SOUTHERN COLUMBIA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT 800 SOUTHERN DRIVE CATAWISSA, PA 17820 The, Board Meeting of the Southern Columbia Area School District Board of Directors convened in the High School Library at 7:33 p.m. with President Michael Yeager in charge of the meeting. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all. President Yeager welcomed everyone, followed by a roll call of Board Members. BOARD MEMBERS Charlene Cove Richard Steele (Absent) John Yocum Charles Porter Timothy Vought Gail Zambor Schuerch Eric Stahley Michael Yeager OTHERS PRESENT Paul Caputo, Superintendent; Michael Sokoloski, Business Manager; Tresa Britch, Board Secretary; Richard J. Roberts, Solicitor; James Becker, Angela Farronato, Joseph Shirvinski, Jennifer Snyder, Administrators; Chris Brown and Paul Jankowski, Technology Education teachers; a group of Technology Education students; district residents and a member of the media. AGENDA HEARING PERIOD President Yeager announced that all Fiscal items, all Personnel items and two Policy and Programs items on the agenda would be considered action items. District resident, Florey Guarno, asked if the district would be applying for exceptions. Mr. Sokoloski replied affirmatively and stated that it would keep options open. SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT Mr. Caputo s report included the following topics: 1). He reported that he is very pleased and impressed with what he has found upon returning to the district after seven years. He stated that there are a lot of hard working people who are here for the right reasons. He stated that one of his goals or something that might be helpful is to get everyone a little more focused. He stated that everyone has been so busy with the building project and the budget crunch, and all of their service is commendable. 2.) Administratively, they have spent the week getting acquainted, discussing goals and programs. He stated that they will be making some minor tweaks along the way. They will be meeting more frequently in the spring and summer to get everything in place for 2013-2014. 3.) Mr. Caputo reported that he had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time in the Technology Education wing and was happy to find that good things are continuing to happen in that department. He noted that there was a student working on Inventor 10, which is a complicated program that a student in an engineering track might tackle. In another area, students were welding and others were doing on carpentry work. He reported that we are hearing more and more from President Obama and Governor Corbett about the importance of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). He would like to see even more collaboration between the Math Department and the Science Department along with the Technology Education teachers. He invited students from the department to report on one of their current projects.
Page 2 Mr. Chris Brown and Mr. Paul Jankowski, Technology Education teachers, were present with several of their students. Mr. Brown reported that every year he has his students pick a manufacturing project to mass produce. The students did a lot of marketing and advertising as part of the project. Student Dylan Swank came up with the idea of metal roses. Mr. Brown suggested selling the roses for Valentine s Day as a fundraiser for the department. The students looked into it, pursued it and took orders for over 150 roses. The students have been working hard for over two weeks to fill the orders. They scheduled employees to sit at lunch and take orders and scheduled employees to make the roses. The aluminum stock was already on hand and cost effective. Every student in the class had a management position. The money raised would be put aside for future purchases for the Technology Education department. The students gave sample roses to the Board members and administrators. Mr. Caputo stated that this was an excellent example of 21 st Century learning; project based, student centered, critical thinking and collaboration. 4.) Mrs. Farronato reported that the following evening they would be holding a parent night for Everyday Math for 5 th grade. 5.) Mr. Shirvinski reported that similar sessions would be held for parents of 4 th grade students and one 3 rd grade class. He also reported that a Homework Club was started again. It is an after-school program to assist students with homework and classwork with which they might be having trouble. Mrs. Farronato reported that she also has a Homework Club for grades 5 and 6. COMMITTEE REPORTS Activities - Tim Vought reported that the committee would set a meeting with the Winter Coaches. They also asked Mr. Becker to include Mrs. Stone and Mr. Thomas, since they never get to hear from Band and Chorus at an Activities Committee meeting. They are waiting to hear the recommendation from the Football and Cheerleading Boosters regarding the gift bag issue. Facilities & Services - John Yocum reported that a representative from Pure Green Consultants was present to report on various things for which the district could apply in regard to getting some money back. There were heat problems over the weekend in both buildings. Mr. Sokoloski reported that they worked on the gymnasium heating system and also NRG worked on the basement boiler. There was also a power outage over the weekend, which caused some problems earlier in the day due to units needing to be reset. The CSIU fuel bids would be coming up. Mr. Sokoloski reported that they would go with CSIU for the unleaded fuel and the diesel for the buses. The heating fuel would be bid out separately. Finance - Eric Stahley, Chairperson reported that the auditor, Mr. Ken Wagner, was present to discuss the 2012 audit. They discussed the breakout of the local property taxes and the earned income taxes, which will be done in future audits to be able to better track those income items. They discussed breaking out the Capital Projects and Capital Reserve account, which would also be changed. They discussed General Fund revenue and expenditures, Athletic Fund revenue and expenditures and how they relate to each other. How budget expenditures are handled and how being over budget is tracked and handled was discussed. The 2013-2014 proposed budget is on the agenda for approval. Mr. Tony DaRe was present to give an update on the district s performance with HighMark over the past year. They discussed wellness programs, claims history and the renewal rate and cost and how it relates to the upcoming budget. The renewal planning timeline and healthcare reform were also topics of conversation. Compensation for the local real estate tax collectors was discussed. A 25 cent increase would equal $1,500 for four tax collectors. The last raise for tax collectors was in 2005. A motion to file for exceptions would be included on the agenda.
Page 3 CSIU - Charlene Cove reported that the committee is looking at a new policy, Positive Behavior Support. The first reading would be the following week. This policy is required prior to the upcoming Special Education audit in April. They are also looking at updated the Drug and Alcohol policy to include some updated terminology. An updated superintendent policy will be obtained form PSBA. Mr. Porter recommended that they look at the Gift policy and how it pertains to all sports and activities. Negotiations and Personnel - Charlie Porter reported that they have a negotiations session with the AFSCME group scheduled for the following Wednesday. Their previous offer was rejected. An executive session would be held following the regular meeting to discuss negotiations. President Yeager reported that an executive session was held the previous Monday to discuss personnel. Wellness Committee - Gail Zambor Schuerch reported that the last Wellness Committee was held on January 22. There are a lot of things the committee would like to do, so there was some discussion of meeting monthly instead of quarterly. HighMark will be doing a wellness employee interest survey to find out what kind of wellness activities the faculty would be interested in. HighMark also has a web portal with all types of wellness resources. They will be working on a wellness committee logo for the staff. They are also working on getting together a student wellness committee with two students form each grade level from middle school and high school. Vo-Tech - Eric Stahley reported that the JOC met January 15 th. Brewer and company were present to give a presentation on the audit. There were no findings. The usual housekeeping items were approved. Three final readings, three second readings and one first reading of policies were on the agenda. The admissions policy was discussed. The discussion centered on the 70 to 80 students who were turned away each year and also they discussed the current admissions criteria, regular education slots and special education slots that are allotted to each sending school district. They also discussed implementation of admissions guidelines. They decided to table the policy until the February JOC meeting in order to have their special education attorney present to discuss items relating to the admissions criteria and how defensible that criteria would be in a lawsuit situation. Mr. Forsythe reported that Mr. Clyde Hornberger was present all day at the Vo-Tech on December 20 th in order to evaluate the long-term planning needs of the Vo-Tech and to make recommendations on those needs. The preliminary budget was presented on that evening to the JOC members. It represented a 3.7 percent overall increase, but the increase to the sending districts would only be 1 percent. The additional 2.7 percent would be paid out of the Fund balance. The JOC would be voting on the budget in February to send back to the districts. Most of the increase was attributed to a $613,000 PSERS increase and there was a bit of a decrease through retirement. They discussed the Gold Achievement Award for Schools That Work, which was presented to the Vo-Tech for outstanding achievement in the Schools That Work Program. Mr. Bacher reported that the Keystone Exams were finished and went well. He also talked about the upcoming teacher evaluation system. A Vo-Tech open house was held on Sunday, which was well attended. Special Education Director Jim Dunkelberger reported on a learning support visit to Luzerne County Community College on the 19 th, to help ome of the learning support students to transition into a college setting. The spring and summer schedules and the new course catalogs for adult education are available. ITEMS TREASURER S REPORTS ITEMS MINUTES/INVOICES
Page 4 ITEMS FISCAL On a motion by Yocum and second by Vought, the 2013-2014 Southern Columbia Area School District Preliminary Budget in the amount of $18,465,177 (per Exhibit A) was presented for approval. Prior to voting, Mr. Stahley stated that he would be voting against it because of his disapproval of the process, and that the next motion was to apply for exceptions that are already included in the budget. Mr. Sokoloski clarified that the exceptions were not included in the preliminary budget. By roll call vote, the motion carried; 6-Yes, 1-No (Stahley voted No). On a motion by Vought and second by Zambor Schuerch, to advertise and authorize the filing of applications with the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the Referendum Exceptions for the budget year 2013-2014 was presented for approval. Prior to voting, Mr. Porter stated that he would vote in favor of the motion because it allows options. By roll call vote, the motion carried; 6-Yes, 1-No (Stahley voted No). On a motion by Cove and second by Yocum, a Resolution pertaining to Tax Collector compensation that increases the payment per bill by $.25 (twenty-five cents) with new taxables to remain the same beginning July 1, 2013 (per Exhibit B) was presented for approval. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. On a motion by Vought and second by Zambor Schuerch, the Single Audit Report and Management Letter from Wagner, Dreese, Elsasser & Associates, P.C., for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 was presented for approval. The report contained no findings. Prior to voting Mr. Porter pointed out that they collected over $600,000 more in taxes than the original budget. He asked for a breakdown of the earned income and property taxes. The district was still over $300,000 in the red over last year. There were decreased state and federal revenues. He would like to discuss the audit further, but realized that it would not change the outcome of the audit. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. ITEMS PERSONNEL On a motion by Zambor Schuerch and second by Cove, the following items were presented for approval: A. To add the following individual to the 2012-2013 Substitute List effective February 12, 2013 (pending completion of all employment requirements): Joseph Strahosky (Bus/Van Driver) Richard Higgins (Paraprofessional) B. To acknowledge tenure for Kathleen Crisp effective January 21, 2013. C. Adam Wojtowicz as a Volunteer Wrestling Coach for the 2012-2013 school year (pending completion of favorable clearances and a negative Tuberculin test). D. FMLA Qualifying Leave for employee #1711KZ effective January 24, 2013; not to exceed 12 weeks in the subsequent 12-month period. E. FMLA Qualifying Leave for employee #2299JK effective January 2, 2013; not to exceed 12 weeks in the subsequent 12-month period
Page 5 The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. ITEMS - POLICY AND PROGRAMS President Yeager asked Mr. Becker for some details on the senior class trip to New York City. Mr. Becker reported that the students decided where they wanted to go. Their advisor, Mr. Ryan Mensch is helping them plan the trip. Mr. Porter commented that the schedule of the trip has met the objections that surfaced because of previous trip schedules, and noted that it would not be taking place on a school day. He commended them for overcoming those objections. President Yeager had several questions regarding the trip. Mr. Becker agreed to have some more details for the next meeting. On a motion by Yocum and second by Stahley, the 2013-2014 School Year Calendar was presented for approval. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. On a motion by Cove and second by Porter, Homebound Instruction for a high school student (#68347) effective January 24, 2013, until further evaluation by a physician; not to exceed five (5) hours per week, was presented for approval. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. President Yeager asked several questions regarding the 2013-2014 Instructional Planning Guide. After some discussion, Mr. Becker agreed to make some changes to the Guide prior to the next meeting. BOARD COMMENTS Mr. Vought commended the Boys and Girls Basketball teams for the American Cancer Society fundraiser basketball game held recently with Mount Carmel. Four games were held in the new gymnasium. They organized the event and students from both schools were involved in the fundraising and he reported that it was a really nice event. Mr. Vought also commended the Girls Basketball Coach for taking the girls team to a soup kitchen in Shamokin to serve a meal for which they raised and donated funds. Mr. Stahley reported that the fund balance at the Vo-Tech was $2, 256,000. Revenue and expenditures are in about the $6,500,000 to $6,600,000 range. President Yeager stated that he would go to the court houses to pick up petitions for the open Board seats. He also noted that candidates could drop their petitions off at the school prior to March 12 th, and as long as they are properly notarized, the district could deliver them to the court houses. Mr. Stahley stated that candidates can cross file, but someone from the other party would need to circulate the petition on their behalf. Mr. Porter asked the status of the track coach vacancy. Mr. Becker replied that one application was received. Mr. Porter asked if it was advertised and where it was advertised. The Board secretary replied that it was advertised on the website and it was posted internally. Mr. Porter stated that he took some exception that as it was not advertised in the newspaper. He asked how the community is to know and stated that people don t go checking the district website everyday. He felt as a service to the readers, they need to advertise in the newspaper. Mr. Vought stated that he did not feel it was necessary. He stated that the web is a sign of the future. Mrs. Farronato asked, Wouldn t you want to encourage your staff to be your coaches? Mrs. Cove stated that she was shocked at how much the district has been spending on advertising. She stated that when they are
Page 6 looking at trying to save on the non-essential things, she thinks that their first obligation is to student programs, and does not have an issue with not advertising everywhere. Mr. Vought stated that the more money that is saved, the more programs can be saved. Mr. Porter stated that he is all for saving money, but as a public institution they have to get their information out. Mr. Porter stated that $6,000 is not a high cost for public information. Mr. Vought stated that it is a waste of money when they can look on the website for free. President Yeager stated that that was their discussion when they applied for the waiver not to have to advertise. The discussion was that people have gone to the website more than anywhere else. Mrs. Zambor Schuerch stated that in a perfect world it would be great to let the public know in the newspapers, but because of the budget she agreed that it is too much money. RECOGNITION OF THE PUBLIC Mr. Guarno stated that not everyone uses the internet, so they don t get the information. He stated that originally, he was told that the pump would be installed in-house so they would not need to pay prevailing wage and would save money. Now it is being bid and they have to pay prevailing wage, so they are not saving money. Mr. Sokoloski stated that since the project exceeded $25,000, the district is obligated to go with prevailing wage. Solicitor Roberts clarified that jobs cannot be done in-house beyond a certain threshold. Mr. Sokoloski stated that they are still saving money because the architect and engineers are not involved and there is no markup. He said the original estimate was over $90,000 and it would most likely end up costing much less. President Yeager announced that there would be an executive session following the meeting to consult with counsel regarding potential litigation and to discuss negotiations. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Yocum and second by Stahley, the meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. Respectfully Submitted, Tresa J. Britch Board Secretary