OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Minutes of Board Meeting Held on August 12, 2013
The work session of the Octorara Area School Board was held in the Octorara Area Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room on August 12, 2013.
A moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance preceded the meeting.
The President, Ms. Bowman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Other members present were: Mr. Ganow, Mr. Hume, Mr. Lapp, Dr. Melton, Mr. Norris, Mr. Oleyniczak and Mr. Stoltzfus. Ms. Johnson was absent. Also present were; Mrs. Hardy, Secretary; Dr. Newcome, Superintendent, Mr. Carsley, Business Manager; members of the administrative team; one reporter and eight citizens.
There were no presentations or visitors’ comments for agenda items only.
An executive session for personnel was called at 7:32 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:55 p.m.
Ms. Bowman announced the following information items:
A. Kathy Shaffer will transfer from a Title I instructional assistant at the Octorara Area Sr. High School to an instructional assistant at the Octorara Elementary School. (Replacing Ashley Stern who transferred.)
B. Linda Haslett will transfer from a Title I instructional assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning Center to a Title I instructional assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School.
C. Mark Durante will transfer from Jr. High science teacher to IST grades 7-9.
On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Norris and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors accepted, with regret, the resignation of Ms. Alison Venini as an instructional assistant at the Octorara Intermediate School effective July 11, 2013. (Hired August 23, 2006)
On motion of Mr. Hume, second by Mr. Oleyniczak and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors accepted the resignation of Mr. Patrick Tobin as an instructional assistant in the Alternative Education Program effective July 14, 2013. (Hired March 18, 2013)
On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Norris and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Ashley Whiteman as a Speech and Language Therapist for the District effective August 19, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Whiteman’s salary will be $53,392 which is Step 18 to MAX of the Master’s Scale. (Replacing Jennifer Bower who resigned.)
Ms. Bowman reminded the Board that a Master’s degree is required for a Speech and Language Therapist.
On motion of Mr. Norris, second by Mr. Stoltzfus and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Mr. Scott Gee as a Communication Arts teacher at the Octorara Area Sr. High School effective August 19, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Mr. Gee’s salary will be $58,457 which is Step 18 to MAX of the Master’s + 15 Scale. (Replacing Tim Mundy who retired.)
On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Hume and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Alison Venini as a sixth grade teacher at the Octorara Intermediate School effective August 19, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Venini’s salary will be $54,518 which is Step 16 to MAX of the Master’s Scale. (Replacing Lois Dodd who retired.)
On motion of Mr. Oleyniczak, second by Mr. Stoltzfus and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Shelley Leonard as a science teacher at the Octorara Jr. High School effective August 19, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Leonard’s salary will be $51,469 which is Step 18 to MAX of the Bachelor’s +15 Scale. (Replacing Mark Durante who transferred.)
On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Hume and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Elizabeth DiSabitino as an Agriculture Education teacher at the Octorara Area Sr. High School effective August 19, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. DiSabitino’s salary will be $49,441 which is Step 17 to MAX of the Bachelor’s Scale. (Replacing Frank Wasco who retired.)
On motion of Mr. Norris, second by Mr. Lapp and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Jennie Lasak as a long term substitute third grade teacher at the Octorara Elementary School for 2013-2014 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Lasak’s salary will be $49,191 which is Step 18 to MAX of the Bachelor’s Scale. (Replacing Suzanne Schurr who is on sabbatical leave.)
On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Oleyniczak and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Ms. Megan Connolly as an ESL Title I instructional assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning and Elementary Schools effective August 26, 2013 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Connolly’s rate will be $11.65 per hour for 5.75 hours per day. (Replacing Charlotte Bridges who resigned.)
On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Oleyniczak and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved Mr. Matt Furlong as a half-time payroll clerk for the District. Mr. Furlong’s salary will be $20,642.50. (Replacing Lisa McLaughlin who resigned.)
On motion of Mr. Stoltzfus, second by Mr. Norris and approval of all members present the Octorara Board of School Directors approved the 2013-2014 iPad Program Handbook for the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School.
Ms. Bowman said this item needed to be approved this evening so Dr. Rohrer can send the information home to parents. There were a few subtle changes in language in the handbook. The most significant change was the reduction in the annual fee from $50 to $30 for each iPad issued. This fee was reduced through negotiations with Apple and includes $25 for insurance with Apple and $5 for the apps.
Mr. Ganow asked if all the issues in question at last month’s meeting have been resolved. Ms. Bowman said they have been.
Ms. Bowman presented the following items for action at the August 19, 2013 Board meeting:
A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the superintendent to sign the contract between the Octorara Area School District and Eastern Lancaster County School District for Special Education Life Skills and Transitional Services for the 2013-2014 school year in the amount of $15,738.
Mr. Stoltzfus asked for clarification regarding what the contract was for.
Dr. Newcome said he will provide the Board with more information for next week.
B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the revisions to Policy 815 “Acceptable Use Policy”, second reading.
C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the revisions to Policy 807 “Opening Exercises”, first reading.
D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the 403(b) Plan Third Party Administration Services Agreement with TSA Consulting Group, Inc. and Kades-Margolis Corporation.
E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the Agreement with Vector Security for monitoring services for the Primary Learning Center, Elementary, and Sr. High Schools.
F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. Anthony DiMatteo as a volunteer soccer coach at the Octorara Area Sr. High School.
G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:
Katherine Smith / From B ($49,441) to B+15 ($51,719) / Step 17 to MAXScott Conaghan / From M+30 ($63,961) to M+45 ($66,873) / Step 13 to MAX
Under the Policy Committee Report, Ms. Bowman reported the Committee discussed the minor changes to the iPad policy.
There were a few changes to the Acceptable Use Policy which will be approved next week.
The Committee reviewed and revised the first reading of Policy 807 “Opening Exercises”.
Ms. Bowman said Dr. Rohrer reviewed the changes to the Student Handbook. The biggest change is it will be given to the students digitally on their iPad.
Under the Finance Committee Report, Mr. Carsley reported the annual audit was started last week. The auditors will return in September.
The committee discussed the Kades-Margolis TSA agreement that is on the agenda for approval next week.
Mr. Carsley reported Collegium Charter School has filed administrative proceedings against districts for tuition rates for 2011-2012. All but four or five cases in Alleghany County have been stayed pending outcome of those cases.
He said there is an appraisal firm mailing businesses in the area offering services to reduce assessed values.
There were no other items/concerns or visitors’ comment for items in general.
Under administrator comments or announcements, Dr. Rohrer announced the Sr. High School Back-to-School Night will be held on Wednesday, August 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Jr. High School Back-to-School Night will be held on Thursday, August 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Parents can choose to come either night for iPad distribution information.
Dr. Rohrer said there was a good turnout this past Saturday morning for the Heroin Program, “Kacie’s Cause”. It was a good community effort to come together to address this issue that affects communities across the country.
Ms. Bowman asked if those in attendance were primarily from the District and how the program was advertised.
Dr. Rohrer said those in attendance were a good mix of District personnel, parents, and community members including police, Judge Gill, Parkesburg Point representatives, and people who lived in other districts. He said a message was sent to parents via the automated system. Dr. Rohrer said it was a very productive meeting.
Dr. Newcome said in addition to the automated call system, the Program was advertised on the website as well as several local blogs and Lancaster News Online. He said the meeting originated with a group from Parkesburg that wanted to hold the meeting in town but did not have a venue large enough.
Dr. Newcome thanked the Board for moving ahead with putting the personnel items to a vote this week instead of waiting until next week.
Dr. Newcome said textbooks cost an average of $100-$125 each. When we get textbooks on the iPad, it will only take three to four textbooks to pay for them in addition to reducing the amount of weight the students have to carry.
Dr. Newcome announced there will be a School Safety Summit Program held at the District on October 14, 2013 from 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. This is a day school is not in session and the target audience is law enforcement, community leaders, school district personnel, and school board directors. Issues in regards to safety will be discussed. He said he and several Board Members attended the safety summit last year at Owen J. Roberts. This spring the Chester County Intermediate Unit determined it was a valuable program and asked if any district would like to host it this year. Dr. Newcome offered Octorara to host the program.
Under Board comments, Mr. Oleyniczak said since the iPad program was first discussed the annual fee was going to be $50. He thanked Mr. Czetli for his efforts in working with Apple to get a 40% reduction in the fee for each student.
Mr. Norris said members of the Board and administration will be attending a Common Core Forum at Kennett School District on August 13.
Ms. Bowman reported on the following meetings to be held:
Executive Session for contracts – Monday, August 12, 2013 – Following the Work Session in the District Office Conference Room
Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, August 19, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, August 19, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. in the Jr. High School Multi-Purpose Room
There being no further items of business the meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m. on motion of Mr. Ganow, second by Mr. Hume and approval of all members present.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill L. Hardy, Secretary
Octorara Board of School Directors
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