WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MORRISDALE, PA
REGULAR MEETING JULY 23, 2007
The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held in the high school library on July 23, 2007 at 7:10 p.m.
Members present: Ronald Mollura; Anna Mae Pezzulla; Tom Veres; Timothy Eyerly (7:40 p.m.); Mary Ann Couteret (7:45 p.m.); Erling Anderson; Larry Cowder; Robert Smith; Larry Allen
Others present: Arleen P. Multhauf, D.Ed., Superintendent; William Hayward, Elementary Principal; Sean Wechtenhiser, High School Principal; Wendy Fernburg, Supervisor of Special Education; Miriam Ennis, Board Secretary; Jamie Bumbarger, The Progress; Robert Myers; Shari Buck; Sue Betts; Holly Michael; William Thompson; Jeff Eyet; Allison Koleno; Lynn Brewer; Laurie Josephson; Jeremy Flaugh; Preston Raymond; Jeff Ennis; Jeremy Craven; Charles Howe; Wendy Timblin; Angela Trude; Joe Kovalcin.
Recognition of Visitors:
Robert Myers, Girls Soccer Coach, spoke to the Board concerning the soccer goals, which are beyond repair and will need to be replaced. The cost is approximately $2,800.00. Robert Myers will bring information to the Board for the August meeting. Robert also informed the Board that the Soccer team was invited to participate in the Worchester Prep Preseason Kick-off Classic in Ocean City, Maryland on August 23-26, 2007. The booster club is covering the cost.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the Girls Soccer team attending the Worchester Prep Preseason Kick-off Classic in Ocean City, Maryland on August 23-26, 2007.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the June 25, 2007 minutes as presented.
Motion carried.
Jeremy Flaugh, PC Works, gave the board information on changing the phone lines from copper to digital. The number of phone lines will increase from 11 to 25. A one-time cost for the PRI cards will be $2,678.00. E-Rate will cover 72% - 73% of the cost.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the one time cost of the PRI cards of $2,678.00.
Motion carried.
Administrative Reports:
Dr. Multhauf - None
Mr. Hayward None
Mr. Wechtenhiser None
Mrs. Fernburg None
Executive Session for Personnel and Litigation at 7:15 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
CIU Dr. Kerri Bloom, Executive Director, has resigned and is taking a position at IU 12. Broadband is at the Central Intermediate Unit.
CCCTC None
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the Treasurers Report, General Fund bills and PP & L bills as presented.
Committee Reports None
A. PERSONNEL:
Mary Ann Couteret motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board hire Daniel Stilson as Music teacher.
Motion carried.
Mary Ann Couteret motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board hire Richard Nelson as custodian effective July 30, 2007. Individual roll call: Tom Veres yes; Larry Cowder no; Mary Ann Couteret yes; Erling Anderson yes; Larry Allen yes; Robert Smith yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla yes; Tim Eyerly no; Ron Mollura yes. 7 yes, 2 no. Motion carried.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board hire Donna Hayward as Special Education teacher. Robert Smith yes; Erling Anderson yes; Tim Eyerly no; Larry Cowder no; Tom Veres yes; Larry Allen yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla yes; Mary Ann Couteret yes; Ron Mollura yes. 7 yes, 2 no. Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board hire Angela Trude as Special Education teacher.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board accept the resignation of Christina Onuskanich effective the start of August 27, 2007. Anna Mae Pezzulla yes; Tom Veres yes; Mary Ann Couteret yes; Tim Eyerly no; Larry Cowder yes; Larry Allen yes; Robert Smith yes; Erling Anderson yes; Ron Mollura yes. 8 yes, 1 no. Motion carried.
Robert Smith motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board accept the resignation of Jennifer E. Brickley as Junior Class co-advisor.
Motion carried.
Tom Veres motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve Gerald White for tenure.
Propose the Board approve Gerald White for tenure.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board deny the WBAEA grievance relative to the fourth grade teacher assignment filed on May 31, 2007.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the following substitutes. All paperwork has been received.
Dorothy Williams Summer Custodial
Wendy Sabol Personal Care Aide
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the following volunteers. All paperwork has been received.
Jeffrey Engelmann Elementary Lonnie Kovalick - Elementary
Jerre Engelmann Elementary Valerie Kovalick - Elementary
Ann Franek Elementary Cheryl Mondock Elementary
Nancy Wertz Elementary Christopher Wesesky Elementary
Laura Witherow Elementary Wendy Sabol Elementary
John Weaver High School
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board advertise for substitutes:
Cafeteria
Custodial
Aides & Monitors
Security
Clerical
Teachers (B.A. required)
Motion carried.
Robert Smith motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board advertise for security personnel.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Cowder seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the transfer of Timothy Jones, Custodian, from 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift, Monday - Friday, to 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift, Sunday - Thursday.
Motion carried.
Robert Smith motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to defer the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the reassignment of Elizabeth Guenot from full-time food service staff to 4:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Monday - Friday, custodial staff, with a 12-month probationary period beginning July 30, 2007.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board notify the District Superintendent that the Board does not intend to renew her contract and that the Board will open the position for the office of Superintendent. Individual roll call: Mary Ann Couteret yes; Robert Smith yes; Erling Anderson yes; Larry Cowder no; Anna Mae Pezzulla yes; Larry Allen no; Tim Eyerly yes; Tom Veres yes; Ron Mollura yes. 7 yes, 2 no. Motion carried.
Mr. Hayward presented the Board with information concerning student enrollment and class sizes. Option number 1 would be the reassignment of one-third grade teacher to fourth grade. Option number 2 would be the replacement of one staff member and Option number three would be to replace two staff members. Now, there are 60 students enrolled in Kindergarten. Mr. Hayward expects that number to increase by the start of school. After a discussion by the Board, it was decided to hold interviews and then decide at the August meeting the number of elementary teachers to employ.
Robert Smith left the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Dates for interviews will be as follows:
August 7 Elementary Teacher(s) at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Conference Room.
August 14 Attendance Secretary at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Conference Room. The Finance Committee meeting will be held at some point during the evening.
August 16 - Demo lesson for Elementary Teacher(s) at 6:00 p.m.
B. PROGRAM:
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the following workshop requests:
2007 DPS Annual Conference: Ramada Inn, State College, PA; August 8 & 9, 2007
Stefanie Sattesahn: Registration Fee 75.00. Cost to district: $75.00
PA Inspired Leadership Program: GROW: Altoona & Duncansville; Aug. 7 & 8; Oct. 1 & 2; Dec. 3 & 4; Feb. 26; April 22 & 23; May 14; June 16 & 17.
William Hayward: Mileage - $582.00 (if drivers ed. car is not available)
PA Inspired Leadership Program: GROW: Location and dates to be announced
Sean Wechtenhiser: Mileage - $890.46 (if drivers ed. car is not available)
Reading Apprenticeship: CIU 10; See attachment for schedule.
Nine (9) teachers will participate. Paid through Title II Funds.
Motion carried.
Larry Cowder motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board amend the 2007-2008 school calendar to include delayed school starts for Act 80 activities on November 28, 2007, February 6, and May 21, 2008. Individual roll call: Larry Cowder yes; Mary Ann Couteret no; Larry Cowder yes; Tim Eyerly no; Tom Veres yes; Erling Anderson yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla yes; Ron Mollura yes. 6 yes, 2 no. Motion carried.
Larry Cowder motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve High School Handbook with changes including participation and attendance requirements. Individual roll call: Larry Allen yes; Mary Ann Couteret yes; Larry Cowder yes; Tim Eyerly yes; Tom Veres yes; Erling Anderson yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla no; Ron Mollura yes. 7 yes, 1 no. Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Cowder seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board respectfully approve the invitation to the Marching Band to attend the Bud George Day picnic, scheduled for Thursday, August 16, at the Janesville Dam. Individual roll call: Erling Anderson yes; Mary Ann Couteret yes; Larry Cowder yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla yes; Larry Allen no; Tom Veres yes; Tim Eyerly no; Ron Mollura yes. 6 yes, 2 no. Motion carried.
Mary Ann Couteret motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve Band volunteers:
Lance Jones
Paul Carr
Motion carried.
C. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board use the services of the Foundation for Fair Contracting.
Motion carried.
David Nelson, Maintenance Supervisor, reported that Garland Roofing gave two estimates on the elementary roof. The first estimate was at $995,000.00. This would be 100% replacement with a 30-year warranty and would remove the skylights. The second estimate would be $495,000.00 to recoat. The skylights would not be removed with this estimate.
Anna Mae Pezzulla is not in favor of removing the skylights because of the lighting issue for the children. William Hayward said that it is an issue in severe weather emergencies. Tom Veres suggested that the roof is bid in winter. Anna Mae Pezzulla suggested that the roof be put in next years budget.
The signboard will be in for another two to three weeks.
D. ATHLETICS AND TRANSPORTATION:
Tim Eyerly questioned when the cheerleaders can purchase Cheerleading uniforms according to the uniform rotation schedule. Dr. Multhauf will have that information for the August board meeting.
Tim Eyerly motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to defer the following motion:
Propose the Board approve Dehen for the bid to purchase Cheerleading uniforms.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Cowder motioned, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board accept the resignation of Dave Kindelberger from the position of Assistant Volleyball coach, and place on volunteer list for the volleyball program.
Motion carried.
Discussion was held on paperwork for the employees who are resigning positions and wanting to be placed on the volunteer list. It was decided to refer the question to the solicitor.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board accept the resignation of Josiah Jones as junior high assistant football coach.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Cowder seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the following volunteer coaches:
Volleyball: Jane McDowell, Beth Hudish, Rhonda Trude
Girls Soccer: Ted Crowell
Football: Kevin Hubler, Hank Wilson, Tom Partner, John White, Charles Howe, Alvin McCracken, Gary Bickel, Nathan Owens, Kyle Hubler, William Bowen, Matt Johnson, Eric Gormont, Jeff Bucha
Motion carried.
Larry Cowder motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to defer the following motion:
Propose the Board approve ________________as junior high assistant football coach.
Motion carried.
Tim Eyerly motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve advertising the Assistant Volleyball and Junior High Assistant Football coaching positions.
Motion carried.
E. BUDGET:
Tim Eyerly motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to defer the following motion for legal opinion:
Propose the Board approve additional compensation for tax collectors for the real estate property tax installment payment plan, as stated in the tax collectors manual, in the amount of 3% on the second and third payments collected.
Motion carried.
Old Business:
Tim Eyerly questioned why the solicitor advertising had not been done until last week. It has been over a month since the board met.
New Business None
Recognition of Visitors:
Allison Koleno, Kindergarten teacher, is concerned that when the district reaches the 86th child in Kindergarten that then students will be moved to add a new section.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Miriam Ennis
Board Secretary