August 17, 2015 I. CALL TO ORDER President Jane Wagner The Mount Union Area Board of Education met in special session Monday evening, August 17, 2015, in the Library of the Junior/Senior High School. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by the President, Jane Wagner, with a moment of silent prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. II. ROLL CALL OF DIRECTORS Board Members Present: Jane Wagner Andrea Christoff Greg Dimoff Duane Gearhart Andrew Ketner Linda McClure Dolly Ranck Rexall Secrest Kurt Wenzel Also Present Were: Dr. Brett A. Gilliland Frank Miller Curt Whitesel Rebecca Berdar Virginia Singer Dianne Thomas Amy Smith Attorney Fred Gutshall Lenny Snyder Scott Stringer, MU Community Soccer League III. ROLL CALL VOTING 1. The Roll Call Voting and Recording Motion was approved as follows: Approval is granted that as the President of the Board conducts this meeting, it is not necessary to announce each roll call vote. If, however, a director or director(s), wish to comment or have his/her comment or vote specifically recorded, the director(s) shall have the opportunity to so state. IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS A member of the public present at a meeting of the Board may address the Board on item(s) on the agenda in accordance with Board s rules. If a group issue exists, a representative should be appointed by the group to speak. All presentations will be limited to five (5) minutes per speaker. Each speaker should state their name, address of residence and item(s) on the agenda to which their comments are directed.
Mount Union Area School District Page 2 August 17, 2015 For specific questions, the individual(s) should schedule a meeting for discussion with the Administration. The Board may or may not choose to entertain answering any questions. Speaker s time will be limited to five (5) minutes. At 6:32 p.m., President Jane Wagner opened the floor for public comments. With no comments being received, President Jane Wagner continued on with the agenda items. V. GENERAL Items #1 through Item #3 of General were approved as follows: 1. Authorization to issue payment to Weatherproofing Technologies for services rendered for the Roof Replacement Project in the amount of $395,149.77 and for services rendered for the Roof Restoration Project in the amount of $71,682.78 to be covered by the District s Capital Reserve Fund. 2. Recommendation for the District to participate in the School-Based ACCESS Program (SBAP) and related training and approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for the 2015-2016 school year with the costs being covered by the District s General Fund/Special Education funds as presented. 3. a) Recommendation for the District to continue as a Host Site for the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps Program for the 2015-2016 school year with the District s costs to be covered by its Access funding through the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit #11 as presented. b) Recommendation to approve the worker through AmeriCorp and the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit #11 Susan Simpson, 10230 Raystown Road, Huntingdon, PA 16652 to work with the District s Special Education Department and Transition Program during the 2015-2016 school year pending receipt of the necessary paperwork and clearances. President Jane Wagner noted that Items #4 and Item #5 of General were for information purposes. 4. For Information The scoreboard for the high school football field was purchased from Dan Swift Enterprises at the cost of $9,100.00 from the District s Capital Reserve Funds. (Authorization was granted at the July 27, 2015 meeting.)
Mount Union Area School District Page 3 August 17, 2015 5. For Information -- 2016 PSBA officers and at-large representatives Voting will need to be completed at our August 31, 2015 board meeting. Please access information on the individuals running for election/re-election on the PSBA web site. Note: Action on one additional General item was taken later in the meeting and appears on page 7 of the agenda Soccer League request. VI. PERSONNEL President Jane Wagner noted that Item #1 of Personnel was for information purposes. 1. For Information: The District has received the written letter of resignation from Mr. Jayme Piper. Item #2 of Personnel was approved as follows: 2. Recommendation to ratify the contract proposal between the Mount Union Area School District and the Mount Union Area Education Support Professional Association/ESPA/PSEA/NEA for a period of three years beginning August 24, 2015 through August 23, 2018 with the understanding that when a finalized copy of the three-year contract agreement is available, it will be brought back to the board for final entering into the minutes. Items #3 through Item #10 of Personnel were approved as follows: 3. Recommendation to approve the following employees who have successfully completed three years of satisfactory teaching in the District for Professional Contracts effective for the end of the 2014-2015 school year: Elementary Ms. Brooke Rhone Mrs. Michelle (Snyder) Grove 4. Recommendation to accept with regret the resignation of Ms. Faith Maben as a part-time special education teacher for the District effective July 29, 2015. Ms. Maben had one year of service in the District and has accepted full-time employment with another district. 5. Recommendation to name Ms. Alixandra Sellers, 2508 Holland Avenue, Huntingdon, PA 16652 to the part-time (6/8s/day) Special Education teaching position on the 1 st Step of the Bachelor s salary scale at $35,000.00 with the understanding the salary would be pro-rated for the 6/8s of a day effective for the 2015-2016 school year.
Mount Union Area School District Page 4 August 17, 2015 6. Recommendation to name Mr. Tracy Cornelius as Junior High Student Council Advisor (Student Government) retro-active effective for the 2014-2015 school year to be paid the extra-curricular activities salary of $650.00. 7. Recommendation to name the following mentors for new hires effective for the 2015-2016 school year: Elementary Jennifer Ryan Sybil Miller -- $200 non-experienced 8. a) Recommendation to name Mr. Josh Hicks as Head Teacher for the Mapleton- Union Elementary to be paid the supplemental salary of $3,600.00 for the 2015-2016 school year. b) As a result of naming Mr. Josh Hicks to the Head Teacher position at the Mapleton-Union Elementary, recommendation to increase his number of days from 182 ½ days to 192 ½ days to be paid at per diem effective for the 2015-2016 school year. 9. Accept with regret the medical leave retirement/resignation from Mrs. Lannette Feathers as a full-time para-educator special education aide effective August 14, 2015. Mrs. Feathers has 19 years of service in the District as a para-educator. 10. a) Recommendation to rescind the motion from the July 27, 2015 board meeting, Personnel, Item #17a Elementary Teacher Regular to name Mrs. Margaret Henry on the 1st step of the Bachelor s salary scale. b) Recommendation to name Mrs. Margaret Henry as a long-term substitute Elementary teacher for the start of the 2015-20156 school year to be paid at the rate of $90/day with benefits effective September 1, 2015, with the understanding that she will complete the needed credits to re-activate her Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate within a 90-day period. Items #11a and Item #11b of Personnel were approved as follows: 11. a) Accept with regret the resignation of Mrs. Autumn Fiscus as Director of Business Affairs effective as per agreement with Mifflin County School District pending receipt of written letter of resignation. Mrs. Fiscus has 10 years of service in the District and has accepted the CFO position with the Mifflin County School District. b) Recommendation to pay Mrs. Autumn Fiscus for 60 unused vacation days at the rate of $297.50 per day.
Mount Union Area School District Page 5 August 17, 2015 Items #12 through Item #19 of Personnel were approved as follows and as presented on the blue addenda agenda for Items #18c to Item #18h and with the addition of the hourly rates to Items #18a through Item #18h: 12. a) Recommendation to name Mr. Mark DeVivo and Ms. Taylor Miles as Co- Assistant Volleyball Coach for the Junior High Program effective for the 2015-2016 school year with the understanding the supplemental salary of $2,000.00 will be divided between the two individuals pending receipt of necessary clearances and paperwork. b) Recommendation to approve Ms. Brittany Brumbaugh and Ms. Amy Brumbaugh as volunteer Assistant Girls Volleyball Coaches effective for the 2015-2016 school year pending receipt of necessary clearances and paperwork. 13. Recommendation to name Ms. Brooke Rhone as Assistant Cheerleader Advisor/Coach effective for the 2015-2016 school year at the supplemental salary of $1,500.00. 14. Recommendation to name Ms. Alixandra Sellers as Head Girls Basketball Coach effective for the 2015-2016 school year to be paid the supplemental salary of $4,000.00. 15. Recommendation to name Ms. Kaylyn N. Massafra, 1517 Oneida Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652 as Assistant Girls Basketball Coach effective for the 2015-2016 school year to be paid the supplemental salary of $2,000.00 pending receipt of necessary paperwork and clearances. 16. Recommendation to increase the number of hours per day for the LPN/Building Aide positions (2 positions) and Building/Office Aide position (1 position at the Mount Union-Kistler Elementary) effective for the 2015-2016 school year as follows to be paid at the respective hourly rate of pay for the additional time: LPN/Building Aide Full-time positions from 7 hours/day to 7 ½ hours/day (Individuals to be named in Item #18a and #18b of Personnel.) Building/Office Aide Full-time position from 7 ¼ hours/day to 7 ½ hours/day (Employee Tonya Stoner) 17. Recommendation that 6 ½ hour aides be offered benefits according to the Affordable Care Act effective for the 2015-2016 school year. This would affect the following employees: Virginia Singer Carol Walker Angie Stinson
Mount Union Area School District Page 6 August 17, 2015 18. Para-Educator Special Education/Aide Recommendations: a) Recommendation to name Mr. Robert W. Sieber, 7 West Vandevender Street, Mount Union, PA 17066 to the full-time LPN/Building Aide position effective for the 2015-2016 school year for 7 ½ hours per day to be paid $15.15 per hour with applicable benefits following the satisfactory completion of a 75-day probationary period. (Note: Number of hours per day is contingent upon Board approval of Item #16 of Personnel.) b) Recommendation to name Mrs. Elizabeth Hollibaugh, 14158 Christoff Avenue, Mount Union, PA 17066 to the full-time LPN/Building Aide position effective for the 2015-2016 school year for 7 ½ hours per day to be paid $15.15 per hour with applicable benefits following the satisfactory completion of a 75-day probationary period. (Note: Number of hours per day is contingent upon Board approval of Item #16 of Personnel.) c) Recommendation to name/transfer Mrs. Jenice Hildebrand from a 4-hour/day, part-time cafeteria aide position to a 5 ½ hours/day para-educator special education aide position effective for the 2015-2016 school year to be paid $10.20/hour with applicable benefits following the satisfactory completion of a 20-day probationary period. (This would be the position vacated by the resignation of Mrs. Patty Russ at the June 22, 2015 board meeting.) d) As a result of the transfer/naming Mrs. Jenice Hildebrand, recommendation to name/transfer Mrs. Michele A. Grove from a 3-hour, part-time cafeteria aide position to the 4-hour/day, part-time cafeteria aide position effective for the 2015-2016 school year to be paid $10.20/hour with applicable benefits following the satisfactory completion of a 20-day probationary period. e) As a result of transferring/naming Mrs. Michele A. Grove to the 4-hour cafeteria position, authorization to post/advertise for a 3-hour, part-time cafeteria aide position effective for the 2015-2016 school year and authorization for the Administration to fill the 3-hour, part-time cafeteria aide position prior to the August/September board meeting(s) based upon the Personnel Committee s recommendation with the understanding the information will be brought back to the Board for final approval and entering into the minutes at the next board meeting. f) Recommendation name/transfer Mrs. Pamela Jenkins from a 5 ½ hour/day part-time para-educator special education aide position to a 6-hour/day, parttime para-educator special education aide position effective for the 2015-2016 school year to be paid $10.20/hour with applicable benefits following the satisfactory completion of a 20-day probationary period. (This would be the position vacated by the resignation of Mr. Jayme Piper accepted at the July 27, 2015 board meeting.)
Mount Union Area School District Page 7 August 17, 2015 g) Recommendation to name Mrs. Darlene Greenawalt, P. O. Box 462, Mount Union, PA 17066, to a 5 ½ hours/day, part-time para-educator special education aide position effective for the 2015-2016 school year to be paid $10.20/hour with applicable benefits following the satisfactory completion of a 75-day probationary period. h) Authorization to for the Administration to fill prior to the August/September board meeting(s) the following positions based upon the Personnel Committee s recommendations with the understanding the information will be brought back to the Board for final approval and entering into the minutes at the next board meeting: 1. Two Part-time, special education para-educator for 5 ½ hours/day each 2. One Full-time, special education para-educator for 7 hours/day 19. Approval of the Teaching and Para-Educator/Aide assignments for the 2015-2016 school year: Elementary -- blue attachment Junior High -- goldenrod attachment Senior High -- yellow attachment Special Education -- green attachments VII. USE OF FACILITIES AND FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES President Jane Wagner noted that Item #1 of Use of Facilities and Fund-Raising Activities was for information purposes only. 1. For Information The MU Strategic Plan meeting to be held in the cafeteria of the Junior/Senior High School was rescheduled from July 30, 2015 to August 19, 2015. Items #2 through Item #5 of Use of Facilities and Fund-Raising Activities were approved as follows: 2. Request from Mrs. Louise Ketner, Head Cheerleading Advisor/Coach, for use of the high school gym and facilities to hold Junior High Cheerleading camp on August 14 and 15, 2015 with the understanding the event is an overnight activity with the understanding there would be at least two adults or more, food would be brought in and the group would handle their own clean-up. (Note: Superintendent Dr. Brett Gilliland granted pre-approval of this request due to the date of the event and the item being missed on the July 27, 2015 agenda.)
Mount Union Area School District Page 8 August 17, 2015 3. Request from Ms. Nikki Huntsman on behalf of the Huntingdon County Child & Adult Development Corp. for use of Shirley Township Elementary on August 20, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to hold Pre-K Back to School Night. 4. Request from Nikki Huntsman on behalf of the Huntingdon County Child & Adult Development Corp. for use of the Mapleton-Union Elementary classroom on August 25, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to hold Head Start Back to School Night. 5. Request from the Mount Union Band Boosters to hold a Fall Fundraiser of Little Caesars, Country Button Candles, and Dip-pity Do Da (Gourmet dips & cheese cake mixes), N/S Sweeties Donuts and Apple Dumplings starting August 20, 2015 through September 21, 2015 with the understanding the details of the activity will be cleared with the building administrator and approved by the Wellness Committee. VIII. FIELD TRIPS AND CONFERENCES Items #1 through Item #2 of Field Trips and Conferences were approved as follows with the addition of Mrs. Andrea Christoff to Item #2: 1. Request from Mrs. Dianne Thomas to attend the PaTTAN s IDEA Compliance Monitoring Training to be held in Harrisburg on August 17, 2015 at no cost to the District. (Note: Superintendent Dr. Brett Gilliland granted pre-approval of this request due to the date of the event.) 2. Request from Mrs. Dolly Ranck and Mrs. Andrea Christoff to attend the PSBA- PASA 2016 Leadership Conference to be held in Hershey October 14-16, 2015 with costs to the District being for registration, lodging and mileage. IX. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. August Board Meetings: Monday, August 17, 2015: Workshop Immediately following the adjournment of the special session. Monday, August 24, 2015: 6:30 p.m. Board Workshop Monday, August 31, 2015 6:00 p.m. Executive Session 7:00 p.m. Regular August Meeting
Mount Union Area School District Page 9 August 17, 2015 Prior to adjournment of the special session, Mr. Scott Stringer, representative for the Mount Union Community Soccer League, addressed the Board in regards to their request for the placement of a building on District property near the soccer field and behind the Maintenance Utility Building as discussed at the Athletic/Title IX and Buildings & Grounds Board Committees meeting earlier in the month. V. GENERAL Additional Item: 6. The recommendation to grant authorization to the Mount Union Community Soccer League to place a non-permanent building on stone behind the Maintenance Utility Building near the soccer field with the understanding it does not set a precedence for the District and all costs are to be covered by the Soccer League was approved. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. It was noted that a workshop would be held following the adjournment of the special session. Deanna Lee Wagner Board Secretary