WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

MORRISDALE, PA

REGULAR MEETING                                                                                         September 24, 2007

The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School district Board of Directors was held in the high school library on September 24, 2007 at 7:09 p.m.

Members present:  Ronald Mollura; Anna Mae Pezzulla; Tom Veres (7:11); Larry Allen; Timothy Eyerly; Robert Smith; Larry Cowder (7:10); Mary Ann Couteret; Erling Anderson. 

Others present:  Arleen P. Multhauf, D.Ed., Superintendent; William Hayward, Elementary Principal; Wendy Fernburg, Supervisor of Special Education; Sean Wechtenhiser, High School Principal; Miriam Ennis, Board Secretary; Jamie Bumbarger, The Progress; Daisi Eyerly; Brandy Fetters; Laurie Josephson; Laura Coble; Gerald Coble; Jeff Ennis; Trent Yarrison; Holly Michael; Allison Koleno; Charlie Jury; Lynn Brewer; Karen Bosak; Jim Redmond; Joe Kovalcin; Shari Buck

Executive Session for Personnel was held at 7:09 p.m.

Meeting reconvened at 8:20 p.m.

Recognition of Visitors:

Kay Folmar, Graham Township Tax Collector, addressed the Board concerning clarification of the installment payment plan.  The law states that taxpayers elect to use the installment plan by making the first installment payment before it is due. The tax bill includes a statement that says there will be a 10 percent penalty for late payments.  The tax collectors are receiving payments late with the 10 percent penalty attached.  The tax collectors have called the Paul Carr, Business Manager, who said that the tax collectors must accept payment.  The tax collectors had no input into the plan and feel that since August 15 was when the taxes were mailed that the date of August 31 to accept the first payment was too soon.  Ron Mollura suggested that the district turn this issue over to the school solicitor.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the minutes of August 20, 2007 as presented.

Motion carried.

Administrative Reports:

Sean Wechtenhiser presented information to the Board concerning the Classroom of the Future Grant that was awarded to the school district.  This grant will eventually provide every high school in Pennsylvania with technology that will prepare students for the global marketplace.  The initial award was $154,902.00 and the revised award was $144,596.00.  The grant was reduced by the Department of Education by $10,000.00.  If the school board contributes $12,000.00, the district will then be able to purchase six labs. 

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve $12,200.00 to be used to purchase equipment for the Classrooms for the Future grant.  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 – yes; Ron Mollura – yes.  8 yes, 1 no.  Motion carried.

William Hayward reported to the Board the second grade has 101 students and 15 are reading below grade level.

Anna Mae Pezzulla suggested that the district solicit a quote from Dr. Perna to work with our staff on curriculum.  The Pennsylvania Department of Education Management Assessment Study recommended the district hire someone to review curriculum.  Tim Eyerly suggested that we also solicit other quotes.  William Hayward stated that the elementary students would have made AYP if not for the subgroups in Learning Support. 

Wendy Fernburg – No report

Shari Buck, Sixth Grade Teacher, presented information to the Board concerning an initiative to offer bicycles to sixth grades with perfect attendance.  Sherman Bloom of Horace Mann Insurance Co. would provide the bicycles.  The district would need to come up with $28 per bicycle.  It was suggested that the district ask for sponsors.  The program will start for the last three nine weeks of school since school is already in session.  The district solicitor will look over the waiver form that was presented to make any necessary changes.

CIU – No Report

CCCTC – No Report

Technology Committee – No Report

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the General Fund bills of $583,861.02, Cafeteria bills of $43,090.15, Construction Fund bills of $585.75 and PP&L of $9,398.45.

Motion carried.

A.   BOARD:

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

Propose the Board revise the Board meeting schedule as follows:

Monday, November 19, 2007 - Regular Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Monday, December 3, 2007 - Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Motion carried.

Tim Eyerly motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motion:   

Propose the Board hire Allen J. Levin, Esquire, as school solicitor at $100 per hour, with expenses paid for travel time and mileage except for regular monthly board meetings.  Individual roll call:  Robert Smith – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Tim Eyerly – yes; Larry Cowder – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Larry Allen – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Ron Mollura – yes.  9 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried.

B.   PERSONNEL:

Larry Cowder motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve investigating options for a licensed trainer.

Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board approve a Leave without Pay for Lori Quick from September 24-28, 2007.

Motion carried.

Larry Allen motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve Richard Witherow for custodian, effective October 1, 2007 at the contract rate, with a 12-month probationary period.  Individual roll call:  Anna Mae Pezzulla – no; Tom Veres – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Tim Eyerly – no; Larry Cowder – no; Larry Allen – yes; Robert Smith – no; Erling Anderson – no; Ron Mollura – yes.  4 yes, 5 no.  Motion failed.

Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve William Thompson for custodian, effective October 1, 2007 at the contract rate, with a 12-month probationary period.  Individual roll call:  Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Robert Smith – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Larry Cowder – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Larry Allen – no; Tim Eyerly – yes; Tom Veres – no; Ron Mollura – no.  6 yes, 3 no.  Motion carried.

Tim Eyerly motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board create a Special Education position for the school district.

Motion carried.

Tim Eyerly motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board hire Brandi Fetters and Sherri McGarvey as Special Education teachers effective September 25, 2007.  Individual roll call:  Larry Cowder – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Larry Allen – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Robert Smith – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Tim Eyerly – yes; Ron Mollura – yes.  9 yes, 0 no.  Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board rescind the motion to hire the following individuals for part-time Personal Care Aides not to exceed 29.5 hours per 5-day week for 178 days.

      Jackie Tarner

      Wendy Sabol

      Nicole McClure

Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board hire Jackie Tarner, Wendy Sabol, and Nicole McClure for part-time Personal Care Aides not to exceed 29.5 hours per 5-day week.

Motion carried.

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

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

      Bethany Burns – Elementary

      Traci Callahan – Cafeteria, Classroom Aide

      Shelly Houser – Cafeteria

      Lorie Rowles – Classroom Aide, Personnel Care Aide

      Daina Baughman – Elementary             

      Loretta Maguire – Emergency Certificate, Secretarial      

      Allison Gmerek – Elementary, Special Education

      Theresa Patrick – Custodial

      Lisa Conklin – Elementary

      David Harmic – Health and Physical Education

      Jonathan Wooster – Social Studies

      Sarah Berry – Elementary

Motion carried.

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

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

      Shannon Maines – Elementary                         Carla Reitz - Elementary

      Kim Merrow – Elementary                               Traci Callahan – Elementary                      

      Deana Clinger – Elementary                             Danielle McDowell – Elementary

      Angela Rackish – Elementary

Motion carried.

Tim Eyerly motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board hire mentors for the 2007-2008 school year:

      Angela Trude                        Adele Williams

      Jarrod Hendricks        Chris Marsh

      Daniel Stilson                        Bill Gabel

Motion carried.

Tim Eyerly motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to defer the following motion:

Propose the Board hire __________________________ as a teacher coach for 75 days at $50/per hour in partnership with Harmony School District paid with Classroom of the Future grant dollars.

Motion carried.

Mary Ann Couteret motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board increase the hourly rate for the part-time nursing assistants at 2.5% per hour for 2007-08 school year.  Individual roll call:  Larry Allen – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Robert Smith – no; Larry Cowder – no; Tim Eyerly – yes; Tom Veres – yes; Larry Anderson – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – no; Ron Mollura – yes.  6 yes, 3 no.  Motion carried.

C.   PROGRAM:

Larry Allen motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion with the stipulation that Policies 331, 431 and 531 be reviewed:

Propose the Board approve the following workshop requests:

2007-08 English as a Second Language Videoconferences: Tuscarora IU 11, McVeytown, PA; 9/17/2007

Bruce George:  Mileage – 58.20 (if school car is unavailable); sub – 85.00.  Cost to district:  $143.20

Legal Issues and School Discipline: IU 8, Altoona, PA; September 6, 2007

Gary Hubler:  Reg. fee – 89.00   Cost to district:  $89.00

Sean Wechtenhiser:  Reg. fee – 89.00.  Cost to district:  $89.00

Arleen P. Multhauf:  Reg. fee – 89.00.  Cost to district:  $89.00

Leadership Kickoff for Year 2 Schools:  Pattan, Pittsburgh, PA; October 2, 2007

Arleen P. Multhauf:  Meals – 20.00; mileage – 73.00.  Cost to district:  $93.00

Jeremy Craven:  Meals – 20.00; mileage – 73.00.  Cost to district:  $93.00

Sean Wechtenhiser:  Meals – 20.00.  Cost to district:  $20.00

Classrooms for the Future Prof. Dev. Regional Meeting:  State College, PA; Oct. 30, 2007

Sean Wechtenhiser:  Meals – 20.00.  Cost to district:  $20.00

Classrooms for the Future Evaluation Regional Meeting:  Pattan, Pittsburgh, PA; Nov. 7, 2007

Sean Wechtenhiser:  Meals – 20.00.  Cost to district:  $20.00

First Aid & CPR Training:   October 8, 2007 (Act 80 day)  ACCESS FUNDS

Scott Beer:  Reg. fee – 15.00.  Total cost:  $15.00

Pam Emigh:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 53.40.  Total cost:  $68.40   

Wendy Fernburg:  Reg. fee – 15.00.  Total cost:  $15.00

Brenda Fye:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 45.90.  Total cost:  $59.90

Donna Hayward:  Reg. fee – 15.00.  Total cost:  $15.00

Mary Homman:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 50.40.  Total cost:  $65.40

Lisa Josephson:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 42.90.  Total cost:  $57.90          

Tina Kolesar:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 45.90.  Total cost:  $59.90

Lori Miles:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 42.90.  Total cost:  $57.90      

Cynthia Miller:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary - 42.90.  Total cost:  $57.90

Monica Oswalt:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 45.90.  Total cost:  $59.90

Wendy Sabol:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 45.90.  Total cost:  $59.90

Rosemary Shaner:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 45.90.  Total cost:  $59.90

Caroline Smeal:  Reg. fee – 15.00; salary – 42.90.  Total cost:  $57.90

Literacy Centers Made Easy!:  Altoona, PA; October 15, 2007

Laurie Josephson:  Reg. fee – 189.00; mileage – 21.34 (if school car is not available); books – 56.98;

Sub – 85.00.  Total cost:  $352.32     PROFESSIONAL DAY

Hands-on DNA Workshop:  Clarion, PA; October 3, 2007

Matthew Johnson:  Reg. fee – 20.00; sub – 85.00.  Total cost to district:  $105.00

North Central Math/Science Education Collaborative:  Clarion Univ.; October 2, 2007

Betty Fry:  Reg. fee – 20.00; sub – 85.00.  Total cost to district:  $105.00

Michael Hughes:  Reg. fee – 20.00; sub – 85.00.  Total cost to district:  $105.00

Dealing with Disabilities in the Regular Education Classroom:  Altoona, PA; October 19, 2007  ACCESS

Sue Betts:  Reg. fee – 187.00; sub – 85.00.  Total cost:  $272.00

Debra Moriarity:  Reg. fee – 187.00; sub – 85.00.  Total cost:  $272.00

Stacy Ricciotti:  Reg. fee – 187.00; sub – 85.00.     Total cost:  $272.00  PROFESSIONAL DAY

Wendy Timblin:  Reg. fee – 187.00; sub – 85.00.  Total cost:  $272.00   PROFESSIONAL DAY

Clearfield County 911/EMA Rural Preparedness Training:  Clearfield, PA; October 19, 2007

Sean Wechtenhiser:  No cost to district

Cindy Bock:  Salary – 87.94.  Total cost:  $87.94

Addendum:

Using Test Data for Learning:  Greensburg, IU 7; October 11, 2007

Sean Wechtenhiser:  No cost to district

Tom Partner:  Sub – 85.00.  Cost to district:  $85.00

Motion carried.

Ron Mollura, Board President stated that the October 11, 2007 workshop would be approved but all workshops must be included on the regular agenda in the future.

Tim Eyerly motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve the following field trip request:

Yearbook:  Jostens Plant, State College, PA; September 26, 2007

Cost to district:  Training fees – 680.00; subs – 170.00(two teachers); bus – 160.00. 

Total cost to district:  $1,010.00

Person in charge:  Ronda Hanslovan

First Grade:  Way Fruit Farm, Stormstown, PA; October 1, 2007

Cost to district:  -0-        

Fourth Grade:  Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center;

September 27, 2007 – Wendy Timblin and Chris Marsh

September 28, 2007 – Stacy Ricciotti and Jarrod Hendricks

Person in charge:  Wendy Timblin

Cost to district:  -0-

Guidance:  Clearfield County Career Fair, Clearfield, PA; October 4, 2007

Cost to district:  Three buses and subs - $170.00  Person in charge:  Kim Struble-Hubler

International Club:  (Int.  Classrooms, Spanish Restaurant, Zoo); Pittsburgh, PA; Nov. 2, 2007

Cost to district:  Subs - $255.00.  Persons in charge:  Lori Bollinger, Colleen Viehdorfer

Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board approve the standardized testing for the K-12 program:

Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board approve the recommendation from the High School Administration that student pep rallies and assemblies are closed to the public due to security and space concerns.  Any non-school personnel required for school events will be invited by the administration.

Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board approve the letter of agreement with Cen-Clear to provide one classroom (Family Center) to the PreK Counts program and be paid a monthly stipend of $100 to help defray the costs for utilities, janitorial services and related costs.

Motion carried.

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

Propose the Board approve the Relay for Life Team as a school district organization so that they are covered by school district insurance.

Motion carried.

D.   ATHLETICS AND TRANSPORTATION:

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

Propose the Board approve the resignation of Ryan Albert as the Junior High Boys Basketball Coach.

Motion carried.

Robert Smith motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:          

Propose the Board approve the resignation of DJ Clark as Assistant Varsity Wrestling Coach.

Motion carried.

Erling Anderson motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve Mike Eirich as a volunteer Soccer Coach.

Motion carried.

Tim Eyerly motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:

Propose the Board approve Joshua Carr as a volunteer to the Cheerleading program.

Motion carried.

E.   BUDGET AND FINANCE:

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

Propose the Board approve the purchase of two RISO RZ 220 digital scanning systems for $9,576.00.  One for the high school and one for the elementary school.  Keep one current RISO operational.

Motion carried.

F.    POLICY:

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

Propose the Board approve the final reading of the following policies:

Operations:

No. 805              Emergency Preparedness

No.  806              Child/Student Abuse

No.  807   Opening Exercises/Flag Displays

Motion carried.

Correspondence:  None

Tim Eyerly motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to approve the school district using the correct addresses for the elementary and high school as was given to the school district by the GIS Department (911 Addressing Service).  All packages will be delivered to the appropriate area such as elementary, high school and administrative wing.  Individual roll call:  Robert Smith – yes; Erling Anderson – yes; Mary Ann Couteret – yes; Larry Cowder – yes; Anna Mae Pezzulla – yes; Larry Allen – no; Tom Veres – yes; Tim Eyerly – yes; Ron Mollura – yes.  8 yes, 1 no.   Motion carried.

Old Business:

A discussion was held on the elimination of one cook position in the elementary cafeteria.  Anna Mae Pezzulla pointed out that the Board was using the Assessment Management Study performed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a tool.  The study suggested that a position could be eliminated because of the number of lunches versus manpower.

Robert Smith motioned, Larry Cowder seconded, to eliminate one cook position in the Elementary Cafeteria.  Effective September 26, 2007 substitutes will no longer be called for the cook position.

Motion carried.

New Business:

Daisi Eyerly reiterated that the Board should review the current policies on travel and use and abide by those policies.

Trent Yarrison, WBEA President, stated that the union usually has two or three members of their Executive Committee at the meeting and they are available to answer any questions that the Board may have.  He also asked the Board if a copy of the Management Assessment Study performed by the state could be made available to the staff.  Tim Eyerly suggested that a CD be obtained from the state and put on the district web site.  Dr. Multhauf will hand out the report.  Mr. Yarrison also requested permission from the Board for the teachers to have some activities for school spirit.  Items suggested were free hot chocolate and tee shirts.  The WBEA will reimburse the booster club for monies lost during the activities.

Jeff Ennis addressed the Board asking if the district still had an Act 48 Committee and their role in planning for staff development at West Branch. He questioned whether they had any input into the curriculum since it was set up as a teacher run organization.   He also spoke about the address situation at West Branch.  He gave an example of an emergency call to the school and whether or not time would be lost if only one address existed and the emergency was at the other end of the building.   He stated that using the addresses assigned by the GIS office, the mail could now be sorted to the elementary and high school and would not have to be manually sorted in one spot.  He also stressed to the Board that the 911 addresses were not set up by the Postal Service but 911 because of emergencies.  He then asked Dr. Multhauf about how the system worked at Mo Valley, having the mail sorted directly to each building by the Postal Service.  Dr. Multhauf said she did not remember that the mail was delivered already sorted to each facility.  She did remember that she had phoned Jeff at the Post Office to ask that that service be provided and that he refused the service to Mo Valley.

Ron Mollura motioned, Anna Mae Pezzulla seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Miriam Ennis

Board Secretary