School Board Meeting 09/16/2013

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
September 16, 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 August 12, 2013 and the Regular Meeting of August 19, 2013.
Approved

5. Presentations
Dr. Newcome introduced Lydia Lion as the student representative to the Board.
 
6. Information Items

A.  Cheryl Johnson will transfer from a personal care aide/instructional assistant at  the Octorara Area Sr. High School to an instructional assistant at the Primary  Learning Center. (Replacing Kathryn Weston who resigned.)

7. Treasurer’s Report
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the General Fund Report for period ending August 31, 2013.
Mr. Ganow presented 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 presented the report.  There were some questions about checks.  Mr. Carsley will get the answers back to those who asked.

9. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
None

10. Recommended Action Items:  (Italicized items are new; they were not on the September 9, 2013 agenda.)
A-O Approved.

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus drivers employed by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2013-2014 school year.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus runs by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2013-2014 school year.

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the revisions to Policy 815 “Acceptable Use Policy”, second reading.

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the revisions to Policy 807 “Opening Exercises”, second reading.

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve a stipend of $383.55 for Ms. Deb Canby for writing a successful grant.  The grant provided $7,671 for the Octorara Health and Physical Education Department and was awarded by CCRES. 

                  Resignation Approvals:
F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, the resignation of Ms. Stacey Hoopes as an instructional assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective August 14, 2013.  (Hired August 2, 2007)

                    Hiring Approvals: 
G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Jennifer Shaw as  long term substitute ISS monitor at the Octorara Area Sr. High School for the 2013-2014 school year pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District.  Ms. Shaw’s rate will be $10.15 per hour. (Replacing Jason Ralston who transferred.)

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2013-2014 school year:

 Andrew Buchy, Science
 Sara Daigle, Elementary
 Alicia Hardy, Social Studies
 David Hazell, Music
 Lisa Hillman, Elementary
 Kelly Holub, Elementary, Reading Specialist
 Melody Hostetter, Elementary
 Jessica Karahilis, Science/Biology
 Dawn Kimberling, Elementary
 Mark Klucharich, Social Studies
 Lisa Rohrer, Elementary 
 Sheena Scheffel, Elementary
 Elizabeth Schlegel, Elementary
 Leah Tymeson, Science
 Alicia VanDenAcre, Social Studies, Family & Consumer Science
 Rachel McNaughton, Elementary, Mid-Level Math
 
I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute support staff for the 2013-2014 school year:

  Sharon Burget, Cafeteria
  Kelly Jeffries, Cafeteria
  Christine Sellers, Cafeteria

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

JoAnn Marinacci  Mentor Johanna Lasak     2 pts @ $600  $1,200
David Baker  Mentor Ashley Stern        2 pts @ $600  $1,200
Melissa Fanelli  Mentor Alison Venini  2 pts @ $600  $1,200
Kelly Wetzel   Mentor Morgan Callaway        2 pts @ $600  $1,200
Michelle Moran  Mentor Ashley Whiteman        2 pts @ $600  $1,200
Jennifer Dean  Mentor Jessica Hyrnkow                                      $   200
Vanessa Peterson  Mentor Amanda Friedman       2 pts @ $600  $1,200
Amanda Kieffer  Mentor Shelley Leonard           2 pts @ $600  $1,200
Mark Peticca  Mentor Mark Durante                1  pt @ $600  $   600
Nikki Bonaduce-Davis  Mentor Richard Baker               1  pt @ $600  $   600
Adam Udell  Mentor Matt Worrell                                       $   200
Kathleen Heller  Mentor Jason Ralston                                     $   200
Pat Lauletta  Mentor Liz DiSabatino             2 pts @ $600  $1,200
Jen Watson  Mentor Scott Gee  2 pts @ $600                 $1,200

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

Alysyn Hoffman  From M ($53,642) to M+15 ($58,707)  Step 17 to MAX
Dawn Munion  From B+15 ($51,719) to M ($53,642)  Step 17 to MAX
Jennifer John  From M ($53,642) to M+15 ($58,707)  Step 17 to MAX
 Joan Miller  From B ($49,441) to B+15 ($51,719)  Step 17 to MAX
Kelly Wetzel  From M+45 ($68,500) to M+60 ($71,642)  Step 11to MAX
Marjory Zajac  From M+15 (65,253) to M+30 ($67,127)**  Step 10 to MAX
 ** Note:  Ms. Zajac’s salary will be prorated for the 2013-2014 school year due to her FMLA and sabbatical.   

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Jennifer Godowsky’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately January 30, 2014 through April 30, 2014 and an additional unpaid leave of absence from May 1, 2014 through the close of the 2013-2014  school year.  Ms. Godowsky is a music teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center.


M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Fallon Manchin’s request for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately March 21, 2014 through April 22, 2014.  Ms. Manchin is a Learning Support teacher at the Octorara Elementary School.


N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Cristin Schultz as a long term substitute instructional assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 26, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District.  Ms. Schultz’s rate will be $11.65 per hour. (Replacing Trent Zook who transferred.)


O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept Ms. Cristin Shultz’s resignation as a long term substitute instructional assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 30, 2013.


P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the student activity request for “The Class of 2017” at the Octorara Area Sr. High School.
Approved

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. April Pidgeon as a cafeteria employee effective May 30, 2013.  (Hired January 21, 2013)
Approved

R. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Mary “Kim” Myers as a Title I reading assistant at the Primary Learning Center effective August 28, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Myers’ rate will be $11.65 per hour for 5.75 hours per day.  (Replacing Linda Haslett who transferred.)
Approved

S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Joan Agen as a half-time Virtual Academy Teacher at the Octorara Area Sr. High School effective September 12, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District.  Ms. Agen’s salary will be $26,696 which is half of Step 18 to MAX of the Mastewr’s Scale.
Mr. Ganow asked how many students there are.  Dr. Newcome said there are 8 in what was called Alternative Education.  This position will also cover those who have come back from virtual charter schools.  Approved.

T. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the agreement for Octorara Landscape and Turf Company to perform fertilization and mowing services on all District athletic fields from September 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 at a fee of $45,542.
Mr. Oleyniczak asked about wording in the contract.  He wanted to know if it had been reviewed by counsel.  Dr. Newcome & Mr Carsley stated that they used the language from the bleacher contract.  Approved

11. Finance Committee Report
Ms.Johnson gave the report.  Linda Neff gave a report on recommendations from the Student Advisory Group concerning lunches.  Recommendations have been implemented.  She also went over regulations.

Discussed annual audit, tax collector bond, index for next year (2.1) and Linville Hill bus contract.

Received tax equalization information from the State.

12. Policy Committee Report
Mr. Ganow gave the report.  Second reading of 815 and 807 tonight.  Will be looking at more in October.

13. I.U./C.A.T. Board Representative's Report
Mr. Stoltzfus stated that the meeting is Wed.  He will forward report to Board members when he receives it.

14. Old Business
None

15. New Business
None

16. Other Items and Announcements
The Board chose who they are voting for in the Pennsylvania School Board Association election.

17. Visitors' Comments - General
None

18. Administrator Comments/Announcements
Ms. Wilson reported that the Keystone Exams being used for graduation and PA Common Core standards were approved last Thursday.

Dr. Rohrer let everyone know that Homecoming is next week.  There will be a lot of activities.

Mr. Ganow asked if there were issues getting people into the games.  Dr. Rohrer said they may have to open additional gates.

Dr. Newcome had two items: 

1. Last Wednesday, the Octorara Agriculture Business Environmental Science group picked a date for an Agriculture Expo featuring student work.  It will be held 5/31/2014 from 9 am - 5 pm.  There are several volunteers from the community.  Ms. Lion is co-chair.
2. Friday evening after the football game, he overheard a teacher make a comment. Several people were cleaning up trash, etc.  The teacher said something to the effect that "this is what's great about Octorara - everyone pitches in - the superintendent, school board president, other school board members.   Dr. Newcome discussed ways our school board members were involved in the school and community before becoming board members and how they continue to be involved whether or not they have children attending Octorara. 

19. Board Comments
Mr. Norris reminded everyone that the first parade of the season is Wednesday in Quarryville.  Step-off  for the band is at 6:15.  He also noted that on Saturday, Dr. Newcome attended Atglen Community Day and took a turn in the dunk tank.  He thanked him for doing so.

Ms. Bowman let Board members know that there is a copy of a letter from a resident included in their packets.  The resident is upset about taxes.  Mr. Norris contacted the resident and talked with him.  She wanted to publicly acknowledge receipt of the letter.

20. Adjournment


Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, September 16, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, September 16, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel – Monday, September 16, 2013 – Following the Regular Meeting in the District Office Conference Room

Education Committee Meeting – Monday, September 23, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

 Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, October 14, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. in the  District  Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Work Session – Monday, October 14, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, October 21, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday, October 21, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, October 21, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

Education Committee Meeting – Monday, October 28, 2013 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room