WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MORRISDALE, PA
REGULAR MEETING March 26, 2007
The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held in the high school library on March 26, 2007 at 7:08 p.m.
Members present: Ronald Mollura; Anna Mae Pezzulla; Tom Veres; Larry Allen; Timothy Eyerly; Robert Smith; Mary Ann Couteret. Members absent: Larry Cowder-working out of town.
Others present: Arleen P. Multhauf, D.Ed., Superintendent; William Hayward, Elementary Principal; Sean Wechtenhiser, High School Principal; David Consiglio, Solicitor; Paul Carr, Business Manager; Jamie Bumbarger, The Progress; Miriam Ennis, Board Secretary; Leah Carr, Student Government Representative; Lori Bell; Jeff Ennis; Pat Gongaware; Karen Williams; Holly Petriskey; Michelle Turner; Stefanie Sattesahn; Cindy Bock; Fred Martin; Jackie Zimmerman; Karen Bosak; Holly Michael; Trent Yarrison; Allison Koleno; Lynn Brewer; Ellen Smith; Chris Kopchik; Steph Kopchik; Joe Kovalcin; Spencer Folmar; Kristin Remp; Jane Catanzaro; Preston Raymond; Kim A. Eyerly; Laura Coble; Gerald L. Coble
Leah Carr, Student Government:
· West Side Story will be held March 30, 31 and April 1.
· Jazz Band has been practicing for a concert.
· PSSA Testing was held March 13, 14 & 15 for grades 7, 8 and 11.
· Engineering Club is preparing for the Robotics Challenge competition.
· Track and Field held a scrimmage March 22 and the first meet will be March 24 at Bald Eagle.
· Softball had a scrimmage on March 24. The game for today was postponed.
· Baseball’s game was postponed for today and is rescheduled for March 22.
Jackie Zimmerman, Life Skills Teacher showed a video of her class that was aired on WJAC-TV “Success by Six” featuring her students. Ron Mollura reiterated that he and Erling Anderson were very impressed with both Life Skill Classrooms.
Ron Mollura, Board President, announced that the Recognition of Visitors would be at the end of the meeting.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the minutes of February 19 and February 26, 2007 as presented.
Motion carried.
Administrative Reports:
Dr. Multhauf -
· No Report
Mr. Wechtenhiser -
· No Report
Mrs. Fernburg –
· The sixth and seventh grade enrichment students qualified to attend the state competition of the Odyssey of the Mind to be held in Altoona on Saturday, April 14. The students placed second in their problem and division.
Mr. Carr –
· No Report
CIU – Anna Mae Pezzulla
· The Central Intermediate Unit passed their budget. Kerry Bloom, CIU Director, will send the budget to the board for approval.
· Scott Etter, CIU Solicitor, will send the district a letter on new information regarding clearances.
CCCTC – Larry Allen
· No Report
Tom Veres asked about check number 32028. The district contracts with Curwensville School District for the services of Renee Weible for Speech and Language part-time.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the Treasurer’s Reports, General Fund at $258,321.07 and Cafeteria bills at $40,413.21 as presented. Individual roll call: Tom Veres - yes; 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, 0 no.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve payment of $7,805.00, which is one-half of invoice to Atlas Neon Sign Corporation for the electronic sign.
Motion carried.
Discussion was held on the school calendar for 2007-08. Tim Eyerly suggested November 28, 2007 as a day off for the students because of a high number of absences for buck season. After discussing the issue, the Board decided to leave the calendar as presented.
A. PERSONNEL:
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve tenure for Jaimy Buck.
Propose the Board approve advertising for a Special Education teacher replacement.
Propose the Board approve hiring Theresa Dunlap as Cafeteria Monitor for four (4) hours, school days only.
Propose the Board approve the hiring of Sue Betts and Jennifer Brickley as Junior Class Advisors. The stipend will be prorated and shared equally.
Propose the Board approve the following substitute. All paperwork has been received.
Larry Gallaher – Custodial
Propose the Board approve Gerald White as Varsity Club Advisor.
Motion carried.
B. PROGRAM:
David Consiglio, Solicitor, is still in negotiations with NutriKids concerning the on-line access for payment and parent monitoring of student lunch accounts. Tim Eyerly would like the opportunity to review the contract.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to defer the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the agreement with NutriKids to provide on-line access for parents to monitor children’s lunch accounts and provide fee-based credit card payment.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve the 2007-2008 calendar.
Propose the Board approve a Senior Prom for the Community on Sunday, May 20, 2007, at 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., old gym, sponsored by the Junior Class.
Propose the Board approve the following field trip request:
Teen Court: Clearfield County Courthouse; May 8, 2007
Persons in charge: Joe Matson & Adam Carr Cost to district: Subs – $170.00 and one school
bus
Sr. High Student Government: District 6 Conf., Johnstown, PA; April 13, 2007
Persons in charge: Crystal Gay & Jackie Zimmerman Cost to district: Sub – $85.00
Light Your World: Second Mile Leadership Institute; April 1 - 4, 2007
Person in charge: Kim Hunter Cost to district: Subs – 255.00 and one school van
Third & Fourth Grade: Beauty and the Beast, Jaffa Mosque, Altoona, PA; May 8, 2007
Persons in charges: Michele Koleno, Cheri Cantolina, Stephanie MacTavish, Rebecca Houser,
Barb Spencer, Stacy Ricciotti, Christina Onuskanich, Wendy Timblin, Tara Crain
Propose the Board approve the following workshop requests:
Classrooms for the Future Grant Information Workshops: Pittsburgh PATTAN; March 27, 2007
Sean Wechtenhiser: No cost to district
Machine Safety Update/New Machinery Integration: Penn Tech College, Williamsport, PA; March 14, 2007
Gary Bickel: Sub – 85.00. Cost to district: $85.00 PROFESSIONAL DAY
RTI/SRA Training: Central Intermediate Unit 10; March 14, 2007
Jane McDowell: Sub – 42.50. Cost to district: $42.50 ACCESS FUNDS/DISTRICT REQUEST
Rebecca Houser: Sub – 42.50. Cost to district: $42.50 ACCESS FUNDS/DISTRICT REQUEST
Hank Wilson: Sub – 42.50. Cost to district: $42.50 ACCESS FUNDS/DISTRICT REQUEST
PASA Board of Governors’ Meeting: Harrisburg, PA; March 29 & 30, 2007
Arleen P. Multhauf: No cost to district
Tech. and the Laws Social Networking & Cyber Bullying: State College, PA; March 27, 2007
Jeremy Craven: No cost to district. (Going in place of Sean Wechtenhiser)
PA Ed. Policy & Leadership Conference: Camp Hill, PA; March 29 & 30, 2007
Karen Kochkodin: Reg. fee – 129.00; motel – 230.00 (for all three people) DIST. REQ.*
Barbara Spencer: Reg. fee – 129.00; sub – 170.00. DISTRICT REQUEST*
Janice Walker: Reg. fee – 129.00; sub – 170.00. DISTRICT REQUEST*
TOTAL COST TO DISTRICT: $957.00 *One will be professional day
2007 PASE Conference: Bedford, PA; April 27, 2007
Dave Learish: Reg. fee – 95.00; sub – 85.00. Cost to district: $180.00 PROFESSIONAL DAY
Childhood Developmental Disorders: Altoona, PA; March 26, 2007
Cheri Cantolina: Reg. fee – 149.00; sub – 85.00. Cost to district: $234.00 ACCESS FUNDS/PROF. DAY
Rebecca Houser: Reg. fee – 149.00; sub – 85.00. Cost to district: $234.00 ACCESS FUNDS/DIST. REQ.
Michele Koleno: Reg. fee – 149.00; sub – 85.00. Cost to district: $234.00 ACCESS FUNDS/DIST. REQ.
Stephanie MacTavish: Reg. fee – 149.00; sub – 85.00. Cost to district: $234.00 ACCESS FDS/PROF. DAY
School Safety and Preventing School Violence Update: Pittsburgh, PA; April 17, 2007
Sean Wechtenhiser: Reg. fee – 145.00. Total cost: $145.00
Rigor and Relevance for All High School Students: Hershey, PA; April 4, 2007
Sean Wechtenhiser: No cost to district
Inc. the Effectiveness of Paraprofessionals/Classroom Teachers: State College; April 18, 2007
Elizabeth Wood: Reg. fee - 175.00; sub – 85.00. Total cost: $260.00 ACCESS/DIST. REQ.
Adele Williams: Reg. fee - 175.00; sub – 85.00. Total cost: $260.00 ACCESS/DIST. REQ.
Sarah Ewing: Reg. fee – 175.00; sub – 85.00. Total cost: $260.00 ACCESS/PROF. DAY
Sue Betts: Reg. fee – 175.00; sub – 85.00. Total cost: $260.00. ACCESS/PROF. DAY
Markay Evans: Reg. fee – 175.00. Total cost: $175.00. Total cost: $175.00 ACCESS
Cindy Michaels: Reg. fee – 175.00. Total cost: $175.00 ACCESS
Brenda Fye: Reg. fee – 175.00. Total cost: $175.00 ACCESS
Shirley Moslak: Reg. fee – 175.00. Total cost: $175.00 ACCESS
Propose the Board approve a Senior Project for three students to paint window panels at the concession stand.
Motion carried.
C. ATHLETICS AND TRANSPORTATION:
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the transportation contract addendum that requires all transportation contractors notify the school district immediately if a driver is convicted of a crime.
Propose the Board approve opening the Girls’ Basketball Varsity, Junior Varsity and Junior High coaching positions.
Propose the Board increase the varsity football admission prices from $3.00 adult and $1.00 student to $4.00 adult and $2.00 student.
Propose the Board approve Dennis Arnold as volunteer to Softball.
Propose the Board approve the Cheerleader Handbook.
ADDENDUM:
Propose the Board approve the use of van #103 by the CCCTC students and their advisors who are attending the motorcycle building competition in Minnesota. The insurance carrier and school solicitor have been notified.
Motion carried.
The Personnel Committee will set up a date to begin negotiations of the wages and benefits for the aides and monitors. The Personnel Committee consists of the following members: Tom Veres, Robert Smith, Larry Cowder and Ron Mollura as Ex-Officio member.
Dr. Multhauf presented the Board with the new workshop request and travel form that she revised. Anna Mae Pezzulla would like the form to include the reason that the school vehicle is not being used.
The Board discussed the boys' and girls’ lavatories by the high school auditorium being locked during the school day because of lack of supervision in that area. The restrooms will be unlocked for athletic events and the spring musical. The Board discussed giving the Special Education Department a key for use when meetings are being held. Dr. Multhauf asked if the Special Education Department would be responsible for any damage if it should occur when they have the key.
Ron Mollura expressed concern over a recent observation that the garage door of the school on the field house side was open on a Saturday. He would like a memo sent out to staff concerning doors being left open and the person or organization in charge will be held responsible.
The building use request by outside groups of the auditorium will be referred to the Buildings and Grounds Committee. The Buildings and Grounds Committee will also discuss the placement of the electronic sign in front of the school. Larry Allen will contact Robert Lutz who has requested to be involved in the placement. The sign will be delivered in approximately 8 to 10 weeks.
Tim Eyerly requested that the workshop request form be brought back to the Board for voting after Dr. Multhauf makes the revisions.
Budget meetings will be held April 17, 30 and May 1 & 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the high school library.
Executive Session for Personnel was held at 7:50 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 9:05 p.m.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to defer the following motion:
Propose the Board terminate employee #508 effective March 13, 2007.
Motion carried.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the installation of time clocks in each school office for use by all hourly employees that do not punch time clocks elsewhere.
Motion carried.
Paul Carr will price new time clocks. Additional time clocks will be installed in the elementary and high school offices.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board accept the resignation of Jennifer Lannen as Jr. Class Advisor immediately.
Motion carried.
Correspondence: None
Old Business:
· Advertising of High School Music Teacher
Larry Allen motioned, Tim Eyerly seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve advertising for a high school music teacher to start at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year.
Motion carried.
New Business: None
Recognition of Visitors:
Trent Yarrison, President, West Branch Education Association. He appreciated the Board voting to approve the tenure. He also discussed the grievance by the support staff and teachers’ unions concerning the micro managing of the staff by the Board. The school board is to broadly oversee issues. He is happy to hear from the Audit that “West Branch is financially sound”.
Holly Michael, West Branch Education Association, would like the Board to consider a reasonable budget. She thanked the Board for advertising for the Music position that is vacant.
Kristin Remp, Karthaus Township – she requested a van cost for Askey Road. Ron Mollura responded that the run would be left as was voted on by the Board.
Anna Mae Pezzulla motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Miriam Ennis
Board Secretary