School Board Work Session 04/12/2010

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
April 12, 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

1 absent

Dr. Newcome absent

4. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None
5.Presentations:

A.Budget – Dan Carsley

The preliminary budget was submitted to the state.   The 1.3M (million) in exceptions were approved. 

If we use all of the exceptions the millage will be:  Chester County 35.85; Lancaster County 28.75

The district is still short $ 1.1M

The audited Fund Balance as of 6/30/2009 was $5.2M.  The district is using $712K (thousand) this year.  The district may need to use an additional $400K for medical costs.  There is $768K being used in the new budget and using reserve to $900K.  This brings the fund balance down to $2.4M.   The district needs 2 months of operating cash to cover July & Aug.

The suggestions made for cost savings were not included in these figures.

Mrs. Bowman asked if we are looking at $700K less from the state.  Mr. Carsley said that he did not include any increase for basic education from the state.  The only changes he made were tied to retirement, etc.

Mrs. Bowman said that as the current budget stands, the district is looking to use $1.1M of the fund balance.
Mr. Carsley said he likes to explain it as using non-recurring revenue to pay for recurring costs.

Mrs. Bowman said it is time to start looking at the suggestions & putting numbers to them.

Mr. Hume had a question as to what figures were used for local revenue.  Mr. Carsley said he originally used $1.6M EIT.  The Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau (LCTCB) gave him revised figures of $1.5M.

Mr. Hume asked if the real estate tax totals would go up.  Mr. Carsley said he used January's numbers.  The assessments are not stable.  Some have been going up and other have been going down.  There have been many reassessments.

Mrs. Bowman noted that for a home valued at $150,000, the tax bill was less over the past two years (compared to 3 years ago) due to the gambling revenue distribution.

Mr. Hume stated that he understands we don't have a tax base.  He thinks it is time to make a statement to the Department of Ed about our situation.  He would like them to look at our millage rates compared to surrounding districts and to look at our needs. 

Mr. Carsley stated that if more people sign up for the homestead act, then everyone gets less.

Mrs. Bowman stated that she agrees with Mr. Hume.  However, until other, larger districts start struggling, she doesn't think the State will listen.  She said it is like putting a traffic light up after 5 people die at an intersection..... we're the first to get killed.

Mr. McCartney asked if the formula was from the early 1990's. 

It was adjusted w/ Act 1, but didn't make much of a difference.

Mr. McCartney asked if enrollment was considered.  Mr. Carsley said it is.

Mr. Ganow commented that they have a long way to go and a short time to get there.

Mrs. Bowman said she would like to see figures attached to the suggestions for next week.

6. Information Items:

None.
7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the April 19, 2010 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2010-2011 Chester County Intermediate Unit Core Services Budget in the amount of $17,192,748.

Mr. Ganow asked for the number of students served.  Mr. Carsley will get that for him.
Mr. Nelson stated that this is close to last year's budget.
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2010-2011 Chester County Intermediate Unit Occupational Education Budget in the amount of $22,239,178.

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the additional services contract for EHC Associates relating to the design and consulting services for the Octorara Area High School asbestos containing transite soffit panel abatement not to exceed basic services fee of $3,900.

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached student activity request “Youth to Youth” at the Octorara Area High School.

Resignation Approvals:

E.That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Linda Persing’s resignation as the District Human Resources Coordinator for the purpose of retirement effective July 2, 2010. (Hired June 9, 1983.)

Mrs. Bowman noted that Ms. Persing has been with the District for 27 years.  She'd like to thank her for her service.

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Laurel Vnucak as a Title I reading aide at the Octorara Middle School effective April 5, 2010. (Hired August 31, 2009.)

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Ashley Smith as a cafeteria cashier at the Octorara Middle School effective March 15, 2010. (Hired August 24, 2006.)

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Jacky Strouth as an instructional assistant at the Octorara Middle School effective March 15, 2010. (Hired August 31, 2009.)

Hiring Approvals:

I.That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Morgan Gamble as a mid-range substitute guidance counselor at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective March 18, 2010 through June 15, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms Gamble’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing Lisa Steiner who is on child-rearing leave.)

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Jean Coldiron as a mid-range substitute learning support teacher at the Octorara Area High School effective April 15, 2010 through June 15, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Coldiron’s rate will be $140 per day. (Ms. Coldiron is an approved substitute for the District and is replacing Melanie Johnson who will be on child-rearing leave.)

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Candice Manning as a mid-range substitute art teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective April 29, 2010 through June 15, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms.
Manning’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing Katherine Balla who will be on child-rearing leave.)

Mr. Ganow had a question on her certificate.  Dr. Bishop will get back to him.
L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Mr. Christopher Henley as an ESL assistant at the Octorara Area High and Middle Schools effective April 7, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Mr. Henley’s rate will be $9.65 per hour. (Replacing Barbara Scarcelle who resigned.)

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve a salary adjustment for Ms. Alice Lohr from $115 per day to $140 per day from January 4, 2010 through January 15, 2010. (Replacing Polly McCullough who was on medical leave.)

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Melanie Johnson’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately May 20, 2010 through June 15, 2010. Ms. Johnson is a learning support teacher at the Octorara Area High School.

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Elizabeth Bushong’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately September 21, 2010 through November 30, 2010. Ms. Bushong is a health and PE teacher at the Octorara Intermediate School.

P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Elizabeth Landis’ request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately May 25, 2010 through June 15, 2010. Ms. Landis is a communication arts teacher at the Octorara Middle School.

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following mentors at a rate of $200:

Dawn Baldt mentor for Morgan Gamble
Diane Haney mentor for Dawn Munion

Mr. McCartney asked what period of time this covers.  Mrs. Hardy stated that it is a flat rate.  Mr. Ganow said it is contracted & mandated.

R. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Rich Letts as the assistant 7th grade baseball coach. This position is designated at 4 points at $545 per point. (Mr. Letts is being added due to the large number of players and the District’s no-cut policy for 7th grade.)

S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve a change in salary for Ms. Charlotte Bridges from $9.65 per hour to $10.40 per hour effective immediately due to graduate credits earned.

T. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:
Ashley DiRocco From M+30 ($61,698) to M+45 ($64,526) Step 10
Erika Porrecca From B+15 ($50,165) to M ($51,972) Step 6

8. Facilities Committee Report

Mr. Stoltzfus said the 2nd phase of the renovation project should be completed by August.  A lot will be finished by June.

He discussed the asbestos removal, locker repairs/replacement (lockers that are being repaired will use parts from lockers being replaced); change orders that are covered under the bid.

The fire system update should happen this week between the OES & OHS. 

He should have cell tower information soon.

The playground at OIS is being worked on.

They are still working on plans for the OMS roof.  They may just replace it with a rubber roof.  The district will probably see a credit on the roof for the auditorium and gym.

9. Other Items/Concerns

None.
10. Visitors’ Comments – General

None.
11. Board Comments

Chloe Dean said that student council is planning the annual Sr. Citizens' Prom.  They haven't heard much from the Y.

Mr. Harmer (OES Principal) said that the 24 Math Tournament will be held at OES on April 21st.

12. Adjournment

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, April 12, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Executive Session for personnel Monday, Arpil 12, 2010 – following the Work Session in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, April 19, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, April 19, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room