Octorara School Board Work Session Notes

Board members confer with Assistant Superintendent Nancy Bishop prior to the start of Monday's work session.

 OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

WORK SESSION

September 12, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.

Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

DISCUSSION GUIDE

1. Lord’s Prayer

2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

3. Roll Call

Board member John Malone not present

4. Presentations

None

5. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None

6. Information Items:

A. Ms. Robyn Frye will be student teaching from August 29, 2011 through December 15, 2011. She will be returning to her position as a Title I math assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective December 16, 2011.

B. Ms. Linda Haslett will be student teaching from August 29, 2011 through December 16, 2011. She will be returning to her position as a Title I reading assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective December 17, 2011.

7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the September 19, 2011 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus drivers employed by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2011-2012 school year.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus runs by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2011-2012 school year.

Board member Sam Ganow asks if this year was a decrease or increase in Althouse budget.  Bus manager said it should be a decrease given the new kindergarten program

Board member McCarthy asked why are the bus stops so close together.  If we asked the students to walk we could save money on gas.  He gave an example of stops along Route 41. 

Board member Brian Norris fired back he wouldn’t want his kids walking on Route 41. 

Board President Bowman explained students are asked to gather in one spot in developments.  Safety is always stressed.  The district started working with Althouse several years ago to consolidate stops. 

Resignation Approvals:

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Beth Lambert as a cafeteria employee at the Octorara Jr. High School effective August 18, 2011. (Hired November 4, 2008)

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Bonnie Fuller as a cafeteria employee at the Octorara Sr. High School effective August 16, 2011. (Hired October 1, 2009)

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Donna Crawford as a lunchroom/playground aide at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 29, 2011. (Hired August 27, 2007)

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Doris Klein as a Title I math assistant at the Octorara Jr. High School effective August 23, 2011. (Hired February 27, 2009)

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Stephanie Rusen as a half-time gifted education teacher at the Octorara Jr. High School effective August 23, 2011. (Hired August 22, 2007)

Hiring Approvals:

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Danae Dick as a long term substitute Title I math assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 29, 2011 through December 15, 2011 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Dick’s rate will be $10.15 per hour. (Replacing Robyn Frye who will be student teaching.)

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Gwenanne Hartshorn as a long term substitute Speech and Language Therapist at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective August 29, 2011 through approximately October 14, 2011 pending completion of work related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Hartshorn’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing a medical leave of absence.)

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Jan D’Angelo as a halftime gifted education teacher at the Octorara Jr. High School effective August 29, 2011. Ms. D’Angelo’s salary will be $29,735 pro-rated. (Ms. D’Angelo has worked for the District previously and will be replacing Stephanie Rusen who resigned.)

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Tara Busby as a lunchroom/playground aide at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 29, 2011 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Busby’s rate will be $8.75 per hour. (Replacing Donna Crawford who resigned.)

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Kelly Reuter as a personal care aide at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 29, 2011 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Reuter’s rate will be $11.65 per hour. (Replacing Wanda Fisher who resigned.)

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. David Villa as Access Assistant for the District effective October 1, 2011. Mr. Villa’s rate will be $18.49 per hour for 20 hours per week.

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following as proctors for the PSAT/PLAN being given on Saturday, October 15, 2011. The rate is a maximum of $30 per hour not to exceed four hours per test administration.  Lisa Budzik, Jeff Butch, Danielle Cullen, Scott Cullen, Sandy Federici, Jen German, Edward Golden, Maria Hoff, Ashley Kimbrough, Dan Lefever, Karen Letts, Joanne Moore, David Rutledge

Board member Bob Hume asked about what role these proctors would fill.  They will not be assisting students take the test. 

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2011-2012 school year:

Tammy Anthony (Elementary)

Karen Baillie (Early Childhood)

Kristen Ciaccia (Elementary)

Ann Clymer (Biology, General Science)

Erin Himes (Elementary, Middle LA, FACS)

Brittany Iler (Music K-12)

Joyce Kruse (FACS, Library Science)

Paul McAndrew (Social Studies 7-12)

Jodi Mincer (Special Education, Middle English)

Julie Umlah (Elementary, Middle Math)

Nicole Webster (Early Childhood, Reading)

Christopher Wrigley (Elementary)

P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute support personnel for the 2011-2012 school year:

Danise Miller (Cafeteria)

Wendy Nellius (Cafeteria)

Jennifer Zimath (Cafeteria)

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2011-2012 school year:

To be announced

R. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:

To be announced

S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change orders:

·         408-03 Reed Assoc Casework modifications $772.00

·         008 Bristol Asbestos abatement $4,500.00

8. Facilities Committee Report

• Met this evening before the meeting
• Project is complete except for the punch list which may take 30 to 60 days to complete
• Sump pump will be installed in an old tunnel under the high school.  No price yet
• Concerned about water issues in all the buildings,  Leaks are being worked on
• Cell Tower – don’t have any plans to sell it
• Custodian outsourcing – some complaints, some praises
• Assessment appeal from residents and businesses were received – looking for legal advice

9. Other Items/Concerns

None

10. Visitors’ Comments – General

None 

11. Administrator Comments/Announcements

Scott Rohrer, High School Principal

• Student Rep introduced

•  Student cell phone policy (Click here for a copy of the pilot policy)– Principal Rohrer met with student and parent advisor committee.  An issue that always comes up is cell phone use.  The high school has a zero tolerance policy currently.  In this new era the question always comes up, is that appropriate?  Current policy is too much off a hassle for the school and parents.  Cell phones are small, handheld computers.  Over the summer the High School developed a pilot to allow cell phone to be used for non verbal communication.    Students are allowed to use their cell phone between periods, in the cafeteria, during lunches.  We’ll try it for one semester and see how it goes.  So far pretty positive.  No concerns from staff about the policy yet.  Students are on time to class.  If we start having issues we can pull the pilot and go in a different direction. 

Student rep stated everyone likes the new policy.  There are so many things you can do with cell phones.  Listen to music when you’re working during a study hall for example.

Board member Brian Norris asked about difference between those who have smart phones and those who don’t.  The answer was no.

Board member Bob Hume wondered why this wasn’t brought to the policy committee.  There may be a few drawback, he said.  The phones give students the opportunity to stray, not pay attention. 

Scott Rohrer, principal, responds this is why we did it as a pilot, to see how it worked and make changes before we brought it to the board

Board President Lisa Bowman said she appreciates the fact that the school is trying new things and trying to stay in front of rapidly changing technology.

Hume stated emphatically that existing policy is there to be followed.

Brian Norris weighed in stating that it’s a fine line.  The high school would have been wise to advise the board about the pilot in case there were issues. 

Scott Roher responded by stating this is a pilot.  We will not go any further without coming back to the board first

Assistant Superintendent Nancy Bishop stated that administrators look at the consequences of what the students do with these phones.  We have been to a legal workshop to learn what we can and can’t do with the phones.  Sexting, texting are just two of the issues.  We will review these with you.  But we want to be proactive to keep our students above the law and out of trouble.

Board member Sam Ganow  suggested adding an agenda item for next week’s meeting allowing the board to approve the pilot.

Board member McCarthy- spoke about the ball point pen not being allowed to write a check, same with calculators in schools.

• Principal Rohrer spoke about the High School dedication scheduled for October 8^th.

• Things are moving forward on Fall Fest idea.  There’s a meeting this Wednesday to finalize plans

Administrators will be presenting PSSA results for the 2010-2011 school year at next week’s board meeting

12. Board Comments

Board member Sam Ganow spoke about distance between bus stops as well as Wolfs Hollow County Park and the Atglen to Susquehanna low grade trail (23 miles) – neither is used much.

Board member Nelson Stolzfus spoke briefly about the distance between bus stops, stating there is policy about that and asking that the policy be represented to the board.

Board member John McCarthy found the education survey in the packet this week is interesting.  He called the office in H that sent the survey.  Spoke about a Harrisburg task force focused on school spending.  The office was unfamiliar with the task forces report that would have saved school districts billions of dollars. 

Board member Bob Hume spoke of having a number of big events coming up including:

• September 30^th – Homecoming Parade 
• October 1^st – Homecoming
• October 6^th – 9^th Fall Festival
• October 8thnHigh School dedication
• November 13^th Dedication of Memorial Alcove

Bob Hume noted a publication titled “Public School In Crisis.” Our political people don’t understand the situation our public schools are in.  No one else can take the blame.  Not the board, not the teachers, not the administrators.  It’s the politicians in Harrisburg.  Changing subjects, Hume continued by saying maybe with cell phones we won’t need schools.  Kids will get their education over the phone.

Board President Lisa Bowman said she saw something on CNN about a school district spending $200,000 to equipping every Kindergarten student with iPad.  That’s not going to happen here. 

13. Adjournment

• Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, September 12, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
• Finance/Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, September 19, 2011 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
• Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, September 19, 2011– 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room