School Board Work Session 10/14/2013

OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
October 14, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.
Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

DISCUSSION GUIDE
1. Moment of Silence
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
1 absent

4. Presentations
A. School Performance Profile – Elena Wilson
This will be covered in a separate post.


5. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
None

6. Information Items
None

7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the October 21, 2013 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Transportation Contract
between the Linville Hill Mennonite School and the Octorara Area School District for
the 2013-2014 school year.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the school bus run by the
Linville Hill Mennonite School for the 2013-2014 school year.

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Ronald Leaman as a school
bus driver employed by the Linville Hill Mennonite School for the 2013-2014 school
year.

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the student activity request for
“Manga Club” at the Octorara Area Sr. High School.

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the student activity request for
“Fellowship of Christian Athletes” at the Octorara Area Sr. High School.

Ms. Bowman asked Dr. Rohrer about the number of clubs at the High School.  Dr. Rohrer said  that he wasn't sure about the current number.  The number changes from year to year as the interests of the students changes.   Every year clubs get added and others get eliminated.

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Service Proposal not to
exceed $2,300 for EHC Associates, Inc. for three year re-inspection services as
required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the revised Business Associate
Agreement between the Octorara Area School District and Reschini Agency, Inc.
effective October 1, 2013 due to new HIPAA regulations.

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the revised Business Associate
Agreement between the Octorara Area School District and Tri-Star Benefit Systems,
Inc. effective October 1, 2013 due to new HIPAA regulations.

 Resignation Approvals:
I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, the resignation of
Ms. Shara Townsend as an instructional assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning
Center effective September 20, 2013. (Hired August 29, 2005)

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept, with regret, the resignation of
Ms. Beth Ciccone as a Health and Physical Education teacher at the Octorara Primary
Learning Center and Intermediate School effective November 8, 2013. (Hired August
20, 2008)

 Hiring Approvals:
K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Lisa Hillman as a long term
substitute fourth grade teacher at the Octorara Elementary School from September 24,
2013 through February 14, 2014. Ms. Hillman’s salary will be $49,141 pro-rated
which is Step 18 to MAX of the Bachelor’s Scale. (Ms. Hillman is currently on the
approved sub list and is replacing a medical leave.)

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Dorothy Lomboy as a
lunchroom/playground supervisor at the Octorara Intermediate School effective
September 23, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by
law and the District. Ms. Lomboy’s rate will be $8.75 per hour for three hours per
day.

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Christine Johnson as an
instructional assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective September
30, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the
District. Ms. Johnson’s rate will be $11.65 per hour for 5.75 hours per day.
(Replacing Shara Townsend who resigned.)

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Jodi Johnson as a long term
substitute instructional assistant at the Octorara Elementary School for the 2013-2014
school year effective September 19, 2013 pending completion of employee related
documents required by law and the District. Ms. Johnson’s rate will be $11.65 per
hour for 5.75 hours per day. (Replacing Trent Zook who is substitute teaching.)

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Dawn Kimberling as a Title
I math assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School September 20, 2013 pending
completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms.
Kimberling’s rate will be $11.65 per hour for 5.75 hours per day. (Replacing Stacey
Hoopes who resigned.)

 P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Elizabeth Schlegel as an
instructional assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective September 19,
2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the
District. Ms. Schlegel’s rate will be $11.65 per hour for 5.75 hours per day.
(Replacing Amy Ellsworth who resigned.)

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Diane Hery as a cafeteria
team leader at the Octorara Elementary School effective October 1, 2013. Ms. Hery’s
rate will be $10.00 per hour for three hours per day. (Replacing Gloria Stoltzfus who
retired.)

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

 Christine Johnson, Elementary, ESL

S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute support
staff for the 2013-2014 school year:

 April Bibey, Cafeteria
 Dorothy Lomboy, Instructional Assistant

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

Kevin Noon Mentor Lisa Hillman $ 200


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

Ashley Ayers From B+15 ($51,719) to M ($53,642) Step 17 to MAX
Jennifer John From M+15 ($58,707) to M+30 ($60,919) Step 17 to MAX
Candice Schwien From B ($49,441) to B+15 ($51,719) Step 17 to MAX

V. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Frances Propper’s request
for unpaid Family Medical Leave for the purpose of child rearing from approximately
March 4, 2014 through June 2, 2014 and an additional unpaid leave of absence from
June 3, 2014 through the close of the 2013-2014 school year. Ms. Propper is an
emotional support teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center, Elementary,
Intermediate, and Jr. High Schools.

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

• Researched the service proposal under "F".  Recommend EHC.
• Sent some old desks to auction.  Did not get very much for them.  A group of students is tearing down the rest for scrap.  We will probably get more for that than the ones that were sold.
• The water treatment plant needs repairs.  Need estimates.
• Some issues with the auditorium.  Strip lights in handicap area keep getting kicked off.  Do not need the lights.  Can replace w/ yellow strip.
• Continue to update priority list.
• There will be items on the November agenda.
• Problems w/ water in the band room & studio since renovations.  We should know more by the end of the week.  There is testing going on.
• School safety seminar on campus today.  Approx. 125 - 135 people attended.  Many topics were covered.  
• We have 3 wells.  Two work well.  One doesn't work at all.  When the fence was put up around the varsity field, a wire was hit.  Looking into a wireless remote for this well.
• Sign at 41 & Highland needs repaired.  Two estimates:  $650 and $800
• Mr. Carsley suggested that a percentage of positive fund balance at the end of the year be set aside for repairs such as the sign.  It would have to be put into a policy.
• Field development 1) Took some trees down as a safety measure 2) Task force may tackle the track next.

9. Education Committee Report
Mr. Norris gave the Education Committee report.   The committee met Sept. 23rd    

• Mr. Propper & Mr. Dikun attended a conference on school safety
• Dr. Rohrer gave an update on the iPads.  At that time, 25 still needed to be distributed at that time.
• The district asked chesco.net to bump up the speed.
• The District will be a pilot site for online testing because of the iPad program.
• Ms. Michalowski gave an update on special education.  Need to reconfigure how special education students are distributed.
• Ms. Wilson gave an update on Learning Focused Schools.

10. Other Items/Concerns
Ms. Bowman attended the Chester County School Board meeting. 
 Got information on School Performance Profile.  
HB 1189 passed - gives districts ability to increase local income tax, sales tax or stay with property taxes.  (http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20130&cosponId=12182)

There is also relief on the way for districts to eliminate fee for collection of delinquent taxes.

Some charter school relief - for 2 years, districts would not have to pay pension & food service costs to charter schools.

11. Visitors’ Comments – General
None

12. Administrator Comments/Announcements
Dr. Newcome talked about homecoming week.  Things went well.  They have some ideas for next year.  He thanked Jamie Bankert for organizing.  He had a lot of help.  

There was a good day at the safety summit.  

Jerry & Kim Zimmerman will be putting together a group to look at safety issues to develop recommendations before budget season starts.  Dates will be announced.

13. Board Comments
Ms. Bowman also spoke about homecoming.  Thanked Mr. Hume for being the grand marshal of the parade.

Mr. Oleyniczak spoke about the safety summit.  After being in law enforcement for over 30 years, he didn't think he would learn anything new, but he was pleasantly surprised.  The Octorara area was well-represented.  

Mr. Norris said that the band had a good parade season.  He thanked Mr. Cullen and Mr. Reynolds.  While watching a soccer game at homecoming, he thought that since we have the technology to stream games, the board meetings could be streamed.  He would like the Board to think about it.

He wondered why the Race for Education is not occurring on campus.  It is similar to Jumprope for Heart, but the money stays in the District.

He has 2 kids with iPads.  It is great watching them use the tablets.  It is interesting how teachers are integrating them.  

Mr. Lapp spoke about standards and political correctness.


14. Adjournment


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

Executive Session for personnel and litigation – Monday, October 14, 2013 –
Following the Work Session in the District Office Conference 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