaced or major repairs.  They are going to do an infrared moisture test to determine what needs to be done.  The test costs $ 1,200.

They are waiting on another bid for the fiber line between OES & OHS.

They are working on an agreement for the cell tower.

They are waiting for information for the plaque that needs to be installed regarding the renovations in the High School.

They are planning the Memorial Cove in the HS.  It will hopefully be self-funded with donations.

The communications system that was approved last month was $49,000.  We are receiving a credit of $12,000 for the old material.  There should be more credits to follow.

Looking to purchase playground equipment for the Intermediate School.  Hope to have it in by fall.

The district spent approx. $40,000 for snow removal.

9. Other Items/Concerns

none
10. Visitors’ Comments – General

Brian Fox (Londonderry Twp) would like to see more interaction between the School Board & the Municipality governments.   He talked about the type of interaction he would like to see and offered to help form a committee for this purpose if it is something the School Board would be interested in.

11. Board Comments
Ms. Bowman wasn't sure if he was aware of the Octorara Regional Council.

Dr. Newcome said he would take Brian up on his offer & meet with him to talk about it more.  He then talked a little about the Octorara Regional Council.  They didn't get "buy-in" from all the municipalities in the District.  They do have fairly regular meetings.  They are now organized by Representative Houghton.  Senator Brubaker and Rep. Cutler have participated.  Former Rep. Hershey also participated. 

There will also be a "Community Conversation" facilitated by Chester County 20/20 on March 18th.  There are approximately 50 people signed up for this, at this time.

Mr. Hume related that an economic development study occurred in 2000.  It pointed out areas that could be developed without interfering with agriculture.  He thinks most municipalities put it on a shelf.  West Sadsbury has done development.

Mr. Nelson said that a feasibility study was completed 5 or 6 years ago, which looked at the number of permits on the books for each municipality & the potential for permits.

Ms. Bowman said the Octorara Regional Council is using the document that Mr. Hume spoke about.

Mr. Ganow said that Mr. Fox's suggestion was outstanding.  He said that sometimes it seems as though the municipalities want to keep business out, while the district needs business to expand the tax base.

Mr. Weagley let the Board know that Kevin Noon was named PA Coach of the Year by the PA Soccer Coaches' Association.  The Boys' Basketball team has a great season.  Two wrestlers are going to the state tournament (Brandon Arnsberger and Nate Ronan).

Chloe Dean (Student Rep) said that the student blood drive went well.

Ms. Bowman said that Representative Houghton has a video on YouTube that talks about the Oxford & Octorara areas.   She gave "kudos" to the High School art department.  Students received 75 awards at the Lancaster County Young Artist Awards.

Mr. Malone wanted to remind everyone that the High School will be presenting "Willy Wonka" March 19, 20 & 21.


12. Adjournment

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, March 8, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Executive Session for personnel Monday, March 8, 2010 – following the Board Meeting in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, March 15, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, March 15, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room