School Board Meeting 06/17/2013

OCTORARA AREA SCHO(.8OL DISTRICT
PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
June 17, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.
Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room
 
AGENDA

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

4. Approval of Minutes from the Work Session of May 13, 2013 and the Regular Meeting of May 20, 2013.
Approved

5. Presentations
A. Budget
Final version of budget was presented to the Board.  There was a $400 adjustment to capture the Homestead credit.  It did not change the millage.

Final expenses $47,492,791

Mills
Chester County          36.66  (same as last year)
Lancaster County       27.71  (.8% increase from rebalancing)

Ms. Bowman reminded everyone that the District must approve the budget before the State has to approve their budget.  There is always the chance that the State will not approve as much funding as they say.  The District would have to find a way to make up the difference.

Mr. Hume thanked the Board for working hard to have a 0% increase for Chester County.  The District has been working under these constraints for several years.  It is getting more & more difficult.
 
6. Information Items
None

7. Treasurer’s Report
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the General Fund Report for period ending May 31, 2013.
Ms. Johnson gave the report.  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.  Mr. Oleyniczak asked about check # 176961 in the amount of $641.96 paid to Remember Me.  Mr. Carsley will get the information to him.

9. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
None

10. Recommended Action Items:  (Italicized items are new; they were not on the June 10, 2013 agenda.)
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution adopting the 2013 – 2014 General Fund Budget Expenditures in the amount of $47,492,791.
Roll Call Vote:
Johnson - Yes
Ganow - Yes
Oleyniczak - Yes
Lapp - Yes
Bowman - Yes
Norris - Yes
Hume - Yes
Stoltzfus - Yes
Melton - Yes

Approved.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution establishing a real estate millage rate of 36.66 mills in Chester County and 27.71 mills in Lancaster County.
Roll Call Vote:
Johnson - Yes
Ganow - Yes
Oleyniczak - Yes
Lapp - Yes
Bowman - Yes
Norris - Yes
Hume - Yes
Stoltzfus - Yes
Melton - Yes

Approved.

Items C - Q  - Approved.

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution for the 2013-2014 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 2013-2014 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, 2013:

 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 2012-2013 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 exonerate any uncollectable tax liens on parcel 0803_00020700.

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached list of salaries for the school district employees for the 2013-2014 school year.

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2013-2014 Legal Services Consultation Agreement between Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams LLP and the Octorara Area School District for Special Education Services.

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the School Physician Services Agreement between Diamantoni and Associates and the Octorara Area School District for the 2013-2014 school year.

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Dr. Jeffrey Blair as the school dental consultant for the 2013-2014 school year.

L. 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):

 Dawn Munion 
 Matthew Talley
 Candice Schwien 
 
       Resignation Approvals: 
M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, the resignation of Ms. Claudia Benekam for the purpose of retirement effective June 7, 2013.  Ms. Benekam is an instructional support teacher at the Octorara Area Jr. High School. (Hired  January 2, 1980)

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, the resignation of Ms. Lois Dodd for the purpose of retirement effective June 7, 2013.  Ms. Dodd is a sixth grade teacher at the Octorara Intermediate School.  (Hired September 15, 1976)

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Lisa McLaughlin effective June 20, 2013.  Ms. McLaughlin is the payroll/benefits coordinator. (Hired March 18, 2013)

                    Hiring Approvals:
P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2013-2014 school year:

Ben Creighton  7th & 8th Grade Girls’ Soccer Coach  4 pts @ $600  $2,400
Matt Livingood  Asst Varsity Football Coach              7 pts @ $600  $4,200
John Tercha  Asst Varsity Football Coach              7 pts @ $600  $4,200
Emily Landers  8th Grade Field Hockey Coach           4 pts @ $600  $2,400

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in     salary due to graduate credits earned:

Amy Steinmetz  From M+15 ($62,973) to M+30 ($64,788)  Step11 to MAX
Stacey Graham  From M+45 ($66,970) to M+60 ($70,062)  Step 12 to MAX

R. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the changes in the Student Handbooks for the Octorara Primary Learning Center and Intermediate School for the 2013-2014 school year.
Ms. Bowman had a question about the change to the acceptable use policy.  Ms. McNamara said the changes were tweaks to match the OES policy.

S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Policy 123.2 “Athletic Academic Eligibility”, first reading.
Approved.

T. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, the resignation of Mr. Timothy Mundy for the purpose of retirement effective June 7, 2013.  Mr. Mundy is an English teacher at the Octorara Area Sr. High School.  (Hired August 27, 2001.  Mr. Mundy was also employed by the District from September 1974 through November 1994.)
Approved.

U. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Kimberly Diviney as a substitute cafeteria employee effective May 21, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District..  Ms. Diviney’s rate will be $8.25 per hour.
Approved.

V. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Dr. Thomas L. Newcome II, without qualification, effective June 30, 2013.
Approved.

W. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of Dr. Thomas L. Newcome II for a five year contract effective July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2018.
Roll Call Vote:
Johnson - Yes
Ganow - Yes
Oleyniczak - Yes
Lapp - Yes
Bowman - Yes
Norris - Yes
Hume - Yes
Stoltzfus - Yes
Melton - Yes

Approved.

X.  That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the contract and revised rate schedule for Kegal Kelin Almy & Lord, LLP as District solicitor from July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
Motion to place this back on the table.  Approved.
Motion to change "contract" to "letter of agreement".  Approved.
Approved.

Y.  That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Jennifer Bower effective June 7, 2013.  Ms. Bower is a speech therapist at the Octorara Elementary School.  (Hired January 10, 2011).
Approved.

11.  Finance Committee Report
Ms. Johnson gave the report.
State audit should be received June 20th.
Budget discussion
Decrease in appeal of assessed values - 6 weeks left
Althouse Transportation contract being reviewed
RBC will be at 9/9/13 work session
PSERS rates will continue to increase.

12. Policy Committee Report
Mr. Ganow said they discussed Policy 123.2.

13. I.U./C.A.T. Board Representative’s Report
Mr. Stoltzfus said the I.U./C.A.T. meeting is this Wed.  He will forward report to Board.

Ms. Bowman attended the Chester County School Board Council meeting.  Everyone was waiting for bill that would eliminate double dipping by Charter Schools for pension funding.  It did not pass.  It would have saved Octorara about $50,000.
14. Old Business
None

15. New Business 
None

16. Other Items and Announcements
None.

17. Visitors’ Comments – General
Mr. Zimmerman wanted to make sure the Board knew he appreciated everything they have done concerning the request for a SRO.   He offered to help any way he could.

18. Administrator Comments/Announcements
Dr. Newcome thanked the Board for the vote of confidence.   He congratulated Mr. Hume on his birthday & stated that he hoped to be as active & involved at that age.

19. Board Comments
Mr. Hume said he thought all the directors got information from Pat Meehan concerning state mandates.  He said he didn't know if anyone had followed-up, but he would.  He wants an overview of the legislation.  Octorara has a special situation with funding.  The state legislature has not been kind to the Octorara Area School District.  He'd like residents to take action.  He feels that residents don't understand what has been taken out of the District already.   Next comes programs.

Mr. Lapp wished Mr. Mundy well upon his retirement.  He is a special teacher who has a way with students.  He thanked his colleagues for working hard on the budget.  He thinks the future still looks bleak.  He doesn't know how they will handle the PSERS increase next year.  This is unsustainable without real education reform.  He's concerned about the latest federal initiative - Common Core Standards.  The Federal government thinks it can fix education.  The public needs to educate themselves.  It is the dumbing down of our students - making them into good political citizens, not good American citizens.

Mr. Hume said that Mr. Mundy was a good investment.

Ms. Bowman said that Mr. Lapp was right that different teachers affect students in different ways.  She thinks the most important thing he said was "while having a conversation with my children".  That is what is important.  When attending events on campus, you tend to see the same parents over & over.  Those students tend to be successful - not necessarily the top of the class, but take advantage of  the opportunities presented and do well.

20. Adjournment

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, June 17, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

 Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, June 17, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. in the District  Office Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel – Monday, June 17, 2013 – Following the Regular Meeting in the District Office Conference Room

Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, July 8, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Work Session – Monday, July 8, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, July 15, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

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

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, July 15, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room