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