SOMERSET AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Somerset, Pennsylvania
MISSION STATEMENT
“SUCCESS FOR ALL”
Board of School Directors Meeting, May 11, 2015
Superintendent’s Report No. 14 – 2014/2015
FOR: THE BOARD
FROM: KRISTA S. MATHIAS, SUPERINTENDENT
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND ACTION
ITEM NO. 1-ROLL CALL
ITEM NO. 2-VISITORS
ITEM NO. 3-STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD
ITEM NO. 4-ELECTION OF A TREASURER
A. In accordance with Section 404 of the School Code, it is necessary to elect a Treasurer for a term of one year, beginning the first day of July 2015.
ITEM NO. 5-TENTATIVE ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2015/2016
A. It is recommended that the Board tentatively adopt a proposed final 2015/2016 General Fund Budget in the amount of $39,840,676, examine, the budget prior to final adoption at the Board meeting on June 8, 2015, and authorize the Secretary to advertise in accordance with Section 687 of the School Code. The adoption of the proposed final (tentative) budget calls for a real estate tax levy of 41.70 mills. See appendix A.
ITEM NO. 6-INTENT TO LEVY ACT 511 TAXES
A. In accordance with provisions of the School Code, the Board should adopt a resolution stating its intent to levy each of the following taxes:
Adult Resident $ 5.00
Occupation $10.00
Local Service Tax $ 5.00
Real Estate Transfer 1/2 %
Earned Income 1/2 %
Mercantile 1/2 mill
Business Privilege 1/2 mill
See appendix B.
ITEM NO. 7-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
A. Approval of the minutes for April 13, 2015
B. Approval of the treasurer’s report
C. Approval of the financial report
D. Approval of the following investments:
Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset Fund - MAXX - General Fund:
04/02/15 State Transfer 42,986.00
Social Security
04/21/15 State Transfer 44,847.06
Education & Community Service
04/28/15 Transfer from Pennsylvania School District Liquid 16,160.25
Asset – MAXX Cafeteria
04/30/15 State Transfer 468.19
Incarcerated Juveniles
04/30/15 State Transfer 1,711,805.39
UniPay
Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset- MAXX - Money Market Fund – Cafeteria Fund:
04/30/15 Interest 1.47
Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust – Money Market Fund – Smith Endowment Fund:
04/30/15 Interest 23.83
Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust – Money Market Fund – Employee HRA Benefits:
04/30/15 Interest 4.56
Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust – Money Market Fund – General Fund:
04/06/15 Capital Tax Bureau 59,543.22
04/08/15 Mature CD 994,201.44
04/10/15 Capital Tax Bureau 27,534.25
04/10/15 Capital Tax Bureau 7,078.51
04/15/15 Mature CD 498,728.00
04/15/15 Capital Tax Bureau 23,831.83
04/17/15 Capital Tax Bureau 47,789.81
04/17/15 Capital Tax Bureau 15,319.38
04/24/15 Capital Tax Bureau 50,804.72
04/28/15 Mature TERM 2,001,096.99
04/30/15 Interest 53.79
Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust CDS – General Fund:
04/15/15 Purchase CD’s 496,000.00
Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust – Money Market Fund – Capital Improvement Reserve Fund:
04/30/15 Interest 26.05
E. Approval of the bills
F. Approval of the 2014/2015 budget transfers. See appendix C.
ITEM NO. 8-OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
A. It is recommended that the Board approve authorization for Leanne Heiple and Amy Feathers to initiate wire transfers from PSDLAF, PLGIT, and other authorized investment funds to the District’s depository and from the District’s depository to PSDLAF, PLGIT, and other investment funds.
B. It is recommended that the Board approve the following signatures for the 2015/2016 fiscal year:
1. Accounts Payable President of the Board
Treasurer of the Board
Secretary of the Board
2. Jr. High Activities Lisa James
Tom Minnick
3. Sr. High Activities Scott Shirley
Tom Minnick
4. Eagle View Activities Erick Fish
Dawn Mapes
5. Payroll Leanne Heiple
C. It is recommended that the Board approve authorization for the following:
1. That all District personnel submit requests for payment or extra hours worked through June 30, 2015, by Thurs., July 2, 2015. If paperwork is not received by this date for these hours, all District personnel should be advised that payment will be denied.
2. That all District personnel responsible for Jr./Sr. High Activity Fund accounts must submit all invoices for the year ending June 30, 2015, for said accounts before Friday, June 5, 2015.
D. It is recommended that the Board award the following supply/equipment contracts for the 2015/2016 school year not to exceed the amounts listed:
General Supplies $57,347
Art Supplies $ 7,446
Industrial Art Supplies $49,486
Nurse Supplies $ 3,278
Music $ 4,989
E. It is recommended that the Board approve the following rates established for the Bedford/Somerset Health Consortium for Group No.’s #13980-01, #13980-03, #13980-04, for the 2015/2016 school year:
Parent Husband
2015/2016 Rates Individual & Child(ren) & Wife Family
Medical $479.11 $1,137.40 $1,295.90 $1,373.59
F. It is recommended that the Board approve an agreement with Bedford-Somerset MH/MR for the Somerset Crisis Intervention. See appendix C.
G. It is recommended that the Board approve an agreement with Bedford-Somerset MH/MR for Work Experience for students who attend life-skills class and would benefit by on-the-job training. See appendix D.
H. It is recommended that the Board reappoint the Somerset firms of Barbera, Clapper, Beener, Rullo and Melvin, LLP and Fike, Cascio, and Boose as Board Solicitors for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 at an hourly billing rate of $150 for general work and $160 for labor negotiations and litigation.
ITEM NO. 9-EDUCATIONAL/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
A. It is recommended that the Board approve the behind-the-wheel driver education fee at $50 for residents and $250 for non-residents for the 2015/2016 school year.
B. It is recommended that the Board execute agreement in lieu of expulsion resulting from an April 17, 2015 incident involving a violation of the student code of conduct and the Drug and Alcohol Policy of the District.
C. It is recommended that the Board approve Marc Cacciotti as a Physical Education teacher for summer school.
D. It is recommended that the Board approve the following instructors for the 2015 summer music lessons and marching band:
Music lesson instructors:
a. Brandon Lambert
b. Angela Richards
Marching band instructor:
a. Brandon Lambert – Director
b. Emily Ellis – Assistant Band Director
c. Laura Hucik – Color Guard Coach
d. Aileen Weaver – Color Guard Assistant Coach
E. It is recommended that the Board accept, with regret, the retirement of Mr. Robert Fetzer, custodian, effective June 30, 2015.
F. It is recommended that the Board approve an FMLA Leave for Mrs. Amy Svonavec, English teacher, effective April 14 – June 5, 2015, with the express condition that paid leave will run concurrently with unpaid leave.
G. It is recommended that the Board approve an FMLA Leave for Mrs. Suzy Housley, Junior High Reading teacher, effective May 19 – June 5, 2015, with the express condition that paid leave will run concurrently with unpaid leave.
H. It is recommended that the Board approve an FMLA Leave for Mary Griffith, custodian, effective June 11 – June 30, 2015, with the express condition that paid leave will run concurrently with unpaid leave.
I. It is recommended that the Board approve a medical sabbatical leave for Amy Svonavec, English teacher, effective August 27, 2015 through the end of the 1st semester of the 2015/2016 school year.
J. It is recommended that the Board accept Amelia Zanoni and Nathaniel Zanoni, children of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Zanoni, High School teachers, as tuition students for the 2015/2016 school year, pursuant to the District’s Tuition Policy for Employees.
K. It is recommended that the Board approve the following substitute teachers, through The Learning Lamp, for the 2014/2015 school year. Their appointments are provisional until the District receives all appropriate clearances and satisfactory physical examinations and drug screenings:
a. Joyce Mintmier – Nurse
b. Elizabeth Helmick – English certified
c. Scott Beegle – Emergency certified
d. Dylan Cramer – Social Studies 4-8/Special Ed. certified
e. Victoria Reilly – K-4 certified
f. Kyra Miller – Social Studies certified
L. It is recommended that the Board approve Ben Grove as a long-term substitute Social Studies teacher for Mike Farris. Mr. Grove’s appointment is provisional until the District receives all appropriate clearances and a satisfactory physical examination and drug screening.
ITEM NO. 10-FIELD TRIPS
A. The following field trips are presented as per policy and are mentioned only as a report to the Board:
No. / Teacher/Requestor / Student Group / Destination / Benefits / Date (s)1. / Homer Kreinbrook,
Mike Benton / CRC Team / Bombardier Transportation Facilities / Tour of Bombardier was the prize for winning “best transportation” system at competition / May 13, 2015
2. / Homer Kreinbrook / Physics students / Kennywood Park / Participate in Physics Day / May 19, 2015
3. / Dorri Herrmann-Smith / National Honor Society / Laurel Hill State Park / Reward students for their participation this year / May 21, 2015
4. / Sarah Pile / JH Scholastic Quiz Team / Dallas, Texas / Compete in National Quiz Team Tournament / May 8-10, 2015
5. / Eagle View 5th grade teachers / Eagle View 5th grade students / Altoona / Attend a Curve Baseball Game / May 13, 2015
6. / Sarah Pile / Qualified Scrabble students / Somerset Christian School / Compete in the Somerset County Scrabble Tournament / May 1, 2015
7. / All Eagle View teachers / All Eagle View students / Westwood Plaza Theatre and Café / To see “Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day” / May 13, 14, and 15, 2015
8. / Maple Ridge kindergarten teachers / Maple Ridge kindergarten students / Mountain Playhouse / To see a performance of Skippyjon Jones / May 13, 2015
9. / Maple Ridge kindergarten teachers / Maple Ridge kindergarten students / Camp Allegheny / To enjoy the outdoors / May 19 and 20, 2015
10. / Chris Zanoni / Youth Government students / North Carolina / National Affairs / June 26-July 2, 2015
11. / Eagle View 4th grade teachers / Eagle View 4th grade students / Mary S. Biesecker Library and Stairs / To make students aware of the library’s resources and summer program / May 26, 29, June 1 and 2, 2015
12. / Cathy Matthews / SADD students / Children Youth Services board room / Students will share the winning banner and tell how the Red Ribbon Campaign benefits the school / May 21, 2015
13. / Cathy Matthews / SADD students / Maple Ridge and Eagle View / Students will discuss the harmful effects of tobacco with students / Various dates in May 2015
14. / Kayla Borosky,
Heather Custer / National Junior Honor Society students / Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium / Incentive trip / May 15, 2015
15. / Eagle View 3rd grade teachers / Eagle View 3rd grade students / Johnstown Children’s Museum and Sweet Frog / To learn about history and industry / May 18, 19, and 20, 2015
16. / Maple Ridge 1st grade teachers / Maple Ridge 1st grade students / Senior high auditorium / Practice and performance for their play / May 26 and 27, 2015
17. / Dan Overdorff,
Julie Sheeler / FFA students / Visit local farms and the Laurel Caverns / End of year field trip / May 27, 2015
ITEM NO. 11-EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES
A. The following educational conferences are presented for the Board’s consideration:
No. / Name / Conference/Workshop Title / Location / Date (s) / Cost / Funding Source1. / Erika Winter-Rowe,
Rebekah Sidone / The Habits of Happy People / Latrobe / May 13, 2015 / $390 / Title II A
ITEM NO. 12-FACILITY REQUESTS
A. The following requests are presented for the Board’s consideration:
No. / Requestor / Facility / Activity / Date(s) / Fee1. / Somerset Borough Police / SH auditorium and lobby / Memorial Service for K9 Arny / April 26, 2015 / Fee = $40 for tech crew
2. / Somerset AYSO / SH LGI room / Referee class / May 9, 2015 / No fee
3. / Somerset Christian School / Tennis courts / Gym class / May 6 and 13, 2015 / No fee
4. / IU 08 Pre-school Speech/Language Support / Eagle View Elementary / Continuation of pre-school speech and language support / 1 day during the week of June 22, July 13 and August 3, 2015 / No fee
5. / Bricks 4 Kidz / Eagle View Elementary / Summer camps for county youth ages 5-13 / June 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, July 13-17, 20-24, 27-31, August 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, and 24-28, 2015 / No fee
6. / State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar / JH gym, cafeteria, and 3 classrooms / Senior Health Expo / July 24 – 27, 2015 / No fee
7. / PIAA Volleyball District IV Chapter / SH LGI room / Meetings / August 9 and 10, 2015 / No fee
8. / Maple Ridge/Eagle View PTA / Eagle View lobby and Maple Ridge library / Book fair / May 8-15, 2015 / No fee
9. / Daily American / Stadium Area/Gethinger Hill/Student parking lot / Community Fireworks display / July 4, 2015 (July 5 rain date) / Fee = $200
10. / Daily American / SH auditorium and cafeteria / Cooking show / September 19, 2015 / Fee = $635
ITEM NO. 13-OTHER BUSINESS
A. It is recommended that the Board address any other relevant issues at this time.
By resolution adopted February 9, 2015, the full text of which is set forth in the minutes of the meeting of February 9, 2015, a unanimous affirmative vote without objection on any question requiring a recorded vote showing how each director voted shall be deemed to be an affirmative vote by each director as if the director had responded affirmatively to the calling of the Director’s individual name and shall be recorded as such. If there is a no vote, the Secretary may record it as such or may call the roll.