School Board Work Session 07/11/2011

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
July 11, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room


DISCUSSION GUIDE

1. Lord’s Prayer

2.Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

3.Roll Call

All present.
4. Presentations:
A. Budget Recap

Update w/ passing of state budget:

We are getting an additional $120,000 through Basic Education funding.

There are only 3 exceptions available for next year:

• Debt
• Special Education
• Retirement

They have received the guidelines for next year.

5.Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None
6.Information Items:

None
7.Presentation of Agenda Items for the July 18, 2011 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following signatories for the School Activity Fund effective July 1, 2011: Building Principal, Building Asst. Principal, Business Manager, Secretary (Required Business Manager signature with one counter signature) (This approval is to add the Secretary to the signatories on this account originally approved on June 20, 2011.)

Hiring Approvals:

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Alberta Gehron as Cook/Manager at the Octorara Junior High School effective August 25, 2011. Ms. Gehron’s rate will be $11.92 per hour for six hours per day. (Ms. Gehron is currently a cafeteria employee and will be replacing Ada Ellingsworth who retired.)

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve a change in rate from $16.02 to $16.77 for Stacey Hoopes for the 2011-2012 school year.

Correction to salaries approved.
D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve a $50 stipend for mentoring during the 2010-2011 school year for Grace Filoromo, Connie Rutter, and Deb Gajari.

Support staff mentoring.
E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:
Christine Miller From M ($52,527) to M+15 ($57,488) Step 3
Megan Munn From M+15 ($59,100) to M+30 ($61,143) Step 5
Margaret Schaeffer From M+15 ($57,488) to M+30 ($59,654) Step 3
Suzanne Schurr From M+30 ($61,887) to M+45 ($64,688) Step 6
Kristen Winner From M ($51,669) to M+15 ($56,682) Step 2

8. Facilities Committee Report

The High School renovations are wrapping up.  The gym is done except for punchlist items.  The locker rooms are being finished.

The auditorium will get carpeting in July, then the seats will be put in.

Aug. 22nd is the date designated for completion of renovations.

The terrazo floor will be started next Monday.  They won't do full grinding to contain asbestos.
There will probably be a few minor change orders.

Custodial outsourcing is on board and working.

Mr. Hume thanked Mr. Stoltzfus for being so active.  He greatly appreciates the effort.

9.Other Items/Concerns

None.
10.Visitors’ Comments – General

Ms. Mauer is concerned about an email she received concerning the OIS music program.  She is worried about Mr. Reynold's schedule and whether there will be band for 5th & 6th grade.

Ms. Meek had some questions after reading the June minutes.  With all of the retirements, who will be tec hing what?  Where can parents go to see the results of all the shifting?  What are the implications?  She is also worried about band.  She realizes that kids can take music lessons outside school, but what motivates most are the concerts.  More students are taking band. 

11.Administrator Comments/Announcements

None.
12.Board Comments

Dr. Newcome answered the questions.
Music - Dr. Bishop is not here tonight.  She has the specifics.He knows they are working on the schedules.  The letter should not have gone out.  Dr. Newcome said that there will be instruction for 5th grade; 6th grade will have band. 

Through 1999, there were 5 music instructors.  There are now 6.  When we had 5, students who had band or chorus did not have general music.    Teachers felt that all students needed general music, so the 6th teacher was added.   We will be going back to the model where students who have band or chorus will not be taking general music.  There should be an increase in instructional time.  We have to make sure the schedule is covered with the staff we have, so some teachers may have to cover the libraries.  There will also be some shifting of physical education/health teachers.  Programs may look different.

Where to find out?  The solution to Mr. Baldt's retirement will be presented next week.  Mr. Duggan will go to the OES.   You will find out who the teachers are when the packets come out.

Dr. Newcome had a meeting with Mr. Propper & Mr. Houghton (Houghton Enterprises).  They are looking at a fall harvest festival.  They are hoping to start a tradition and revenue stream.  They are looking at the end of October.  This will be discussed next week.  He needs input from the Board.

He asked the solicitor to look at the question Mr. Seth asked about the constitutionality of Act 319.  The solicitor's opinion is that it is constitutional.

At the entrance of the District Office,  there is an azalea and a plaque honoring Brandon Hardy.   Stride (a group of the YMCA) did the work.

Mr. Rohrer said he should have something on the math position next week.

Ms. Johnson introduced Jim Groff (Christiana).  Mr. Groff is traveling to Joplin, Missouri to help with the cleanup from the tornado.  He is hooking up with a group from Lancaster who are already out there.  He had a quilt which he asked people to sign for a fundraiser.  The Chester County Food Bank is donating two skids of survivor kits.

Ms. Bowman commented on how no matter how tough things are in the community, so many want to help others.

Mr. Hume said he'd like to see a fall festival be successful.  He'd like to be able to give funds to programs that have been hit hard.
13.Adjournment

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, July 11, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel – Monday, July 11, 2011 – Following the Work Session in the District Office Conference Room

Finance/Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, July 18, 2011 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, July 18, 2011– 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room