BENTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS Committee of the Whole Meeting/Special Meeting June 9, 2014 Minutes The Committee of the Whole/Special Meeting of the Benton Area Schools District s Board of Directors was held Monday evening, June 9, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria of the Middle/Senior High School, 400 Park Street, Benton, PA. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Board President, Eric LeFevre. The following members were present: Michael Anderson, George Griffith, Brandon Hartman, Bruce Hess, Eric LeFevre, Robert Ridall, Stephen Tyree, and Lance Wolfe. Non-voting member Nancy Joraskie, Board Secretary, was also present. Superintendent Penny Lenig-Zerby and board member Dana Sarnoski were absent. Others present were as follows: Beverly Peterson, Business Manager; Joseph Casarella, Special Advisor to the Board, David Snover, Elementary Principal; April Farrell, Special Education Director; Brady Hess, Technology Director; and guests as listed on the sign-in sheet. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance. MISSION STATEMENT- Our mission is to provide an excellent education in order to maximize the potential of all students and prepare them to meet the challenges of work and life in an ever-changing world. OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO ADDRESS THE AGENDA Dr. LeFevre called for anyone present who wished to address the board regarding any agenda items. None came forward. RECOGNITION OF INDIVIDUALS/PRESENTATIONS 1. Dr. LeFevre recognized the following retirees: Myrna Comerchero, Kathleen DeYong, Joseph Goode, and Nanette Verhun. He presented them with gift cards and certificates, noting their years of service to the district. 2. Dr. LeFevre and Mr. Snover recognized elementary students who earned 200 or more points in the Accelerated Reader program. Certificates were presented. 3. Mr. Robert Rose and Ms. Christine Ritter presented information to the board regarding electricity suppliers, rates, and contract terms. 4. Ms. Kim Heggenstaller, President of the Elementary Parent Teacher Council, presented information regarding the donation of playground equipment, (Ten Spin) and mulch for the elementary school playground. These things will be donated in memory of John Manning, a student that passed away this school year.
Page 2 ADMINISTRATIVE Dr. LeFevre reviewed the following Administrative Items. Noted items will be included for consideration on the regular monthly meeting agenda. 1. Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Agreement for Services with approved provider, PA Treatment & Health (PATH) for the 2014-2015 school year. (Attachment) 2. Kindergarten Kick-Off July 28 through July 31, and August 4 7, 2014. The program will be staffed by Cathy Goode (Title I Teacher) and the Kindergarten teachers with salaries paid by the $3,000.00 grant awarded to the District from the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund, through the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation. 3. Valley Rehabilitation Service Provider Agreement (Occupational/Physical Therapy Services) Rate increases: Therapist: $62.00 per hour to $65.00 per hour; Assistants: $42.00 per hour to $45.00 per hour. (Note: This is the first increase in four years.) 4. Blended School Based Interagency Program Agreement - Synergy Systems Group, Inc., effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, at a cost of $10,000.00 per year (same as last year). Note: The following language was added to the agreement under Scope of Agreement: Additionally, the Service Provider agrees that Blended Staff will not be utilized to assist in providing Certified Curriculum Instruction. 5. Re-appoint Ellis H. Katz of Sweet, Stevens, Katz and Williams LLP as Solicitor to the Board for fiscal year 2014-2015. Rate for non-routine matters will remain at $185 per hour and the rate for routine or general advice will remain at $140 per hour as per the Standard Agreement for Fees, Costs and Expenses for Representation of Public Educational Entities July 1, 2014. (Included with meeting documents.) Note: These rates are for the 2014-2015 fiscal year and are the current rates which became effective July 1, 2010. 6. Extra-Curricular End of Year Summary Reports - Informational Only (Copies included with the meeting documents.) a. Jennifer DiLossi Graduation Advisor b. Donna Rentschler/Kathleen DeYong Class of 2014 Advisors c. Stacy Wingfield Elementary/Middle School Art Club d. Stacy Wingfield HS Art Club e. Jennifer Welliver MS/HS Band f. Jennifer DiLossi Chorus Advisor
Page 3 g. Tara Varner Middle School Environthon h. Chris Mitchell HS Environthon i. Douglas McCracken FFA Advisor j. Donna Rentschler Key Club k. Melissa Chivers National Honor Society l. Paula Shannon SADD m. Michelle Correll HS Student Council n. Jennifer Welliver Elementary Band o. Nina Verhun/Dixie Rosencrans/Tina Comstock May Day p. Steven Spencer Safety Patrol Advisor q. Kelly Lutkiewicz Elementary Student Council r. Kelly Lutkiewicz Tech Club Grade 4 s. Kelly Lutkiewicz Tech Club Grades 5 & 6 Following discussion, it was decided that a motion for approval to accept the proposed playground equipment (Ten Spin) and additional upgrades (mulch) to the playground from the Benton Area Elementary PTC in memory of John Manning will be added to the regular meeting agenda. Mr. Wolfe moved and Mr. Hess seconded to authorize Beverly Peterson, Business Manager to approve the electric energy supplier based on Rose Consulting s recommendation, at a rate not to exceed $0.07500/kWh for a term of 36 to 48 months. VOTING YES: Michael Anderson, George Griffith, Brandon Hartman, Bruce Hess, Eric LeFevre, Robert Ridall, Stephen Tyree, Lance Wolfe ABSENT: Dana Sarnoski MOTION CARRIED ATHLETIC COMMITTEE - Stephen Tyree, Lance Wolfe, George Griffith, Robert Ridall Mr. Tyree reviewed the following Athletic Items. Noted items will be included for consideration on the regular monthly meeting agenda. 1. Appoint the coaches for the Winter 2014-2015 school year, as per the list presented with your board meeting documents. These appointments will be made pending successful completion of the Concussion Management Certification Training Course which cannot be accessed until July 1, 2014. All coaches, paid and volunteer, must annually complete this course and present certification before coaching as per Senate Bill 200 of Session 2011, the Safety in Youth Sports Act, effective July 1, 2012.
Page 4 2. Approve the volunteer coaches for the Winter 2014-2015 school year, as per the list presented with your board meeting documents. These appointments will be made pending successful completion of the Concussion Management Certification Training Course which cannot be accessed until July 1, 2014. All coaches, paid and volunteer, must annually complete this course and present certification before coaching as per Senate Bill 200 of Session 2011, the Safety in Youth Sports Act, effective July 1, 2012. 3. William A. Pasukinis, renewal of Athletic Director contract (attachment) The Athletic Committee will follow up with the MS/HS Principal to review Mr. Pasukinis evaluation. BUILDINGS, GROUNDS & INSURANCE COMMITTEE - Stephen Tyree, Michael Anderson, Bruce Hess Mr. Tyree reviewed the following Buildings, Grounds, and Insurance Item. 1. Seimens Industry, Inc. Fire Safety and Security System Statements of Work for discussion. The Buildings, Gounds & Insurance Committee met with Mike Castle, Seimens representative. Mr. Casarella reported that the committee will meet again with Rick Long. This item needs further review and will not be added to the regular meeting agenda. FINANCE - Lance Wolfe, Dana Sarnoski, George Griffith Mr. Wolfe reviewed the following Financial Items: Noted items will be included for consideration on the regular monthly meeting agenda. 1. Adopt the 2014-2015 Proposed Final Budget showing revenues and other financing sources of $10,869,209.00 and expenditures of $10,869,209.00. Note: These amounts reflect a tax increase to the Act 1 index of 2.8% plus the approved exceptions above the Act 1 index of 1.5 mils resulting in $267,874.00 for PSERS and Special Education. 2. Tax Levy 2014-2015 - Levy taxes for the 2014-2015 Final General Fund Operating Budget as follows: Real Estate 49.000 mils Per Capita 511 Tax $5.00 per person; 679 Tax $5.00 per person Earned Income 1.1% Realty Transfer 1%
Page 5 3. Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion Resolution (Attachment) The Tax Levy and Homestead/Farmstead Resolution will be listed for approval before the Adoption of the Budget on the regular meeting agenda. 4. Annual items for approval: a. Authorization to pay bills to complete the 2013-2014 school year b. Budget transfers to complete the 2013-2014 school year c. Authorization to pay bills through July 31, 2014 d. Authorization for Business Manager to make investments for the 2014-2015 school year. (These items will be added to the regular meeting agenda.) 5. Brewer & Company, LLC - School Auditor from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 at a fee of $14,000.00 as per the letter of understanding presented. 6. Central Susquehanna Community Foundation Foundation/Endowments Discussion Item. Following discussion, it was decided that a motion for approval to engage the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation to initiate the process to establish a Foundation / Endowment Fund for the District will be added to the regular meeting agenda. NEGOTIATIONS (PROFESSIONAL STAFF) - Robert Ridall, Brandon Hartman, Lance Wolfe Mr. Ridall reported that a meeting was held but was not productive. A proposal was presented by the union requesting other contract modifications and salary increases than previously discussed. PERSONNELCOMMITTEE - Robert Ridall, Steve Tyree, George Griffith Mr. Ridall reviewed the following Personnel Items. Noted items will be included for consideration on the regular monthly meeting agenda. 1. School Dentist Dr. Cross No financial compensation (Letter forthcoming) 2. Increase the length of the work-day by ½ hour (30 minutes) for (3) support staff (Jill Houseweart, Nancy Joraskie, Melissa Muldowney) in the district office, effective July 1, 2014. (Note: the additional time will be paid at their regular salary rate.) 3. Increase school psychologist, Douglas Fedor from part-time to full-time due to increased work load. (Increased cost of $3,044.19, as per the copy in the meeting documents) 4. Child Rearing Leave of Absence for Employee No.1088 - on or about September 19, 2014 through December 15, 2014.
Page 6 5. Hire Caroline H. Shauger as a long-term substitute, at a salary of $110.00 per day, to cover a Child Rearing Leave of Absence on or about September 19, 2014 through December 15, 2014. 6. Memorandum of Agreement Benton Area Education Association Re: Joseph Goode 7. Eric Kocher as mentor for Danielle Hackenburg - $477.26 pro-rated due to partial year (2014-2015). 8. Annual Blended Report ( Informational Only) 9. Accept the resignation of personal care aide, Susan Cole effective, June 6, 2014 POLICY COMMITTEE Brandon Hartman, Steve Tyree, George Griffith Mr. Hartman reviewed the following Policy Items. Noted items will be included for consideration on the regular monthly meeting agenda. 1. Policy No. 103.1 Programs Nondiscrimination Qualified Students With Disabilities First Reading This is a new policy. 2. Policy No. 113.1 Programs Discipline of Students with Disabilities First Reading First reading for revision Updates and additions to policy language. 3. Policy No. 113.2 Programs Behavior Support First Reading First reading for revision Updates and additions to policy language. 4. Policy No. 351 Employees Drug and Substance Abuse First Reading First reading for revision Updates and deletions to policy language as per the solicitor s recommendation. Following discussion, board members agreed that this item needs further review and will not be added to the June regular meeting agenda.
Page 7 SUPPLIES & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Michael Anderson, Brandon Hartman, Bruce Hess This committee had nothing to report. TEXTBOOKS/CURRICULUM/STRATEGIC PLANNING- Dana Sarnoski, Michael Anderson, Robert Ridall This committee had nothing to report. OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD Mary Dougher addressed the board regarding band lessons over the summer months and declining band member numbers. She also inquired as to the status of the investigation regarding the Superintendent. Dr. LeFevre stated that the investigation is being dealt with by the board. ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. LeFevre announced that the board will now hold an executive session for personnel issues in the conference room after the meeting. NEW BUSINESS Beverly Peterson, Business Manager presented information on a back-up system for software at a cost of $53,401.00. Payments of $1,483.00 per month could be spread out over 36 months at 0% interest for financing. Brady Hess, Technology Director, reported that the current back-up system is starting to fail. ADJOURN- Mr. Tyree moved and Mr. Ridall seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. VOTING YES: Michael Anderson, George Griffith, Brandon Hartman, Bruce Hess, Eric LeFevre, Robert Ridall, Stephen Tyree, Lance Wolfe ABSENT: Dana Sarnoski MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted, Nancy Joraskie, Board Secretary