Teachers face tough talks

Teachers face tough talks


Both sides here expect difficult contract negotiations

Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era

Sep 13, 2010 09:40 EST

By BRIAN WALLACE, Staff Writer
Media Center

School districts engaged in, or about to be engaged in, contract negotiations with their teachers.





Teachers and school district officials are bracing for what could be a bruising year of negotiations over new contracts for about 3,000 teachers.

Both sides say the weak economy and increasing financial pressures on schools will likely make contract talks more challenging in 2010-11 than in years past.

"It will be very difficult," said Paul Gottlieb, a negotiator for the Pennsylvania State Education Association. "The economic situation puts pressure on everybody on both sides."

Gottlieb is the PSEA representative for Octorara School District, one of four districts — along with Warwick, Penn Manor and School District of Lancaster — that soon will begin negotiations to replace or extend teacher contracts that expire at the end of the school year.

Teachers with Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 and Lancaster County Career & Technology Center also are working under contracts that expire June 30, 2011.

Two other school districts — Manheim Central and Solanco — have been negotiating since last school year to replace or extend contracts that expired over the summer.

All of the teachers involved in talks are working under old contracts that, on average, boosted their salaries by 3.6 percent to 4.4 percent a year.

Those raises were negotiated long before the financial collapse of 2008. The economy has rebounded, but growth has been slow, unemployment remains high and per-capita incomes actually shrank last year in Lancaster County.

Despite the weak economic outlook, teachers in nine districts that negotiated new or extended contracts last year won fairly generous raises, averaging about 3.7 percent a year.

Those hikes, however, were partially offset by major concessions, mainly on health care costs, in the new multi-year agreements.

In negotiations this year, school districts are likely to ask for more concessions and offer lower raises — if any at all.

District officials say their ability to generate revenue in 2011-12 will be severely restricted by the state, which is expected to limit tax hikes for most districts under Act 1 to 1.4 percent — less than half of this year's 2.9 percent base limit.

They also cite rising costs in 2011-12 from the federal health care overhaul, increasing energy costs and pending spikes in pension costs, which are set to quadruple by 2012-13.

In addition, federal stimulus funds that pumped millions into school budgets the past two years are running out, and the state is likely to rein in education spending in 2011-12 as it grapples with a multibillion-dollar deficit under a new governor.

SDL school board member Michael Rowen said teachers and unions need to understand that school districts are operating in a changed economic environment.

"The money's not there to sustain the direction we were in," he said. "To simply go on assuming you're going to get increases may not be a reasonable expectation."

SDL estimates it will pay an additional $2 million in pension payments in 2010-11 and nearly $8 million more in 2012-13.

With next year's stricter property tax constraints, the district will be able to generate about $1 million in additional revenue, compared with $2.3 million in 2010-11, officials said.

Teacher salary increases alone this year are costing SDL $2.1 million.

Dave Calendar, president of Lancaster Education Association, said teachers are aware of the economic situation and will work toward reaching a settlement "that's fair to teachers, fair to the district and fair to taxpayers."

He declined to discuss possible contract proposals.

Gottlieb said teachers "are not unrealistic people."

"Of course (the economy) influences what we come to the table with," he said. "School boards will have to decide where to prioritize and where to put their money."

Here is a synopsis of the status of current and upcoming contract talks. Districts that have not started negotiations must, under state law, begin talks by Jan. 10.

•Lancaster County CTC (83 teachers) — Teachers don't want to renegotiate their contract but want it to "roll over," union president Samuel Betancourt said.

Under that provision, which is unique to the CTC, all terms of the agreement would remain unchanged except salaries, which would be adjusted each year based on the average of pay hikes in the 16 districts that send students to the CTC.

The union plans to meet Sept. 16 with CTC executive director Dave Warren to discuss the rollover plan, which would require the approval of both sides.

•IU 13 (500 teachers) — The IU has met with teachers to discuss the possibility of extending the current contract by two years, IU 13 spokeswoman Shannan Guthrie said.

If an agreement on an extension can't be reached, negotiations on a new contract would begin in November, she said.

•Manheim Central (239 teachers) — Talks are scheduled to resume the week of Sept. 20.

•Solanco (259 teachers) — Negotiations will continue in mid-September.

•School District of Lancaster (1,000 teachers), Penn Manor (366 teachers), Warwick (325 teachers) and Octorara (210 teachers) — Talks have yet to begin.

bwallace@lnpnews.com

CASD continues to improve

From the Daily Local News:
CASD continues to improve

District overall among region's most improved
Monday, September 27, 2010

By KATRINA DIX, Staff Writer

COATESVILLE — Coatesville Area Superintendent Richard Como recently announced the school district has met the criteria for progress under federal No Child Left Behind legislation for the fifth year in a row.

State reports show the school district has continually improved its Adequate Yearly Progress standing over the last five years, although individual schools still face challenges.

Coatesville Area Senior High School did not meet its progress standards for the 2009-10 school year. The high school reached the status of Corrective Action II, the bottom bracket of the progress status levels, after repeatedly failing to meet its progress benchmarks in the same subject and subgroup since 2006.

Despite the seriousness of the school's status, the school has improved over last year, when it met seven out of 10 targets for academic performance.

This year, the high school met nine out of 10 targets. The only area in which it has still failed to meet Adequate Yearly Progress is in reading standards for the special education subgroup.

This means that the high school has met Adequate Yearly Progress for mathematics standards in all subgroups, an area that has been a primary challenge since the federal legislation was enacted.

"We had the fourth-largest increase in our mathematics scores at the high school level in the Delaware Valley," Como said. The Delaware Valley includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

District mathematics specialist Teresa Powell said the gains are partly due to a new mathematics seminar support program. Students are placed in the program after being identified through exam scores, feedback from teachers and a diagnostic test in the computer-based Measures of Academic Performance program, Powell said.

Math seminar students participate in a small, supplementary, half-credit class year-round, every other day, in addition to an algebra or geometry class, she said. In addition to the diagnostic test, the Measures of Academic Performance provides a prescriptive, interactive program.

"It's definitely based on student needs. Five to 10 students participate in one classroom, so teachers can work in very, very small groups to give the students exactly what they need," Powell said.

The district has also implemented several supplemental programs that focus on neglected areas at the middle and elementary schools.

"We never got to Chapter 12, which is measurement. We never got to Chapter 11, data analysis. So we pulled those two major chapters out of the textbooks and created a course so that we knew every student would be exposed to those concepts," Powell said.

The district also identifies individual needs based on multiple test scores, teacher recommendations, and the Measures of Academic Performance test itself, she said.

This year, the district is implementing similar programs in language arts, Como said.

According to state records, other schools in the district have come out of warning levels this year.

Scott Middle School holds the status of "Making Progress" because it is in its first year reaching Adequate Yearly Progress after having failed to make it for two consecutive years in the same subject.

Scott Middle must make Adequate Yearly Progress again this year to be considered back on track; otherwise, it will drop to the next level of school improvement status past its original warning level.

Caln Elementary made sufficient progress after having slipped for the 2008-09 school year. Because it did not make Adequate Yearly Progress for only one year, it was only placed on warning and is now considered back on track.

Reeceville Elementary made sufficient progress for the second year after failing to meet standards for two years in the same subject, and has moved out of Making Progress status.

North Brandywine Middle School also moved out of Making Progress status for making Adequate Yearly Progress for the second year after failing to meet standards for three years in the same subject.

The district's challenges have primarily been in the category of Academic Performance.

The district has consistently met requirements for the two other categories used to determine Adequate Yearly Progress, Attendance/Graduation and Test Participation.

State records for Coatesville's academic performance are available at http://paayp.emetric.net.

To contact staff writer Katrina Dix, send an email to kdix@dailylocal.com.

Avon Grove board anticipates budget referendum

From the Daily Local News:

Avon Grove board anticipates budget referendum

School officials say community members should help inform the electorate
Monday, September 27, 2010

By MARCELLA PEYRE-FERRY, Special to the Local News

PENN — The school year has just begun and the Avon Grove School Board is already worried about the budget for the 2011-12 school year.

For the coming year, the state's Act 1 index is 1.4 percent. That means that with the exception of a few items, if the district budget requires a property tax increase of more than 1.4 percent, voter approval is needed to enact the tax levy.

"I think we can go into this assuming we will likely have a referendum this year," board President Richard Weidenmuller said at the Sept. 23 board meeting.

Avon Grove has never had to go through a referendum.

Weidenmuller said he hopes the district can put a team together to let the public know the impact of their vote on the schools if there is a budget referendum.

"It's our responsibility to make sure they have all the facts on what would happen if the vote were yes and what would happen if the vote were no," he said. "We think we have a lot of work to do."

One of the vehicles to inform the public could be the board's community outreach committee that has been inactive of late.

School officials also indicated that a cross section of the community should be included in the process.

District Superintendent Augustus Massaro noted that when faced with a tight budget this year, officials provided recommendations for more than $2 million in budget reductions that could be used as a starting point for cuts in the coming year's spending plan.

"The reductions in the school district are going to be much deeper," Massaro warned. "My recommendation to the board would be to put together an extensive committee."

As the district faces budget cutbacks, the recent fatal traffic crash involving several students has prompted some community members to ask for the addition of driver's education classes at the high school.

Larissa Looney asked school officials why driver's education was not mandatory.

"I feel like this is probably as important as math or science. This is something every student should be able to take," she said, noting that the Chester County Intermediate Unit program is expensive and inconvenient.

"I feel like kids around here are not properly educated," Looney said. "We're scared to drive on the road with some of them. It boils down to a community problem."

District to take fees for facilities

From Daily Local News:
District to take fees for facilities

Downingtown Area officials say charges will recoup costs
Monday, September 27, 2010

By ERIC S. SMITH, Staff Writer

WALLACE — Downingtown Area officials announced they will start enforcing their policy of collecting fees from outside groups using school district facilities.

The current policy states "the district reserves the right to determine the rental fee and impact schedules for each class of users requesting district facilities.

"In addition to these charges, the district reserves the right to charge for support services, including but not limited to custodial, cafeteria, stage crew, lighting assistance and the estimated additional cost of utilities, irrespective of the category of the user."

Community nonprofit groups likely will be affected the most. These organizations are the most frequent non-school organizations that use the district's indoor and outdoor facilities.

Richard Fazio, the district's chief financial officer, said the district plans to break even with the fees it charges.

"We're not looking to make money," Fazio said. "We are just looking to recoup our costs."

Fazio said the nonprofit groups account for more than 16,000 hours of facility use within the district. Nonprofit groups include

YMCAs, youth sports organization, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other charity organizations.

The policy to charge these groups for using district facilities existed before this year's budget was crafted. But it was enacted after many of the affected organizations already had their budgets in place because, unlike public school districts, their fiscal years coincide with the calendar year. Therefore, Fazio said, the organizations "were not receptive to the fee."

On Wednesday night, the school board's finance committee agreed charging the fees would now be appropriate and Fazio may inform these organizations before they set their new budgets.

"The fee was already in the policy, but we just got caught up by the timing last year," said district Superintendent Lawrence Mussoline.

All of the committee members agreed fees are appropriate because the district incurs costs everytime it allows nonprofits to use its facilities. But committee Chairman William Fagan said this is a tough year to be imposing a new fee on nonprofits.

"It will be tough to get blood from a stone," Fagan said.

Fazio said the administration initially considered charging a fee because next year's spending plan will be difficult to balance with available revenues.

"This coming budget may be the most challenging budget in the history of education, at least in Pennsylvania," Fazio said. "We are looking everywhere on the expenditure side to see where we can reduce expenditures. But we also need to look at the revenue side."

Fazio said the state has set the Act 1 index at 1.4 percent for the next budget cycle, and that means school districts cannot increase taxes more than 1.4 percent without filing for certain exceptions or putting the the tax hike before the public in a referendum. The exceptions allow the minimum tax to increase by a few percentage points.

While all nonprofits must pay the fees, the Lionville Youth Association has an agreement with the district for field use that supercedes the district's fee policy. Therefore, it will not have to pay the new fees.

To contact staff writer Eric S. Smith, send an e-mail to esmith@dailylocal.com.

Mid-States accreditation for Avon Grove

From the Daily Local News:
Mid-States accreditation for Avon Grove

Commission affirms high school provides quality education
Sunday, September 26, 2010
By MARCELLA PEYRE-FERRY, Special to the Local News


LONDON GROVE — Avon Grove High School has a new accomplishment.

The school is now one of a handful of public high schools in the county accredited by the Middle States Association's Commission on Secondary Schools.

Avon Grove received initial accreditation in 2001 and is now reaccredited for the period running from spring of this year through May 1, 2017.

"Accreditation means a validation of our school and our students and where we're heading toward the future for Avon Grove High School," Principal Tom Alexander said. "It's an intensive process. We went through it and came out clean. I'm very proud of the faculty, staff, students, administrators, and the whole Avon Grove community."

The accreditation came after a 3½-day visit to the school late last year by a team from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. They met with teachers, students, parents, administrators and school board members and toured the facilities, studied the school's strategic plan and observed classrooms in action.

According to the Commission on Secondary Schools, accreditation is the affirmation that a school provides a quality of education that the community has a right to expect and the education world endorses.

To be accredited, a school must meet the organization's standards that cover all facets of the high school from the school's mission and objectives, to leadership, technology, student life, safety and educational programs.

Avon Grove took a challenging route to this goal by using the Accreditation for Growth protocol. This required the school to meet additional standards that look at the strategic planning for school improvement and growth in student performance. The school must establish objectives for improving student performance based on a vision of a preferred future for the school and reach them.

"Our folks worked very hard. It's a great accomplishment. We have a lot of hard goals to accomplish for the faculty and staff," Superintendent Augustus Massaro said. "The priorities are outlined in the plan. We'll follow the plan just as we follow the district plan."

Unionville-Chadds ford teacher talks at a glance

From the Daily Local News:
Unionville-Chadds ford teacher talks at a glance

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board Proposal:
An average 1.8 percent salary increase each year for four years in tandem with a more affordable health care plan.

Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association Proposal:
An average 4.9 percent salary increase each year for four years and continuation of the current health care plan.

SALARY:
Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board Proposal:
First year: 1.8 percent raise
Second year: 1.8 percent raise
Third year: No change
Fourth year: 3.8 percent raise


Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association Proposal:
First year: 5.0 percent raise
Second year: 4.7 percent raise
Third year: 4.6 percent raise
Fourth year: 4.6 percent raise


HEALTH CARE PLAN
Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board Proposal:
The school board is proposing a health care benefits program with three options. The Personal Choice C4-F4-O2 plan is the Core Healthcare option.

Teachers would contribute 15 percent of the premium costs of the C4-F4-O2 plan. Option 2 would allow teachers to pay all additional costs to buy-up to the current, higher-cost PC 10/20/70 plan.

Option 3 would allow teachers to select a lower-cost HD4-HC2 plan with premium contributions of zero percent in the fiirst year, 1 percent in the second year, 2 percent in the third year and 3 percent in the fourth year.

Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association Proposal:
Maintain the existing PC 10/20/70 plan with the teachers contributing an additional one-half percent (that is, an increase from the current 7.5 percent to 8 percent) to the premiums. The buy-up option to the Personal Choice 7 plans at teacher expense remains in force.

PRESCRIPTION PLAN
Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board Proposal:
Plan would include co-pays of $10 for generic, $30 for preferred brand name, and $50 for non-formulary drugs.


Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association Proposal:
Plan would include co-pays of $10 for generic, $25 for preferred brand name, and $35 for non-formulary drugs.

SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACT RATES:
Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board Proposal:
Supplemental contract compensation would remain the same throughout the duration of the contract.

Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association Proposal:
Supplemental contract compensation would increase by 3 percent in year one and 3 percent in year four, with no increase in years two and three.

(The complete version of this PDF can be found at www.ucfsd.org by clicking on the "teachers negotiations" link on the main page.)

Unionville-Chadds Ford board fields comments about contract

From the Daily Local News:
Unionville-Chadds Ford board fields comments about contract

About 400 people, including many teachers, attend meting at Pocopson Elementary
Sunday, September 26, 2010

By WM. SHAWN WEIGEL, Special to the Local News

POCOPSON — Supporters and opponents of raises for teachers addressed the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board last week at an informational meeting on contract negotiations.

About 400 people, including many teachers, filled the auditorium at Pocopson Elementary School.

While some spoke on the side of the teachers at the Monday meeting, many were opposed to what they said were inappropriate accommodations in tough economic times.

The teachers have been working without a contract since the end of June when the current contract ran out, leaving them to be compensated under the terms of the last valid contract.

The decision to go public with the negotiations came from the teacher's association, according to school board member Frank Murphy, who reported the union used the option after giving the board a required 48 hours notice on Sept. 7.

Much of the disagreement appears to be over salary and health care benefits, although issues concerning tuition reimbursement, the number of working days and length of the work day are also under discussion.

Pennsbury resident Beverly Brooks said this is the way every teachers contract negotiation goes, with both sides calling the other unfair. She said she was happy to pay her share to see the schools remain high in state and county rankings.

"That's how public education works, the retired and the working pay for the children's education," Brooks said. "If we don't support good teachers and good education, what do we have?"

Pocopson resident Tom Pancoast said he had a problem with the way the teachers present at the meeting resembled "an army" and were behaving as such.

Each of the teachers wore a blue Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association Polo shirt emblazoned with the yellow Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association logo.

"The only way we can work this out is together, and you come marching in here like an army," he said. "You're clearly drawing battle lines."

Pocopson resident Kristen Hoover, who identified herself as a former teacher, said she could not agree with the teachers' side, given the state of the economy.

"I think people need to be aware of the fact that there is a lot of pain in these nice little houses around here," she said.

School board member Jeff Leiser said the rumors that the board has not acted in good faith are false and that the teachers union has held fast to what he called "economically unsuitable" terms.

"Good faith does not mean giving into the association's demands (and does not mean) splitting the difference," Leiser said. "I believe good faith means listening respectfully to each other, trying to understand each side's needs and developing a mutually beneficial proposal."

Leiser also read a list of probable cuts and reductions that could occur if the district were to accept the union's current list of demands.

"Should we eliminate the jobs of good people on our faculty and staff? Should we increase our class sizes significantly above our guidelines? Should we cut extracurricular programs from our schools? Should we try to raise taxes above legal limits imposed by Act 1?" Leiser asked. "These are some of the consequences that could result if we do not deal with this matter in a fiscally prudent way now."

School board President Timotha Trigg called for "shared sacrifice" on both sides for the benefit of the children in the district.

"We do value you," she said. "And if we cannot reach an agreement, it is the children who will suffer."

The teacher's side remained quiet for the most part, with the few who did speak addressing the district's recent discussion on outsourcing transportation duties.

Instead, the teachers relied on a written statement handed out at the beginning of the meeting, which addressed some of the union's concerns.

Those issues included a 4 percent increase to the "total teacher payroll" over four years and divided among 331 teachers.

The statement also addressed concerns that the board has not responded to the union's most recent proposal in more than a month.

It also said the union proposed a change to the health care insurance plan that would have had the district paying less while increasing the salary contribution, and that the district rejected that proposal.

For more information on the negotiations, visit the district's site at www.ucfsd.org and the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association's site at www.ucfea.org.

No deal for teachers in Phoenixville

Daily Local News
No deal for teachers in Phoenixville

They've been working without a contract since June 30
Thursday, September 23, 2010

By Dennis J. Wright
Special to the Local News
PHOENIXVILLE — Teachers in the Phoenixville Area School District have been working without a new contract since June 30; they've been abiding by the previous contract.

Since the June 30 deadline, there have been more than 10 committee meetings held to work on teacher contract negotiations, including one on June 30.

School board President Paul Slaninka said negotiation meetings were held consistently over the summer months in hopes of working on a contract prior to the new school year.

"Some of those meetings were team meetings and some were with the association," Slaninka said. "We've been meeting and we've had the mediator involved. It's a slow process and and it's going and going."

Slaninka said both sides exchanged proposals in the beginning of this year and have been making some progress along the way.

"Each one of us exchanged proposals back in January, and we've agreed on most of them," he said. "We've taken care of the low-hanging fruit on the tree. There are still a lot of issues outstanding but I'm hoping that they can be worked out. Our team is ready, willing and able. We are very optimistic."

Even though the teachers are still under the previous contract, Slaninka said he's very proud of their professionalism as the school year began on time.

"We're very proud of our teachers and the level of professionalism they've demonstrated," he said. "Our kids have reaped the benefits of their professionalism by school opening on time. (School Superintendent Alan) Fegley and (Assistant Superintendent Regina) Palubinsky have done a great job, along with the principals and teachers in all of our schools. It's a team effort on how the schools have opened this year. We couldn't be prouder of them all."

Slaninka saidPennsylvania law states that teachers must give 48 hours notice prior to going on strike. He said that if the teachers do strike, they must come back if the 180-day school year is in jeopardy by June 15.

"Then, after a period of time, if they chose to go out again, they can go out as far as the 180-day school year is not in jeopardy by June 30," he said. "We are very hopeful that won't happen."

With more meetings to look forward to in the future, Slaninka said each side knows its position.

"We are still in the process of more meetings," he said. "The mediator is in charge of scheduling the meetings so we are looking forward to the next one. Bargaining has taken place and each side knows their position and everything is going forward from there."

Articles from Newspapers - Other Districts

I'm going to try to post articles about other Districts in the area about their contract talks & budgets.

From the Daily Local News :
Signs of unrest during contract talks

Unionville-Chadds Ford teachers post messages about bargaining problems
Sunday, September 19, 2010

By FRAN MAYE, Special to the Local News

Teachers in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District are showing solidarity by placing placards in their cars and holding signs at student drop-off spots after no progress was made in recent contract negotiations.

Teachers have been working under the terms of a previous contract, which expired at the end of June.

The "labor action" by 330 Unionville-Chadds Ford teachers is expected to continue throughout the school year, and it will impact student activities. Teachers will continue to teach, but many of their volunteer activities will be curtailed as teachers work the bare minimum required by their contract.

Teachers are curtailing activities like evening meetings, and teacher attendance at school events. For the first time, teachers will not be attending the upcoming Unionville Community Fair, slated for Oct. 1 to Oct. 3.

"Teachers at Unionville are being treated badly," said Ruthann Waldie, lead negotiator for the Unionville-Chadds Ford Teachers Education. "This contract should have been settled six months ago."

A school board meeting set for 7:30 p.m. Monday at Pocopson Elementary School will be an informational session for rank-and-file teachers. "We think some teachers really don't know what's on the table," said a school board member, who preferred to remain anonymous.

Contract talks have made no noticeable progress for the past seven months. Waldie said the board rejected the union's latest offer and no new negotiations have been planned.

The board is offering an average 1.8 percent salary increase over four years with a new health care plan that is more affordable to the district.

Broken down, it's 1.8 percent in year one, 1.8 percent in year two, no increase in year three and a 3.8 percent increase in year four.

The latest union proposal, according to Waldie, is a 4 percent per year average, broken down as 4.3 percent in year one, 4 percent in year two, 3.9 percent in year three and 3.9 percent in year four.

The union has offered a plan to pay more in health care co-pays; however, it claims the district's proposed health care plan is not used by any other school district, has no track record in education and has deductibles as high as $6,000.

School board representatives said those high-end deductibles are $4,500.

"We've shown them (school directors) ways to fund the salary schedule," Waldie said. "We can get this done, but teachers are prepared to do whatever needs to be done. Unionville is a top school district and I'd like to see teachers continued to be recognized for that."

But the school board said the teachers' proposal is "economically unsustainable."

One board member said the board simply cannot afford to come off its 1.8 percent salary increase figure, saying the board will likely "stick to its guns" with little to no movement on the salary issue.

A beginning teacher at Unionville with a bachelor's degree earns $47,743. The union is proposing $48,841.

A teacher with at least 16 years of experience and a master's degree plus 60 credit currently earns $101,427 at Unionville. The union's proposal would put that number at $103,760.

The average teacher salary at Unionville is $74,798. About 70 of the 330 teachers earn the maximum salary.

"As a practical matter, teachers' salaries represent the majority of the district's budget," according to a joint school board statement issued Friday. "While the negotiating team seeks to slow step movement, our offer still includes increases for teachers who further their education and grow in their profession."

School directors said salary is just one component of the negotiations.

"The total cost (salary, health care, Pennsylvania State Education Retirement System, FICA, tuition reimbursement and unemployment compensation) for one teacher at is $97,092, on average," according to the joint school directors statement. "The total district cost for each of the 70 teachers at the top of the salary schedule is more than $125,000 per year."

Waldie said that although a strike is an option, it's not being considered yet.

The Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association membership recently gave their negotiating committee the power to call a strike at the negotiating committee's discretion.

By law, any teacher strike in a Pennsylvania district must be terminated in time to allow 180 days of education by June 30. This provision of the law has the effect of limiting a Pennsylvania teacher strike to 15 school days or fewer.

But Waldie and school directors know the divide and chaos a strike can bring, and the problems it causes for students. School strikes in other districts have caused division and bad feelings for years, and Waldie said she is aware of that.

"The teachers are out there working, and the signs are just there for solidarity," Waldie said. "This is not a work-to-contract situation, but the teachers have desired not to volunteer. If students need help, teachers will be there to help them."

Waldie said teachers are growing impatient of working under terms of the old contract.

"We have several options provided us under the law, and we will take whatever action is needed to get a fair and equitable contract," Waldie said.

Rich Hug, a spokesman for the school district, said he knows the devastating impact a strike can bring because he experienced it recently in Downingtown, where he lives. "From an administrative standpoint, I hope for the best outcome for teachers and the taxpayers," he said.

"We may see a prolonged labor problem here," said one school director. "But we just can't go any higher."

No contract negotiations have been scheduled. School officials are expecting an overflow crowd at Monday night's meeting.

Octorara School Board Meeting 09/20/2010

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
September 20, 2010 – 7:30 p.m.
Middle School Multi-Purpose Room

AGENDA
1. Lord’s Prayer

2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

3. Roll Call
2 absent

4. Approval of Minutes from the Work Session of August 9, 2010 and the Regular Meeting of August 16, 2010.

approved
5. Presentations
A. Ken Phillips – RBC Dain Rauscher
Discussed balance needed to finish renovation project.  Need the money at the end of 2010/beginning of 2011.  Studies distributed to Board members.  The Stimulus funds haven't fit the needs here.  Octorara didn't qualify for Build America Bond.  They will continue to look at through the process.  Also not eligible for the Qualified School Construction Bonds.    Outstanding rates still low.  They don't think a lot will happen with rates over the next year.  They are still going over cost estimates with the architects.  Will bring paperwork to Oct. 18th meeting for more than you will need for filing with the State.  Can determine actual amount in November.

Mr. Stoltzfus asked if the Board needed to take any action tonight.  Mr. Phillips replied that they did not. 

6. Information Items

None.

7. Treasurer’s Report
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the General Fund Report for period ending August 31, 2010.

Mr. Ganow commented on the large cash balance. Mr. Carsley said that $900,000 had since been transferred to investments.
Approved.
8. Business Manager’s Report

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of bills for payment.

Approved.
9. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None.

10. Recommended Action Items: (Italicized items are new; they were not on the September 13, 2010 agenda.)
A - CC  approved.
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors appoint Nelson Stoltzfus as Board representative to the Chester County School Authority effective January 2011 for a five year term that will expire January 2016.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the special education contract between the Eastern Lancaster County School District and the Octorara Area School District for a student in the Life Skills Program in the amount of $10,451.00 for the 2010-2011 school year.

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the special education transportation contract between the Pequea Valley School District and the Octorara Area School District in the amount of $8.00 per day for the 2010-2011 school year.

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus drivers employed by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2010-2011 school year.

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus runs by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2010-2011 school year.

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve student “A” for graduation. The student has completed all requirements for graduation required by the Octorara Area School District and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve tenure status for Ms. Jan D’Angelo effective June 2007.

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors retain the services of Mr. Benjamin Pratt, Esquire to represent the Board of Directors during the impending teacher labor negotiations of 2011.

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Notice for Repository Sale of Tax Parcel 8-3-158 from the Chester County Tax Claim Bureau.

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the student activity request for “Octorara Monster Garage” at the Octorara Area High School.

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change orders

for the High School renovation and addition project: Altchem Environmental: Change Order 001 - $5,490.00 Remove & dispose of asbestos containing pipe insulation from boiler room.

Resignation Approvals:

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Amanda Welsh as a Title I math assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 23, 2010. (Hired August 16, 2010.)

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Sharon Rosander as a Title I reading assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective August 19, 2010. (Hired August 31, 2009.)

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Nancy Perks as a lunch/playground supervisor at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective September 14, 2010. (Hired December 9, 2008.)

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Billie Lynn Stanley as a cafeteria employee effective September 8, 2010. (Hired August 25, 2008.)

Hiring Approvals:

P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Kelly Reuter as a long term substitute Title I reading assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective September 13, 2010 through December 10, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and District. Ms. Reuter’s rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Stacey Hoopes who will be student teaching.)

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Jodi Lewis as a Title I reading assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective August 30, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Lewis’ rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Sharon Rosander who resigned.)

R. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Robyn Frye as a Title I math assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 30, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Frye’s rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Richard Letts who resigned.)

S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Eva Karen Gallagher as an Alternative Education assistant and van driver at the Octorara Area High School effective August 30, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Gallagher’s rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Richard Letts who resigned.)

T. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Cori Brittingham as an Alternative Education assistant and van driver at the Octorara Area High School effective September 8, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Brittingham’s rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Nicholas Raftas who resigned.)

U. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Traci Zary as a cashier at the Octorara Area High School cafeteria effective August 24, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Zary’s rate will be $8.75 per hour. (Replacing Debbie Perkins who resigned.)

V. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Lindsey Fischer as a long term substitute first grade teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective August 25, 2010 through December 13, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Fischer’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing Marjory Zajac who is on Family Medical Leave)

W. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Laura Duff as a long term substitute learning support teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective September 27, 2010 through January 3, 2011 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Duff’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing Sarah Callaway who will be on Family Medical Leave.)

X. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Kimberly Cabry’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately November 2, 2010 through January 3, 2011. Ms. Cabry is a special education teacher at the Octorara Intermediate School.

Y. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2010-2011 school year:
Katrina Campbell 8th Grade Field Hockey Coach 4 pts @ $570 $2,280
Jodie Pitt 7th Grade Field Hockey Coach 4 pts @ $570 $2,280
Elizabeth Landis OMS Newspaper 4 pts @ $570 $2,280
Drew Duggan OIS Envirothon Advisor 2 pts @ $570 $1,140

Z. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute support personnel for the 2010-2011 school year:
Kathleen Theresa Crawford (Cafeteria)
Emily Gibson (Cafeteria)
Joan Shupe (Cafeteria)
Jane Nields (Cafeteria, playground, classroom assistant)
Susan Simpson (Secretary, Instructional Assistant)
Brandon Rahak (Cafeteria)

AA. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2010-2011 school year:
Jodi Lewis (Elementary)
Barbara Whitworth-Roy (Elementary)
Anna Krueger (Elementary)

BB. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following salary adjustments: (These salaries were listed incorrectly on the original salary list approved on June 28, 2010.)
Marjory Boyes from $47,579 to $49,759 B+15 Step 2
Charlotte Bridges from $10.22 to $10.97

CC. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change in salary due to graduate credits earned:
John Atlee From M+15 ($63,081) to M+30 ($64,981) Step 6
Andrew Baumgardner From M+45 ($64,688) to M+60 ($67,716) Step 6
Timothy Ergler From M ($51,669) to M+15 ($56,682) Step 2
Melissa Hinton From M+45 ($79,438) to M+60 ($81,655) Step 17
Joshua Irons From B ($48,414) to B+15 ($50,644) Step 3
Nick Kluge From M ($52,527) to M+15 ($57,488) Step 3
Elizabeth Landis From M+15 ($60,713) to M+30 $(62,632) Step 7
Shirley Miller From B+15 ($65,227) to MQ ($68,436) Step 15
Tabitha Wallace From B ($47,664) to B+15 ($49,759) Step 2
Dana Young From M ($54,244) to M+15 ($59,100) Step 5

DD. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. James Feathers request for unpaid Family Medical Leave from August 20, 2010 through approximately November 15, 2010. Mr. Feathers is employed in the custodial/maintenance department.

Approved.
EE. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the extension of Ms. Marjory Zajac’s Family Medical Leave from November 19, 2010 to December 13, 2010. (Ms. Zajac is a first grade teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center.)

Approved.
FF. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Mr. John Cummings as the class of 2013 floating class advisor at the Octorara Area High School effective September 13, 2010.

Approved.

GG. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2010-2011 school year:
Neil Chippendale, Social Studies
Elise Froehlich, Health & PE
William Eisenhart, Social Studies
Stephanie Firth, Elementary
Jennifer Waite, Social Studies

Approved.

HH.  That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute support personnel for the 2010-2011 school year:
Kathryn Allison, Cafeteria
Betty Ann Edmondson, Classroom, Cafeteria, Clerical, Playground

Approved.

II.  That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Katy Ferrier as a volunteer in the guidance department at the Octorara Area High School.

Mr. Ganow asked if it was unusual to have a volunteer in the guidance office.  Dr. Newcome said that there are actually two at this time.
Approved.

JJ.  That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve splitting the supplemental position of Honor Society Advisor at the Octorara Area High School to two points each for Janelle Sherman and Tara Pitts.  (This position was originally approved at four points for Janelle Sherman.)

Approved.

11. I.U./C.A.T. Board Representative’s Report

Mr. Stoltzfus said they met last week & he will forward report.  Groundbreaking for new tech school happened last week.

12. Old Business

13. New Business
Mr. Malone said that Finance Committee met prior to this meeting.  There was a reduction of Basic Education revenue of $58,000.   The State set the index for 2011-12 at 1.4%.  Octorara's adjusted rate is 1.8%.

Dr. Newcome said that there will be a format change to the finance committee.  They will meet on regular board meeting nights during the budget process.

14. Other Items and Announcements
Chloe Dean reported on Homecoming.  Friday is the pep rally & parade.  Sports will be on Saturday along with club tables.  The dance will be Saturday night.  There will be a table with the brick fundraiser. 

Oct. 13-15 Chloe & 2 other students will be attending the PA School Board Association conference with Mr. Butch.  

Dr. Newcome talked about all of the activities that have been occurring over the past week.  There were two movie nights last Friday.  On Saturday, there was a Volleyball tournament.   The girls' soccer team had their "Girls Night Out" with a fundraiser for cancer.    This all leads into homecoming week.   It is fun to watch the kids be involved.

15. Visitors’ Comments – General

Kent Buohl (Parkesburg) talked about Girls' Night Out.  The varsity lost in overtime.  The team raised approx. $ 1,300.  The fundraising will continue through homecoming.  It was an excellent evening.  Approximately 100 people attended the tailgate.  About 30 younger players warmed up with the team.  Mr. Buohl thanked Dr. Newcome, Mr. Rohrer & Mr. Weagley for attending.  He heard parents comment that it was nice to see them there.  He also thanked the anonymous donor for the shirts and the Octorara Soccer Club for the socks.  There were many items donated by businesses and parents.

Peter Booker & Karen Busby from Smart Drive talked about their program.  Would like to see Octorara participate.  Information at http://www.smartdriveusa.org/.   Mr. Ganow asked that they present to Admin.  Mr. Hume had asked them to come.

Hank Cochran (West Sadsbury) asked when the teachers' contract expires.

16. Board Comments
Mr. Stoltzfus answered Mr. Cochran's question.  The contract ends June 2011.

17. Adjournment

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, September 20, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel - Monday, September 20, 2010 –following the Board Meeting in the Octorara District Office Conference Room

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, October 11, 2010 Renovation Project Tour – 5:30 p.m. starts in the District Office Conference Room Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Work Session – Monday, October 11, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, October 18, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, October 18, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room

School Board Work Session 09/13/2010

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
September 13, 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

4. Presentations:
None

5. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
None

6. Information Items:
None

7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the September 20, 2010 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors appoint _____________ as Board representative to the Chester County School Authority effective January 2011 for a five year term that will expire January 2016.

Mr. Stoltzfus agreed to continue as Octorara's representative.
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the special education contract between the Eastern Lancaster County School District and the Octorara Area School District for a student in the Life Skills Program in the amount of $10,451.00 for the 2010-2011 school year.

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the special education transportation contract between the Pequea Valley School District and the Octorara Area School District in the amount of $8.00 per day for the 2010-2011 school year.

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus drivers employed by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2010-2011 school year.

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus runs by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2010-2011 school year.

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve student “A” for graduation. The student has completed all requirements for graduation required by the Octorara Area School District and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve tenure status for Ms. Jan D’Angelo effective June 2007.

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors retain the services of Mr. Benjamin Pratt, Esquire to represent the Board of Directors during the impending teacher labor negotiations of 2011.

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Notice for Repository Sale of Tax Parcel 8-3-158 from the Chester County Tax Claim Bureau.

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the student activity request for “Octorara Monster Garage” at the Octorara Area High School.

Mrs. Bowman asked if this would be open to the community.  Mr. Rohrer said that it isn't at this time.  It is a learning experience, with the goal to eventually open it up.  It is currently just open to staff.

Mr. McCartney had some questions about the charges.  Mr. Rohrer said the instructor researched the prices.  Some of them are at cost.

Mr. Hume questioned the oversight.  Mr. Rohrer said that the teacher is a certified mechanic.

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change orders for the High School renovation and addition project: Altchem Environmental: Change Order 001 - $5,490.00 Remove & dispose of asbestos containing pipe insulation from boiler room.

Resignation Approvals:

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Amanda Welsh as a Title I math assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 23, 2010. (Hired August 16, 2010.)

Mr. Ganow questioned the length of time.  Mrs. Hardy said that she never actually started.
M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Sharon Rosander as a Title I reading assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective August 19, 2010. (Hired August 31, 2009.)

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Nancy Perks as a lunch/playground supervisor at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective September 14, 2010. (Hired December 9, 2008.)

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Billie Lynn Stanley as a cafeteria employee effective September 8, 2010. (Hired August 25, 2008.)

Hiring Approvals:

P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Kelly Reuter as a long term substitute Title I reading assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective September 13, 2010 through December 10, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and District. Ms. Reuter’s rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Stacey Hoopes who will be student teaching.)

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Jodi Lewis as a Title I reading assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective August 30, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Lewis’ rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Sharon Rosander who resigned.)

R. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Robyn Frye as a Title I math assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 30, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Frye’s rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Richard Letts who resigned.)

S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Eva Karen Gallagher as an Alternative Education assistant and van driver at the Octorara Area High School effective August 30, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Gallagher’s rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Richard Letts who resigned.)

R. & S. were a combined position.
T. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Cori Brittingham as an Alternative Education assistant and van driver at the Octorara Area High School effective September 8, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Brittingham’s rate will be $11.40 per hour. (Replacing Nicholas Raftas who resigned.)

U. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Traci Zary as a cashier at the Octorara Area High School cafeteria effective August 24, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Zary’s rate will be $8.75 per hour. (Replacing Debbie Perkins who resigned.)

V. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Lindsey Fischer as a long term substitute first grade teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective August 25, 2010 through November 19, 2010 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Fischer’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing Marjory Zajac who is on Family Medical Leave)

W. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Laura Duff as a long term substitute learning support teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective September 27, 2010 through January 3, 2011 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Duff’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing Sarah Callaway who will be on Family Medical Leave.)

X. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Kimberly Cabry’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately November 2, 2010 through January 3, 2011. Ms. Cabry is a special education teacher at the Octorara Intermediate School.

Y. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2010-2011 school year:
Katrina Campbell 8th Grade Field Hockey Coach 4 pts @ $570 $2,280
Jodie Pitt 7th Grade Field Hockey Coach 4 pts @ $570 $2,280
Elizabeth Landis OMS Newspaper 4 pts @ $570 $2,280
Drew Duggan OIS Envirothon Advisor 2 pts @ $570 $1,140

Mrs. Bowman asked if the field hockey positions were being paid by the Boosters.  Mr. Weagley responded that they are.

Z. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute support personnel for the 2010-2011 school year:
Kathleen Theresa Crawford (Cafeteria)
Emily Gibson (Cafeteria)
Joan Shupe (Cafeteria)
Jane Nields (Cafeteria, playground, classroom assistant)

AA. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2010-2011 school year:
Jodi Lewis (Elementary)
Barbara Whitworth-Ray (Elementary)

BB. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following salary adjustments: (These salaries were listed incorrectly on the original salary list approved on June 28, 2010.)
Marjory Boyes from $47,579 to $49,759 B+15 Step 2
Charlotte Bridges from $10.22 to $10.97

CC. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change in salarydue to graduate credits earned:
John Atlee From M+15 ($63,081) to M+30 ($64,981) Step 6
Andrew Baumgardner From M+45 ($64,688) to M+60 ($67,716) Step 6
Timothy Ergler From M ($51,669) to M+15 ($56,682) Step 2
Melissa Hinton From M+45 ($79,438) to M+60 ($81,655) Step 17
Joshua Irons From B ($48,414) to B+15 ($50,644) Step 3
Nick Kluge From M ($52,527) to M+15 ($57,488) Step 3
Elizabeth Landis From M+15 ($60,713) to M+30 $(62,632) Step 7
Shirley Miller From B+15 ($65,227) to MQ ($68,436) Step 15
Tabitha Wallace From B ($47,664) to B+15 ($49,759) Step 2
Dana Young From M ($54,244) to M+15 ($59,100) Step 5

8. Facilities Committee Report
2nd phase of HS renovation is complete.  Demolition on the 3rd phase is done & the walls are up.  There will be a couple more change orders for asbestos.

There haven't been any more water issues in the TV studio or the Band room, but they are still trying to find the source.

There will be a walk-through for the Board at the next fac. mtg.

The MS roof was completed on time.

The District was reimbursed for the damage from the lightning strike.

The contractor fixed the water issue at the OIS.

Still working on the cell tower agreement.

Mrs. Bowman asked if there was any cost to the District for the repairs at the OIS.  The answer is "no".

9. Other Items/Concerns
Mrs. McNamara said that there will be a parent program on 9/21 at the PLC to go over the curriculum, the behavior program and assessments.  There isn't enough time at Back-to-School night to go over these things.

Mr. Rohrer said there will be an update on the math program next month.

10. Visitors’ Comments – General
None.

11.Board Comments
Mr. Hume is concerned about class sizes given the work that is being done on the math program (in particular 6th grade).  He feels it should be looked over.  Mr. Ganow stated that when we cut people, class sizes will go up.  This was discussed during the budget process.

Mr. Norris said that the 6th grade class is unusually large.  Mr. Norris had a question about admission to sporting events.  He attended the football game on Saturday and there was no admission charged.  Mr. Weagley said that it is difficult to collect admission on that field in the afternoon. 

Mr. Norris passed along that some parents at the OMS Back-to-School night mentioned they would support school uniforms.   He thinks it might be worth looking into.  He would like to hear the Administration's take on the benefits.

Mrs. Bowman thinks they would need to determine what problem would be solved (scholastic, discipline, etc.).  How would uniforms solve the problem.   There could be a cost issue.  She feels there should be parental input, with activity fees, etc.

Mrs. Wilson said they don't really see competition as an issue.  It is more the inappropriateness of dress that is the problem.  She tries to tell the students that they need to come to school respectable.  She says that the students & parents are pretty cooperative.

Mrs. McNamara says that brand is more of an issue at the PLC.

Dr. Bishop said that she had researched this before.  There is a significant initial cost.  From her experience in non-public schools there are still problems with inappropriate dress with uniforms.    Girls roll up their skirts; wear inappropriate white blouses.  Uniforms are not a complete solution to dress code issues.

Mr. Rohrer said he would bring it to the HS Parent Advisory meeting. 

Mr. McCartney thinks that brand issues are more of a problem in cities.

Mr. Weagley gave a rundown of Homecoming events.

Mr. Ganow requested an executive session after the meeting.

12. Adjournment

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, September 13, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, September 20, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. in the Octorara District Office Conference Room.

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, September 20, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room