WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

MORRISDALE, PA

REGULAR MEETING                                                                                                   June 25, 2007

The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held in the high school library on June 25, 2007 at 7:04 p.m.

Members present:  Ronald Mollura; Anna Mae Pezzulla (7:20 pm); Tom Veres; Timothy Eyerly (7:20 pm); Mary Ann Couteret; Erling Anderson; Larry Cowder; Robert Smith.  Members absent:  Larry Allen (Scout Camp)

Others present:  Arleen P. Multhauf, D.Ed., Superintendent; William Hayward, Elementary Principal; David Consiglio, Solicitor; Paul Carr, Business Manager; Jamie Bumbarger, The Progress; Miriam Ennis, Board Secretary; Jeff Eyet; Trent Yarrison; Chris Marsh; Shari Buck; Kim Struble; Jeremy Craven; Melissa Maines; Allison Koleno; Lynn Brewer; Holly Michael; Daisi Eyerly; Jeff Ennis; Joe Kovalcin; Gerald Coble; Laura Coble; William Thompson

Executive Session for Personnel at 7:05 p.m.

Meeting reconvened at 8:55 p.m.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Cowder seconded, to approve the minutes of May 21, 2007 as presented.

Motion carried.

Administrative Reports:

Dr. Multhauf –

·       There will be a Negotiations meeting on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 7:00 pm.

Mr. Hayward – None

CIU – None

CCCTC – None

Tech Committee – None

Tom Veres motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the Treasurer’s Report, General Fund bills and Cafeteria bills as presented.       

Motion carried.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the payment of $701,665.72 to PP&L.  Individual roll call:  Tom Veres – yes; Larry Cowder – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Robert Smith – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Tim Eyerly – yes; Ron Mollura – yes.  8 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried.

A.  BOARD:

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

Propose the Board approve advertising for a school solicitor.

Motion carried.

B.   PERSONNEL:

A discussion was held on the elementary teaching positions that are anticipated to be open in the elementary.  The Board would like Mr. Hayward to possibly move a teacher using enrollment figures.  Mr. Hayward is concerned about the possibility of having class sizes in the high 20’s or low 30’s. 

Robert Smith motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motions:

Propose the Board approve the following teacher for tenure:

      Kim Karcher

Propose the Board approve the resignations of Cheryl McGonigal and Dana Swisher as advisors to the Science Club.

Propose the Board approve the following Elementary volunteers.  All paperwork has been received.

      Dorothy Andrews                                          Vicki Wittlinger

      Sandra Lohnes                                              Sally English

      Mary Long                                                    Christy Thomas

      Elizabeth Waple

Propose the Board approve a 20 hour per week clerical position for K-12 Attendance.

Propose the Board approve advertising:

      K-12 Attendance Clerical position

      Special Education position

Propose the Board approve the closing of a 5^th grade position and the opening of a 4^th grade position.

Propose the Board approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the WBAEA on Long Term Substitute Teacher positions.

Propose the Board approve the Memorandum of Understanding with WBAEA on the Assistant to the Principal position.

Propose the Board approve the base work of 5 days before and 5 days after for the Assistant to the Principal for 2007-2008 to be pro rated at the appropriate rate.

Propose the Board approve Kurtis W. Price as an intern in Technology from the South Hills School of Business and Technology for 336 hours starting June 19, 2007.

Propose the Board approve the resignation of Elizabeth Benedek Wood for purpose of pursuing full-time doctoral studies.

Propose the Board approve the hourly rates for Security Chief at $15.50 per hour and Security Officer at $8.50 per hour.

Propose the Board approve the support staff substitute rate at $7.15 per hour or minimum wage, whichever is greater.  Custodial substitutes over 250 hours will be paid $7.90 per hour.

Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board approve the purchase of five (5) time clocks from _____________ for an amount not to exceed $2,345.00.

Motion carried.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve the assignment of Dale Neff to the 9:00 am to 5:30 pm position on the       custodial staff.  Individual roll call:  Robert Smith – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Tim Eyerly – no; Larry Cowder – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Ron Mollura – yes.  7 yes, 1 no.  Motion carried.

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

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

      Wendy Sabol – Classroom Aide

      David Catanzaro – Learning Support

      Elizabeth Wood – Learning Support

      Sally English – Personal Care and Classroom Aide

Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board approve the following raises:

      William Hayward           4%  64,324                 David Williamson        $850  7,005

      Sean Wechtenhiser      3.5%  59,720              David Nelson             3%  32,989

      Wendy Fernburg          4%  64,324                 Jeremy Craven          4%  39,520

      Candice Stefanou         4%  35,972                 Beatrice Kreiger         4%  34,127

      Miriam Ennis                 4%  24,173

Individual roll call:  Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Tim Eyerly – no; Larry Cowder – yes; Robert Smith – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Ron Mollura – yes. 

7 yes, 1 no.  Motion carried.

Robert Smith motioned, Larry Cowder seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve these employees for summer custodial work:

      Karen Bosak                                      Rosemarie Pearce

      Betty Guenot                                   Nicole McClure

      Leona Maney                                    Cindy Shugert

Motion carried.

C.   PROGRAM:

Larry Cowder motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motions:

Propose the Board approve the following workshop requests:

Getting Results!  Governor’s Inst. for School Improvement Planning:  Keystone College, La Plume, PA;

July 15-20, 2007

Arleen P. Multhauf, D.Ed.:  Reg. fee – 35.00; meals – 35.00; mileage – 194.00.  Total:  $264.00

Training for 4 Sight Testing:  PATTAN, Harrisburg, PA; June 26 & 27, 2007

Costs will include mileage (or van) with one night motel and meals for Data Team members who can attend.

Current & Best Practice in Assessment & Treatment of Autism:  Ridgeway, PA; June 1, 2007

William Hayward:  No cost to district

Propose the Board approve the high school bell schedule.

Propose the Board approve a five (5) year charter to the Central PA Digital Learning Foundation Charter School.  

Propose the Board approve the purchase of the Carnegie Math programs of Bridge to Algebra, Algebra II and Geometry with federal title funds for use in some Math classes.     

Propose the Board approve the participation of West Branch in the Consortium grant, Pennsylvania 21^st Century Community Learning Center Roles and Responsibilities, for grades 9, 10, and 11 offering academic enrichment for 18 – 20 students.

Propose the Board approve the Special Education Plan including the Assurance for the Operation of Special Education Services and Programs.

Propose the Board donate $500 to the Morris Township for services rendered during the school year.

Motion carried.

D.   BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:

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

Propose the Board approve the maintenance safety check for the scissor lift offered by Best Line Equipment at a cost of $850.00 per year.

Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board approve opening the doors to the building no later than 6:00 p.m. on regular board meeting and committee meeting nights.

Motion carried.

E.   BUDGET:

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motions:

Propose the Board approve the payment of bills through the end of June and the 2006-2007 budgetary transfers.  All bills to be presented for approval at the next regular board meeting.

Propose the Board approve the renewal of the van contracts with Long’s, R & A, and Sones at the state contracted rate.

Propose the Board approve the annual update with American Appraisal Associates at a cost of $850.00.  This is the necessary annual update to meet the GASB 34 accounting requirements.

Propose the Board approve the 2007-2008 West Branch Area School District budget of $15,182,185.00, with 88.4 mills for Clearfield County residents and 67.45 mills for Clinton County residents.  This represents a 0 mill increase for Clearfield County residents and a 1.15 mill increase for Clinton County residents.  This means that for every $100.00 of assessed value in Clearfield County, the cost will be $8.84.  For every $100.00 of assessed value in Clinton County, the cost will be $6.75.

Propose the Board approve the purchase of the following insurance renewals for 2007-2008:

a.       Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO Preferred:  Individual - $354.94; Parent & Child - $855.14;                                          Parent &  Children - $855.14; Two Person - $956.51 & Family $1,097.07 per month.

b.      Dental:  Single - $23.24, Parent & Child, Parent & Children, Two Person & Family - $58.86                                                per month.

c.       General Liability Insurance through PSBA Insurance Trust School Leader’s Legal Liability                                         Risk Management Program, at a cost of $51,638.00.

d.      Worker’s Compensation (PICS): $83,243.00 rate of 0.88/thousand of coverage time                                           experience modification of 1.250.

Propose the Board approve the following bids for the 2007-2008 school year:

a.    Bread products:  Stroehmann Bros. Bakery Co. (new supplier)

b.   Milk products:  Galliker’s Milk Products (previous supplier)

c.    De-Icing Salt:  Cargill Inc. @ 50.42/ton delivered (lowest bidder)

Propose the Board approve the following bid for #2 Fuel Oil for the 2007-2008 school year: 

      Vendor:  J.J. Powell        Price per gallon:  $2.279 fixed price

Propose the Board approve the following Athletic supply bids for 2007 Fall Sports and 2008 Winter         Sports:

A.   Volleyball:    

      Sportsmans – 468.11; Sport Supply – 483.60; Flaghouse – 332.10.  Total:  1,283.81

B.   Cross Country:

      Sportsmans – 520.74; Demans – 57.00.  Total: 577.74

C.   Football:

      Sportsmans – 2,292.59; Demans – 14.50; Sport Supply – 69.78; Riddell – 184.60;

      Football America – 362.77.  Total:  $2,924.24  

D.   Girls Soccer:

      Sportsmans – 1,352.76; Sport Supply – 9.88.  Total:  $1,362.64

E.   Wrestling:

      Sportsmans – 81.60.  Total:  $81.60

F.    Girls Basketball:

      Sportsmans – 128.28; Sport Supply – 471.34; Flaghouse – 10.69.  Total:  $610.41

G.   Boys Basketball:

      Sportsmans – 1,012.06; Sport Supply – 1.98.  Total:  $1,014.04

Note:  The above proposed bid totals fall within the allotment of the Athletic Department budget for each sport.

Motion carried.

Propose the Board approve the following re-appointments for 2007-2008:

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

      a.    Beatrice L. Kreiger – Treasurer

Motion carried.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:

      b.   Walter Hopkins & Associates – Local Auditors

Individual roll call:  Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Ronald Mollura – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Timothy Eyerly – no; Robert Smith – yes; Larry Cowder – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Erling Anderson – yes.  7 yes, 1 no.  Motion carried.

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

      c.    M&T Bank, PLGIT, PSDLAF, Ferris Baker Watts (Investment Advisor), State Treasurer’s                                           INVEST Program, all as depositories for the district funds.

Motion carried.

Tom Veres motioned, Tim Eyerly 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.

PERSONNEL:

Tim Eyerly motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to decline extending the Superintendent’s contract as set in Section A of the Superintendent’s contract.  Individual roll call:  Larry Cowder – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Robert Smith – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Tim Eyerly – yes; Ron Mollura – yes.  8 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried.

Old Business – Ron Mollura asked if any information had been received on the sign for the field house.  Mr. Carr said that no information had been received.

New Business –

·          The committee meeting scheduled for July 16, 2007 as been cancelled.  

·          Since the Finance Committee has been cancelled for July, Mary Ann Couteret requested that  

      the business office provide a spread sheet to the Board of the projected amount left in each

      category for the 2006-2007 school year.  This information should be placed in the packet for

      the regular meeting.   

·          The Music interviews will be held July 2, 2007 starting at 4:30 p.m.  The demonstration

      lesson will be held July 17, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.  The Special Education interviews will be held

      July 10, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.  The Custodial interviews will be held July 9, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.

·          Tom Veres will be bringing information to the Board pertaining to fair contracts with state 

      contractors.

Tim Eyerly motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve advertising for anticipated elementary positions.

Motion carried.

Recognition of visitors – None

Paul Carr, Business Manager, read a statement to apologize to the Board concerning statements that he made at the May Board meeting.  He stated that he is required to speak the truth about the status of the budget.  The board must rely on him for factual information concerning the income and expenses of the district.  Because of the inadequate financing by the state and federal government the increases must be borne by the taxpayer.  When the district does not increase taxes then that tax is lost and when a financial crisis occurs, the Board cannot increase taxes above the limit set by the state.  The current proposed budget will use $349,090 of the reserve fund.  When the reserve has been depleted, the district will then be faced with teacher layoffs and increasing class sizes.  Mr. Carr would like to see the district adopt a modest tax increase within the limits of Act 1 so that the reserve fund will not be depleted.

Mr. Veres then addressed Mr. Carr and stated that he did not accept Mr. Carr’s apology.  Mr. Veres stated that the district’s millage rate is 15 to 20 mills higher that the other district’s in the area.  He stated that Mr. Carr denied there was fluff in the budget during the budget work sessions but the Board found $293,000.00 worth.  He said that he is not irresponsible but Mr. Carr was.  Mr. Carr’s apology was rejected by other board members.

Mrs. Pezzulla questioned why Mr. Carr or other administrators did not tell previous boards about the depletion of the reserve funds.  Mr. Carr responded the previous boards were not limited by Act 1 regulations.

Anna Mae Pezzulla questioned why the cafeteria report was not included in the agenda packet.  Mr. Carr, Cafeteria Manager, will send the report to the Board via mail.

Robert Smith motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Miriam Ennis

Board Secretary