School Board Meeting 12/13/2010

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
December 13, 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

All Present.

4. Approval of Minutes from the Work Session of November 8, 2010, and the Regular Meeting of November 15, 2010.

Approved.

5. Presentations

A. Budget – Dan Carsley

The powerpoint presentation will be on the district website in the future.  I will hit some important points Mr. Carsley made during his presentation.

The budget process will include not only the 2011-12 school year, but future years to prepare for expected large expenditures (PSERS and healthcare in particular).

Mr. Carsley pointed out that "any Act 1 taxes not levied will be lost forever."  All school districts are mindful of this.

Some school districts in our area have lost assessment values equal to their Act 1 index - so they are starting their budgets in the red.

Increases in expenses above the Act 1 index will require equal reductions in other areas.

The budget for 2009-10 expected to use $712,000 of fund balance to balance.  The actual revenues & expenses were at breakeven. 

2009-10 Revenue Breakdown
Federal          6%
State             26%
Local           68%

Investment Income & Earned Income Tax were significantly lower than prior years.  EIT was approx. $2,000,000 in 2008-09 and was approx. $ 1,500,000 in 2009-10.  The budget for this year is about the same.

The Act 1 index for Octorara for 2010-11 is 1.8% (1.4% + adjustments )

Estimates for 2010-11 (differences from current budget)

Revenue differences
Real Estate Tax Revenue based on index         $  600,000  [more funds]
Basic Education (Fed portion)                          (  647,108) [less funds]
Federal Revenue                                               (  500,000) [less funds]

Net Revenue Change                                        $(548,108)  [less funds]                     

Expense Differences
Salaries                                                           $(478,099)  [spending more]
Benefits (Healthcare & Retirement)          (423,793)  [spending more]
Other Prof Services                                            249,003   [spending less]
Tuition (Charter schools)                                  (602,500) [spending more]
Capital Expeditures                                           (125,897) [spending more]
Debt Service                                                      (310,000) [spending more]

Net Expense Change                                     $ (1,691,286) [spending more]

Total Change                                                $ (2,239,394) [spending more]


This shows that we are starting with a $2,2 million deficit.

Preliminary Act 1 Exceptions are about $1 million.

Mr. Ganow asked if  there was any good news.

Mr. Hume had some questions about charter schools.  Mr. Carsley explained that the state will reimburse us up to 30% of charter school costs.  Last year we got about 25%.  We paid charter schools about $1.8 million last year.

Mr. McCarter wanted to know how a voucher system would impact our budget.  Dr. Newcome replied that it would depend on the specifics of the program.   There is no way to know until it is created.  He did note that if no new money is put into the state pot, then we would get less money if people took advantage of it.

Mr. Carsley said that the Basic Education budget could go down to the 2007-08 levels.

Mr. Norris asked about the multi-year budget.  He was looking for information specific to the fund balance. Mr. Carsley didn't have the file with him.  He explained that the model uses the base index and some basic assumptions.  It shows that if nothing changes with funding other than the index & using conservative increases in spending, we would be out of money in 3 years.

Mr. Hume asked some questions about the State Tax Equalization Board.

Mr. Malone asked for a timeline.  Mr. Carsley said that the budget would be advertised Jan. 7, 2011.  The preliminary budget needs to be approved Jan. 17th.

Dr. Newcome said that the Administration has been working on expenses.

The Finance Committee is looking at ways to inform the public.  They are looking at a special meeting for the public with Mr. Carsley presenting.  There is also the possibility of some town hall type meetings.

Mr.Carsley will have the model at the next meeting.

Mr. McCarter asked what effect House Bill 2497 had.   (This was the PSERS bill).  Mr. Carsley stated that it just "kicks the can down the road."

6.Information Items

None.

7.Treasurer’s Report
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the General Fund Report for period ending November 30, 2010.

Mr. Malone gave the report.

Approved.

8. Business Manager’s Report
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of bills for payment.

Mr. Carsley gave the report.  Mr. Norris had a question about a check.  Mr. Carsley will investigate.

9. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None.

10. Recommended Action Items: (Italicized items are new; they were not on the December 6, 2010 agenda.)
A - N Approved.
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached list of members of the Career Technical Education Advisory Committee.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve student “A” for graduation as of December 1, 2010. The student has completed all requirements for graduation required by the Octorara Area School District and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Resolution authorizing the Proposed Preliminary Budget Display and Advertising.

Resignation Approvals:

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Mr. Kevin Noon as boys’ varsity soccer coach effective November 16, 2010. (Hired August 11, 2008.)

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Vicki Phelan as a lunchroom playground aide at the Primary Learning Center effective December 10, 2010. (Hired September 8, 2009.)

Hiring Approvals:

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the additional hours for Michelle Patel from 11:00-3:30 to 8:30-3:30 daily from November 30, 2010 through January 7, 2011. Ms. Patel is a Title I aide at the Octorara Elementary School. Her rate is $9.90 per hour. (Extended sick leave.)

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Kimberly Miller as a long term substitute eighth grade communication arts teacher at the Octorara Middle School from November 1, 2010 through January 3, 2011. Ms. Miller’s rate will be $140 per day. (Extended sick leave.)

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Bridget Marowski as a long term substitute Spanish teacher at the Octorara Area High School from December 17, 2010 through approximately January 31, 2011. Ms. Marowski’s rate will be $140 per day. (Extended sick leave.)

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Jean Coldiron as a long term substitute seventh grade special education teacher at the Octorara Middle School from November 22, 2010 through February 11, 2011. Ms. Coldiron’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing Danielle Carmella who is on child rearing leave.)

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Jennifer Bower as a long term substitute speech language therapist at the Octorara Elementary and Intermediate Schools through June 2012 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Bower’s salary will be $56,818 pro-rated which is Step 8 of the Master Scale. Her effective date is to be determined. (Replacing Elizabeth Piotrowski who will be on child rearing leave.)

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2010-2011 school year:

Amy Apgar (Elementary and Special Education)
Bernadette Cazillo (Emergency)
Diane Judge (Emergency)
Richard Pankonien (German, Social Studies)

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2010-2011 school year:

Jane Delaney Mentor for Jean Coldiron $ 200

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Dena Schott’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately May 13, 2011 through June 10, 2011. Ms. Schott is a third grade teacher at the Octorara Elementary School.

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:

Stacey Graham From M+30 ($62,632) to M+45 ($65,484) Step 7
Tara Pitts From B ($46,914) to B+15 ($48,873) Step 1

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the student activity request for “Octorara Student Health Council” at the Octorara Area High School.

Mr. Ganow asked about this.  Mr. Rohrer explained that it is a group that is promoting healthy eating habits, etc. with Miss Morrisey.

P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Amendment reflecting changes in the District HRA Plan as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Mr. Hume asked about child coverage to the age of 26.  Mr. Ganow explained that it is part of the new federal healthcare law.

Approved.

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Ms. Jan D’Angelo as a long term substitute reading specialist at the Octorara Elementary School pending completion of work related documents required by law and the District. Ms. D’Angelo’s salary will be $59,470 pro-rated which is step 10 of the Master Scale effective January 3, 2011. (Replacing Jodie Pitt who resigned.)

Mr. Norris asked about this since the salary scale is so high.  Dr. Newcome stated that Ms. D'Angelo worked for the district previously.  You need an experienced teacher with reading specialist experience/credentials for the position.  He wanted someone to be a long-term substitute to leave flexibility for next year.   Mr. Norris asked about an end date.  Dr. Newcome said it should be the last day of school (6/10/2011).

Approved.

Addendum
 R.  OASD is looking for an appeal for certificate of occupancy dates for a tax parcel.

Approved.  Mr. Stoltzfus abstained.

S  Adjustment to supplemental contract for cheerleading.
    T. Kelleher   4 points
    S. Julius        3 points
    M. King        3 points
    R. Elias         3 points

Approved.

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

Meeting in January.

12. Old Business

None.

13. New Business

None
14. Other Items and Announcements

Dr. Newcome said that he met with newly elected Representative John Lawrence.  He is interested in participating in Octorara Regional Council.

15. Visitors’ Comments – General

None

16. Board Comments

Mr. Norris wanted to remind everyone of the concerts coming up.  Of special note:  guest conductor at the HS Band Concert on Tues. Dec. 21:  Col. Jere Fridy.

Mr. Hume commented on musical groups that have performed in Parkesburg at the Schoolhouse Apts. and Westminster Place.  He also noted other activities that he is aware of.

Ms. McNamara invited the Board to come see the Kindergarten pod - They have decorated a Winter Wonderland.

Ms. Bowman thanked Mr. Hume for writing a letter to Mr. Dinneman outlining our issues.  Mr. Hume has made arrangements to meet with him.

17. Adjournment

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, December 13, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel - Monday, December 13, 2010 – Following the Regular Meeting in the Octorara District Office Conference Room

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, January 10, 2011 - 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Work Session – Monday, January 10, 2011 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, January 17, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, January 17, 2011– 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room