OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WORK SESSION
June 13, 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
All present
4. Presentations:
A. Budget
Mr. Carsley provided an update on the budget
The 2011-12 budget is $45,757,000 a $269,000 reduction from last year’s budget
Using $736K in fund balance monies
Changes since the last budget presentation
Act 93 group, administrators gave $29K back in salary increases on top of the $29K already offered
Support staff increases – all of our 12 month support staff will not see an increase this year
Custodial pay, outsourced and restructuring allowed us to save $14K
Custodial supplies, won’t need the supplies due to outsourcing, a savings of $29K
Potential savings opportunities:
$50,000K saving in building budget
$20,000 savings in police presence in the morning and afternoon on highland road. This has some challenges and were still working out.
These potential numbers are not reflected in the budget yet
Various scenarios were discussed including taxing at the index rate versus no tax increase.
Dr. Newcome, What we have is a budget with an average increase of $24 in Chester County and $34 in Lancaster County
Nelson Stolzfus asked if the number for potential savings were included would the number be less. The response is we need a total of $135K in savings to get to zero percent increase in Chester County.
Dr. Newcome tells the board he will not recommend the total elimination of the police presence. He will recommend police presence in the afternoon be retained.
John McCarthy asks what happens if we run out of money 2 or 3 years down the road? Kids and teachers are the big losers. Mr. McCarthy asks rhetorically who the winners are? No answer.
Board President Lisa Bowman said there are a lot of losers in this budget. We can’t keep doing this. The leaner the school district the sooner it is going to reach the point where the cuts are cutting into basic education. There’s not a whole lot we can take away without impacting basic education. We have to decide tonight what we want to vote on next week. Any suggestions? Lets thank the Act 93 group of administrators for foregoing their pay increase.
Dr. Newcome stated the state budget hasn’t been settled yet so we don’t know the true numbers. There’s talk about additional monies for education being added to the budget. Those conversations are not reflected in the we have before us this evening. I would hate to include them before the numbers are finalized at the state.
President Bowman asks the board for direction
Brian Norris, I personally don’t think we can go any lower. We’re in a tough spot.
Bob Hume, we talk about the problems we have in the school, we don’t want to forget to problems people have who are supporting the schools. Not many people understand our challenge. Its not right here. Almost immoral! 10-12% of our budget is to make up what the legislators have taken away from us. It’s a shame. So many things we are missing. A good student will do fine. We can’t give them the help that they need. Our situation is almost sickening. The penalty our students are paying are unconscionable.
Nelson Stolzfus – we have to congratulate the admin for getting us to where we are. I can support the budget as it is.
Bob Hume calls for a zero percent increase.
Bob asks if the state does come up with funds, can the budget be reopend? Yes it could but we have to send tax bills out on July 1st.
5. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only
Tom Seth – to add to what Mr. Hume has already said, act 319, the states obligation cited the state constitution. Called for the district to demand the State live up to the state constitution. Also called for the teachers to pay more for their benefits package.
No other comments
6. Information Items:
A. Ms. Susan Thieroff will transfer from Accounts Payable Clerk to secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. (Replacing Connie Good who transferred.)
7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the June 20, 2011 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution adopting the 2011 – 2012 General Fund Budget Expenditures in the amount of $45,757,576
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution establishing a real estate millage rate of 35.28 mills in Chester County and 28.37 mills in Lancaster County.
C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the attached resolution for the 2011-2012 Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion.
D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following financial institutions and investment firms for financial services during the 2011-2012 school year, in accordance with Section 621 of the School Code:
1. Fulton Bank-depository and investment
2. PA Local Government Investment Fund-investment only (changed)
3. RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc.-investment only
E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following list of signatories for the designated bank accounts effective July 1, 2011:
General Fund: – President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
Cafeteria Fund: – President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
Fitness Center Fund: – President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary (Required 3 signatures)
Official Imprest Fund: - Superintendent, Business Manager, High School
Mr. Ganow asked about the purpose of the fund. To pay sports officials quicker.
Principal, Asst. High School Principal, Board Secretary (Required 2 signatures)
School Activity Fund: - Building Principal, Building Asst. Principal, Business Manager (Required Business Manager signature with one counter signature)
F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the appropriate budget transfers for the year ending 2010-2011 as a result of the annual financial audit. (Note: This is a requirement for the school code to be done prior to June 30th of each fiscal year.)
G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Dr. Jeffrey Blair as the school dental consultant for the 2011-2012 school year.
H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Coatesville Dental Clinic for student dental services for the 2011-2012 school year at the rate of $96.50 per session.
I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 2011-2012 Legal Services Consultation Agreement between Sweet, Steven, Katz & Williams, LLP and the Octorara Area School District for Special Education Services.
Dr. Newcome stated just for the record this has been in place for several years. We get a lot for our money.
J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation of Ms. Winifred Moran Sebastian as Solicitor for the District effective June 30, 2011.
K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the book “Shakespeare: The World as a Stage” by Bill Bryson published by HarperCollins Publishers, copyright 2007. This book will be used as part of the ninth grade Honors English Class summer reading assignment. (A copy of the book is available for review in the District Office.)
The board always approves new books after being recommended by the teacher.
L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following lunch prices for the 2011-2012 school year:
Grades K-6 $2.20
Grades 7-12 $2.50
This is a slight change based on new regs. $.05 for K-6 student, $.10 increase for middle school student
M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change orders for the High School renovation and addition project:
Reed Assoc. #408-002 Casework Rm E109 (IU) $ 2,216.00
Lobar, Inc. #401-017 Credit for repair fiber and electric lines ($ 9,495.00)
Eastern Shore #404-005 Repairs to loading dock area $33,467.22
Bristol Env. #007-Rev Pipe Insulation Abatement $21,256.00
Sam Ganow asked about Eastern Shore why are we incurring the costs of the change when the plans were wrong?
The cost of the casework in item 1 will be reimbursed by the IU.
Resignation Approvals:
N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors accept the resignation, with regret, of Ms. Beth Hrincevich as a fourth grade teacher at the Octorara Elementary School for the purpose of retirement effective June 15, 2011. (Hired September 1, 1992.)
Hiring Approvals:
O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following night custodians for the District effective June 20, 2011:
Rick Daller at the salary of $44,239
Tom Ritter at the salary of $44,338
P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Christina Butler as Accounts Payable Clerk effective June 20, 2011 pending completion of work related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Butler’s salary will be $35,500. (Replacing Susan Thieroff who transferred.)
Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve hiring Ms. Alison Mannetta as a second grade teacher, Ms. Ashley Stoltzfus as a fourth grade teacher, and Ms. Amanda Lenton as a third grade teacher. (These individuals lost their positions with the reorganization approved in April. Due to retirements and transfers positions are now available for assignment.)
Sam Ganow asks about the wording of the action, are we rehiring them? How the motion is worded makes a difference in the contract. Dr. Newcome will examine the wording.
R. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Jason Russell as a summer intern in the Technology Department effective June 20, 2011 through August 26, 2011 pending completion of work related documents required by law and the District. Mr. Russell’s rate will be $7.80 per hour.
S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Jason Ralston as a summer painter for 40 days, 6.25 hours per day at the rate of $13.00 per hour.
T. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Patricia McLaughlin as a substitute cafeteria employee at the rate of $8.25 for the 2010-2011 school year.
U. That the Octorara board of School Directors approve the following staff changes for the Summer Literacy Program:
Kelly Doughtie - change from teacher to substitute at the rate of $22 per hour.
Scott Conaghan – add as a teacher at the rate of $30 per hour.
Jody Lewis – change from substitute to teacher at the rate of $23 per hour.
Stacey Hoopes – change from substitute to teacher at the rate of $23 per hour.
Charlotte Bridges – change from substitute to ESL support at the rate of $13 per hour.
Mr. McCarthy asked about Lewis and Hoopes, why does Mr. Conahan get the additional rate? Dr. Newcome will check. Has to do with seniority.
V. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following Summer Extended School Year Program teachers effective June 20, 2011 through July 21, 2011 at the rate of $30 per hour:
Katie Heller
Melanie Johnson
Kim Cabry
Fran Morlino
Laura Bennethum
W. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2011-2012 school year:
Mark Pedersen Girls’ Tennis Coach 7 pts @$570 $3,990
Matthew Reinert JV Girls’ Basketball Coach 6 pts @$570 $3,420
Drew Duggan Gr 5-6 Envirothon Advisor 2 pts @$570 $1,140
X. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:
Margaret Schaefer From M ($52,527) to M+15 ($57,488) Step 3
Jamie Schempp From B+15 ($72,953) to M ($77,402) Step 20
8. Facilities Committee Report
Nelson Stolzsfus stated the facilities committee met earlier this evening
Gym completed on June 5th still working on punch list
Auditorium is being worked on now, coming along nicely
We did have some problem with water coming into the band room. We have not found anything. We’re still monitoring the situation.
Change orders reviewed. The cost of the asbestos removal was 20% lower than estimated
Terrazzo flooring is still in the works. We’ll let you know. Hope to have it ready for this Fall
Water in the intermediate school. We are working on it now that school is out we hope to have it resolved
Silt fence around the driveway will be removed
Custodial outsourcing contract reviewed.
9. Other Items/Concerns
10. Visitors’ Comments – General
11. Administrator Comments/Announcements
2nd grader was a finalist in an essay contest
8th grade semi formal dance on June 3rd was a success. Organized by the parents
Dr. Newcome spoke to the school physician contract. A new contract that will be ready next week.
You will hear some discussion over the coming months what the IU will do with the CAT building in Coatesville. Our students went there for technical and career programs. A study has been done on what to do with the building. They will be asking board members for input. Dr. Newcome has a draft of the plan which he’ll share with the board and would appreciate feedback.
Dr. Newcome continued, the other piece I would like some guidance on tonight is permission from the board for the football field to use the stadium field to play Oxford on a Friday night in mid-October. Dr. Newcome is against it but wanted to get the board’s thoughts. President Bowman spoke of how diligent the football club has been on living up to their commitment. If they say they’ll clean it up they will. Is that the only game they’re asking for during the soccer season? Yes, this is the only one. How many days between the game and the next soccer game? 3 or 4 days. Brian Norris stated If there was rain that night there is no conceivable way the field could be ready. Shawna Johnson spoke in favor of letting the team play on the field. Is there a recommendation from the grounds staff? Mr. McCarthy suggested the district invest in artificial turf. Dr. Newcome stated that each field of artificial turf costs $800K each. Mr. Hume suggested we don’t want to do anything to push the soccer team out given what they’ve done for the school over many years. Brian Norris pointed out we have shared interest and we have an opportunity to do something different. Letting the football share the field could be a boost to the community. We just have to trust the football program they’ll come through on their promise.
12. Board Comments
Sam Ganow suggested it was worth exploring whether the district should bring suit against the State for lack of 319 reimbursement.
President Bowman spoke about lobbying the district has done with our representatives in Harrisburg. Citizens have to speak up and tell their representative.
President Bowman continued that graduation was well run, many of the parents were appreciative. She thanked all the staff. Its not just the high school staff that gets the kids to graduation, it’s the entire staff.
John Malone agreed, graduation was great. The real reason why were here, to get them on a solid foundation and moving forward with their lives.
Senior award night was good as well too according to Bob Hume.
13. Adjournment
- Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, June 13, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
- Executive Session for personnel – Monday, June 13, 2011 – Following the Work Session in the Octorara District Office Conference Room
- Finance/Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, June 20, 2011 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
- Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, June 20, 2011– 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Middle School Multi-Purpose Room
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