Notes from last evening's Octorara Area School District Board of director's meeting.
These notes are NOT an official transcript of the meeting, rather just one hard-of-hearing person's notes of the discussions, comments and presentation made at the meeting.
A link to the formal meeting minutes will be published once they are posted presumably later this week.
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OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
May 9, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Middle School Multi-Purpose Room
DISCUSSION GUIDE
1. Lord’s Prayer
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
3. Roll Call
8 of 9 board members present. Board Member Nelson Stolzfus absent.
4. Presentations:
A. Budget Update
Not a lot to report. Final numbers will be ready on Friday. Not far off from the 4/14/2011 memo sent to board members.
You’ll see on the agenda another furlough, a furlough that is included in the budget plan.
There will be another retirement which I’ll share with you next week
Those are the high points.
The budget you will be voting on next week is the final budget. There will be changes between now and the final vote in June.
A board member asked ‘What’s going on in Harrisburg?’ Dr. Newcome responded saying our numbers won’t change that much. He continued, there’s talk about block grants being put back in which would mean a $100,000 gain for the district. Our Basic Ed funding may be reduced back to 2008-2009 levels which would take us back $16,000. Estimated .1 (round number) difference in the Chester County millage rate.
Question by a board member: What if we didn’t wait on Harrisburg and used more of our fund balance to bring Lancaster county rates down? Dr. Newcome response was not clear.
Board President Bowman stated she would support taking another $100,000 from the fund balance to lessen the tax burden and continue to look at cost savings. She went on to say the board’s target is two months worth of operating cost in the fund balance in case we need it in an emergency.
Bob Hume indicated the vote next week is not a final budget but can be changed between now and June when the final budget is voted on.
Board member Sam Ganow asked Dr. Newcome if he was confident that the changes will be made in Harrisburg to the Governor’s budget? Dr. Newcome responded, I’m more confident about the Basic Ed funding than I am on the block grant. All legislators of both parties don’t like the governor’s budget and want to make changes.
Board member John Malone voiced concern about wiping out the fund balance.
Board Member Sam Ganow stated depleting the fund balance makes sense to me.
Dr. Newcome wrapped up the budget discussion by asking board members to let him know if there are other areas they think he should work on.
Board member John McCarthy expressed a desire to be cautious about depleting the fund because of the unknown coming out of Harrisburg.
Board member Brian Norris stated Lancaster County would be hardest hit by this budget and expressed a hope something could be done to get the number (meaning tax rate) in Lancaster County down.
Dr. Newcome followed up by saying he would look at the numbers both way, with and without the additional $100K fund balance in the mix and bring both estimates to the board next week.
Bob Hume made it clear the Board has no control over the difference between Lancaster and Chester county tax rates and stated he personally feels that our taxes are more of a burden than what many can bear. He concluded his remarks by emphatically stating in his opinion ‘the fund balance is the tax payer’s money.’
5. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
None Made
6. Information Items:
A. Ms. Connie Good will transfer from secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education to building secretary at the Octorara Intermediate School effective May 16, 2011. (Replacing Nancy Hess who resigned.)
No discussion
7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the May 16, 2011 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resolution for the Proposed Final General Fund Budget for the 2011-2012 school year.
No discussion
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors elect ___________ as Board Treasurer from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
Board President Bowman expressed a desire that Board Member and current Treasurer John Malone continue in that role.
C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Policy 609 Investments and Policy 620 Fund Balance, second reading.
No discussion
D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of current Class of 2011 seniors of the Octorara Area High School, having been individually considered for graduation by the Octorara Board of School Directors, contingent upon their successful completion of all local and state requirements.
No discussion
E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the furlough of Mr. Anthony Commale
No discussion
F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors authorize the administration to develop and file applications for external funding for the 2011-2012 fiscal year under the following federal programs:
Title I – Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEA’s
Title II (A) – Improving Teacher Quality
Title III – Improving Language Instruction Programs
Dr. Newcome: Just for the record, these come through every year. Just need board approval.
G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve bid awards for the 2011-2012 school year as per attached summary for:
· Art Supplies $10,690.80
· Industrial Arts/Vo-Ag Supplies $10,713.45
· Science Supplies $4,553.50
· Copy & Computer Paper $32,433.08
· Technology Bid $2,000.12
· TOTAL: $60,390.95
No discussion
Resignation Approvals:
H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Mr. Thomas Hurley as boys’ junior varsity soccer coach effective April 21, 2011. (Hired August 2008.)
No discussion
Hiring Approvals:
I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the employment of the following AP Test Proctors at the rate of $30.00 per hour for ten hours each:
Edward Golden
Maria Hoff
Dr. Newcome told the board the numbers don’t add up, that he would revise this proposal in time for next week’s meeting.
J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Aimee Blochberger as a mentor for Ms. Gail Bolger effective April 26, 2011 through June 14, 2011 at a stipend of $200.
Board Member Sam Ganow asked how much would the stipend be for a full year? Dr. Newcome did some quick math and replied $1,150.
K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following staff changes in the Summer Literacy Program:
Sandy Evans - change from teacher to substitute teacher at the rate of $22 per hour.
Sarah Callaway – add as a substitute teacher at the rate of $22 per hour.
No discussion
L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute support personnel for the 2010-2011 school year:
Deborah Shank (Cafeteria, clerical, instructional assistant)
No discussion
8. Facilities Committee Report – Delivered by Dr. Newcome
· High school project is 92% complete, gearing up for the summer work
· Trying to get the auditorium roof sealed in time for rain this weekend
· Gym flooring – sub flooring was in in bad shape and was replaced
· Roof scoping – have a final bid and plan to move forward
· Asbestos in high school terrazzo floor. Won’t grind this summer. Instead will try to restore and leave it. Trying to avoid major project and costs
· Intermediate school water issues. Still looking at the problem. Trying to figure out what is wrong
· Some wind damage at the Middle School may not be fixed until fall
· Custodial outsourcing. We received a summary of the proposals at the facilities committee earlier this evening. Service Master was low bid with projected savings of 770K over four years. It will be the recommendation of the committee that the custodial services be outsourced.
9. Other Items/Concerns
None expressed
10. Visitors’ Comments – General
A resident stated his disappointment at hearing the board intended to outsource the district’s custodial function stating the men and women of the custodial team did a wonderful job, these were important jobs to the keep in the district and that outsourcing them went against the values and culture of the district.
A resident asked about an update on full day kindergarten. Dr. Newcome stated there would be 2 full and 2 half-day classes.
11. Administrator Comments/Announcements
Intermediate School - 23 students attend the cc reading Olympics, two teams, both teams came away with blue ribbons. The top award for the event.
Prom is May 27th
Graduation is June 10th
12. Board Comments
Concerts – HS chorus and band had a concert that both went well. Thursday OES and OIS chorus concert on the soccer field. Staging the concert on the soccer field allows as many people to attend as possible.
President Bowman and John Malone struggled with the decision to outsource the custodial services. President Bowman stated this was an economic reality. John Malone stated he continued to struggles with the concept.
Bob Hume argued for a FRR policy – family rest and relaxation. The week is hectic, Saturday is busy. Sunday morning should be free of activity at the school.
Bob Hume suggested a parking fee for staff. Doesn’t know where they would park other than the lots but other people have to pay for parking when they work in West Chester, why not the Octorara staff?
13. Adjournment
Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, May 9, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Executive Session for personnel – Monday, May 9, 2011 – Following the Work
Session in the Octorara District Office Conference Room
Finance/Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, May 16, 2011 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, May 16, 2011– 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room
2 comments:
Bob Hume and Sam Ganow seem to be the only board members with some common sense. Why shouldn't teachers have to pay to park!? Why not use the fund balance, it is our money?!
Our "new" Intermediate school is STILL leaking (and has since it was completed).....The Middle School has more wind damage that we aren't going to fix until fall? Why? But boy does that front of that high school look pretty!!!
Also wondering about the "crowding" issue that was discussed several years ago. We can't be that crowded if the YMCA is renting the old KG wing at the elementary school.
I think it's a pretty dumb idea to charge teachers to park. He brings up West Chester. I went to college in West Chester, and I work there now. I have never had to pay one dime for parking. I did not have free parking at the college either, it was all on the street. Do you think that by making the teachers pay for parking, that they're not just going to request that much more of a pay increase when their contract expires?
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