WORK SESSION
March 11, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.
Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room
DISCUSSION GUIDE
1. Moment of Silence
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Presentations
A. Budget
Dr. Newcome responded to Mr. Ganow's request from last month. He provided a memo to the Board concerning labor costs. You need to be careful when using simple averages. His memo looked at total earnings potential and the steps. In summation, the memo is not a value judgement. It is a more complete view of salaries. Octorara teachers make less over the course of their career than other districts in Chester County (more than Lancaster County).
When teachers are not replaced, it does not help the average, compared to replacing with lower paid teachers.
Salaries related to the Administrative Team were distributed in 2011/12. No update at this time.
Mr. Norris appreciated the thoroughness. He doesn't see where it sheds any new light on what they already knew.
Overall lifetime earnings for teachers at Octorara are in the lower third for Chester County.
Dr. Melton was surprised at the range for Chester County.
Dr. Newcome will post this document under budget information on the website. Salary Memo
Ms. Bowman mentioned that it touched on the contract, advanced degrees and credits to move up the scale.
Dr. Newcome said that past Boards wanted to make starting salaries strong, but the advantage disappears by the 5th year.
Comparing Masters+60 Maximum, many districts in the county hit that by year 15; Octorara hits it in year 20.
Ms. Bowman stated that it is hard to look back when the people who made the decisions aren't here.
Dr. Newcome also talked about a memo concerning school safety discussed at the facilities meeting. Options range from doing nothing additional ($0) to hiring resource officers at $600/day.
They are going to have a State Police risk & vunerability study done, as well as one from the CCIU. They will hold off on any decisions until those two studies are complete. They will be looking for grant funding.
Mr. Norris said that it appears that this will not impact this budget.
Mr. Carsley will have some detailed budget information next week at the finance meeting. It will be held at 6:00 pm. in the Jr. High Multipurpose Room.
Mr. Carsley wanted to mention some information on the Sequestration. The anticipated impact on the Department of Ed budget is a 5.3% decrease. It will not impact the current year, but could impact the 2013/14 budget. The biggest impact we could see could be in our Title I funding. We currently get approx. $900,000. The impact could be 5.3% less ($47,700).
Dr. Newcome said that next week's finance meeting will be more relaxed. He is also available to speak to groups. Please contact Jill Hardy in the District Office.
4. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
Timothy Alexander (Parkesburg) - Thanked Dr. Newcome for meeting with him. He's been looking at a lot of spreadsheets, budgets, and minutes of our Disrict & others. He says you can't dismiss the simple averages, because he feels it impacts the bottom line negatively. If this were a business, you would decrease salaries. He feels that the decisions made have not provided a good return on investment. Our graduation rate is abysmal, as is assessment testing. The only district lower was Coatesville. He thinks citizens have been trained to not come to meetings. He says he is running for the Board in Region 3.
5. Information Items
None.
6. Presentation of Agenda Items for the March 18, 2013 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following policies, second reading:
709 – Building Security
907 – School Visitors
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Lauren Brotman’s request
for sabbatical leave for the purpose of study for the second semester of the 2013-2014
school year. Ms. Brotman is a learning support teacher at the Octorara Intermediate
School.
C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the student activity request for “Octorara Roots & Shoots” at the Octorara Area Jr./Sr. High School.
Resignation Approvals:
D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Danise Miller’s resignation a s a cafeteria employee effective February 28, 2013. (Hired October 5, 2011)
Hiring Approvals:
E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Lisa McLaughlin as payroll/benefits coordinator effective February 27, 2013. Ms. McLaughlin’s salary will be $35,500 pro-rated. (Replacing Tina Butler who resigned.)
F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Patrick Tobin as an instructional assistant in the Alternative Ed Program at the Octorara Area Jr./Sr. High School effective February 11, 2013. Mr. Tobin’s rate will be $10.90 per hour for four hours per day, 140 days per year. (Replacing Amy Ellsworth who transferred.)
G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Jason Ralston as an Alternative Education teacher at the Octorara Area Jr./Sr. High School effective February 26, 2013 through approximately March 26, 2013. Mr. Ralston’s rate will be $140 per day.
H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Charlene Johnson as a one-on-one instructional assistant at the Octorara Jr. High School effective January 22, 2013. Ms. Johnson’s rate will be $10.15 per hour for 5.75 hours per day, 180 days per year. (Replacing Sharon Richey who transferred.)
I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Ashley Stern as an instructional assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective March 5, 2013. Ms. Stern’s rate will be $11.65 for 5.75 hours per day, 180 days per year. (Replacing Melanie Wagner who resigned.)
J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2012-2013 school year:
Christianna Berg (Elementary)
K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2012-2013 school year:
Ben Creighton Assistant Track Coach 6 pts @ $585 $3,510
Trent Zook Jr. High Baseball Coach 2 pts @ $585 $1,170
Ryne Anthony Jr. High Baseball Coach 2 pts @ $585 $1,170
Leah Tymeson Jr. High Softball Coach 4 pts @ $585 $2,340
I don't think it was noted at last night's meeting, but I believe th Jr. High positions are being paid by the booster organizations.
L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2013-2014 school year:
John DiMatteo Varsity Soccer Coach 7 pts @ $600 $4,200
M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:
Lauren Brotman From M+15 ($62,159) to M+30 ($64,036) Step 12 to MAX
N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Katie Heller’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately May 23, 2013 through June 7, 2013. Ms. Heller is a Special Education teacher at the Octorara Area Sr. High School.
7. Facilities Committee Report
Mr. Stoltzfus said they had many items to discuss at the meeting.
- Playground equipment - waiting for the weather to get nicer.
- Final inspections of HS project - reminder that 3/4 of the way through they need to change electricians. New electricians found problems and are correcting. This is why we bond these contracts, so we have no additional cost.
- HS roof - parts weren't included in original renovation. Looking at bids now.
- Chester County Waste Authority
- Building security - purchasing security gates for Elementary school and between Jr. & Sr. High School
- Water treatment plant - lights & eye washing stations
- Leak in faculty lounge of Jr. High - repaired
- CO monitors - getting info
- New bathroom partitions
- Cell tower - sitting tight on contract. It was a 25 year contract - about half-way through.
- Scissor lift - currently pay $659 each time we need to rent. Looking at feasibility of purchasing for $4,600
- Reviewed priority list.
- Althouse contract ends 6/2013. They are looking at ways to cut costs.
- There have been requests for used furniture
- Field development - next week's agenda item - bleachers. Will read "not to exceed $250,000", even though it may be less. Need to leave room for prevailing wage.
8. Education Committee Report
Mr. Norris stated that the last meeting occurred on 2/25. They looked at the Comprehensive (Strategic) plan. Ms. Wilson had discussed Learning Focused Schools. They reviewed data on inclusion students (the effectiveness and benefits of the way we handle it). Mr. Rohrer reported on the iPad initiative. Mr. Norris also reported on an anti-bullying program, Rachel's Challenge. They are looking for grants to implement. There will be an agricultural mobile lab June 3 - 7th. They are looking for private sector funding.
9. Other Items/Concerns
Ms. Bowman reported on the Chester County School Board Legislative Council Meeting. Almost every school district in Chester County was represented. Everyone is facing the same issues. There will be a website soon.
The Governor's budget has flat-funded Special Education for the past 6 years. They are developing a contingency fund from that money. Districts will have to apply for it. So, districts will initially be receiving less funds. No other funding has been restored.
There are 3 House Bills and 2 Senate Bills related to Charter School funding.
10. Visitors’ Comments – General
Scott Grimes (Parkesburg) - gave an update on field development. Eckman's received notification that the information provided was sufficient and was okay by the Chester County Conservation Environment group. They will begin work 4/22, if okayed by the Board. Permits & licences will be on file w/ Mr. Carsley.
As a taxpayer and a parent, I feel very fortunate and have received a good ROI for my children's education as a whole. I have one who has graduate college & is gainfully employed. The second is a freshman at college. Both attended/attend private colleges and the resume they built here helped them do that. The combination of arts, athletics, and academics built that resume. I am pleased with the investment of my tax dollars.
11. Administrator Comments/Announcements
Mr. Rohrer said he would give information on structured study hall and the RISE program in the future.
Ms. Wilson let everyone know that this Thurday at OIS is Family Math Night for K-6. It will be held from 6-8 pm. There will be math games.
Dr. Newcome responded to Mr. Ganow's request for graduation rates. This was discussed at the Nov. 2012 Board meeting. At that time he explained there were errors in data submission that caused problems. They discovered them too late to correct the errors. Our numbers will be skewed because of that bad data for a while. The 2011/12 reported number is 84.62. Dr. Newcome believe that is incorrect. He thinks it is closer to 92%. He apologizes for the error. We consistently have 7 - 12 students drop out - dependent on number of students in the class. The State uses a different formula now.
If a student moves to Florida & we don't receive the proper paperwork, it looks bad. We are going to be more diligent in going after that paperwork.
Graduation rates
He had a good meeting with Mr. Alexander.
If the board had replaced the 30 positions eliminated through attrition, it would have replaced them with lower paid teachers. That would have reduced the average salary, but would not have controlled costs.
He takes issue with Mr. Alexander stating that the districts was only looking out for future students and not those currently enrolled. The building project and the Career & Technical Education classes added target current students. Many of those students are those who previously were not successful. Our staff works hard and is very talented. We are fortunate to have the staff that we do. They are looking at why some are not successful.
Looking at controllable costs - for the 2003/04 school year, salaries increase 2.7%. Between 2006 and 2009, they increased $1.9 million. From 2009 to 2013 they increased $180,000.
Reminder that people are invited to Mr. Carsley's presentation.
Agricultural fair will be held 4/13 from 9-12.
12. Board Comments
Mr. Norris reminds everyone that the Sound of Music will be presented this weekend.
He noted that Mr. Alexander called it a moral issue. That implies that the Board is immoral & he takes offense to that.
Mr. Hume believes they need to take a closer look at our inclusion program. Ms. Bowman stated that it is being reviewed in the Education Committee.
Ms. Bowman said that there has been a 168% increase in pension expense. If we were a business, we could look at ways to lower that, but we don't have that option.
Ms. Bowman's quote of the night (although I might not have the exact wording) - "If we were a business, we would not be compelled to pay for our competition to service our customers and we would not be forced to pay for them to be transported there."
We are solving for the impossible.
To end on a high note, the newsletters recently published were wonderful.
13. Adjournment
Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, March 11, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Executive Session for personnel – Monday, March 11, 2013 – Following the Work Session in the District Office Conference Room
Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, March 18, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room
Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, March 18, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room
Education Committee Meeting – Monday, March 25, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
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