Board Meeting 04/15/2013

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
April 15, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.
Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room
 
AGENDA

1. Moment of Silence
2. Pledge of Allegiance 
3. Roll Call

1 absent

4. Approval of Minutes from the Work Session of March 11, 2013 and the Regular Meeting of March 18, 2013.
Approved.

5. Presentations
A. Budget
Per Mr. Carsley, the proposed final budget has not changed since last week.  The budget currently stands at $47,568,219.   It is an overall 1.94% increase.

Chester County      36.80 mills   a millage increase of .14   (.38%)
Lancaster County   27.79 mills   a millage increase of .30   (1.09%)

There will be additional adjustments.  Changes can be made up to the regular Board meeting in June.

Dr. Newcome said that there are time requirements - it has to be posted for a certain # of days.  We will still make changes.

He was asked last week to prioritize the potential cut list.  His top four are: 

1. Transportation contract - the double run is out, but they are looking at other items.  They should be able to get close to the $100,000 mark.
2. Kindergarten Outreach - $10,000
3. Fund Balance  - $5,000
4. Building Budgets - decrease an additional 5%

The Board can re-prioritize.

Ms. Bowman said she'd like to see a combination of the four to get Chester County to a 0% change.  Lancaster County is still below a couple of years ago.

Ms. Bowman wanted to remind everyone that what we see in January is NOT what we see in June.  The Budget is a process.  It works the same way every year.  We have a starting point and decrease from that point.

Mr. Carsley said that one advantage this year was we have the state appropriation numbers for next year.  We still don't have the benefits numbers.

Ms.Bowman asked if everyone was comfortable looking at a combination of the top 4.  The consensus was "yes".  The proposed final being voted on tonight does not include these changes.

 
6. Information Items
None.

7. Treasurer’s Report
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the General Fund Report for period ending March 31, 2013.
Ms. Johnson gave the report.  
Mr. Ganow asked about the fees on investments.  Mr. Carsley stated they are monthly and they fluctuate.  He is in contact with Fulton Bank to see if we can minimize the fees in some way.

Approved.

8. Business Manager’s Report
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of bills for payment.
Mr. Norris questioned payment to School Specialty.  Newspaper report that they are closing.  Mr. Carsley said that as far as he knew, they were in Chapter 11, but still open.  He would check on it.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/836864_School-Specialty-to-close-Mount-Joy-facility--idle-148-workers.html

Mr. Norris also asked about checks to The American Heart Association.  He wondered if it was for Jump Rope for Heart or something similar.  Mr. Carsley will check.

There was an additional question about advertising under Capital.  Mr. Carsley stated it was for the HS roof.

9. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None.

10. Recommended Action Items:  (Italicized items are new; they were not on the April 8, 2013 agenda.)
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2013-2014 Chester County Intermediate Unit Core Services Budget in the amount of $17,218,960.
Roll Call Vote:
Johnson - Yes
Lapp - Yes
Melton - Yes
Hume - Yes
Bowman - Yes
Norris - Yes
Ganow - Yes
Stoltzfus -Yes

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2013-2014 Chester County Intermediate Unit Occupational Education Budget in the amount of $24,139,148.

Roll Call Vote:
Johnson - Yes
Lapp - Yes
Melton - Yes
Hume - Yes
Bowman - Yes
Norris - Yes
Ganow - Yes
Stoltzfus -Yes


C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resolution for the Proposed Final General Fund Budget for the 2013-2014 school year.

Roll Call Vote:
Johnson - Yes
Lapp - Yes
Melton - Yes
Hume - No
Bowman - Yes
Norris - Yes
Ganow - Yes
Stoltzfus -Yes


D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Suzanne Schurr’s request for sabbatical leave for the purpose of study for the 2013-2014 school year.  Ms. Schurr is a third grade teacher at the Octorara Elementary School.
Mr. Lapp asked about the policy for sabbaticals.  Dr. Newcome said that a teacher can request one after working 10 years, then every 7 years.

Mr. Lapp asked if they could say "no".  Dr. Newcome said that they really couldn't, because it is state law (part of the school code).   The teacher takes the year off, gets half-pay and keeps benefits.

Dr. Melton asked if the purpose had to be approved.  She asked for clarification - not the union, but state law.  It is.  It is also reference in the contract.

Items D-K - Approved.
 Resignation Approvals:
E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Lois Hopkins’ resignation for the purpose of retirement effective June 7, 2013.  Ms. Hopkins is a Spanish and French teacher at the Octorara Area Jr. High School. (Hired August 29, 1996)

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, Ms. Alberta Gehron’s resignation effective March 22, 2013.  Ms. Gehron is a cook at the Octorara Jr. High School cafeteria. (Hired August 27, 2007)

 Hiring Approvals:
G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Charlotte Bridges as a long term substitute ESL teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center and Elementary Schools effective April 15, 2013 through June 7, 2013.  Ms. Bridges’ rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing a medical leave.)

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Susanna Esh as a cook/manager/cashier at the Octorara Intermediate School effective February 13, 2013. Ms. Esh’s rate will be $12.00 per hour for 6.25 hours per day.  (Replacing Emily Harper who transferred.)

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Jennifer Zimath as a cashier at the Octorara Area Sr. High School cafeteria effective March 1, 2013.  Ms. Zimath’s rate will be $8.75 per hour. (Replacing Susanna Esh who transferred.)

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute support personnel for the 2012-2013 school year:

  Nancy Culp (Instructional Assistant K-5)
  Nicholas Prange (Cafeteria)

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2012-2013 school year:

Kevin Noon  Mentor Trent Zook $200
Jo Ann Marinacci  Mentor Johanna Lasak $200

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors award the bid for $61,150.00 to Houck Services and materials list to WTI for $15,509.93 (total $76,659.93) for roof repair at the Octorara Area Sr. High School.
Approved

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the “Post-Issuance Tax Compliance Procedure for Tax-Exempt and Tax-Advantaged Bonds” as recommended by Board  Bond Counsel.
Approved

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Janelle Bartal’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately October 9, 2013 through November 27, 2013.  Ms. Bartal is a Social Studies teacher at the Octorara Area Sr. High School.
Approved.

11. Policy Committee Report
Did not meet.

12.  Finance Committee Report

Ms. Johnson gave the report.  Ms. Neff updated the committee on food service regulations.  The mandates have been relaxed a little.  It is mandated that Octorara must raise prices for lunch.  We are below by 14 cents.   The max we can raise is 10 cents -we will still be below the mandated rate.  

There was a discussion about calories and protein.

The IRS wants to review our 2009 bond issue.  They want to make sure we aren't making more than we are paying.

The Administrative Service agreement is being worked on.

The prescription contract is up for renewal.

2013-14 Budget was discussed.

13. I.U./C.A.T. Board Representative’s Report
Mr. Stoltzfus will update when he has the information.

14. Old Business
None.

15. New Business 
None.

16. Other Items and Announcements
None

17. Visitors’ Comments – General
None.

18. Administrator Comments/Announcements
HS Chorus Concert Tues. evening at 7:00 pm.
FBLA is at the State competition
4/26 is the Senior Citizen Prom sponsored by the Student Council
The Jr. High artwork/show is in the hallway.

Dr. Newcome said he will provide a concert/end of year schedule to the Board.

The Ag Expo was a nice event.  There were sparse crowds but they seemed to be impressed.  

Mr. Carsley reminded everyone that the Chester County Waste Authority will be at the school on Saturday.

19. Board Comments
Mr. Hume discussed the Ag Expo.  There was a science lab that will be coming to the school.  Chester County 2020 brought a band.

Home Depot was very involved.  They provided items for the silent auction.  They want to be more involved next year.

Our legislators were contacted.  Mr. Lawrence made a brief appearance.  Mr. Dinneman promised participation, but nothing happened.  The Agriculture Committee in Harrisburg was contacted, but did not participate.

Mr. Hume thanked Ms. Hardy & Dr. Newcome for their hard work.

Mr. Hume publicly thanked Ms. Johnson for the excellent job she does.

Ms. Bowman reported that the School Directors' Legislative Breakfast is next Friday.  Mr. Lawrence & Mr. Dinneman will be there.

She wanted to expand on the FBLA competition.  It is comparable to a sports team making it to the state tournament.  We had 8 students qualify.  It is a big deal and our business program is successful

20. Adjournment

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, April 15, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room  Did not happen.

 Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, April 15, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. in the District  Office Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel – Monday, April 15, 2013 – Following the Regular Meeting in the District Office Conference Room

Education Committee Meeting – Monday, April 22, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, May 13, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Work Session – Monday, May 13, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, May 20, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, May 20, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, May 20, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room