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OFFICIAL MINUTES WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING MORRISDALE, PA
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DATE: August 18, 2009 |
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The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held August 17, 2009, at 7:26 p.m. in the high school library. The board had an executive session for personnel before the meeting.
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MBRS PRESENT
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Joe Kovalcin, Donald Murray Sr., Gerald Coble, Ron Mollura, Don Yontosh, Tom Veres, Larry Allen |
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MBRS ABSENT
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Tim Eyerly, Mary Ann Couteret |
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OTHERS PRESENT
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Michael Panek, Superintendent; Kasi Jackson, Board Secretary; Allen Levin, Solicitor; Sean Wechtenhiser, Elementary Principal; Annie Lynn, Progress Representative; Jason McMillen; Business Manager, J.R. Holenchik; Secondary Principal, Wendy Fernburg; Supervisor of Special Education, Dave Nelson; Maintenance Supervisor, Jeremy Craven, Technology Coordinator, Holly Petriskey, Lester Smeal, Melvin Smeal, Phyllis Gable, Holly Michael, Greg Modzel, Kris Kolesar, Sue Betts, Bill Woolworth, Steve Dobo, Cindy Dobo, Cindy Woolworth
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RECOGNITION OF VISITORS |
Michelle Hostetler from Penn State University informed the board on a program she would like to start called Siblings are Special. The program is a federal funded program that will be available to 16 schools throughout Pennsylvania. The goal of the program is to teach siblings to get along better with each other and in turn have the family get along better. The sessions are one night a week for twelve weeks and each session lasts ninety minutes. There are also 3 family fun nights and each family that participates and completes the program will receive $500. The school will also receive $500 for letting the program be run. The school only needs to provide two classrooms and help recruit the families.
Cindy Dobo, a band booster member talked to the board about letting the band sell items at the football games. The band would like to sell different items than the football team so that it does not go into competition with the football team. Mr. Holenchik is waiting for letters from both the band booster head from both the football boosters and the band booster before any action can take place.
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ADMIN REPORTS |
Mrs. Fernburg: · Jeff Holter from IU10 conducted Crisis Intervention training on August 13th for 14 of our teachers and paraprofessionals. This training provides the participant with techniques to defuse a verbal exchange before it becomes physical as well as techniques for the safe management of a situation that does become physical.
· Jackie Houser from IU10 will be providing an e-metric training to special education staff tomorrow to assist them in gaining more specific information about their students to better meet their needs and to improve their PSSA scores.
· Because we are still awaiting the passage of the State budget there is the potential that some Medical Assistance payments may be delayed until a budget is passed.
Mr. Wechtenhiser: · The elementary teachers have been invited to a meeting tomorrow morning dealing with school improvement. I will be discussing PSSA scores with the teachers in attendance. They will also get to look at the PSSA scores of the students they taught this past year, looking for common areas of strength and weakness. They will then look at the scores of their incoming students, again looking for common areas of strength and weakness. Teachers will use this information in the formulation of their lesson plans. Teachers will end the day by having grade level meetings. The focus of these meetings will be to help prepare the new teachers (including grade transfer teachers).
· The new teachers and their mentors will be participating in training on Monday, August 24th.
· Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Monday, August 31st at 7:00 p.m. in the Elementary Cafeteria. Letters were mailed to parents of all incoming Kindergarten students. If any parents did not receive a letter, or if they have any questions, they can contact the Elementary Office.
· A climbing wall has been installed in the elementary gym. This was paid for with a grant written by Mrs. Craft. The wall will be used by Mrs. Wood’s elementary gym classes.
Mr. Nelson: · The cleaning is going well and the custodians are ahead of schedule.
Mr. Craven: · Working on implementing the new software. PowerSchool is 98% ready for the first day of school and Alio training will begin this week. Also, an online card catalog for both libraries are being installed as well as online accelerated reader.
· The Classrooms for the Future coach will not be funded anymore and Mr. Craven will assume the responsibilities for the coach.
Mr. McMillen: · Talked to many different banks concerning a tax anticipation loan if they need it. The interest rate will be a little over 3%.
· On August 31, 2009, a benefit luncheon will be provided for all employees to learn about benefits they have and are able to use.
Mr. Panek: · Thanked everyone for having him be part of the West Branch District. He also let the board and public know that his goal is for the children of the school to reach their goals. He also talked about the revised teacher induction plan and teacher handbook and how it was created to fit this district. · Mr. Panek also informed the board that without the budget not being passed the school is facing almost a million dollar deficit until the budget is passed. · Mr. Panek was able to sit in on telephone conferences with the secretary of state, along with many other surrounding districts to listen to the updates of the state budget and be informed of what will be taking place. If senate bill 850 is defeated than nearly one million dollars of subsidy for the school will not be given unless the bill is passed.
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CIU
VO TECH
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The meeting for the month was not held yet.
The vo-tech is ready for the fall season and adult classes are being filled quickly. West Branch was given an award for the test scores received by the kids. There were only 29 awards given out of 85 vo-techs.
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MINUTES APPROVED
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Ron Mollura motioned, Larry Allen seconded to approve the minutes from the meetings held on July 27, 2009. Motion carried.
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PERSONNEL
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Ron Mollura motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following volunteers, all paperwork has been received: · Ashley Rubal / Bethany Hudish / Carrie Peterson—Volleyball · Penny Folmar / Heather Nelson / Marsha Cruzan—Elementary · Edward Houston—Clock Operator Motion carried.
Larry Allen motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve Kristina Yatchik and Jamie Callahan as day-to-day substitute teachers to the district. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Gerald Coble seconded to approve the following conferences: · Rose Pearce, Sharon Michaels, Cathy Conklin, Phyllis Gable, Holly Petriskey, and Susan Zimmerman to attend the 2009 Para Educator Conference on August 17-18, 2009. The cost is $50 per person and will be held at the Bellefonte School District. ACCESS funding will be paying for the cost.
· Sharon Whipple to attend the PASBO Pupil Transportation Conference, held at the Penn Stater on October 15-16, 2009. Registration cost is $240, and mileage is $74.80 if the school car is not available. Cost to the district is $359.50.
· Ron Natalie and Dave Nelson to attend the September Core Series, on September 9, 2009 at Carlisle PA. Registration fee is $75 each and mileage is $146.30 and sub cost is $63.20. Cost to the district is $359.50.
· Kasi Jackson to attend the Annual Board Secretary Conference on October 13-14, 2009, held at the Hershey lodge in Hershey, PA. Registration fee is $265, motel is $350, and mileage is $147.40. Cost to the district is $762.40. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Don Murray seconded, to approve the new teacher induction plan. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the faculty handbook. Motion carried.
Don Murray motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the resignation of Douglas Sankey, High School Guidance Counselor, effective immediately. Motion carried.
Don Murray motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve employee #192 to take a leave of absence from September 2, 2009 until November 2, 2009. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Gerald Coble seconded, to approve the Long Bus Company driver list. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Don Yontosh seconded to approve the following mentors: · Amanda Harris to mentor Danielle Gregory · Matthew Hauck to mentor Kristi Gibson · Allison Koleno to mentor Kevin Hubler · Scott McClelland to mentor Kelley Penvose · Debra Galley to mentor Tara Yingling Motion carried.
Tom Veres motioned, Don Yontosh seconded, to approve Terri Read and Kim Galley to fill in as substitute teachers while two elementary teachers are on maternity leave. Motion carried.
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EDUCATION |
Larry Allen motioned, Ron Mollura seconded, to approve the band to perform at the Bud George picnic August 2010, pending the band is available. Motion carried.
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TRANSPORTATION & ATHLETICS |
Larry Allen motioned, Ron Mollura seconded, to approve the van transportation contract for Sones Transport, Inc for the 2009-2010 school year. Motion carried.
Larry Allen motioned, Gerald Coble seconded, to approve the van transportation contract for R & A School Bus Company, Inc. for the 2009-2010 school year. Motion carried.
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POLICY |
Tom Veres motioned, Ron Mollura seconded, to approve the second readings of the following policies: 1. Policy # 335—Family Medical Leave / Administrative Employees 2. Policy # 435—Family Medical Leave / Professional Employees 3. Policy # 535—Family Medical Leave / Classified Employees 4. Policy # 707—Use of School Facilities Motion carried.
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FINANCE & PURCHASE |
Larry Allen motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the payment of bills for July/August: General Fund—$588,722.06 Athletic Fund—$3,965.23 Cafeteria Fund—$6,535.84 Construction Fund—No invoices submitted for payment. Motion carried.
Gerald Coble motioned, Ron Mollura seconded, to approve the Treasurers report for July Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Don Murray seconded, to approve the activities account for July. Motion carried.
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OLD BUSINESS
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Larry Allen motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the purchase of deck ovens for the High School Cafeteria from Fountain Products in the amount of $21,026.99. Motion carried.
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ADDENDUM |
Larry Allen motioned, Gerald Coble seconded, to approve Dawn Boyd as high school cafeteria cook, hours are from 6:45 a.m.—2:00 p.m. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the resignation of Kelley Claycomb, cafeteria worker, effective immediately. Motion carried.
Tom Veres motioned, Ron Mollura seconded, to approve the calendar change for the 2009-2010 school year. The in-service day for December will be changed from December 23, 2009 to December 14, 2009. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to recognize Adam Gable, hired at the July 28, 2009 meeting, as a professional employee on Step 3 Bachelor per contract with the WBEA, for the school year 2009-2010, effective August 31, 2009. Motion carried.
Tom Veres motioned, Gerald Coble seconded, to recognize Kristi Gibson, hired at the July 28, 2009 meeting, as a professional employee on Step 3 Master’s Degree per contract with the WBEA, for the school year 2009-2010, effective August 31, 2009. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to recognize Carrie Peterson, hired at the July 28, 2009 meeting, as a professional employee on Step 3 Bachelor + 24 per contract with the WBEA, for the school year 2009-2010, effective August 31, 2009. Motion carried.
Don Yontosh motioned, Don Murray seconded, to approve the replacement of 2 ovens for the home economics room at a cost of $529 per oven from Grampian Hardware. The cost includes delivery, installation, converting the ovens, and disposing of old ovens. Motion carried.
Don Yontosh motioned, Gerald Coble seconded, to accept the reimbursement from PP&L project for the amount of $22,845. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Don Yontosh seconded, to approve the Siblings are Special program to take place at West Branch. Motion carried.
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ADJOURN |
Larry Allen motioned, Don Yontosh seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m.
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Kasi Jackson
Board Secretary |
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