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Bill to make school board elections non-partisan moving forward
By ERIC S. SMITH
esmith@dailylocal.com
Thursday, June 21,2012
A bill that would allow all elections for local school board members to be completely non-partisan and not have any party affiliations with any candidates has cleared the state Senate Education Committee.
The committee approved the bill on a 10-1 vote with Senate Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-25th, of Jefferson County, as the lone dissenter. A representative from Scarnati’s office did not return a request for comment on Wednesday.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th, of West Whiteland, introduced the bill after two separate incidents in Chester County. Dinniman, the minority chairman of the committee and Committee Chairman Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, R-15th, of Dauphin County held a public hearing on the bill in Downingtown in May.
“It is time for Pennsylvania to join almost every other state in the nation by doing away with partisan school board elections and by putting the power back in the hands of the voters,” Dinniman said in a written statement after the bill passed committee. “By doing so, we can shift the focus of school board elections from political posturing to the real educational and fiscal issues at stake.”
The two recent incidents in Chester County that motivated Dinniman to craft the legislation were in the Owen J. Roberts School District and the West Chester Area School District.
Dinniman said the non-partisan elections could limit the power of lame-duck school boards. In Owen J. Roberts, the board essentially changed hands during the May primary, but the board members remained in place until December and fired the superintendent without any electoral consequence.
“By eliminating partisan school board elections... we can effectively prevent lame-duck school boards that sometimes make major decisions in their last months in office,” Dinniman said in a written statement.
Dinniman said another major issue with partisan elections for school boards is that local political committees choose their preferred candidates and then primary voters can only choose from those pre-screened by the committees. Furthermore, he said Independents do not have any voice in a primary election.
“Residents, parents, teachers and taxpayers deserve to have a direct say in choosing school board leaders that represent their views, instead of being forced to pick between candidates tapped by local political committees,” Dinniman said.
In the recent school board elections in West Chester, the Republican committee chose certain candidates and reportedly had strict restriction on whom they would nominate. In turn, a large group of write-in candidates mounted a campaign and one of them successfully won a seat on the board. Under Dinniman’s bill, that write-in procedure would not be necessary as candidates would only be required to obtain a certain number of signatures from registered voters in their district depending on the size of the district.
For example, candidates in West Chester would need 100 signatures, because of a district population that exceeds 100,000 residents. In Owen J. Roberts or Phoenixville only 50 signatures would be needed since those districts have around 25,000 people.
Follow staff writer Eric S. Smith on Twitter @dailylocaleric.
URL: http://www.dailylocal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120621/NEWS01/120629910&template=printart
© 2012 Daily Local News (http://www.dailylocal.com),Serving Chester County, PA, PA.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Work Session 06/11/2012
OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
June 11, 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
Dan Carsley read an item from the weekly legislative report from Harrisburg. They hope to pass the budget next week. They have set it aside to discuss the privatization of the Wine & Spirits stores. He is waiting to see if the PA Accountability grant will be restored.
Budget Summary (K = thousand):
Revenue:
Ms. Bowman noted that Chester County millage would have increase 1.7% before any adjustments were made because of the rebalancing formula. Chester County millage goes up; Lancaster County goes down.
Mr. Carsley will still be making adjustments up to the June 25th regular meeting.
Ms. Bowman emphasized that they tried to minimize the impact to education. They reduced 2 administrators; 4 teachers and the number of hours worked by the aides. They can't cut any more without impacting the classroom.
5. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
None.
6. Information Items:
None.
7.Presentation of Agenda Items for the June 25, 2012 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:
The amounts for "A" and "B" will be filled in for the 6/25 meeting.
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution adopting the 2012 – 2013 General Fund Budget Expenditures in the amount of $__________.
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution establishing a real estate millage rate of ____ mills in Chester County and ____ mills in Lancaster County.
C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution for the 2012-2013 Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion.
D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following financial institutions and investment firms for financial services during the 2012-2013 school year, in accordance with Section 621 of the School Code:
1. Fulton Bank-depository and investment
2. PA School District Liquid Asset Fund – depository and investment
3.RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc.-investment only
E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following list of signatories for the designated bank accounts effective July 1, 2012:
General Fund: – President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
Cafeteria Fund: – President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
Official Imprest Fund: - Superintendent, Business Manager, High School Principal, Asst. High School Principal, Board Secretary (Required 2 signatures)
School Activity Fund: - Building Principal, Building Asst. Principal, Business Manager, Board Secretary
(Required Business Manager signature with one counter signature)
F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the appropriate budget transfers for the year ending 2011-2012 as a result of the annual financial audit. (Note: This is a requirement for the school code to be done prior to June 30th of each fiscal year.)
G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resolution authorizing Daniel R. Carsley, Jill Hardy, and Kim McCully to conduct financial transactions on behalf of the District with Fulton Financial Advisors.
H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Dr. Jeffrey Blair as the school dental consultant for the 2012-2013 school year.
I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Amendment with M&B Environmental, Inc. to include one additional day for one additional hour of operational coverage per week during the summer months due to operational needs at the Water Treatment Facility.
J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Proposal for Octorara Landscape and Turf for treatment of the athletic fields from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 at a total cost of $17,600.
Resignation Approvals:
K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Alison Parry’s resignation as an instructional assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective May 22, 2012. (Hired August 31, 2009)
Hiring Approvals:
L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Melanie Johnson and Ms. Jennifer Bower as teachers for the Special Education Extended School Year Program effective June 18 through July 19, 2012 at the rate of $30 per hour.
These are additions because of the number of students attending.
M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attainment of tenure status for the following professional employees (in accordance with Section 1108 of the current School Laws of Pennsylvania):
Tara Pitts
Kristen Lauer
Ashley Brennan
Amanda Lenton
N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Sarah Bieg’s request for Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately October 15, 2012 through January 2, 2013. Ms. Bieg is an art teacher at the Octorara Sr. High School.
8. Facilities Committee Report
Mr. Stoltzfus reported on the Facilities Committee meeting earlier in the evening.
9.Other Items/Concerns
None.
10.Visitors’ Comments – General
None.
11.Administrator Comments/Announcements
Dr. Newcome thanked the Board of Directors for participating in the graduation ceremony. He also thanked Mr. Rohrer and his staff for organizing graduation. It was a lovely evening and he is very proud of the District.
12.Board Comments
Mr. Norris said that graduation was wonderful. He was disappointed with the article in the paper that stated there were 159 graduates. It was off by about 50. He'd like to see a correction. He also asked what it would take to stream video of graduation. We have a TV studio. We should use it. He was able to view Pequea's graduation online.
Mr. Hume thanked Dr. Newcome for the time & energy put into Kindergarten. He thinks full day Kindergarten will be good for the District.
Ms. Bowman congratulated all students at all levels for graduating. She thinks it would be cool to have it streaming. She thanked Mr. Knickerbocker for posting pictures of graduation (Grad pictures) She thanked the PTO for the playground equipment.
13.Adjournment
Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, June 11, 2012 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Executive Session for personnel – Monday, June 11, 2012 – Following the Work Session in the District Office Conference Room
Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, June 25, 2012 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, June 25, 2012 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, June 25, 2012 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room
WORK SESSION
June 11, 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
Dan Carsley read an item from the weekly legislative report from Harrisburg. They hope to pass the budget next week. They have set it aside to discuss the privatization of the Wine & Spirits stores. He is waiting to see if the PA Accountability grant will be restored.
Budget Summary (K = thousand):
- Salaries increase $34K over last year's budget. This includes negotiated contract and changes in positions.
- Benefits increase $374K over last year's budget. Includes medical, prescription, retirement & unemployment. Retirement increases $701K.
- Outside Services increase $256K over last year's budget. Includes payments to the I.U.
- Repairs - flat
- Transportation/Tuition increase $343K over last year's budget. Charter schools increase $427K.
- Supplies/Diesel/Natural Gas decrease $108K. Due to natural gas prices decrease & decrease use over the winter. The fuel tanks are full.
- Capital decrease $51K.
- Bond Interest decrease $87K.
- Bond Principal increase $142K.
Revenue:
- Tax Revenue increase $688K
- Transportation decrease $114K
- Bond Reimbursement decrease $60K
- Revenue for Retirement increase $350K
- Title I increase $36K
- Title II decrease $32K
- Title III increase $16K.
Ms. Bowman noted that Chester County millage would have increase 1.7% before any adjustments were made because of the rebalancing formula. Chester County millage goes up; Lancaster County goes down.
Mr. Carsley will still be making adjustments up to the June 25th regular meeting.
Ms. Bowman emphasized that they tried to minimize the impact to education. They reduced 2 administrators; 4 teachers and the number of hours worked by the aides. They can't cut any more without impacting the classroom.
5. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
None.
6. Information Items:
None.
7.Presentation of Agenda Items for the June 25, 2012 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:
The amounts for "A" and "B" will be filled in for the 6/25 meeting.
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution adopting the 2012 – 2013 General Fund Budget Expenditures in the amount of $__________.
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution establishing a real estate millage rate of ____ mills in Chester County and ____ mills in Lancaster County.
C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution for the 2012-2013 Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion.
D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following financial institutions and investment firms for financial services during the 2012-2013 school year, in accordance with Section 621 of the School Code:
1. Fulton Bank-depository and investment
2. PA School District Liquid Asset Fund – depository and investment
3.RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc.-investment only
E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following list of signatories for the designated bank accounts effective July 1, 2012:
General Fund: – President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
Cafeteria Fund: – President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
Official Imprest Fund: - Superintendent, Business Manager, High School Principal, Asst. High School Principal, Board Secretary (Required 2 signatures)
School Activity Fund: - Building Principal, Building Asst. Principal, Business Manager, Board Secretary
(Required Business Manager signature with one counter signature)
F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the appropriate budget transfers for the year ending 2011-2012 as a result of the annual financial audit. (Note: This is a requirement for the school code to be done prior to June 30th of each fiscal year.)
G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resolution authorizing Daniel R. Carsley, Jill Hardy, and Kim McCully to conduct financial transactions on behalf of the District with Fulton Financial Advisors.
H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Dr. Jeffrey Blair as the school dental consultant for the 2012-2013 school year.
I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Amendment with M&B Environmental, Inc. to include one additional day for one additional hour of operational coverage per week during the summer months due to operational needs at the Water Treatment Facility.
J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Proposal for Octorara Landscape and Turf for treatment of the athletic fields from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 at a total cost of $17,600.
Resignation Approvals:
K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Alison Parry’s resignation as an instructional assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective May 22, 2012. (Hired August 31, 2009)
Hiring Approvals:
L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Melanie Johnson and Ms. Jennifer Bower as teachers for the Special Education Extended School Year Program effective June 18 through July 19, 2012 at the rate of $30 per hour.
These are additions because of the number of students attending.
M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attainment of tenure status for the following professional employees (in accordance with Section 1108 of the current School Laws of Pennsylvania):
Tara Pitts
Kristen Lauer
Ashley Brennan
Amanda Lenton
N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Sarah Bieg’s request for Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately October 15, 2012 through January 2, 2013. Ms. Bieg is an art teacher at the Octorara Sr. High School.
8. Facilities Committee Report
Mr. Stoltzfus reported on the Facilities Committee meeting earlier in the evening.
- Carpet in the PLC - They went back to the original installer, but they don't want to do anything.
- HS Renovation - still signing off on items. Still haven't signed the final letter.
- OIS - Water issue continues. They will work on it between 7/16 - 8/20
- Shop Wing - the roof leaks. They have narrowed down the issues & are looking for a solution. This has happened at other facilities that Bresslin has worked on.
- Priority List - They didn't have time to talk about this evening. It will be discussed at the next meeting.
- Field development - ongoing.
- School sign - brushed over
- Ductwork at PLC - will be cleaned over the summer
- Proservice - did workon basement from flooding last fall. The worst has been taken care of.
- PTO - 2 swings sets to be placed at PLC & OES. They have the funds to purchase & install. They have to figure out where to place them.
- Old generator - trying to get rid of it
- Water treatment plant - There are still issues. They will monitor.
- Property sold at sheriff's sale - District needed to sign off on the sale.
- Conservation easement - on 2 properties - doesn't impact taxes.
9.Other Items/Concerns
None.
10.Visitors’ Comments – General
None.
11.Administrator Comments/Announcements
Dr. Newcome thanked the Board of Directors for participating in the graduation ceremony. He also thanked Mr. Rohrer and his staff for organizing graduation. It was a lovely evening and he is very proud of the District.
12.Board Comments
Mr. Norris said that graduation was wonderful. He was disappointed with the article in the paper that stated there were 159 graduates. It was off by about 50. He'd like to see a correction. He also asked what it would take to stream video of graduation. We have a TV studio. We should use it. He was able to view Pequea's graduation online.
Mr. Hume thanked Dr. Newcome for the time & energy put into Kindergarten. He thinks full day Kindergarten will be good for the District.
Ms. Bowman congratulated all students at all levels for graduating. She thinks it would be cool to have it streaming. She thanked Mr. Knickerbocker for posting pictures of graduation (Grad pictures) She thanked the PTO for the playground equipment.
13.Adjournment
Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, June 11, 2012 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Executive Session for personnel – Monday, June 11, 2012 – Following the Work Session in the District Office Conference Room
Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, June 25, 2012 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, June 25, 2012 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, June 25, 2012 – 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room
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