Regular Board Meeting 02/20/2012

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
February 20, 2012 – 7:30 p.m.
Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

AGENDA
1. Lord’s Prayer

2.Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

3.Roll Call

3 absent

4. Approval of Minutes from the Work Session of January 9, 2012, and the Regular Meeting of January 16, 2012.

Approved

5. Presentations
A. Budget Discussion
The District has received updated information from the State.  We will be receiving $2,000 less than previously reported.

6.Information Items

None

7. Treasurer’s Report
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the General Fund Report for period ending January 31, 2012.

Mr. Carsley gave the report in Ms. Johnson's absence.  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.  Dr. Melton had questions about the payments to Xerox.  Mr. Carsley stated they were lease payments, supplies, and service.  Mr. Ganow asked if we still had unlimited copies.  Mr. Carsley said that it depended on the contract for each machine.  Approved.

9. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None.

10. Recommended Action Items: (Italicized items are new; they were not on the February 13, 2012 agenda.)

Items A - K   Approved.

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following addition to the Octorara Area Sr. High School Program of Studies for the 2012-2013 school year: REMEDIATION OPPORTUNITIES – Students who demonstrate below proficient ability on state or local benchmark assessments, (reading and/or math), may mandatorily be placed in a remediation course that will target student needs and assist students in working towards proficiency.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the lease agreement between the Octorara Area School District and B & S Construction LLC for facilities garage parking lot rental.

Resignation Approvals:

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Mr. Frank Wasco’s resignation as a Vo-Ag teacher at the Octorara Area Sr. High School for the purpose of retirement effective June 30, 2012. (Hired September 1, 1979)

Hiring Approvals:

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Tammy Anthony as a long term substitute third grade teacher at the Octorara Elementary School effective approximately February 7, 2012 through June 8, 2012. Ms. Anthony’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing Erika Lynch who is on child rearing leave.)

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Barbara Whitworth-Roy as an instructional assistant in the Alternative Education Program at the Octorara Area Sr. High School effective January 17, 2012 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Whitworth-Roy’s rate will be $11.65 per hour. (Replacing Eva Karen Gallagher who resigned.)

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve changing Ms. Kimberly Domblesky’s rate to $9.72 per hour and pay $326.48 back pay earned. Ms. Domblesky is a playground/cafeteria aide at the Octorara Elementary School.

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Christian Taylor as an assistant track coach at the Octorara Area Sr. High School for the 2010-2011 school year for six points at $570 each totaling $3,420.

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teacher for the 2011-2012 school year:
Robyn Frye (Elementary)
I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2011-2012 school year:
Astyn DiNorscia Assistant Softball Coach 6 pts @ $570 $3,420
Joe Lynch OES Musical Director 2 pts @ $570 $1,140
Walter Tymeson Softball Coach 7 pts @ $570 $3,990

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change orders:
404-06 Clinger/Perrini - Replace exit sign/repair fire alarm $1,461.00
405-01 Guy M. Cooper – Credit for damage to fire alarm and remaining allowances ($5,508.46)
407-03 DeGol – Floor patch for crawl space & room E112 $2,111.02

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the funding of the Summer Literacy Program at a cost not to exceed $160,000.

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the contract for auditing services with Herbein & Company, Inc. for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, 2013, and 2014 with gross fees not to exceed $20,000, $20,500, and $20,500 respectively.

Approved.

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Joseph Lynch’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave from February 10, 2012 through February 22, 2012. Mr. Lynch is a music teacher at the Primary Learning Center and Elementary School.

Approved

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Ann Porreca’s resignation as a special education teacher at the Octorara Intermediate School for the purpose of retirement effective August 15, 2012. (Hired October 4, 2000.)

Approved.

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Megan Leff as a long term substitute Title I Reading assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective February 21, 2012 through June 8, 2012 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Leff’s rate will be $11.65 per hour. (Replacing Tammy Anthony who is currently a long term substitute teacher.)

Approved.

P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Settlement Agreement and Release for “Student A” as attached.

Approved.

11. Finance/Policy Committee Report

Mr. Ganow reported on the Policy Committee.  They are reviewing the "800" section.  Changes will be coming.

Mr. Carsley reported on the Finance Committee in Ms. Johnson's absence.  They reviewed the audit contract (approved above).  They also looked at Dr. Melton's request for additional check listings.  They reviewed Access revenue and an update on the budget in general.

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

Mr. Nelson gave a report of his I.U. meeting.  The various groups at the I.U. agreed to no increase in salaries (there is one group that is not final).  There is no increase in the I.U. budget as far as schools are concerned.  The budget is the same as last year.  For Octorara, our ratio was $2,284,000.  The projected amount is $2,268,000.  It is based on the last 3 years average.

He talked about the money we save by purchasing goods & services through the I.U.  We were one of the first to go self-funded for healthcare, along with the I.U. and West Chester.  Now, all the districts in the county are self-funded.  We also save a significant amount of money purchasing supplies through the I.U.

He also spoke about the districts who have seen significant decreases in assessed values of properties in their districts.  We have seen some, but not as bad as other districts. 

Ms. Bowman asked when the I.U. budget needs to be approved.  By April 1st.

13. Old Business

None.

14. New Business

None

15. Other Items and Announcements
Mr. Stoltzfus reported that the Facilities committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on March 12, instead of 6:30 p.m.

16. Visitors’ Comments – General
Lorraine (?) - (Highland Township) prepared a report for the Board to correct the misconceptions they have about Charter School.  Ms. Bowman received the report; said copies would be made for the Board & they will put it on the agenda for next month's work session.

17. Administrator Comments/Announcements
Ms. Wilson spoke about the PMEA Region 6 Band Festival.  It was hosted by Octorara.  Mr. Cullen & the Band Boosters did a wonderful job.   The concert was great.

Joe Mattis reported that Meghan Miller & John Sheridan won awards at a Model UN conference.

Mr. Harner announced that Family Math Night will be held on March 1 (6-8 p.m.).  There will be math games & activitites.  The theme will be Superheroes.  The children may wear costumes.

18.Board Comments
19. Adjournment

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, February 20, 2012 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, February 20, 2012 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel – Monday, February 20, 2012 – Following the Regular Meeting in the District Office Conference Room

Education Committee Meeting – Monday, February 27, 2012 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, March 12, 2012 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Work Session – Monday, March 12, 2012 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, March 19, 2012 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, March 19, 2012 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, March 19, 2012 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

Education Committee Meeting – Monday, March 26, 2012 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room