OFFICIAL MINUTES
WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MORRISDALE, PA
REGULAR MEETING December 20, 2007
An executive session was held for Personnel and Contractual at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Conference Room.
The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held in the high school library on December 20, 2007, at 7:35 p.m.
Members present: Timothy Eyerly; Tom Veres; Donald Yontosh; Larry Allen; Gerald Coble; Joseph Kovalcin; Larry Cowder; Mary Ann Couteret
Others present: William Hayward, Elementary Principal; Wendy Fernburg, Supervisor of Special Education; Sean Wechtenhiser, High School Principal; Paul Carr, Business Manager; Miriam Ennis, Board Secretary; Allen J. Levin, Solicitor; Kim Hunter; RJ Myers; Taylor Thomas; Annie Lynn, The Progress; Donald C. Murray Sr.; Ronald P. Mollura; Shari Buck; Jeff Eyet; Jeremy Craven; Charles Howe; Trent Yarrison; Holly Michael; Kristine Kolesar; Melinda Kolesar; Taylor Kolesar; Andrew Brickley; Jeremiah Dobo; Stephen Dobo; Joe Matson; Dan Beahan; Matthew Johnson; Dave Nelson; Brittany Orwick; Lance Kolesar; Daisi Eyerly; Mary Sheroke; Jeff Ennis; Allison Koleno; Lynn Brewer; Len Coval; David L. Williamson
The board held a public question and answer session with the three candidates for the vacancy in Region II. They were Ronald Mollura, Charles Howe and Don Murray.
An executive session for Personnel was held at 8:04 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:11 p.m.
BOARD:
Tom Veres motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve Ron Mollura as Region II school board director for a term until the first Monday in December after the first municipal election occurring more than sixty (60) days following his/her appointment. Individual roll call: Tom Veres yes; Larry Cowder yes; Mary Ann Couteret yes; Don Yontosh yes; Larry Allen no; Joe Kovalcin no; Gerald Coble no; Tim Eyerly yes. 5 yes, 3 no. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura was sworn in by Paul Carr, Business Manager.
A presentation was given to the Board from Pennsylvania Education Consultant, Jim Stockdale. This firm works with districts to improve test scores on the PSSAs. They do not just present but provide the staff with charts on reading and math and also instruction in the classroom. The teachers are also provided a binder of information that details the grade level and sample of problems. He would like to have two full days to work with the teachers and two other days to work in small groups. Joe Kovalcin asked if information is located on the PDE website. Mr. Stockdale responded that it has been for six years but the information is difficult to use. Joe Kovalcin was concerned that the teachers would be out of the classroom too many days. Sean Wechtenhiser is expecting to apply for a grant of $9,500.00. He can apply for a grant because the high school is on an improvement plan. The consultant will cost approximately between $8,000 to $10,000 and the grant could off set this cost. The only other cost would be $2,000 for the copying of the binders. Tim Eyerly suggested that the Board wait for the January 3, 2008 meeting when an interim superintendent will be interviewed. The superintendent could then be involved in the process.
The Environmentals with advisor Joe Matson gave a presentation to the board concerning a nationwide contest, The Lexus Challenge, that the group is entering. The group has looked into different projects but they have decided on composting the unused food in the cafeteria. Susan Alexander, Penn Sate Cooperative Extension, will provide the group with the composting units. The composting will begin in March 2008 and eventually help with the spring planting in the courtyard and also to help with a proposed pond that is being planned in the courtyard.
Larry Allen motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to allow the Environmentals group headed by Joe Matson to start a composting project with unused food from the cafeteria in the courtyard of the West Branch High School. Motion carried.
Tom Veres motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the minutes from November 19, 2007, November 29, 2007 and December 3, 2007 as presented. Motion carried.
Wendy Fernburg No Report
William Hayward reported to the board that five families were given donations of food from the elementary and high school. Staff donated 300 cans of food and Weis Markets donated turkey and ham. Mr. Hayward and David Williamson tested radios to be used in an event of an emergency. Paul Carr was given a list of 30 radios that need to be purchased. Mr. Hayward also conferred with other principals concerning an automated phone program that would notify parents in case of emergencies and delays. A demo for School Reach has been set up at 10:00 a.m. December 21, 2007 in the tech office. Board members are invited to attend. A principals meeting was held at West Branch and the schools crisis plans were discussed.
The West Branch Crisis Management Plan will be need to be approved at the January 3, 2008 meeting.
Dave Nelson presented the Board with quotes for the Elementary Playground work and the Dodge Truck bed liner.
Larry Allen motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to approve Rusnak Excavating to install 30 feet of 18 inch pipe and hauling field dirt for the bank and covering with top soil at a cost of $2,486.50. Motion carried.
CIU No Report
CCCTC Larry Allen invited the Board to take a tour of the Clearfield County Career and Tech Center. The center is applying for Pell grants and would like to offer more returning adult education classes.
Tech Committee No Report
Don Yontosh motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the Treasurers Reports, General Fund Bills for $584,948.42, Cafeteria Bills for $42,405.53, Athletic Fund Bills for $10,404.47 and Construction Fund Bills for $50,418.34 as presented. Motion carried.
Larry Allen motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve Pennsylvania School Board Association as the consultant to search for a superintendent at the cost of $9,500.00. Motion carried.
PERSONNEL:
Joe Kovalcin motioned, Donald Yontosh seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the following volunteers. All paperwork has been received.
Lana Thompson Elementary Volunteer
Julie Brooks Elementary Volunteer
Michelle Croyle Elementary Volunteer
Lois Moore Elementary Volunteer
Motion carried.
Joe Kovalcin motioned, Don Yontosh seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve posting and advertising the Attendance Secretary position.
Motion carried.
The Personnel and Education Committee, William Hayward, Sean Wechtenhiser and Miriam Ennis will meet to put together the job description for the Attendance Secretary.
Joe Kovalcin motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the following substitute:
Michael Fry, Jr. Emergency Certificate
Motion carried.
Tom Veres motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve Jeremy Bracken as a Guidance Intern in the high school under the supervision of Kim Hubler. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Don Yontosh seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve Ann Songer, to fill in for Renee Weible to cover for a maternity leave as Speech Language Pathologist for 2.5 days per week beginning January 2, 2008. Ann Songer will be emergency certified. Motion carried.
PROGRAM:
Tom Veres motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following workshops:
Non-violent Crisis CPI-Refresher: CIU 10, West Decatur; March 4, 2008 ACCESS FUNDS
Donna Hayward: Reg. fee 35.00; sub 85.00. Total cost: $120.00
Helping Students with Disabilities Meet AYP: State College, PA; January 18, 2008. Title II
Wendy Fernburg: No cost to the district
Donna Hayward: Sub 85.00
Chris Mason: Sub 85.00
Powerful Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Parents: Days Inn, State College; February 1, 2008
Deb Gomola: Reg. fee 185.00; sub 85.00. Total cost to the district: $270.00 TITLE II FUNDS
Motion carried.
Mr. Beahan, Ski Club Advisor, and Lance Kolesar, Ski Club member, addressed the Board requesting their approval to approach the Philipsburg-Osceola School District concerning the possibility of starting a ski club and sharing a bus for the two schools to off set the cost of the ski trip.
Don Yontosh motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve Dan Beahan, Ski Club Advisor, approaching the Philipsburg-Osceola School District concerning sharing ski club activities. Motion carried.
POLICY:
Mary Ann Couteret motioned, Ron Mollura seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the first reading of the following policy:
Property:
No. 716 Visitors
Motion carried.
BUDGET:
Wendy Fernburg addressed the Board concerning the copier/fax machine that she would like to purchase for her office with access funds. Agencies have refused to fax to the school because a confidential fax machine is not available. After discussion, it was decided to have Jeremy Craven, Tech Coordinator, solicit quotes on purchasing more than one copier/fax. Tim Eyerly suggested that the district consider purchasing the same exact copiers and fax machines in order that toner can be ordered to fit all machines. Mary Ann Couteret asked why the district runs out of toner when general supplies are budgeted for and why the district waits until the last minute to order. Miriam Ennis reported that she waited for three weeks for toner and had to print to the Special Education copier because she is not allowed to have a toner cartridge on hand. Paul Carr responded to the board questions that it is the policy not to stock pile toner in case a machine breaks down and the district is stuck with the toner. Don Yontosh would like to see the district go back to the replacement plan for copiers and faxes that the district followed for years.
Don Yontosh motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve option #2 from Edwards Office for a copier/fax for the amount of $4,995.00 to be purchased with ACCESS Funds and for Jeremy Craven, Tech Coordinator, to purchase two more if a reasonable amount can be obtained. Motion carried.
Allen Levin, solicitor, explained his submission of monthly invoices. He will be submitting from mid-month to the middle of the month for payment.
Tim Eyerly requested information on how many telephone lines there are in the school and where they are located. Also, are there personal lines in the school. The solicitor and other members of the board reported that they have tried numerous times to call the school and always get a busy signal. Jeremy Craven will check with PC Works.
Executive Session for Personnel was held at 9:15 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 9:45 p.m.
Joe Kovalcin motioned, Larry Cowder seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve Leave without Pay for Dawn Boyd from February 18 to February 29, 2008 providing that all Personal Leave is used before Leave without Pay. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Don Yontosh seconded, to defer the following motion until the January 3, 2008 meeting:
Propose the Board approve Leave without Pay for Wendy Sabol, Personal Care Aide, from January 10, 2008 to January 23, 2008. Motion carried.
Don Yontosh motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to reimburse Gerald Coble $357.50 for travel expenses for his attendance at the PSBA Fast Track Workshop. Motion carried.
The solicitor will check into the cafeteria online payment system, Nutri Kids and give a report to the board.
Tim Eyerly referred the Travel Expense Policy to the Athletic and Transportation Committee. They will give their recommendation to the Board.
Sean Wechtenhiser reported that Dr. Perna suggested that the school request a 60-day extension from the Department of Education for the Strategic Plan so that it can be finished and have time to place it on display for 28 days for the public review.
Old Business:
In questions concerning the time clocks not being operational since they were purchased in June, Jeremy Craven, Tech Coordinator, said that the new tech intern has been assigned the duty of the initial fingerprinting of the staff as a class project.
Recognition of Visitors:
Mary Sheroke questioned the Board as to why the Gethsemane Day Care Bus Stop has not been started and why has it taken so long to institute. Mr. Carr responded that the stop would start on January 2, 2008. Mr. Hayward responded that there were parents at the daycare that did not want their children bussed.
Don Yontosh motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to adjourn at 10:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Miriam Ennis
Board Secretary