WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

MORRISDALE, PA

REORGANIZATION MEETING                                                                           DECEMBER 4, 2006

The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held in the high school library on December 4, 2006, at 7:10 p.m.

Members present:  Anna Mae Pezzulla; Ronald Mollura; Tom Veres; Robert Smith; Mary Ann Couteret; Erling Anderson; Larry Allen; Timothy Eyerly; Larry Cowder

Arleen P. Multhauf, D.Ed., Superintendent; William Hayward, Elementary Principal; Sean Wechtenhiser, High School Principal; David Consiglio, Solicitor; Paul Carr, Business Manager; Jamie Bumbarger, The Progress; Miriam Ennis, Board Secretary; Katie Houston, Student Council Representative; Lori Bell; Dorothy Williams; Dennis Dixson; Phyllis Gable; Rebecca Roos; Hank Wilson; Jeremy Craven; Donald Murray Sr.; Karen Williams; Linda Miller; Kim Struble; Holly Michael; Elizabeth Wood; Sheila Kovalcin; Joe Kovalcin; Debra Galley; Adam Carr; Ted Long; Allison Koleno; Lynn Brewer; Theresa Dunlap; Jim Abiba; Sally Abiba; Tina Moore; Trent Yarrison; Wendy Timblin; Laurie A. Josephson; Shelly Milliron; Preston Raymond; Chris Howe; Ronda Hanslovan; Shari Buck

Robert Smith nominated Anna Mae Pezzulla, seconded by Erling Anderson, as Temporary President.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Robert Smith nominated, Erling Anderson seconded, Anna Mae Pezzulla as Board President for 2007.  Larry Allen nominated, Tim Eyerly seconded, Ronald Mollura as Board President for 2007.  Voice roll call:  Tom Veres – Ronald Mollura; Larry Cowder – Anna Mae Pezzulla; Mary Ann Couteret – Ronald Mollura; Erling Anderson – Anna Mae Pezzulla; Larry Allen – Ronald Mollura; Robert Smith – Anna Mae Pezzulla; Ronald Mollura – Ronald Mollura; Timothy Eyerly – Ronald Mollura; Anna Mae Pezzulla – Anna Mae Pezzulla.  Ronald Mollura was elected by a 5 to 4 vote.

Ronald Mollura asked for nominations for Board Vice President for 2007.  Tom Veres nominated, Larry Allen seconded, Anna Mae Pezzulla as Vice-President.  Individual roll call:  Robert Smith – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Tim Eyerly – yes; Larry Cowder – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Larry Allen – yes; Ronald Mollura – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes.  9 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried.

Meetings for 2007 regular board and committee are as follows:  Regular meetings are January 22; February 26; March 26; April 23; May 21; June 25; July 23; August 20; September 24; October 22; November 19 and December 3.  Committee meetings are:  January 15; February 19; March 19; April 16; May 14; June 18; July 16; August 13; September 17; October 15; November 12; December – none.

Committees and chairpersons for 2007 are as follows:  Personnel & Education – Tom Veres (Chairperson), Larry Cowder, Robert Smith; Transportation & Athletics – Tim Eyerly (Chairperson), Erling Anderson, Mary Ann Couteret; Building & Grounds – Larry Allen (Chairperson), Tom Veres, Larry Cowder; Cafeteria – Anna Mae Pezzulla (Chairperson), Robert Smith – yes, Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Finance – Mary Ann Couteret (Chairperson), Tom Veres, Erling Anderson.  The Board will operate as a “Committee of the Whole”.  Ronald Mollura will serve as ‘Ex-Officio’ member of every committee.

Ronald Mollura appointed the following board members as board representatives:  Anna Mae Pezzulla – CIU 10; Larry Allen – CCCTC, Ron Mollura is the alternate representative; Ronald Mollura as Legislative Chairperson; Tim Eyerly as Technology Committee representative.

Tom Veres motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve reappointing for 2007 the firm of Miller, Kistler, Campbell, Miller, Williams & Benson, Inc. of State College as solicitor for West Branch Area School District.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Katie Houston, Student Government-

·       Winter sports have started.  Good luck to all winter athletes.

·       International Club went to New York City and saw the Statue of Library and Ellis Island.

·       Teen Court went on a field trip to the Clearfield County Courthouse on November 3, 2006.

·       Junior Class held the Powder Puff Football game.  Games were Juniors vs. Seniors.

·       Donkey Basketball was held November 18, 2006.

·       The first Renaissance assembly was held for the year.  Students were honored for AR points and honor roll.

Arleen P. Multhauf, D.Ed., Superintendent, presented Deb Galley, Rebecca Roos, Hank Wilson, Jessica Moore, Matthew Johnson, Adam Carr and Elizabeth Wood with certificates for completion of the mentor program for 2005-2006.

Jeremy Craven, Technology Coordinator, gave the district a summary of his accomplishments this school year.  He has implemented an online helpdesk for the staff through the internet for computer problems, has been working on the Management Information Group software with staff and administration and working on the E-rate funding application.

Kim Struble, High School Guidance Counselor, informed the Board that Agent Elaine Surma would make a presentation from the PA Attorney General’s Office on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.  Letters were sent home to parents concerning this presentation.

Trent Yarrison, WBEA Union President, would like to speak with the Board in Executive Session concerning a personnel issue.

Ted Long, President of Long Motor Buses, presented Dawn Petro a gold watch for twenty-five (25) years of driving bus for the West Branch Area School District.

The Tax Commission gave an overview of their findings and recommendation of the committee.  The commission is recommending a 1.0% increase in Earned Income Tax (EIT) because it is the lowest amount allowed under Act 1.  The commission recommended the EIT over the Personal Income Tax (PIT), because the state has not yet approved legislation to allow school district to levy a personal income tax.  The committee recommends the following referendum question be placed on the May 2007 Primary ballot:  “Do you favor imposing an additional 1.0% earned income tax?  The revenue generated from the increased tax rate will be used to reduce taxes on qualified residential properties by $140.00 for the first year.  The current earned income tax rate is 0.5%.”  Theresa Dunlap told the board that some taxpayers would pay more in income taxes than they will save in real estate taxes.

A.   BOARD:

Tom Veres motioned, Larry Allen seconded to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board accept the recommendation of the Local Tax Commission and thank them for their service to the school district.  Individual roll call:  Ronald Mollura – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Tim Eyerly – no; Larry Cowder – yes; Larry Allen – yes; Robert Smith – no; Erling Anderson – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – no.  6 yes, 3 no.  Motion carried.

Mary Ann Couteret motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the minutes of October 23, 2006.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Dr. Multhauf –

·       Linda Miller from PP & L is in attendance.  Please ask questions.

Mr. Wechtenhiser –

·       The Board has been provided a list of club advisors for their approval.

Mr. Hayward –

·       None

Mrs. Fernburg –

·       None

CIU – None

CCCTC – None

·       Dr. Multhauf is Superintendent of Record at the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center.

Tom Veres motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Robert Smith questioned the amount and number of newly purchased cell phones from the general fund.  Mr. Carr responded that the contract was up and it was time to upgrade.  There is a $50.00 rebate coming back for every cell phone.  Jeremy Craven, Technology Coordinator, said that the cost for replacing a cell phone battery is $50.00.  Anna Mae asked if the district could determine where a person is making phone calls to from a particular cell phone.   

Robert Smith motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to pay the general fund and cafeteria bills.  Paul Carr, Business Manager, suggested that the construction bills be deferred until after the executive session with Stuart Hall, Attorney.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Executive session was held at 8:15 p.m.

Meeting was called into session at 10:15 p.m.

Larry Cowder left the meeting at 10:15 p.m.

B.   PERSONNEL:

Anna Mae Pezzulla requested that the motion for additional clerical time to the high school office be deferred until the next regular board meeting.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to defer the following motion:

Propose the Board add_____________ hours of clerical time to high school office.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Robert Smith motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board accept the resignation of Lori Hahn as Social Studies teacher effective November 22, 2006.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Robert Smith motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board appoint Alice Wilson as Social Studies teacher at the contracted rate effective December 11, 2006.  Individual roll call:  Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Robert Smith – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Ronald Mollura – yes; Larry Allen – yes; Tim Eyerly – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes.  8 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Mary Ann Couteret motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board appoint Jessica Frank as English teacher at the contracted rate effective December 11, 2006.  Individual roll call:  Erling Anderson – yes; Larry Allen – yes; Ronald Mollura – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Robert Smith – no; Tom Veres – yes; Tim Eyerly – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – no.  6 yes, 2 no.  Motion carried.

Robert Smith motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board accept the resignation of Adam Gable from Junior High Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Robert Smith motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve Ryan Albert as Junior High Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach effective

November 13, 2006.

Voice roll call: unanimous approval

Mary Ann Couteret motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve Nathan “Jake” Myers as Varsity Baseball coach and Patrick Shive as a volunteer.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Tim Eyerly motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board appoint Christopher Mason as Mathematics Department Chairperson.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Mary Ann Couteret asked what the mentors are paid and how they are chosen.  Dr. Multhauf responded that the principal or superintendent chooses from the department a teacher who will be the mentor.  The mentors meet with the teacher during the school year and do observations.  This is a state requirement.

Larry Allen motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve mentors:

      Amanda Nebel                     Bill Gabel

      English Teacher                   Tom Partner

      Social Studies Teacher         Jennifer Brickley

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Erling Anderson motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve the following substitutes.  All paperwork has been received.

      Lorraine Miles – Secretarial

      Tina Kephart – Personal Care Aide, Classroom Aide, Cafeteria Monitor, Secretarial

      Cynthia Miller – Personal Care Aide, Classroom Aide

      Wendy Sabol – Cafeteria

      Linda Folmar – Cafeteria

      Samantha Carson – Elementary

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Tom Veres motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board rescind the action taken at the July 24, 2006 board meeting granting Employee #106 medical sabbatical and revert to leave of absence for health reasons using sick leave retroactive to July 24, 2006.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

C.   PROGRAM:

Tom Veres motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve the following workshop requests:

CPI Refresher:  CIU 10, West Decatur; November 15, 2006

Bill Hayward:  Reg. fee - $35.00

Gary Hubler:  Reg. fee - $35.00

Autism Spectrum Disorders:  Holiday Inn, Williamsport, PA; December 13, 2006

Van Johnson:  Reg. fee - $195.00; meals – 60.00.  Total:  $255.00  ACCESS/PROFESSIONAL DAY

House of Delegates/PSEA:  Pittsburgh, PA; December 8 & 9, 2006

Van Johnson:  None / PROFESSIONAL DAYS

Assessment Anchors and Big Ideas in Math: PaTTAN Training Center, Harrisburg; Dec. 6, 2006

Matthew Hauck:  Sub – 85.00.  Total:  $85.00

PA State Health/Physical Education Conv: Seven Springs, Champion, PA; Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2006

Deb Gomola:  Reg. fee – 120.00; Motel – 284.00; sub – 170.00.  Total:  $574.00 PROF. DAYS

Science in Motion:  Lab Exploration:  Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA; December 19, 2006

Cheryl McGonigal:  Fees paid for by Science in Motion

Dana Swisher:  Fees paid for by Science in Motion

ACCESS for ELLs:  CIU 10, West Decatur; December 12, 2006

Bruce George:  Sub – 85.00.  Total:  $85.00

Propose the Board approve the following field trip requests:

Ski Club:  Tussey Mountain Ski Area:  January 7 & 14, 2007; Cost to district:  None

Ski Club:  Blue Knob Ski Resort:   January 21 & 28, 2007; Cost to district:  None

Ski Club:  Holiday Valley Ski Resort:  February 13, 2007; Cost to district:  Subs - $170.00

Person in charge:  Joseph Beahan

Creative Cooking Students:  IUP Punxy Culinary Arts School; December 15, 2006

Cost to district:  Subs - $170.00 and school van.  Person in charge:  Kim Karcher

Teen Court:  Clearfield Court House:  November 3, 2006; Cost to district:  Sub - $85.00 and school van.  Person in charge:  Joseph Matson

Propose the Board approve the Senior Project for wall-hung murals, Eagle Scout project for walkway to greenhouse and the Senior Project to replace window panels on the football field refreshment stand.

Propose the Board approve the purchase of Headsprout Early Reading (80 online lessons) for 100 students from Point-Click-Learn, McKean, PA, at a cost of $12,338.90 paid by Accountability Block Grant.  The personal computers donated by Kephart Trucking last summer can be used for this Kindergarten software.

(These software programs are requested rather than Compass Learning at this time.  There may be consortium pricing for Compass next school year through CIU-10 the Act 183 grant).

Propose the Board approve the purchase of Auto Skill Literacy Intervention Suite:  Academy of Reading and Academy of Math from Point-Click-Learn, McKean, PA, for remediation in grades 4-8 at a cost of $27,550.00, pending approval of budget revision in Title II.

Propose the Board approve the West Branch PTO request to use the Elementary Cafeteria/Gymnasium on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 6:30 pm for a Basket Bingo Fundraiser.  A “Small Games of Chance” license has been obtained from Clearfield County for this event.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval        

D.   BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:

A discussion was held on the electronic message board.  Mary Ann Couteret asked if the message board would be two sided.  Ronald Mollura asked if the company would be responsible for the installation.  Paul Carr, Business Manager explained that the price does include the installation.

Robert Smith motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board accept the bid of $15,610.00 from Atlas Neon Sign Company for the electronic message board to be placed in front of the building.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Tim Eyerly motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:      

Propose the Board approve Nittany Building Specialists, Inc. to install Von Duprin electric hardware at a cost of $7,445.00.  This cost will be deducted from L.S. Fiore’s bill.  This security issue must be addressed.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Tim Eyerly motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve a maintenance contract for the fire alarm system at the high school for $3,972.00 from Select Security with 24 hour monitoring at an additional cost of $25.00 per month.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Anna Mae Pezzulla asked Linda Miller from PP & L what the payment would be per month.  Linda Miller responded that the savings in energy cost would be enough to cover the payment.  PP & L would bring the contract back to the Board and when they are comfortable with the contract then the superintendent will sign.

Tom Veres motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve the PPL Investment Grade Audit Report and authorizes the Superintendent to sign the PPL contract and lease purchase documents pending review and approval by the school solicitor.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Tim Eyerly motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve the Solicitor not issuing the final approval for the PP & L contract until the Board approves the contract.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

E.   ATHLETICS AND TRANSPORTATION:

Tim Eyerly motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the following motions:

Propose the Board approve the following bids for athletic supplies for winter sports:

A.   Boys Basketball:  Sportsmans – 179.41; Gopher – 117.14; Sport Supply Group – 632.85

      Total:  $929.40

B.   Girls Basketball:  Sportsmans – 14.16; Sport Supply Group – 333.48 Totals:  $347.64

C.   Wrestling:   Sportsmans – 313.20 Total:  $313.20

Propose the Board extend appreciation and thanks to Long’s Bus Company for donating a fan bus during the fall athletic season.

Propose the Board approve exoneration of the following district residents from payment of 2006 School Per Capita taxes (10.00 each).  All applicants have met the income limits and their forms are on file in the Business Office.

      Karthaus Township:  16 residents

      Morris Township:  4 residents

Propose the Board approve the attached list of Bus Stops and Bus Drivers for 2006-2007 school year.

Propose the Board approve the following volunteers, pending receipt of clearances, for Wrestling:

      Dave Caslow

      Paul Sankey

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Anna Mae Pezzulla and Robert Smith left the meeting at 10:35 p.m.

F.   BUDGET AND FINANCE:

Tom Veres motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motions:

Propose the Board approve payment of bills through December 31, 2006.  They will be presented at the January meeting.

Propose the Board approve the recommendation of the Audit Committee for the response to the Auditor General’s Audit for the years ended June 30, 2003 and 2004.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

A discussion was held on Askey Road at the request of Larry Allen.  Mr. Allen traveled the road in his truck at 35 mph.  He did not have any problems.  Kristin Remp asked the Board what had necessitated the change.  Mrs. Remp also asked the Board why Mrs. Couteret’s bus stop had not been changed as per the Board’s recommendation.  Mr. Carr responded that at a regular meeting on October 2005, the Board rescinded the motion to change the stop and leave the stop as is.

Larry Allen motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to resend the previous motion and return the bus to Askey Road for student pickup.    Individual roll call:  Larry Allen – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – no; Tim Eyerly – yes; Tom Veres – no; Erling Anderson – yes; Ronald Mollura – no.  3 yes, 3 no.  Motion failed.

Tim Eyerly motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve leaving the check signing as is until a new signature plate can be purchased.

Voice roll call:  unanimous approval

Erling Anderson motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve adjourning the meeting at 11:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Miriam Ennis

Board Secretary