School Board Work Session 08/08/2011

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
August 8, 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

2 absent
4.Presentations

none
5.Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None
6.Information Items: Ms. Susan Thieroff will be reducing from full-time to half-time secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education from August 29, 2011 through December 18, 2011.

7.Presentation of Agenda Items for the August 15, 2011 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the change order #407-001 for DeGol Carpet for additional floor preparation in area D and E in the amount of $2,612.50.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve tenure status for Ms. Doreen Creighton effective June 30, 2011.

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve a stipend of $500.00 for Ms. Deb Canby for writing a successful grant. The grant provided $10,000 for the Octorara Health and Physical Education Department and was awarded by CCRES.

Ms. Canby has written 5-6 successful grants.
Resignation Approvals:

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation, with regret, of Ms. Judy Miller as a Title I Reading Assistant at the Primary Learning Center effective July 14, 2011. (Hired September 24, 1996)

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Wanda Fisher as a one-on-one instructional assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective June 14, 2011. (Hired August 27, 2007)

Hiring Approvals:

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Gina Shero as a math teacher for the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School effective August 22, 2011 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Shero’s salary will be $46,914 which is Step 1 of the Bachelor’s Scale. (Replacing Laura Kenney who resigned.)

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Tammy Anthony as a Title I Reading Assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective August 29, 2011. Ms. Anthony’s rate will be $11.65 per hour. (Ms. Anthony has worked for the District previously and is replacing Jodi Lewis who resigned.)

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Joan Miller as a long term substitute Title I Reading Assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective August 29, 2011 through December 16, 2011. Ms. Miller’s rate will be $11.65 per hour. (Ms. Miller has worked for the District previously and is replacing Linda Haslett who will be on a leave of absence.)

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of supplemental contracts for the 2011-2012 school year.

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:
Debra Bloth From M+30 ($81,848) to M+45 ($84,073) Step 20
Doreen Creighton From M ($51,669) to M+15 ($56,682) Step 2
Laura Fischer From M+15 ($62,325) to M+30 ($64,121) Step 9
Kathleen Heller From M ($55,102) to M+15 ($59,906) Step 6
Krista Lease From M+45 ($76,348) to M+60 ($78,780) Step 15
Eric Sifford From B ($46,914) to B+15 ($48,873) Step 1
Roberta Souders From M+15 ($79,625) to M+30 ($81,848) Step 20
John Voss From M+45 ($64,688) to M+60 ($67,716) Step 6
Shirley Williams From M+45 ($68,622) to M+60 ($71,591) Step 10
Matthew Worrell From M+30 ($65,733) to M+45 ($68,622) Step 10


Added:
K. - Superintendent is given permission to sign contract with Signal 88 Security for traffic control.  Cost is $34.88/hour with maximum expense of $20,000.  Dr. Newcome has discussed with both Chief Sheller & Chief Wilmont.  Both are comfortable with the security to be provided.  Dr. Newcome wanted to make full disclosure that the security company is owned by Peter Mango, a former Board member.

L.  There is a memo of understanding between the District and the Octorara Area Teachers' Asssociation for alteration of work schedule.  This will allow a person at the secondary level to work the elementary schedule.  They want to bring in a person working at the secondary level an hour later & stay an hour later for help sessions.  It is a better utilization of personnel.

M. There is a memo of understanding between the District and the Octorara Area Teachers' Association for flex scheduling for counselors & IST staff.  They need to come in during the summer to take care of some things.  This will allow them to take equivalent time off during the school year, so they won't have to be paid extra for coming in during the summer.

N. Grant diploma to Student "A":.  This is a student who should have graduated in 1981.  Returned to school to get diploma.

8. Facilities Committee Report

Mr. Stoltzfus said the final stages of renovation are occurring.  Everything is on schedule.   There are still a few trailers around.  The seating is in the auditorium.  The carpeting should be installed this week.  The electricians have the most work.  Everyone will hopefully be gone by 8/22.  There are some general punchlists that should be complete in 4-6 weeks.

The asbestos work was budgeted at $98,000.  It may come in over that because of the things they ran into.  We don't have the exact figures yet.

The water issues at the Intermediate school have been worked on again.  We won't know if they are fixed until we get some rain.  We have to wait and see if the repairs will hold.

We will need to use $48,000 to fix the Middle School roof.

On 7/22, there was a Demand Response where we had to shut down the buildings for electric.

Looking at van replacement.  It was in the budget for last year.

Looking at trash disposal bids.  They came in at about 1/2 of what they did last year.  We asked them if they were right - were told 'yes', then they came back that there were errors.  We are now negotiating.

Still looking at the cell tower.  We have a 25 year lease.  The price to buy out keeps going up.

Custodial outsourcing is working out well.  In August, they will be starting regular nighttime schedule.

The Memorial cove should be done in about 2 weeks.   Dedication will take place in November.

Since most of the trailers are gone, they will be looking at more fencing for around the soccer field.

The Board is invited to a walk-through next week before the meeting.

9.Other Items/Concerns

None
10.Visitors’ Comments – General

Magdalena Stuerhmann (Cochranville) - Had prepared notes about the changes to the music program at the 5th/6th grade level.

-did research
-need practice 20 mins/day (more needs to happen in classroom at younger ages)
-need proper lessons w/ additional practice at home

Students can get frustrated.

Benefits - better SAT/ACT scores
            -better in math
            - accepted to better colleges.

Could see lower numbers of students participating at Jr/Sr high level, as well as a decrease in ability.

Music is an important program.

If the district is trying to lure charter students back, these changes are a bad idea.

No parents want to be insulted by the Administration.  The response was inappropriate & insulting. By giving the statement about students being pawns, the Superintendent implied  that he agreed with the statement.  This does not foster mutual respect.

Hank Cochran (West Sadsbury Twp) - There hasn't been a report on the teachers' contract.  There is concern in the community that there could be a strike.  Should parents be making backup plans for childcare?  Where do the negotiations stand? 

11.Administrator Comments/Announcements

Dr. Newcome mentioned an Education Law Breakfast the Board Members are invited to.
12.Board Comments

Ms. Bowman addressed the contract question.  We don't negotiate in public.  There are ongoing negotiations.  They are positive.  That is all to report.  No need to prepare alternate childcare.

Mr. McCartney said that everyone is aware of the current financial situation in the country & state.  Report in Lancaster News: "Cuts Hardest on Poorer Schools".

Received email from PA School Board Association.  To save money, take advantage of Board Coop Purchasing Program.  A task force made this recommendation in 2006. 

Mr. Hume stated that the District has been doing something similar with the Intermediate Unit.

13.Adjournment

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, August 8, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel – Monday, August 8, 2011 – Following the Work Session in the District Office Conference Room

Finance/Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, August 15, 2011 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, August 15, 2011– 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room