Work Session 9/9/2013

 OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT WORK SESSION
September 9, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.
Jr./Sr. High Multipurpose Room

Discussion Guide

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

4. Presentations
None

5. Visitors' Comments - Agenda Items Only
None

6. Information Items
None

7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the September 16, 2013 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

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. 
Stipend is 5% of grant amount.  Ms. Camby has written successful grants for the past several years.

                  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.)
Ms. Shaw filled in last spring in the same position.

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

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

Mr. Ganow questioned the number of new hires.  Dr. Newcome explained that not all are new hires.  New hires are the 2pts.  An existing employee moving to a new building/new position is 1pt. and an existing employee moving to a new position in the same building is $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

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.

Dr. Newcome explained that since Ms. Shultz worked for a few days, that in order to pay her, there needed to be the formal approval of hiring & then resignation.

8.  Facility Committee Report
Mr. Stoltzfus gave the report on the Facilities Committee meeting. 

• Estimated $17K tree problems.  Some we can handle, some we can't.
• HS Roof was completed 8/25
• Water treatment plant needs some significant updates.  It's been 12 years since major upgrades occurred.  We need estimates.ll 
• Auditorium - problem w/ railing down front.
• We will update long-range plan by October meeting.
• 5 years ago, the renovations on the High School began.  We've had issues with water in the band room & the studio.  We thought it had been fixed, but with these last heavy rains, there was more water.  We don't know what the source is.  It has been scoped.  They may look at dyes.  We have signed letters from contractors who did the work that they will be responsible for repairs.
• The district has taken care of the athletic fields in the past (fertilizing, etc.)  Sent out to bid for fertilization, maintenance & mowing.  
• There is a request for a shed at the Jr. High Field Hockey field.
• Fall Fest will occur at end of the month.  There was a request for fireworks.  It is on hold for this year until the District can research it.
• Linville Hill bus runs - no increase in rates.
• There is nothing on the sign at Rt 41 & Highland Rd.  The rails that hold the letters need to be replace.  Looking at price to fix.

9. Other Items/Concerns
PASBA (Pennsylvania School Board Association) - changed bylaws - established new voting delegates. Delegates to vote on platform.  Meeting is during the day.  None of our Board members are available to go.  We don't have to send anyone.  Instead of individuals voting, the Board votes as a whole.  This will not be an official action of the Board.

10. Visitors’ Comments – General                  
None

11. Administrator Comments/Announcements
Dr. Rohrer said that approx. 150 students need to get their ipads

Dr. Newcome said that the Homeland Security/Career Technical program has been officially approved.  There are 17 students enrolled.  Signal 88 is providing sponsorship ($500) - in partnership with the District.  Local fire departments & law enforcement are also helping.

Safety update - Brian Dikun is collecting data.  They have gathered statistics on SRO and security officers in Chester and Lancaster County school districts.  We have received no direction in applying for grants from the State.
              
The District is hosting a safety summit on 10/14.  It is by invitation only (law enforcement, school board members, etc.)  It is a non-student day.

If you go by the Octorara Area Food Cupboard, take a look at the sign.  It was made by Octorara students.  

Enrollment as of the 3rd day of school:  2,502
Nov. 1st last year:  2,505
This will be updated throughout the year.

The dedication of the Operations Facility Center will occur over homecoming in recognition of Dale Miller.

Policies that will be worked on in the near future:

• Child abuse
• Opposite gender participating in sports
• Drug screening policy
• Open records policy

These will be talked about at the next policy meeting.  First reading probably in October.  

Homecomng is the end of September.  There will be a schedule next week.

Congratulations to the staff on a good opening of school.  Everyone is hard at work.

12. Board Comments
None

13. Adjournment


 Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, September 9, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. in the  District  Office  Conference Room

Executive Session for personnel – Monday, September 9, 2013 – Following the Work Session in the District Office Conference Room

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

Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, September 16, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

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