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