WORK SESSION
January 9, 2012 – 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
A. Budget
Mr. Carsley presented some budget information. By May, there needs to be a 2nd approval, with the final approval coming in June.
The preliminary expenses for 2012-13 is $47 million.
- Salary & Benefits are approx. 58% of the budget.
- Employee Retirement
- 2011/12 $ 1.6 million budgeted
- 2012/13 $ 2.4 million estimated
- 2013/14 $ 3.35 million estimated
- 2014/15 $ 4.25 million estimated
- Get approx. 50% back from the State
- Other Expenses
- Transportation
- Charter Schools
- Other Education (Alternative Ed/ Technical/ et al)
- Princ/Interest
Federal & State lines items flat since 2006/07
Local Revenue - Real Estate taxes are the only way that you can adjust this.
Mrs. Bowman asked how much charter school costs are reimbursed by the State.
Mr. Carsley stated that we used to receive up to 30% of the charter school costs. It is no longer reimbursed.
For the current year, we lost approx. $600,000 in state funding for charter schools.
Mr. Lapp said that he couldn't see how we can keep raising taxes.
Ms. Bowman stated that what the Board does is to start with raising taxes to balance the budget, then go through what can be cut to decrease the taxes. There is a lot of information we don't have.
Mr. Carsley is attending a budget conference in February. We will get the gambling revenue information in April.
Mr. McCartney said that the number one issue for lawmakers is property taxes. They will have to do something.
Dr. Newcome said that he plans on providing preliminary sketch of reductions. 30 positions have been cut over the past 3 years.
We are asking things that are a challenge to keep quality programs.
He is not against competition, but if the Charter School law did not exist, he could lower class size & save money in grades K-2. There is a redundency of services. In an era where money is no object, it could be different.
This is the academic version of the middle school sports discussion. The discussion at that time was why should the district bear the burden of middle school sports, when there were options in the community that were being utilized.
Mr. Norris had a comment about transportation. We are bearing the cost to transport those few students.
Mr. Stoltzfus asked for the cost difference.
Dr. Newcome calculated what would happen if for Kindergarten, if the 17 students who are at 5 different charter schools returned to Octorara. We currently spend $ 10,441/student. (approx. $ 177,500).
If those students came back, we would have to hire one teacher at about $60,000. We would have a savings of $ 117,000. Class size would go from an average of 20 to an average just under 19.
Charter schools are not a panacea. We could create the same if we had the money.
Mr. Stoltzfus asked if charter schools are bound by Act 1.
Mr. Carsley doesn't believe they are, since they are not a taxing authority. Each school district has a different tuition rate. It is dependent upon their budgets.
Mr. Lapp asked how much we need to educate a student. From the figures tonight, he calculated about $16K per student. That seems outrageous. He spent far less at West Fallowfield Christian.
Ms. Bowman asked how his children got there (pointing out that Octorara bears the burden of transportation costs for West Fallowfield).
5. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
None
6. Information Items:
A. Susan Thieroff will transfer from full-time secretary to the Assistant Superintendent to 70% time secretary to the Assistant Superintendent from January 23, 2012 through May 11, 2012.
7.Presentation of Agenda Items for the January 16, 2012 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the proposed preliminary budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2012-2013 calendar
Dr. Newcome said that there are no major shifts to the calendar.
C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2012-2014 contract with Signal Service, Inc. for maintenance of the traffic signals in the District.
Resignation Approvals:
D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Mr. Jason Smith as assistant wrestling coach at the Octorara Area Sr. High School effective December 14, 2011. (Hired November 15, 2010)
He actually resigned earlier, but the district didn't have his letter.
Hiring Approvals:
E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Joan Miller as a long term substitute Title I Reading Aide at the Octorara Elementary School effective January 3, 2012 through approximately June 8, 2012 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Miller’s rate will be $11.65 per hour. (Replacing Maxine London who retired.)
Mr. Norris said he didn't understand this position being a long term sub since Ms. London retired. Dr. Newcome said this provides the district with the opportunity to determine if we keep this position next year.
F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Cheryl Nelson as a long term substitute ESL Instructional Assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective December 22, 2011 through March 30, 2012 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Nelson’s rate will be $11.65 per hour. (Replacing Charlotte Bridges who is student teaching.)
G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve changing the following substitute cafeteria employees to permanent cafeteria employees effective January 16, 2012:
Melanie Ferrara – cafeteria worker at the rate of $8.50 per hour
Wendy Nellius – cafeteria worker at the rate of $8.50 per hour
Victoria Louthian – cafeteria worker/cashier at the rate of $8.75 per hour
H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2011-2012 school year:
Josh Parker Assistant Wrestling Coach 9 pts @ $570 $5,130
Michelle Miller Mentor Kim Kraf – OIS 1 pt @ $570 $ 570
Donna Edwards Mentor Kim Kraf – OES 1 pt @ $570 $ 570
8. Facilities Committee Report
Mr. Stoltzfus said they discussed remaining HS renovation items. The contractors have completed the punchlist. The architect has to come back & inspect to make sure everything is complete.
The sump pump is installed to try and fix the water issues in the band room & studio. We are getting a letter from our solicitor to send to the contractor stating we are not happy with the result & reserve the right to go back to them if the leaking continues.
Capital projects are narrowed down to 4 possible:
- Pumps to circulate heat better at the middle school (jr. high)
- Carpet issues at the PLC
- Middle school (jr high) roof
- Masonry & brick work at the middle school (jr. high)
Someone wants to rent ground across the road to store equipment. In initial stages of talks.
Signal service contract: lights on Highland Rd; Rt. 10 & Rt 41. The contract amount has not changed.
Demand response expires in Aug. We are looking to do something for next year.
9. Other Items/Concerns
None
10. Visitors’ Comments – General
Mr. Knickerbocker asked how much we are spending on Signal. Mr. Carsley said $1,225 maintenance.
11. Administrator Comments/Announcements
None
12. Board Comments
Mr. Norris asked if they could get an update on the Kindergarten program at some point in the future.
Mr. Hume thanked the music department for bringing students to perform at the senior citizen housing in Parkesburg. It is greatly appreciated.
13. Adjournment
Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, January 9, 2012 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Executive Session for personnel – Monday, January 9, 2012 – Following the Work Session in the District Office Conference Room
Finance/Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, January 16, 2012 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, January 16, 2012– 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room
Posts
I can think of several reasons why the per student cost is higher at Octorara than West Fallowfied. The students at Octorara are absorbing costs that the students at West Fallowfield don't.
ReplyDeleteThe students at Octorara are absorbing the cost of transportation to private & charter schools that are within the geographical area for transportation.
The students at Octorara are absorbing the cost of State and Federal mandates that West Fallowfield isn't subject to.
West Fallowfield doesn't have to accept every student who applies - so they don't have to take the kid with major medical problems that require such things as tube feedings; they don't have to accept kids with extreme behavior problems; they don't have to accept kids with severe learning disabilities; they don't have to accept kids who need emotional support. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. It is my understanding that if West Fallowfield were to accept any of those students they could make Octorara provide the services necessary outside of the regular academics.
West Fallowfield does not have a high school - which is more expensive than K-8.
They aren't paying for alternative education or technical education.
Tube feeding and care the district has to pay for to the tune of $200,000 per year.
ReplyDeleteNot does West Fallowfield have to pay for the maintenance and electricity for the traffic light and signs along Route 41 and Highland road.
While I respect Leon Lapp for caring enough to serve, better men than him have asked the same question and gotten the same hollow answer Dr. Newcome gave him last night. I suspect the answer to his question is significantly longer than Leon's attention span.
I forgot to mention this last night.... I believe Mr. Lapp said tuition was about $4,000 (even if I'm off a little, it doesn't change my next statement). But that isn't what it COSTS to educate those students. West Fallowfield holds some huge fundraisers to offset the costs. I'm sure they also get donations & may even have some endowments. So, the $4,000 is only PART of what it costs to educate students there.
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