OFFICIAL MINUTES

WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

MORRISDALE, PA           

 

                                    DATE: November 24, 2009

The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held November 23, 2009, at 7:14 p.m. in the high school library.

 

MBRS

PRESENT

 

Joe Kovalcin, Donald Murray Sr., Larry Allen, Gerald Coble, Tom Veres, Ron Mollura, Don Yontosh

MBRS

ABSENT

 

Tim Eyerly, Mary Ann Couteret

OTHERS

PRESENT

 

Michael Panek, Superintendent; Kasi Jackson, Board Secretary; Jason McMillen, Business Manager; Allen Levin, Solicitor; Sean Wechtenhiser, Elementary Principal; J.R. Holenchik, Secondary Principal; Wendy Fernburg, Supervisor of Special Education, Holly Petriskey, Holly Michael, Greg Modzel, Lester Smeal, Dave Nelson, Maintenance Supervisor; Annie Lynn,  Shari Buck, Susan Betts Carla Reitz, Jeff Reitz, Lisa Josephson, Cindy Woolworth, William Woolworth, Preston Raymond, Paul Monella, Krista Williams, Daisi Eyerly, Danielle McDowell, John Milliron, Danielle Howard, Jocelyn Lindstrom, Mindy Ertmer, Tom Josephson, Tim Kephart

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

An executive session was held for legal matters from 7”14—7:42 p.m.

STUDENT REPORTS

Brook Smeal, Sr. Class Representative:

·          Seniors turned in their cookie dough order forms, products will arrive around Christmas; the money being raised is for the senior trip to Cedar Point and the senior B.B.Q.

·          The seniors still remain the undefeated powder puff champions

·          Graduation announcements will be available in January

·          The Halloween parade was a success

 

Jason Ward, Student Government Representative:

·          The International Club trip took place on 11/20/2009

·          County Band also took place on 11/20/2009 – 11/21/2009

·          The International Club will be having a dodge ball game on 11/25/2009 in the gym

·          National Honor Society is having a dress down day to raise money for the local animal shelter and autism

·          Auditions will be held for the school play, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

 

REC OF

VISITORS

 

Carla Reitz expressed her concerns to the board about the size of the learning support classrooms. West Branch has the biggest number of learning support children in one classroom. She also expressed her concerns about the student to teacher ratio, the cost of transportation, the safety and what’s in the best interest for the children. The board will take all aspects into consideration and make a determination.

 

Jocelyn Lindstrom, Mindy Ertmer, and Danielle Howard asked the board for permission to draw two murals, one the elementary which will contain book characters, and one in the high school which will contain warrior pride.

 

Don Yontosh motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve Jocelyn Lindstrom, Mindy Ertmer, and Danielle Howard to draw two murals one the elementary which will contain book characters, and one in the high school which will contain warrior pride, as long as it is tasteful. Motion carried.

 

MINS

APPRVD

 

Tom Veres motioned, Don Murray seconded, to approve the meeting minutes from October 26, 2009. Motion carried.

 

 

ADM

REPORTS

 

Mr. Wechtenhiser:

·          Parent conferences were held on November 12.  They were well attended in the elementary.  I would like to thank the parents for taking the time to come in to meet with their child’s teachers.

·          The second round of 4Sight testing was completed.  Elementary students completed this test with a paper-pencil format.  This round of testing went more smoothly than the Baseline test, which was done on the computer.

·          An assembly was held today to detail the rewards aspect of the PBS Behavior Program.  I would like to thank our PBS team for putting together the program and assembly, and Mr. Panek for speaking to our students at the assembly.  Pictures were taken of the students who received cards leading up the assembly today.  Going forward, staff members will be giving out up to 10 “Caught You Following the Rules” cards per week (per staff member).  Students will receive awards on a weekly basis.  I would like to thank the PTO for donating a $2 gift certificate every week – which is one of the weekly prizes.  There will also be monthly rewards that can be earned.  These will begin in January.

·          The elementary will soon have a software program up and running to track discipline referrals.  The program, known as SWIS (School Wide Information System), will allow us to identify referrals by student, date, location, reason, etc.  The cost of the software was $250, and was paid for from Title I Stimulus money.

·          I would like to thank the outgoing school board members for your service.   

 

Mr. Holenchik:

·          The second round of 4 sight testing took place; 7—11 grades improved 28 out of 30 categories

·          Parent-teacher conferences were held on 11/12/2009 along with meetings, and the teacher induction plan; over 100 meetings took place

·          The Respect Program began this week

·          Thanked the outgoing board members for their time and commitment to the board

 

Mrs. Fernburg:

·          The Life Skills classes hosted an open house at the apartment in Clearfield during American Education week and we are pleased to say the turnout was overwhelming and that WB was the only school to have a School Board Member in attendance so thank you Mr. Mollura.

·          The High School Life Skills class held their annual craft sale last week with much success and the intermediate Life Skills class held a salad sale the day of conferences and sold over 90 salads.

·          Conference night was a huge success as well with many parents in attendance. We were happy to see the support for our students.

·          I’d like to thank the outgoing Board members for their time and commitment.

 

Mr. McMillen:

·          Was out for a week due to illness

·          The financial report should be done by the end of November or beginning of December

·          December will start the budget for the following year

Ron Mollura expressed his concerns on charging the cafeteria for the refrigeration project. Mr. McMillen replied that the monies cannot stay into the cafeteria fund due to the school will not receive free and reduced lunch prices anymore.

 

Mr. Williamson:

·          Girls volleyball took a trip and made the state elite 8 held in York, PA

·          The fall season is closed and the winter season is up and going

·          Thanked the outgoing board members for their time and commitment to the board

 

Mr. Panek:

·          Thanked the outgoing board members for their time and commitment to the board

·          Study Island was purchased and is being used in the elementary; this is being used to help the teachers find practical ways to better the children with the PSSA scores

·          R.T.I.I. is implemented

·          12/14/2009 will be the next in-service day and the C.I.U. #10 will be helping

·          Mr. Holenchik is preparing the gen6 report to be completed and sent in on 12/14/2009

 

CIU

 

·          Meeting will be held on 11/24/09 at 7:30 p.m. All public is welcome to attend

 

CCCTC

 

·          Nothing to report. Mr. McMillen replied that the vo-tech will be asking to use the van for their annual trip.

 

PERSONNEL

 

Larry Allen motioned, Don Yontosh seconded to approve the following motions:

·          Approved the following substitutes to the district:

o    Park Lauffer—Emergency

o    Victoria Millinder / Shannon Hoover—Cafeteria

o    April Albright—Cafeteria, monitor, janitor, personal care aide, classroom aide

 

·          Approved the following volunteers:

o    Joseph Beahan / Carol Beahan—Ski Club

o    Geremy Kephart / Tim Kephart / Rebecca Williams—District

o    Clayton McClusick—Wrestling

 

·          Sherri McGarvey to attend the Classroom Management training held at the Hilton Garden on December 8, 2009. The cost to the district is $239; $154 for the registration and $85 for the sub cost. This will be paid for by access funds.

 

·          Barb Spencer to attend the Classroom Management training held at the Hilton Garden on December 8, 2009. The cost to the district is $239; $154 for the registration and $85 for the sub cost. This will be paid for by access funds.

 

·          Tara Yingling to attend the Classroom Management training held at the Hilton Garden on December 8, 2009. The cost to the district is $239; $154 for the registration and $85 for the sub cost. This will be paid for by title II funds.

 

·          Kelley Penvose to attend the Classroom Management training held at the Hilton Garden on December 8, 2009. The cost to the district is $239; $154 for the registration and $85 for the sub cost. This will be paid for by title II funds.

 

·          Karen Kochkodin to attend the Differentiated Intervention training on February 23, 2010, held in Altoona, PA. Cost to the district will be paid title II funds.

 

·          Stacy Ricciotti to attend the Differentiated Intervention training on February 23, 2010, held in Altoona, PA. Cost to the district will be paid title II funds.

 

·          Approved Victoria Jarrett and Rebecca Kephart to construct a picnic table as their senior project and donate the table to the school. It will be placed down by the softball fields for fans to sit while enjoying refreshments.

 

·          Approved the International Club to go to New York City to visit the Tenement Museum on November 20, 2009, departure time is 5 a.m. and return time will be 11 p.m. Cost to the district is $170 for two subs and cost to the student is $65.

 

·          Approved exoneration of payment of school per capita tax for 2009 for 9 residents of Karthaus Twp, 3 residents of Morris Twp, AND 1 resident of Cooper Twp.  Each resident has filed the required exoneration form and meets the income limit as set by the district.  Forms are on file in the Business Office.

 

·          Approved the 5th grade music classes to attend the Windy Hill Village and/or Mountain Laurel nursing home to sing Christmas carols to the elderly. Approximately 100 students will be attending and the events will take place around the third week of December. There is no cost to the student.

·          Approved the 8th grade class to attend the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center on December 3, 2009. There is no cost to the student and cost to the district is $305.73 for 3 buses and one sub.

Motion carried.

 

Ron Mollura stated that in the future the policy needs to be implemented that trips need to be 150 miles. And all trips will be approved before they are taken.

 

Don Murray stated that the funds are going to run out for conferences and the conferences need to be cut back. Don Yontosh replied by saying if our school doesn’t use the money someone else will.

 

FINANCE AND PURCHASE

 

Tom Veres motioned, Don Yontosh seconded, to approve the following motions:

·          Approved the Treasurer’s Report.

·          Approved the following Disbursements from October/November.

o    $ 6,626.34     Athletic Account                       (checks   9697    through   9729  )

o    $ 66,463.65   Cafeteria Account          (checks   3181    through   3191  )

o    $                  Construction Account     (checks              through            )

o    $ 414,013.37 General Account                        (checks   37479  through  37581 )

o    $487,103.36  GRAND TOTAL

·          Approved the activity account for October.

Motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Mr. Veres questioned the progress on the Veteran’s memorial. Mr. Holenchik said that it is slowly being done, but it is in progress.

 

Ron Mollura asked about when the trees are going to be replaced because there was a promise made and was never followed. He also stated that putting a face to a name in the interviews is working great. The interview process the school uses is excellent.

 

Don Murray asked the board to consider having an advisory committee to finish the negotiations since three of the board members that are on the negotiation committee are leaving. Mr. Levin replied that it is against the law to do that. Mr. Mollura then informed the committee that much time was spent on negotiations and nothing was accomplished.

 

Mr. Levin advised Mr. Murray and Mr. Mollura that they cannot talk about negotiations in public.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Tom Veres motioned, Don Yontosh seconded, to have lettering placed on the new vans. Motion carried.

 

Gerald Coble motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the proposal settlement of all claims in cross-complaint between the District and Roth-Martz Architects as agreed by counsel. Motion carried.

 

Larry Allen motioned, Ron Mollura seconded, to approve the proposal settlement of all claims in cross-complaint between the District and Leonard S. Fiore as agreed by counsel. Motion carried.

 

Mr. Veres expressed his honor and pleasure of being on the school board.

Mr. Kovalcin passed our plaques to the outgoing board members and wished them well in all they do.

 

ADJOURN

Larry Allen motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m. motion carried.

 

Kasi Jackson

 

Board Secretary