WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MORRISDALE, PA
REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 22, 2006
The regular meeting of the West Branch Area School District Board of Directors was held in the high school library on August 22, 2006, at 7:15 p.m.
Members present: Anna Mae Pezzulla; Ronald Mollura; Tom Veres; Larry Allen; Robert Smith; Mary Ann Couteret; Erling Anderson. Members absent: Timothy Eyerly; Larry Cowder
Arleen P. Multhauf, D.Ed., Superintendent; William Hayward, Elementary Principal; Sean Wechtenhiser, High School Principal; Wendy Fernburg, Supervisor of Special Education; Miriam Ennis, Board Secretary; Scott Etter, Solicitor; Jamie Bumbarger, The Progress; Shari Buck; Lori Bell; Rhonda Trude; Taylor Trude; Kristine Kolesar; Julie Houston; Debbie Perks; Terry Parks; Ellen Smith; Steven Condo; Donald C. Murray, Sr., Holly Michael; William Thompson; Chad Koleno; Karen Williams; Cheryl Green; Lynn Brewer; William Amick; Karen Bosak; Jeff Eyet; Theresa Dunlap; Joe Kovalcin; Jeff Ennis; Preston Raymond
Les Bear, financial advisor of Arthurs, Lestrange & Company, Inc., provided the board an overview of the Taxpayer Relief Act or Act 1 of 2006. This law uses gaming revenue to fund education. Mr. Bear explained that Act 1 shifts taxes from property to income tax. The voters will be asked at the next election to decide whether they want to raise the earned-income tax or personal income tax and use the revenue to cut property taxes. The school district is required to appoint a tax study commission. The commission will be studying the present tax system also well as the future and make a recommendation on the referendum to the school board. The commission will take effect September 14, 2006 and will hold at least one public hearing. The board must give preliminary approval of the referendum by January and adopt a resolution for the ballot question by March 13, 2007.
Chad Koleno, head football coach, spoke to the Board concerning naming the field house the “Ralph Ventreso Memorial Field House”. Mr. Ventresco was a head coach, school board president, teacher and principal at West Branch. Mr. Koleno has spoken to people in the community, they support this, and a senior would like to put a stone in place as a senior project. There would be no cost to the district. Ron Mollura stated that he had respect for Mr. Ventresco but it would not be fair since there were other persons in the community that contributed their time to constructing the field house and football field.
Chris Kolesar, parent, spoke to the Board concerning the seventh grade Junior High Girls’ Basketball not having any home games scheduled. The parents were told that it was cut in the budget process. The parents could not locate this motion when searching the minutes from past meetings. Ron Mollura said that the Board did not cut games from Jr. High Girls’ or Boys’ Basketball. Mary Ann Couteret produced a copy of the cuts Mr. Carr was to make in the Athletic Budget and those games were not one of the cuts. The Board recommended that the games be scheduled for girls and boys.
Robert Smith motioned, Ron Mollura motioned, to approve the minutes of July 24, 2006, as presented.
Mr. Hayward –
· Kindergarten orientation will be held August 28, 2006, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm in the elementary all-purpose room.
Mrs. Fernburg –
· Provided Access information to the Board.
Dr. Multhauf –
· Elementary and High School Cafeteria hours were given to the Board for 2006-2007 and the high school is reverting to three (3) lunches.
Mr. Wechtenhiser – No Report
CIU – No Report
CCCTC –
· The Career Center would need approval from the home districts to install a fresh air system in the welding class. This system will cost approximately $1,700 per year for West Branch but would be a better system.
· Cyber School students cannot attend the Career and Technology Center.
Tom Veres motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve installing the fresh air intake system at the Career Center.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Robert Smith motioned, Ron Mollura seconded, to approve the Treasurer’s Reports as presented.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Ron Mollura motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the General Fund bills for $412,275.05 and the Cafeteria bills for $12,755.03.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Larry Allen asked the Board if the school district would have to return any grant money since the district will no longer have the middle school concept. Grant money was not used and the sixth grade was moved to the high school so that the district could receive more money from the construction fund.
A. BOARD:
Ron Mollura motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board hire Arthurs, Lestrange & Company, Inc. at a cost of $2500 for data analysis required for the Tax Study Commission. Les Bear is our representative.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
B. PERSONNEL:
Ron Mollura motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve Greg Modzel as day shift elementary custodian.
Propose the Board approve Cindy Gormont do the substitute calling for the high school at the rate of ½-hour pay per day times 177 school days per year.
Propose the Board approve Cindy Gormont’s start date for full-time secretary as July 25, 2006.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Ron Mollura motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve advertising for a hearing interpreter.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Robert Smith motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board accept the resignation of Erin Fenton, English teacher, effective at the end of the 60-day contractual period.
Propose the Board approve the following substitutes pending submission of the required paperwork:
Jennifer McDonald - Science
Natalie Coleman – English
Michael Wowk – Music
Ronald Fetcho – Custodian, Cafeteria Monitoring
Sherry Wills – Cafeteria Monitor, Classroom Aide
Mary Homman – Cafeteria Monitor, Personal Care Aide, Classroom Aide
Jennifer Coval – Cafeteria Monitor, Personal Care Aide, Classroom Aide
Kathryn Shope – Secretarial, Cafeteria
Propose the Board hire Susan Zimmerman for personal care aide for a student as needed.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
C. PROGRAM:
Ron Mollura motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the following workshop requests:
SBAP Fall Training (Medical Access): Toftrees, State College, PA; September 22, 2006
Wendy Fernburg: No cost to district
Ellen Smith: No cost to district
PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference: Hershey, PA; October 10 – 13, 2006
William J. Hayward: Reg. fee – 295.00; Motel – 480.00. Total cost: $775.00
Wendy Fernburg: Reg. fee - $295.00; Motel – 480.00. Total cost: $775.00
The Nature of Autism: Central Intermediate Unit; August 25; Sept. 26; Nov. 8 and Dec. 13, 2006
Amanda McCartney: Reg. fee – 30.00. Total cost: $30.00
Autism Select Team Training: Central Intermediate Unit; August 24, October 4, Nov. 2 and Dec. 1, 2006
Susan Betts: Sub – 255.00
Elizabeth Wood: Sub – 255.00
Deb Galley: Sub – 255.00
Holly Michael: Sub – 255.00
Laurie Josephson: Sub – 255.00
Team Fee for all participants: 400.00
TOTAL: $1,675.00
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Open house date: Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Elementary 6:00 – 7:30 pm
High School 7:00 – 8:30 pm
D. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:
Ron Mollura motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve the Preventative Maintenance HVAC Proposal from McClure Mechanical Services for $9,978 for semi-annual inspections, which include coil cleaners, lubricants, miscellaneous consumables, labor truck and tool charge, refrigerant handling/disposal and guaranteed two (2) hour response time 24 hours/day, 365 days/year for three (3) years.
Propose the Board approve the exoneration for 2006 school taxes and all future years for map #121-T04-606-0009. This request was received from the Karthaus Volunteer Fire Company to remove the former William Flegal property from the tax rolls and will be in effect as long as property is used by the Karthaus Volunteer Fire Company for their purposes.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
E. ATHLETICS AND TRANSPORTATION:
Robert Smith motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board hire David L. Williamson as Athletic Director as per the WBASD/WBAEA contractual stipend.
Propose the Board approve the following volunteer coach pending receipt of all necessary paperwork:
Ryan Bickel – Football
F. POLICY:
1. Propose the Board approve the final reading of the following policies:
Programs:
No. 112 – Guidance Counseling
No. 127 – Assessment of Educational Program
No. 130 – Homework
Pupils:
No. 218 – Student Discipline
No. 220 – Student Expression/Distribution and Posting of Materials
No. 221 – Dress and Grooming
No. 233 – Suspension and Expulsion
No. 235 – Student Rights/Surveys
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Ron Mollura motioned, Erling Anderson seconded to approve the list of Local Tax Study
Commission Volunteers and effective date of September 14, 2006 as follows:
Bill Amick Theresa Dunlap
Lori Bell George Holenchik
Steven Condo Wally Kephart
Don Murray
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
ADDENDUM:
PERSONNEL:
Ron Mollura motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board approve the hours for elementary and high school cafeteria personnel pending review by the Business Manager.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Ron Mollura motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to approve the following motion:
Propose the Board accept the resignation of David Williamson as Assistant Junior High Football coach.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Robert Smith motioned, Tom Veres seconded, to approve the following motions:
Propose the Board approve Curtis Quick as Assistant Junior High Football coach pending receipt of required paperwork.
Propose the Board approve the substitutes listed below pending submission of required paperwork:
Tammy Finney – Cafeteria, Cafeteria Monitor
Tracy Ray - Cafeteria, Cafeteria Monitor
Theresa Dunlap – Cafeteria Monitor, Personal Care Aide, Classroom Aide, Secretarial
Jennifer Coval – Cafeteria
Carol Barton – Cafeteria Monitor, Personal Care Aides, Classroom Aides, Secretarial
Sherry Wills – Cafeteria
Elizabeth Yurky – Secretarial
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Robert Smith motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to delete Theresa Dunlap from the substitute list because she will be serving on the Local Tax Study Commission.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Propose the Board approve Mary Homan as a Personal Care Aide for a student as needed.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
A discussion was held on paying Leonard S. Fiore, the general contractor on the high school building and renovation project. The district owes Fiore $93,941.65. The district is to send the Scott Etter, solicitor, a copy of the punch list so that the solicitor can review and make a recommendation. Mr. Etter stated that he was at a meeting six months ago and the board was going over the same issue. The solicitor suggested that a resolution be reached in this matter so that the district can move on to other matters and stay away from litigation.
Correspondence: None
Old Business: Ronald Mollura addressed the following items
· A discussion was held on the Jr. High Cheerleader Advisor position. The Head Varsity Advisor is in charge of the cheerleaders until the Jr. High Cheerleader position is filled.
· After a discussion, the Board recommended that the dental portion of the aides insurance be restored to them and their dependents at no cost to the aides. The Board said that they had never meant to charge the aides for dental insurance. The only portion mentioned was the Major Medical.
· The Board asked the status of the number of hours that Lance Bunnell has been used. Dr. Multhauf said that the district is utilizing Mr. Bunnell on an as needed basis at the rate of $18.00 per hour.
Ron Mollura motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to restore the dental insurance to employee and family for the aides as per 2005-2006 year status.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
The Board will be conducting interviews on August 22, 2006 for Math and August 25, 2006 for a technology coordinator at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Conference room. A meeting will be held at 9:30 on Friday, August 25, 2006.
Mary Ann Couteret asked if anything was done concerning the vacant English position. She has a friend, Alice Wilson, who is certified in English. The Board decided to place Alice Wilson in that position until interviews can be held.
Robert Smith motioned, Erling Anderson seconded, to rescind the following motion made earlier in the evening.
Propose the Board accept the resignation of Erin Fenton, English teacher, effective at the end of the 60-day contractual period.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
Robert Smith motioned, Mary Ann Couteret seconded, to accept the resignation of Erin Fenton effective August 21, 2006.
Voice roll call: unanimous approval
New Business: None
Terry Parks questioned the Board as to their qualifications to interview a Math teacher or Technology Coordinator. She is concerned that the Board is not including teachers or administration in the process and would like to know if there is a statute concerning hiring practices by the Board. Scott Etter, Solicitor, responded that there is no statute and the Board can choose the method of hiring. The question was raised as to when the Board decided to change the hiring practice. Anna Mae Pezzulla responded that it was decided at a committee meeting and not by majority vote. The Board is concerned about the hiring of friends and relatives.
Lori Bell, parent questioned the Board why they would not be using a point system as in the past. Anna Mae Pezzulla responded that Dr. Multhauf would be giving the Board a list of questions.
Jeff Ennis questioned the status of hiring a long-term substitute for a sabbatical in the high school.
Joe Kovalcin asked the Board to reconsider the request of Chad Koleno to name the field house in honor of Ralph Ventresco.
Larry Allen motioned to name the field house in honor of Ralph Ventresco. The motion died for a lack of a second.
Lori Bell asked the Board if they would reconsider if the community presented a petition.
Executive session for Personnel will be held after the meeting.
Ron Mollura motioned, Robert Smith seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Miriam Ennis
Board Secretary