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 7:40 p.m. with President Michael Yeager in charge of the meeting. CITIZEN OF THE MONTH Third Grade student, Ezra Herb, was selected as the first Citizen of the Month by his teachers and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Caputo presented him with a certificate. President Yeager welcomed everyone and announced that an executive session was held prior to the Board meeting to discuss personnel. An executive session was also held the previous Monday to consult with counsel concerning litigation and to discuss personnel. Mr. Yeager requested another executive session following the meeting to consult with counsel regarding potential litigation, followed by a roll call of Board Members. BOARD MEMBERS Charlene Cove Timothy Vought Gail Zambor Schuerch Joseph Klebon Michael Yeager Charles Porter John Yocum OTHERS PRESENT Paul Caputo, Superintendent; Michael Sokoloski, Business Manager; Tresa Britch, Board Secretary; Richard J. Roberts, Solicitor; James Becker, Angela Farronato, John Fetterman, Brenda Monick, Jennifer Snyder, Administrators; Timothy George, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds; district residents and a member of the media. AGENDA HEARING PERIOD President Yeager announced which items on the agenda would be considered action items. BOARD VACANCY Mr. Samuel Kranzel and Mr. Thomas Reich were interviewed for the Region II (Ralpho Township) vacancy on the Board of Directors. On a motion by Cove and second by Zambor Schuerch, to appoint Samuel Kranzel of Region II (Ralpho Township) to serve on the Board of Directors effective, through November 2016, was presented for approval. By roll call vote, the motion failed; 2-Yes, 5-No (Cove and Zambor Schuerch voted Yes). On a motion by Klebon and second by Yocum, to appoint Thomas R. Reich of Region II (Ralpho Township) to serve on the Board of Directors effective, through November 2016, was presented for approval. By roll call vote, the motion carried; 5-Yes, 2-No (Cove and Zambor Schuerch voted No). The Board Secretary administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Reich. He took a seat on the Board at 8:09 p.m.
Page 2 ITEMS - POLICY AND PROGRAMS On a motion by Vought and second by Cove to declare the Region II (Catawissa Borough/Catawissa Township) School Director Seat vacant effective December 17, 2013, was presented for approval. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT Mr. Caputo s report included the following topics: 1). Mr. Caputo welcomed members of the Girls Soccer Team and congratulated them on their successful season and earning a trip to the state finals. Head Coach, Derek Stine, reported that this year s team made it farther than any SCA girls soccer team has ever gone before. They accomplished the task that previous teams have been trying to accomplish for eighteen years. The seven captains of the team presented the Heartland Conference Champion plaque, the District IV Champion plaque and the 2 nd Place PIAA Championship trophy to the Board. They also presented the Board with their academic award. Assistant Coach, Jennifer Stine, explained that the academic award is a national award, which is awarded to teams with outstanding GPAs. The team s GPA based on a 4.0 scale is 3.9, which is above a distinguished honor roll average with forty girls on the team. President Yeager congratulated the team on both their athletic and academic accomplishments. 2.) Mr. Caputo announced that the Presidents Day holiday would now be a school make-up day and the Wednesday and Thursday before Easter would also be snow make-up days. 3.) He welcomed some senior students who presented a proposal for a senior class trip to Boston, Massachusetts. The girls gave a brief PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed itinerary and breakdown of expenses. ITEMS - POLICY AND PROGRAMS (continued) On a motion by Klebon and second by Vought, a Senior Class Trip to Boston, Massachusetts, on May 2 nd through 4 th, 2014, at no cost to the District, was presented for approval. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. COMMITTEE REPORTS Activities - Gail Zambor Schuerch, Chairperson, reported that the meeting was cancelled. Facilities & Services - Tim Vought, Chairperson, reported that the first item discussed was the sale of Tech Ed and weight equipment. The second item discussed was the Guaranteed Energy Savings proposals. They discussed replacing two exterior doors near the elementary playground. They talked about the pneumatic heaters throughout the district that have exceeded their life expectancy. They requested information on 24-hour fire alarm monitoring. The severe weather announcement needs some revisions. They discussed the elementary kitchen hood and fire suppression system. The Priority Projects List was reviewed. Mr. Vought recommended that the Board take action to authorize the purchase of a generator. He recommended the 200 amp option. After some discussion it was the consensus of the Board to direct the administration to purchase a generator and the necessary materials to complete the installation. There was an issue regarding heat in the new gym. Mr. George stated that he raised the temperature two degrees. Mr. Vought reported that it was comfortable during the last game. One of the maintenance workers would be retiring in April and they discussed waste oil from the bus barn. Mr. Reich notified Mr. George that there was a problem with one of the wheels on the bleachers in the new gym. Mr. George stated that he would look at it the following morning. Mr. Klebon asked the status of the leak in the storage room. Mr. George replied that Budget
Page 3 Roofing is coming to look at it but they are waiting for a period of clear weather. Mr. Klebon asked about the banners for the new gym. Mr. George stated that they would get it done as soon as they could get a time period to get a lift in the gym. Finance - Charlie Porter, Chairperson, reported that they have kicked off the current budget season. At this point they are projecting a deficit of a little over $1 million. They can raise taxes 2.7 percent according to the index. That would generate $171,000, which was factored in. Currently Columbia County residents are paying 35.8 mills. That millage would go to 38.37 with the 2.7 increase. Northumberland County residents are currently paying 52.86. That millage would actually decrease to 51.28. The budget projects an increase of about 1.5 percent in funds for earned income tax and a slight increase in basic subsidy. It also includes PSERS increasing to 21.4 percent. It includes $42,000 for a math teacher, which would still need to be discussed with administration. The Capital Reserve Fund is at $104,000. Mr. Porter stated that there was over $400,000 in the black in the audit report. The biggest chunk of that was a result of tax collections. The district did not get money from Central Tax Bureau as they should have, so Mr. Sokoloski was very conservative in projecting income from Central Tax. When Berkheimer took over, tax collections increased in the amount of $366,928. Real Estate Tax collections surpassed projections by $117,000 due to the higher than anticipated collection rate. Other contributing factors were lower transportation expenses, and ACCESS reimbursement. Policy - Charlene Cove reported that the meeting was cancelled. Vo-Tech - John Yocum reported that at the November 14 th meeting, the JOC lawyer for admissions indicated that the new admission policy went well for the implementation. The bad part about it is that the policy states that the student must reside and attend the public school. Cyber school and homeschooled students would not be eligible. The superintendents were against the cyber school students attending but were okay with the homeschooled students because they are part of the LEA. Mr. Yocum reported that Bloomsburg and Berwick were against the wording, reside and attend. The superintendents agreed that the cyber charter schools are not part of the Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech and do not support it, so they feel that a student must reside and attend one of the sending schools in order to be eligible to attend the Vo-Tech. They were in agreement on the homeschool students because they are still a part of the sending district. Mr. Yocum stated that it would probably come to a vote and he asked the Board for direction on how he and Mr. Yeager should comment on the subject. After some discussion it was the consensus of the Board that they should ask them to table a vote until there is more information available. ITEMS TREASURER S REPORTS ITEMS MINUTES/INVOICES ITEMS FISCAL On a motion by Yocum and second by Vought, to authorize the advertising and display for public inspection, with a starting date of January 16, 2014, of the 2014-2015 proposed Preliminary Budget, was presented for approval. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote.
Page 4 On a motion by Zambor Schuerch and second by Klebon, the following items were presented for approval: B. To approve the Amendment to the District s Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan Document for the 2013 plan year that would permit employees to carry-over a maximum of $500 a year and permit the Business Manager to executive the necessary documentation (per Exhibit A). C. To approve the following Agreement and to authorize the Business Manager to execute the same on behalf of the District (per Exhibit B): 1. Adoption Agreement for District 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. D. To approve a Section 356 Agreement together with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue so as to enable Berkheimer and Associates to obtain tax return information from the Commonwealth in order to cross check earned income tax rolls (Exhibit C). E. To refund the sum of $ 1,406.24 of real estate taxes paid to the district by Bernadette Barvitskie since meeting the qualifications under the PA State Veteran s Commission for Real Estate Tax Exemption. F. To award the bid for disposal of ITEM 1 - (1) Band Saw Blade Welder to James Karnes (Catawissa) in the amount of $87.00 (proceeds to be deposited in the Technology Education Activity Account). G. To award the bid for disposal of ITEM 6 - Empty Tool Cases to James Karnes (Catawissa) in the amount of $27.00 (proceeds to be deposited in the Technology Education Activity Account). H. To award the bid for disposal of ITEM 21 - Iron Olympic Plates (3 sets of 300 lbs.) to Rex Crowl (Elysburg) in the amount of $350.00 (proceeds to be deposited in the Athletic Fund). The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. On a motion by Porter and second by Zambor Schuerch, to reject the bids for the disposal of ITEM 21 - Iron Olympic Plates (1 set of 300 lbs.) and ITEM 29 - Adjustable Workout Bench (black padding). The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. On a motion by Yocum and second by Cove, a Settlement Agreement in CS v. Southern Columbia Area School District, et al. docketed to No. 4:12-CV-01013. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote.
Page 5 On a motion by Klebon and second by Reich, a Separation Release Agreement with Council 86 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL/CIO and Local 1864 and Michaelle Miller was presented for approval. By roll call vote the motion carried; 6- Yes, 2-No (Porter and Vought voted No). ITEMS PERSONNEL On a motion by Cove and second by Zambor-Schuerch, the following items were presented for approval: A. The addition of the following individual(s) to the 2013-2014 Substitute List (pending completion of all employment requirements): Nicole Buckenberger (Elementary K-6) - effective December 19, 2013 Ian Murray (Elementary K-6) - effective January 14, 2014 B. To change the employment status of Denise Conniff from 3-Hour Cafeteria Worker to 4-Hour Cafeteria Worker (currently assigned to the Elementary Cafeteria) effective January 2, 2014; salary and benefits per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. C. To change the employment status of Donna Feese from Substitute Cafeteria Worker to 2-hour Cafeteria Worker effective January 14, 2014 (pending completion of all employment requirements); salary and benefits per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. D. To extend the Childrearing Leave for employee #2270AS to March 3, 2014. (Item D was Tabled.) E. FMLA qualifying Leave for employee #1904AP effective on or about February 26, 2014; not to exceed 12 weeks in the following 12-month period. F. FMLA qualifying Leave for employee #1969CL effective January 2, 2014; not to exceed 12 weeks in the following 12-month period. Prior to voting, there was some discussion regarding Item D. On a motion by Yocum and second by Zambor Schuerch, to table Item D was presented for approval. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. The Board than voted on the original motion excluding Item D. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. ITEMS - POLICY AND PROGRAMS BOARD COMMENTS Mr. Porter mentioned an ad hoc Wellness Committee meeting that took place. Mrs. Zambor Schuerch stated that she would report on the Wellness Committee at the next Board meeting. RECOGNITION OF THE PUBLIC There was no public comment.
Page 6 ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Cove and second by Klebon, the meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m. The motion carried by unanimous affirmative voice vote. Respectfully Submitted, Tresa J. Britch Board Secretary