School Board Meeting 07/18/2011

An electronic version of the agenda was not available, so this will just be my notes from the meeting. 

There was one Board member absent.

The minutes from the 6/13/2011 work session & 6/20/2011 regular meeting were approved.

There were no Presentations or Information Items.

Mr. Carsley presented the Treasurer's Report (in Mr. Malone's absence) and the Business Manager's Report.

There were no Visitor's Comments related to agenda items.

The Board approved Items A-E (which were on the Work Session agenda). 
Added the following to changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:
Alison Mannetta  From M($51,669) to M+15 ($ 56,682)  Step 2
Kevin Noon  From M+15 ($59,906) to M+30 ($61,887)  Step 6
Barbara Stewart From M+15 ($78,053) to M+30 ($80,237)  Step 19

Approved closing student activity account "Room 104" and transferring the $34.58 balance to "Best Buddies Club" effective 6/30/2011.

Approved Ms. Cynthia Zavala as substitute support staff at the Summer Literacy Program at the rate $12 per hour.

Approved Ms. Vanessa Peterson as a mentor for Ms. Bridgette Marowski for the 2010-2011 school year for one point at $570.

Approved Student "A" for graduation as of 6/22/2011. 

Approved change in salarie for Ms. Susan Thieroff from $42,101 to $44,101 effective 7/1/2011.

Approved the resignations of John Cummings (V Softball Coach) and Steve Landis (JV Softball Coach).  Mr. Ganow thought there could be an interesting story here.  Dr. Newcome said that Mr. Cummings wanted to be a parent on the sidelines instead of coaching his daughters.

Approved the resignation of Wanda Lapp as OMS Student Council Advisor & OMS Variety Show Director.  Dr. Newcome said that this is overwhelming when someone has done it for over 25 years.  It is time for her to move on.  There will be a lot of positives.

Approved contract with Sports Care LLC for athletic training services for 2011-2012 school year (up to 1000 hours @ $30/hr) by a vote of 7-1.  Mr. Norris asked if this was budgeted.  Dr. Newcome said that it is.   This is Mr. Weagley's company.  Mr. Weagley had been employed as Athletic Director/Community Liason/Athletic Trainer.  We still need Athletic Trainer services.

Approved the salary of Rich DiObilda for the period 7/1/2011 - 8/30/2011 at $21,348.  When working on his retirement paperwork, he was removed from the list for salary approval  as of 6/30/2011.  He needs to be paid for 2 months of service.

Approved employment of Mr. Ryne Anthony as science teacher for grades 7 & 8 at the Octorara Area Jr. High School effective 8/22/2011.  Salary will be $46,914 Step 1 of Bachelor's Scale.

Approved Jennifer Dean as a substitute teacher for the Summer Literacy Program @ the rate of $22/hr.

Mr. Stoltzfus talked about the facilities committee meeting.  There is a problem with the auditorium lighting.  The new electricians questioned the cable system that the old group said was okay.  The facilities committee inspected the system and recommend that it remain in place and the new lighting be installed to it.  The cables are in good shape & show no wear.  It is a simple pulley system.  The new electricians offered options that cost up to $90,000.

Mr. McCartney asked a lot of questions which were answered by Mr. Stoltzfus and Mr. Norris.  Mr. Norris ended the discussion by stating that the new lighting weighs less than the current lighting.

The policy committee is reviewing policies.

The I.U. meeting is scheduled for 7/20/2011.

Pam Meek (West Fallowfield) had a question about the Athletic Trainer & the budget (see explanation above).  She also asked Elena Wilson to give an update on IHT, Band, Student Council, etc.

Jaime Mauer asked if there were any updates on band.  There are several students here in support of OIS band.

Mr. Rohrer said that he would be bringing the math position to the Board Meeting in August.  The paperwork isn't complete yet.

Dr. Newcome gave a reminder to all non-regular attendees of the meetings that with a lot of the changes in salaries, etc. That they are usually part of larger lists where a mistake has been made.  They are brought separately to correct.    He also said that when he brings the list of coaches for fall sports teams that Tibor Lehotay will be on the list for Varsity Girls' Soccer.  All of the paperwork isn't complete.

He also said that a trainer is required to be available at all games & practices.

Elena Wilson talked a little bit about the changes for 7th & 8th grade.  She let everyone know that the powerpoint presentations that were used at the orientations for 7th & 8th grade parents are on the website.  Scroll down on the OMS page; there are 2 links.

They will no longer have IHT.  Band will be a class.   It will enhance the band program.  Three out of 4 days, they will have band for 57 minutes.  This increases the amount of time they will meet.  Jazz band will be included.

Student Council used to benefit from IHT.  The officers & executive committee will continue to be in the same homeroom with the new advisor.  The whole council will meet after school like other clubs.

Seminar will be a class (3 out of 4 days per cycle) - in lieu of Reading Workshop class for 7th Grade.  Eight grade seminar students will have independent study.  They will work out a schedule.

Learning support - IHT was used to connect LS teachers, teach organization, etc.   This will be built into the schedule (open enrichment based on IEP).

Dr. Newcome addressed the OIS band issue.  He stated that on 7/11 an email went out.  It was not routed to non-band parents or board.

He read parts of the letter (I included the whole letter so Dr. Newcome's responses can be followed): 
To The Octorara Community,


Recently, information regarding a change to the schedule of the instrumental music program at the intermediate level has come to light. This letter is provided to the community to inform them of these changes, advocate for the music program, and encourage community members to keep themselves informed through attendance at Regular and Work Session Meetings of the Octorara Board of Directors and to ask any questions they see fit at those meetings at the appropriate time. It should be clear that the intent of this correspondence is in no way meant to be an affront to the Octorara Area School District, administrative team, or the Board of Directors.

On Thursday, June 30, 2011, Mr. Reynolds, the OIS Instrumental Music Teacher, met with administrators to discuss his schedule for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. He was informed that it had become necessary to secure coverage at the OES and PLC for library-related responsibilities, and that the administration had determined that Mr. Reynolds would be required to cover two full days of these library-related responsibilities. Upon receiving this information, Mr. Reynolds was given the impression that the administration believed that the 5th and 6th grade instrumental music program could be sustained despite the one-third reduction in teaching time for lessons and the inherent complexity of the OIS daily schedule.

The district music department met with Dr. Bishop, the Assistant Superintendent, on Tuesday, July 5th in order to understand how these changes came about. The meeting was very productive and we came away with a deeper appreciation of the complex and difficult nature of the decision making process the administrative team experienced. As a music staff we were provided the opportunity at this meeting to offer potential scheduling alternatives for consideration by building administrators. At this point, these suggested alternatives were not approved.

Given the scheduling difficulties faced by the school district it is safe to say that the manner in which the music department approaches instrumental music education will look significantly different next year. We must creatively address the rising 5th and 6th grade band enrollment, which is currently anticipated to be at least 160 students in the 2011-2012 school year (140 in 2010-2011). The Christmas Instrumental Ensemble and the Jazz Band, both of which have become corner stones of excellence of the OIS Band program, are not immune to the challenges presented by this schedule and we are unsure whether they can be sustained. Mr. Reynolds had planned to pilot a program that would encourage students enrolled in the learning support program to join band and benefit from the positive peer group experience it offers, though the limitations the schedule places on available lesson times will unfortunately delay the onset of this program.

The music department fully understands the financial constraints the district is experiencing at this time. Very difficult and painful decisions have had to be made thus far that affect all areas of instruction. In our meetings with the administration we learned that several schedules were created in order to solve the dilemmas the district is facing in it’s efforts to create the best, most educationally sound schedule possible. We trust that this schedule was presented because it caused the least amount of changes to the music curriculum out of all of the schedules explored. It is our sincere hope that the administration might continue to probe further into this challenging situation to discover a new schedule that would present even less changes to the music curriculum.

We would like to encourage everyone to attend Regular and Work Session Meetings of the Board of Directors. The board meets in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Middle School at 7:30 PM on the second Monday of the month for their Work Session and the third Monday of the month for their Regular Business Meeting. The Work Session for the month of July will take place on Monday, July 11th and the Regular Business Meeting will take place on Monday, July 18th. We will continue to keep you updated on how this will effect the music program as we gain information.

Thank you for your continued support of music in Octorara,

The OASD Music Department

1) These changes are similar to other changes throughout the district.  The directive was to "do the best you can with what you have without adding staff".
2) Library responsibilities - music experience in library; facilitate stations; self paced reading.
3) Different approaches needed - this is not a significantly different approach at OIS (the same per Dr. Newcome).
4) Christmas and spring concerts - -These have always been outside the curriculum.  They have been done on a voluntary basis by the teachers.  They have nothing to do with the curriculum.
5) Pilot program for learning support students is not necessary. They have always had access to band & instrument instruction.
6) Teachers felt theyy were shut down at the principal level.  They should have gone up the chain.
7) I used the word "unfortunate" last week.  This was questioned in an email I received.  I think I used the right word.  Admiinstrative time was taken to research this.  It is a non-issue.  It was not vetted by anyone. 
 
On 7/12, Dr. Newcome received a copy of the schedule.  He learned that Mr. Reynolds was to spend 2 days per cycle at the K-4 level as described.  The schedule has been adjusted.  It is still being worked on.  Other changes elsewhere have opened up 30 minute lesson blocks.  Fine tuning of schedules is what happens in the summer. 
 
On 7/13, an email went out from Jaime Mauer asking parents & students to attend tonight's board meeting to show support for the band program.  This email was forwarded to Dr. Newcome by another party who felt that Ms. Mauer was "using children as pawns". 
 
Teacher assignmetns will be reviewed through August. 
 
A question was asked last week about how to find staffing changes.  Dr. Newcome said they can be found in the minutes, the power point presentations; and the staff reductions that have been published.
 
No postings have happened because there have been no significant changes.  If Dr. Newcome feels there are significant changes, he will bring them back to the Board.
 
Mr. Hume said that the senior citizen groups love when the band performs for them.  They do a great job.
 
Ms. Bowman repeated that it is never a question of the value of programs, but how do we pay for them  & make it work.
 
Next Work Session:  8/8/2011 @ 7:30 p.m. in the Multi-purpose room
Next Board Meeting 8/15/2011 @ 7:30 p.m. in the Multi-purpose room