School Board Work Session 8/9/2010

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
August 9, 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.Presentations:

None
5.Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None
6.Information Items:

None
7.Presentation of Agenda Items for the August 16, 2010 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change orders: Bristol Environmental, Inc. #005 Asbestos removal 1st floor corridor and nurse’s suite in the amount of $8,645.00. Bristol Environmental, Inc. #006 Asbestos removal 1st floor renovation area in the amount of $7,000.00.

Resignation Approvals:
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, the resignation of Ms. Sherry Carolus as cafeteria/playground supervisor at the Octorara Elementary School effective July 20, 2010. (Hired 9/3/97)

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Kathleen Dikun as an instructional aide at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 5, 2010. (Ms. Dikun is filling a long-term substitute third grade position for the 2010-2011 school year. She will return to the aide position for the 2011-2012 school year.)

Hiring Approvals:

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Robin Keevan as a long term substitute physical education teacher in the Octorara Middle School effective August 25, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Keevan’s salary will be $46,914.00 which is Step 1 of the Bachelor’s Scale. (Replacing Deb Canby who is on sabbatical leave.)

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Kathleen Dikun as a long term substitute third grade teacher at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 25, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms.Dikun’s salary will be $46,914.00 which is Step 1 of the Bachelor’s Scale. (Replacing Jody Bradley who is on child rearing leave.)

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Dana Coulter’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from August 25, 2010 through October 4, 2010. Ms. Coulter is a second grade teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center.

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Sarah Callaway’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately October 26, 2010 through January 3, 2011. Ms. Callaway is a special education teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center.

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Amanda King’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately November 22, 2010 through January 3, 2011. Ms. King is a sixth grade teacher at the Octorara Intermediate School.

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes of salary omitted from the salary list approved on June 28, 2010:
Ashley Brennan $46,914 Step 1 Bachelor’s Scale
Aleta Connell $81,848 Step 20 Master’s +30 Scale

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change in salary due to graduate credits earned:
JoAnn Marinacci From M ($55,102) to M+15 ($59,906) Step 6
Megan Munn From M ($54,244) to M+15 ($59,100) Step 5
Sally Welk From M+30 ($65,733) to M+45 ($68,622) Step 10

8. Facilities Committee Report

Met this evening about the HS Renovation.  Seems to be going well.  There are a few issues that keep popping up.  Out back by the dock & cafeteria, they needed to move micro & fiber lines.  They weren't deep enough.

There are 2 places where water is coming in (Band Room & TV Studio).  This is being investigated.

There will be a few change orders added to the agenda for next Monday.

They found more asbestos.  There will be change orders for that.

OIS still has rain coming in.  The original contract will be looking into this.

The MS roof project is going well & should be completed for the beginning of school.

The cell tower is still being worked on & is currently with the solicitor.

9.Other Items/Concerns
 None.
10.Visitors’ Comments – General

Ellen Brown (Atglen) thanked the District for publishing The Reporter.  It is nice for this year's graduating class to see something in print about their accomplishments.  She did have an issue with the notice regarding the sports physicals.  It was published that the physicals were $10 and the form on the district website is not the correct one.  She had brought it to the attention of the District when the published morning announcements stated $10 and that the form was incorrect.

Lennie Brown (Atglen) asked if it is possible to use the phone system to inform people who don't have children in school about activities such as concerts & plays on an opt-in basis.  It would be a free night out for people.  

He also wanted to let the Board & District know that two members of the Class of 2010 received scholarships.  Josh Wolfe received $1,000 from the Lanco Soccer League and Greg Patrick received $4,000 from EPYSA (Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association).

Mr. Weagley addressed the sports physicals.  He said that the correction got to the District office too late.  He had let people know that they were $20 and he directed people to the highschoolsports.net site for the form.

11.Board Comments

Mr. Norris asked when the school supply lists would be distributed.  He has had several people ask about it.  Items are picked over & no longer on sale by the time the lists come out.

He also asked about the status of the fitness center opening.

Mr. Hume commented on senior citizens & music.  If notices are given to him, he could get them to the complexes.

He also asked about information he had requested from the HS that he hasn't received.  He is concerned about 9th grade retention rates & dropout rates.  He thinks this information should be shared with the Board.   It seems the district is concerned about comparisons to other districts.

Mr. Weagley reported on the fitness center.  There are currently 12 people signed up. He's had over 10 phone calls.  He is cautiously optomistic.  He will give a more in depth report next week.

Dr. Bishop responded concerning supply lists.  They are coordinated to go out at the same time.  Mr. Hume asked if they could be placed on the website.  The response was that different teachers want different things.

Ms. Bowman asked that someone check to see how widely the district could use the phone system and if there would be additional cost.

12.Adjournment

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, August 9, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Executive Session for personnel - Monday, August 16, 2010 –6:30 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, August 16, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room