WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

MORRISDALE, PA

REGULAR MEETING                                                                                             May 21, 2007

The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held in the high school library on May 21, 2007 at 7:12 p.m.

Members present:  Ronald Mollura; Anna Mae Pezzulla (7:15); Tom Veres; Larry Allen; Timothy Eyerly; Mary Ann Couteret (8:05); Erling Anderson; Robert Smith (7:15).  Members absent:  Larry Cowder.

Others present:  Arleen P. Multhauf, D.Ed., Superintendent; Wendy Fernburg, Supervisor of Special Education; Sean Wechtenhiser, High School Principal; David Consiglio, Solicitor; Paul Carr, Business Manager; Jamie Bumbarger, The Progress; Karen Owens (WOKW); Miriam Ennis, Board Secretary; Holly Michael; William Thompson; Jennifer Burfield; Phyllis Gable; Laura Coble; Gerald Coble; Jeff Ennis; Nichole McClure; Kay Folmar; Cinda Lou Hubler; Joe Kovalcin; Lynn Brewer; Allison Koleno; Vicki Brewer; Michelle Hubler; Amanda Hubler; James K. Hubler; Kristen Remp; Trent Yarrison; Preston Raymond; Wendy Timblin; Jeff Eyet; Holly Petriskey; Shari Buck

Missy Maines – Graham Township:  The school bus does not go down Palestine Road for the elementary or high school students and there is nowhere to walk up the road to the bus stop.  The bus goes down Schnoover Road and Nelson Road.  Why does the bus go down some roads and not others?    Ron Mollura said that Mr. Carr and the Transportation Committee would go and look at the road. 

Executive session for Personnel and Litigation at 7:18 p.m.

Meeting reconvened at 9:05 p.m.

Robert Smith exited the meeting at 9:05 p.m.

Tom Veres motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the minutes of April 23, 2007 as presented.

Administrative Reports:

Dr. Multhauf –

·       The baseball team won their game 8-6 against Blairsville.  Their next game will be with Bald Eagle.

Mr. Wechtenhiser –

·       Presented information on the discipline referrals as of May 21, 2007.  There were 1988 referrals.  This is down from last year. 

Mr. Carr –

·       A resolution will need to be adopted to allow taxpayers with homestead/farmstead property to pay their school property taxes in installment payments.  The payment plan will be as follows:  August 31 – 50%, October 31 – 30% and December 31 – 20%. 

Tim Eyerly asked Paul Carr if the taxpayers would have their taxes before August 31.  Paul Carr said that the taxpayers would have their taxes before August 31.  Kay Folmar, tax collector, said that the payment plan would be on the face with no discount. 

Larry Allen motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the resolution to allow taxpayers with homestead/farmstead property to pay school property taxes in installments.

Motion carried.

Paul Carr has made changes to the budget as requested. 

Anna Mae Pezzulla questioned Paul Carr as to the amount of the budget short fall that would be taken out of budgetary reserve.  Mr. Carr responded that the shortfall would be $349,090.00.  Anna Mae Pezzulla questioned how many mills that would be.  Mr. Carr responded that it would require 10.9 mills.  A statement was read by Paul Carr, Business Manager, stating, “I feel it is important at this time to go on the record as officially opposing the Board’s decision to approve the 2007-2008 West Branch tentative budget with a zero millage increase.  This is not a fiscally responsible action in light of the guidelines put forth by Act 1.  As per those guidelines, a district is allowed a relatively small percentage of increase in millage each year in order to continue to fund the ever rising costs of student programs.  Without this allowable increase up to 4.5 mills, it will be extremely difficult to maintain the educational programs for our students at West Branch.  By choosing not to raise the millage, the board will accelerate the depletion of the district’s emergency reserves, while not expanding the revenues for future school budgets.”  Anna Mae Pezzulla asked what the shortfall was last year.  Paul Carr responded that it was approximately $240,000.00.  The amount left in the reserve at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year was 2.3 million. 

Tim Eyerly questioned what budget code was being used for PC Works.  Paul Carr responded 1100-348-00-000.  Tim Eyerly asked how long of a contract we have with PC Works.  Paul Carr responded that it is from year to year.  Mary Ann Couteret suggested that the district should be possibly bidding out the service and looking at other options.   Mr. Eyerly also asked why the business managers’ salary was not broken out in the budget as requested by the board several times.  Mr. Carr responded that he could not break it out, as that was the budget code for salaries.

Anna Mae Pezzulla asked if the superintendent had heard from the Department of Education concerning the team that came to look at the financial condition of the school.  Dr. Multhauf said that the district was to receive a report by June 30. 

CIU – No meeting

CCCTC – No report

Technology – No report

Tim Eyerly questioned check no. 32266 on the Bills for Approval concerning two new printers purchased for the business office totaling $3,365.00.  Mr. Carr responded that colored printers were purchased and the old printers would be junked or saved for parts.  Tim Eyerly asked if these printers were on the rotation schedule.  Paul Carr responded no. 

Tom Veres motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the Treasurer’s Report, General Fund bills and Cafeteria bills as presented.

Motion carried.

Larry Allen motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve payment of the following construction bills for a total of $138,794.21:    Leonard S. Fiore – 83,941.65

                                  Comm Group – 47,407.56

                                  Nittany Building Specialties – 7,445.00

Motion carried.

Larry Allen motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the payment of $1,800.00 to PP&L.

Motion carried.

A.  BOARD:

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

Propose the Board approve the resignation of David B. Consiglio, Esquire, of Miller, Kistler, Campbell, Miller, Williams and Benson, Inc., State College, PA, effective June 30, 2007.

Motion carried.   

B.   PERSONNEL:

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve the revised job description for Head Cook.  Individual roll call:  Tom Veres – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Larry Allen – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Tim Eyerly – no; Ron Mollura – no.  5 yes, 2 no.  Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board approve the resignation for retirement of Ruby Nearhood, personal care aide, as of June 8, 2007.

Propose the Board approve a leave without pay for Cynthia A. Gormont of up to two weeks during the summer months at a time deemed to be less busy by the high school principal.

Propose the Board approve the following substitutes be reactivated:

      Jessica Rinehart

      Bill Thompson

Propose the Board approve the resignation of Markay Evans as classroom aide effective June 8, 2007.

Propose the Board approve the resignation for retirement of Barbara J. Hubler, custodian, effective June 28, 2007.

Propose the Board approve a leave without pay for Kim A. Eyerly on Friday, May 18, 2007 for Personal-confidential reason.

Motion carried.

C.   PROGRAM:

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the following motions:

Propose the Board approve the following field trip requests:

Science Club:  Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA; May 21, 2007

Cost to district:  Subs – 340.00.  Person in charge:  Cheryl McGonigal

Enrichment: Pioneer Coal Mine, Ashland, PA; May 24, 2007

Cost to district:  Subs – 127.50; admission – 156.00; vans & gas – 150.00.  Total:  $433.50

School Vans will be used.  Person in charge:  Jennifer Brickley

2007 Senior Class:  Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio; June 1, 2007

Cost to district:  Sub – 85.00.  Person in charge:  Jennifer Brickley

International Club:  Bellefonte/State College (Bowling and Chinese food); June 5, 2007

Cost to district:  0 Persons in charge:  Lori Bollinger & Colleen Viehdorfer

Seventh Grade Science Classes: Six-Mile Run/Black Moshannon; May 24, 25 & 29, 2007 

Cost to district: Subs – 510.00; buses – 310.00. Total cost: $810.00 Person in charge: Dan Socash

Third Grade, Room 31:  Belleville, PA; June 6, 2007

Cost to district:  School Vans   Person in charge:  Barbara Spencer

Propose the Board approve the following workshop requests:

Administering the WIDA ACCESS Placement Test:  CIU 10, West Decatur; May 2, 2007

Bruce George:  Sub – 85.00.  Cost to district:  $85.00   

Medical Access Training:  State College, PA; May 25, 2007

Wendy Fernburg:  No cost to district

Ellen Smith:  No cost to district

Cracking the Standardized Testing Code:  Indiana Univ. of PA; June 18-22, 2007  TITLE FUNDS

Jessica Frank:  Reg. fee – 430.60.  Cost to district:  $430.60

Advanced Placement Program U.S. History:  LaSalle Univ., Philadelphia; July 23-27, 2007  TITLE FUNDS

Alice Wilson:  Reg. fee – 1,344.00; motel – 400.00; meals – 200.00.  Cost to district:  $1,944.00

PSEA House of Delegates:  Philadelphia, PA; May 18, 2007  PROFESSIONAL DAY

Van Johnson:  Cost to district:  0

Propose the Board approve the list of graduates, Class of 2007, pending completion of graduation requirements.

Propose the Board approve the request by the High School Physical Education Department to start a Health and Physical Education Club advised by Mr. Smeal, Mr. Beer, Mrs. Gomola, and Mr. Learish.

Motion carried.

D.   BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board hire Stuart Hall, Esquire of Miller and Hall, Lock Haven, PA 17745 to represent the board in lawsuit’s filed by Allied Mechanical and Electrical and DeGol Brothers Carpet.

Motion carried.

E.   ATHLETICS AND TRANSPORTATION:

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

Propose the Board approve Jarrod Hendricks as a volunteer football coach.

Propose the Board approve the student accident insurance with Life Insurance Company of North America for the school time rate of $30.00 and a 24-hour rate of $115.00 for 2007-08 school year.

Motion carried.

F.    BUDGET:

Larry Allen motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve the mail ballot method of voting for the 2006-2007 Clearfield County Career Center General Fund Budget.

Motion carried.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve the 2007-2008 Clearfield County Career Center General Fund Budget for $2,566,759.00.

Motion carried.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve a tentative approval to the proposed 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.  Individual roll call:  Erling Anderson – yes; Tim Eyerly – no; Tom Veres – yes; Larry Allen – no; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Ron Mollura – yes.  5 yes, 2 no.  Motion carried.

Tim Eyerly and Larry Allen voted no because the Technology budget was cut for the second year. 

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

Propose the Board approve the 2007-2008 CIU 10 Joint Purchasing Bid for bulk supplies as follows, with the stipulation that these bid totals could be revised downward due to budgetary constraints:

      Cascade – 27.25                                           Ricoh Corp. – 17,237.45

      Kurtz Bros. – 2,512.71                                               School Specialty – 52.56

      National Art & School Supply – 1,033.45                       Standard Stationary – 72.52

      Quill Corp. – 566.25

      TOTAL:  $21,502.19

Motion carried.

Correspondence:

A letter was received from Dennis O’Brien concerning tax reform.  Tax reform is now in the hands of Harrisburg.

Old Business:

Ron Mollura asked what progress has been made by the district on the sign that is being purchased to replace the Mildred Carlson Memorial.

New Business:  None

Recognition of Visitors:

Kristin Remp, Karthaus Township – told the Board that because of the way that her children would be picked up in the morning that she would be enrolling her children in cyber school.  This will cost the district approximately $20,000.00.  They will be receiving internet service, two new computers and two laptop computers.

Tim Eyerly asked if the Attendance Officer/Athletic Director was discussed and is the position budgeted for in the 2007-08 budget.  Ron Mollura responded that the position was tabled.  Paul Carr responded that the Athletic Director is budgeted for but not the Attendance Officer.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to adjourn at 9:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Miriam Ennis

Board Secretary