OFFICIAL MINUTES
WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
MORRISDALE, PA MAY 19, 2008
The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held May 19, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. in the high school library.
Members present: Tim Eyerly, Joe Kovalcin, Ron Mollura, Don Yontosh, Gerald Coble, Mary Ann Couteret (7:35 p.m.), Tom Veres. Members absent: Larry Cowder and Larry Allen
Patrick Lukasavich, Interim Superintendent; Wendy Fernburg, Supervisor of Special Education; Sean Wechtenhiser, High School Principal; William Hayward, Elementary Principal; Allen Levin, Solicitor; Ken Wise, Solicitor; Miriam Ennis, Board Secretary; Jennifer Brickley; Garrett Miller; Lisa Scaife; Beth English; Pauline Pelka; Arnold Pelka; Cindy Bock; Michelle Turner; Greg Hunter; Helen Galley; Betty Boron; Shari Buck; Paul J. Monella II; Trent Yarrison; Spencer Folmar; Jeff Eyet; Jennifer Ertmer; Holly Michael; Preston Raymond; Laura Coble; Lynn Brewer; Lori Quick; Dave Nelson; Alvin Hubler; Sue Veneziano; Daniel Bumbarger
STUDENT REPORTS:
Student Government – Spencer Folmar
· Physical Education Club is sponsoring National Physical Fitness week.
· The second prom on Sunday, May
· The seventh and eighth grade Accelerated Reader Challenge is underway.
· Student Government went on a field trip to Harrisburg and rode the ferry.
· Senior BBQ needs permission to hold a bon fire and fireworks by Kneppy’s Fireworks.
· A new banner is needed for graduation. Is it the responsibility of the senior class to purchase the banner? The cost will be approximately $300-$500.
· The board members are invited to graduation. Jennifer Brickley will need names and numbers of those attending.
Joe Kovalcin motioned, Don Yontosh seconded, to approve the district purchasing a new banner for the senior class. Motion carried.
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES:
Don Yontosh motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board grant permission to the 2008 Senior Class to hold a bonfire and fireworks for the Senior Class Barbecue providing insurance documentation is provided along with all necessary paperwork. Motion carried.
PRESENTATIONS:
Wendy Fernburg, Supervisor of Special Education, presented certificates to Cindy Bock, Michelle Turner and Stefanie Sattesahn, School Nurse, from the American Diabetes Association Partners Who Care and Support Diabetic Children to thank them for the dedication to the students who have diabetes.
Gerald Coble motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the minutes of April 28, 2008, as presented. Motion carried.
PERSONNEL:
Ron Mollura motioned, Gerald Coble seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve, as presented, the following volunteers. Paperwork has been received.
Rodger Bloom – District Volunteer
Lance Jones – Summer/Football Band Program
Krista Williams – District Volunteer
Brandon Williams – District Volunteer
Lisa Lobb – District Volunteer
Propose the Board accept the resignation of Rachel Carr as Head Varsity Cheerleading Advisor effective May 19, 2008.
Propose the Board approve Leave Without Pay for Cindy Gormont, High School Secretary, for June 22-28, 2008 and July 20-26, 2008 with the stipulation that all personal days must be used first.
Propose the Board approve Family Medical Leave for Amanda Harris, Speech/Language Therapist K-12, starting the first day of the 2008-2009 school year and continuing for approximately 9 weeks. Sick days will be used and then FMLA for any unpaid time.
Propose the Board approve Joe Matson as a Driver Education Teacher for the behind-the-wheel portion of the course. Certification has been received.
Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to defer the following motion:
Consideration to employ, upon receipt of all appropriate documentation and effective with the 2008-2009 school year, __________________, as Elementary Music Teacher.
Motion carried.
Don Yontosh motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve, as presented, the following conference requests:
A. Jason Hoffman, Science Teacher, to the American Physical Society’s Educator’s Day workshop for physics teachers in State College, PA on May 27, 2008, with costs to the district, $132.00 to be reimbursed by the conference (mileage $47.00 and sub 85.00).
B. Barbara Spencer, Elementary Teacher, to the Writing Legally Defensible IEP workshop at Central Intermediate Unit 10 on June 23, 2008, with costs to the district, $30 for registration, to be paid from ACCESS.
C. Wendy Fernburg, Supervisor of Special Education, to Medical Access Billing, at Clearfield Area School District Administration Building on May 20, 2008, with costs to the district, $7.27 for mileage, to be paid from ACCESS.
Propose the Board approve Lori Quick (cafeteria) and Rachel Smith (cafeteria) to work up to two additional days (as necessary) to complete end-of-year reports related to food service operations. These reports must be competed before beginning any food service programs for the new school year.
Propose the Board approve Thad Ritter, District Volunteer, as a Co-Advisor for the Engineering Club.
Propose the Board approve Family Medical Leave for Elizabeth Guenot, Custodian, beginning June 11, 2008 and ending approximately June 30, 2008. Sick days will be used first.
Motion carried.
The Elementary staff is in place for the 2008-09 school year. Two teachers are transferring.
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES:
Don Yontosh motioned, Gerald Coble seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve, as presented, the following field trip requests:
A. Dan Socash (for three days), Science Teacher, Doug Sankey (for one day), Guidance Counselor, Andrew Brickley (for one day), Technology Education Teacher, Preston Raymond (for one day) Art Teacher, and Jerry White (for one day), English Teacher, to take 105 Grade 7 students (1/3 of the class attending each day) to Six Mile Run for the Stream Study Unit on three days n May (dates dependent upon scheduling of finals), with costs to the district not to exceed $760 ($210 for transportation and $510 for substitute teachers).
B. Dan Socash, Science Teacher, and Andrew Brickley, Technology Education Teacher, to take five students from the Envirothon Team to the state competition, at Penn State University, State College, PA on May 19 & 20, 2008, with costs to the district not to exceed $340 for two subs for two days and the use of a school van.
C. Barbara Spencer, Third Grade Teacher, to take 15 students to Belleville and Teacher’s Farm on May 28, 2008. The cost to the district will be the use of two school vans.
The second van for the Belleville class trip will be driven by Harold Carlson an approved district volunteer.
D. Doug Sankey, High School Guidance Counselor, to take students grades 7-9 to Hershey Park on June 4, 2008 with no cost to the district.
Propose the Board approve submitting a request to the Pennsylvania Department of Health to permit West Branch Area School District to accept reports of private physical and dental exams if they are completed within one year prior to a student’s entry into the grade in which an exam is required. This request is in accordance with modifications to the Public School Code regulations, as approved by the Secretary of Health, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1402 (e) and 1402 (f) of the Public School Code.
Motion carried.
Don Yontosh motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve, as presented, the Dual Enrollment agreements with Lock Haven University, Clearfield Campus and Penn State University, DuBois Campus, as presented.
Propose the Board approve, as presented and pending completion of all graduation requirements, the list of 2008 Graduates.
Propose the Board approve, as presented, the West Branch 2008-2009 school calendar.
Propose the Board approve, pursuant to Sections 1502 and 1503 of the PA Public School Code, the following five dates as official local school district holidays for the 2008-2009 school year: November 28, December 1, December 24, December 26, and April 10.
Motion carried.
Elementary Report – Bill Hayward
· May 5, 2008 was the Elementary Band/Choral Concert
· PTO is sponsoring the Wizard of Oz on May 23, 2008 at 9:00 and 1:00.
· Legal Eagles program is being held May 29, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
· Sixth grade graduation is June 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
· Elementary awards ceremony is June 6, 2008.
· Seven bicycles will be given away for perfect attendance.
· The AR point challenge has reached its goal 3,900. 5,400 points were gathered.
· Report from Jamie Buck, Reading Coach, had 13 fourth graders, 13 fifth graders and 15 sixth graders that she coached throughout the school year. Reading Naturally was used throughout the year. Individual student assessments were done using Basic Reading Inventory and Words Their Way was used for spelling inventory assessments. Currently, 11 of the 13 fourth graders are reading on grade level, one student is reading at a fifth grade level, and one student is reading at a sixth grade level. In fifth grade, 10 students are reading at grade level and three students are still reading below grade level.
Secondary Report – Sean Wechtenhiser
· The West Branch Envirothon Team took first place in the Clearfield County competition. They received a trophy and the otter award which they will keep until the next competition.
· Spring Fling will be held May 31, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. The time is shortened this year because the Senior BBQ is the same evening and there is a concern of traffic.
· The yearbook is dedicated to William Gabel, HS Band Teacher and Gary Hubler, Dean of Students. Both are retiring.
· The Accelerated Reader point challenge for the seventh and eighth grade is currently underway at the high school. If the students get 3200 AR points Mr. Wechtenhiser will wear a dress to school and if they reach 3400 points Mr. Wechtenhiser would wear a dress, kiss a pig and The Progress would take pictures.
Special Education Report – Wendy Fernburg:
· Jackie Zimmerman’s Life Skills class is in the process of building the pond in the courtyard and should be completed this week.
· The Special Education count is 273 students.
District Report-Dr. Lukasavich:
· The district has been receiving letters concerning the change in Drama Director. The Board did not vote to change the Drama Director. The letter from Tom and Leesa Folmar concerning this matter will be included in the minutes.
Don Yontosh motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to advertise for a long-term Speech and Language Therapist for the 2008-2009 school year. Motion carried.
ATHLETICS:
Don Yontosh motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:
Consideration to employ, upon receipt of all appropriate documentation and effective with the 2008-2009 school year, Jason Bainey as Head Wrestling Coach. Motion carried.
FACILITIES:
Maintenance – Dave Nelson:
· The Clearfield County Probation Services will be here to help unload the trailers for the auction in July.
· JJ Powell will come and top off the fuel tanks in June.
· PPL will be at the school on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. for a project meeting for Phase II.
· Trees were removed from in front of the message board.
· Two letters from the “West Branch High School” from the front of the building were cracked and were made by the woodshop and replaced.
· The memorial tree that was removed during construction has been replaced and the stone will be placed in front of the tree.
A discussion was held on the removal of the trees in front of the administration wing that was to be removed by the landscape company. They were to come and remove the trees and place them somewhere else but they never returned. The trees were placed too close to the school and the Board was concerned about the growth of the trees roots damaging sidewalks. Dave Nelson suggested that the custodians try to keep them trimmed.
Don Yontosh motioned, Gerald Coble seconded, to approve Cindy Shugert, Christine Little, Kim Eyerly and Shelly Houser as summer custodial workers. Tim Eyerly abstained because his wife is one of the applicants. Motion carried.
The Board requested that the custodian position left vacant for a retirement, be advertised and posted.
FINANCE AND PURCHASE:
Tom Veres motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the following Central Intermediate Unit 10 Joint Purchasing bulk supply bids for 2008-2009 for $21,690.39:
a. Cascade School Supplies $1,381.39
b. Kurtz Brothers $2,001.24
c. National Art Supplies $1,527.52
d. Pyramid School Supplies $ 362.10
e. Quill Corp $ 492.49
f. Ricoh Corp $15,079.08 (copier and colored paper)
g. School Specialty $ 61.44
h. Standard Stationary $ 47.64
i. Staples Business Advantage $ 737.49
Approval of these bids includes the stipulation that all items and quantities are subject to revision/deletion at the discretion of district administrators, based upon budgetary constraints.
Don Yontosh motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Gerald Coble requested that the Board review the numbers for the program before Board decides to withdraw the application. Joe Dugan, Interim Business Manager, told the Board that if the numbers would stay the same as two years ago that the program would lose approximately $6,000. The district would need approximately 156 meals to operate in the black.
Propose the Board approve to withdraw, because of local funding requirements, the District’s application for conducting a Summer Food Program during 2008. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the following change in the resolution approving the loan from Municipal Capital Corporation. Change in Bold:
Approve a bank loan from Municipal Capital Corporation, 461 Linden Street, Allentown, PA 18012, in the amount of $609,371.00 at the rate of 3.95% for a term of 15 years (annual payments of $53,846.91 beginning September 1, 2008 (changed from November 1, 2008). Rate proposals were also reviewed by Linda S. Miller, Account Manager, PPL Energy Services Mid-Atlantic, LLC. This financing is part of the PPL Energy Services building renovations for 2008, Phase Two, approved February 25, 3008. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve the mail ballot method of voting for the 2008-2008 Clearfield County Career Center General Fund Budget.
Propose the Board approve the 2008-2009 Clearfield County Career General Fund Budget for $3,301,637.00. The West Branch School District share is $408,742.00. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board consider a tentative approval to the proposed 2008-2009 West Branch Area School District budget of $14,564,709.00 with 90.4 mills for Clearfield County residents and 71.8 mills for Clinton County residents. This represents a 2.0 mill increase for Clearfield County residents and a 4.35 mill increase for Clinton County residents. Motion carried.
Ron Mollura added that the additional mileage is related to the cost of fuel. If the cost of fuel is lower when the bids come in next month, the Board will lower the mileage.
Gerald Coble motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve, as presented and in the total amount of $5,938.15, the bid related to Soccer uniforms submitted by Sportsmans and Demans. Motion carried.
Tim Eyerly motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to reject the following motions:
Propose the Board approve a cafeteria renovation project change order to install a second door into the freezer, at a cost of $4,200.00.
Propose the Board approve a cafeteria renovation project change order to install a new freezer door directly into the freezer from the kitchen instead of having to pass through the cooler box, at a total cost of $10,085.00. Motion carried.
Tom Veres motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve, as presented, and authorize the payment of General Fund bills for April and May. Motion carried.
Don Yontosh motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve, as presented, and authorize the payment of Cafeteria bills for May. Motion carried.
Don Yontosh motioned, Joe Kovalcin seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve, as presented, and authorize the payment of Athletic bills for April and May. Motion carried.
Don Yontosh motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve, as presented, and authorize the payment of Construction Fund bills. Motion carried.
Mary Ann Couteret motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve, as presented, the following reports:
1. Treasurer’s Financial Report
2. Activities Report
Motion carried.
REPORTS:
CIU Report - None
CCCTC Report:
· The adult education class costs will increase from $4,000 to $5,000. This is about a 20% increase.
Other Committee Reports – None
New Business:
· The Dean of Students position has not been posted.
· The Cafeteria Monitor position will be posted.
· The Attendance Officer position is in the budget and will be reviewed when the new superintendent is in place.
Old Business:
Mary Ann Couteret asked if the Hershey Trip was being handled appropriately. She wanted to make sure that the students were not paying for a bus they did not need as last year.
Joe Kovalcin asked the other Board members if the last interview process had been approved. The policy was apparently changed according to the minutes of August 21, 2006 and was changed at a committee meeting but not by majority vote. Mary Ann Couteret and Ron Mollura responded that it had been approved and had not been recorded in the board minutes and that some board members wanted the old rubric to stack the deck. Joe Kovalcin would like to see a teacher who is certified in that area on the committee that could give direction since he was a Math teacher and is not sure of the requirements of other areas. He also stated that with the old process you could throw out the highest and the lowest scores as they do in other places of employment. He said in the past there was a committee of two board members, a teacher, superintendent and two principals. Mr. Mollura said that in the past the interviews were held in the afternoon so that board members could not attend and they are now held in the evening and they have the applicants teach a lesson. The new interview policy will be researched to see if it was approved.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: None
An Executive Session for Contractual and Personnel will be held following the meeting. The meeting will not reconvene.
ADJOURNMENT
Tom Veres motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Miriam Ennis
Board Secretary