REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2017 6:30 p.m. MIFFLIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 201 EIGHTH STREET, HIGHLAND PARK LEWISTOWN, PA 17044-1197 Mission Statement: Educate each student to meet life s challenges. I. CALL TO ORDER The regular School Board Meeting of the Mifflin County School District was held Thursday evening, August 24, 2017, at 6:30 P.M. at the Administration Building, 201 Eighth Street, Highland Park, Lewistown, Pennsylvania. The following members were present at roll call: II. BOARD MEMBERS JOHN E. KNEPP BETH M. LAUGHLIN KRISTEN L. SHARP NEIL B. RUSSLER - 6:32PM MARY LOU M. SIGLER E. TERRY STYERS NOAH D. WISE Also present were Mr. James A. Estep, Superintendent; Mr. Vance S. Varner, Director of Secondary Education; Mrs. Autumn D. Fiscus, Chief Financial Officer; Mrs. Amy L. Smith, Board Secretary; Mr. Mark Remy, Knepp & Snook; Mrs. Michelle Knepp, and Mr. Joe Cannon, The Sentinel. III. COMMUNICATIONS/ REPORTS A. School Board Secretary Nothing at this time. B. School Board Members Ms. Sigler welcomed the teachers and students back. Ms. Sigler gave handouts on curriculum integrated units, an article from the Centre Daily Times Niche.com and an article on diversity. She said parents greatest concern is bullying and cyber-bullying. We need to do more than a written policy. Discussion occurred. Mr. Estep thanked Ms. Sigler for the information she presented to the board. Mrs. Laughlin is hopeful that the curriculum we are putting in place will help with our scores. She is pleased with what she has reviewed so far with the K-5 Science curriculum. She appreciates the fact that the curriculum is fluid to allow for changes. 8/24/17 1
Mr. Knepp asked that the police go down to EDES to be visible to help reduce speed on the Back Maitland Road. C. Superintendent Mr. Estep was contacted by Bill Gomes. Mr. Estep approved a survey in conjunction with Juniata County SD. It will be sent out to parents via skylert. Mr. Estep informed the board that we may need to add a PT Paraprofessional @ IVEC at some point during the school year. Mr. Estep sent an article via email to the board members on the nationwide teacher shortage. We are feeling that especially in special education. We have a Life Skills teacher position at LIS, an Emotional Support teacher at MCHS and a School Nurse position to fill. He would like approval to either hold a special voting meeting or to hire and then retroactively approve the hire at next month s meeting. The Board agreed to allow Mr. Estep to hire and then retroactively approve the hires. D. Director of Secondary Education - Nothing at this time. E. Director of Buildings and Grounds Not present F. Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology New student orientation is being held at The Academy tonight. The sprinkler system was installed in the paint booth today. Mr. Estep commended Cory Brower, Maintenance at The Academy on doing a good job getting The Academy looking good. The school store is stocked and ready to go for the first day of school. G. Public Comment Period Nothing at this time. IV. CONSENT AGENDA Note: All matters taken under this section are considered to be routine and action will be taken with one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. A. BOARD MEETINGS 1. Recommend approval of minutes of School Board Committee Meetings, Special and Regular School Board Meetings held, and listing of Executive Sessions conducted. A. Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting July 20, 2017, at 6:30 P.M. B. Regular School Board Meeting July 27, 2017, at 6:30 P.M. C. Executive Sessions Conducted July 20, 2017, at 7:44 P.M. to discuss personnel, and legal issues. July 27, 2017, from 5:30 P.M. 6:30 P.M. to discuss personnel issues. B. BOARD ACTION (includes policies and curriculum) 1. Recommend the approval of revisions to the K-5 Math and K-5 Science Curriculum. 8/24/17 2
2. Recommend the first approval of elementary integrated units of study for grades 1-5 for instruction and ongoing revisions during the 2017-2018 school year 3. Recommend the first approval of Chemistry, 6-8 Science, and 6-8 Mathematics Curriculum for instruction and ongoing revisions during the 2017-2018 school year. C. CUSTODIAL-MAINTENANCE 1. Informational Item: The fuel oil bid was awarded to Snedeker Oil Company at a price of $1.76/gallon for tractor trailer and $1.795/gallon for less than tractor trailer. 2. Recommend permission to reject the propane bids. 3. Recommend approval to bid propane for 2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school year, a 3-year agreement. Authorize Administration to award or reject bids the day of bid opening. Results of bid award will be conveyed to the Board following the award. D. FINANCE 1. Review of Treasurer Reports for month ended July, 2017 (1) Kish Bank (2) PSDLAF / PSDMAX (3) Temporary Investment Report and Summary (4) Capital Projects Fund (PLGIT) (5) General Obligation Bond 2014 Series (PLGIT) 2. Review of Listing of bills for payment 3. Review of Revenue and Expense Summary 4. Real Estate and Per Capita Tax Collector Reports 5. Recommend for the Tax Claim Bureau of Mifflin County to accept $100 for Property Map Number 17,18-0211--,000. This property is currently placed on the repository for unsold properties. 6. Recommend approval to exonerate Linda Marks, Armagh Township Tax Collector, from collecting tax bill on parcel 12,06-0100U-,000. E. CAFETERIA 1. Recommend approval of the Cafeteria Financial Report for July, 2017. 2. Request authorization to pay Cafeteria Bills for July, 2017. F. TRANSPORTATION 1. Recommend approval of Bus/Van Drivers for 2017-2018 school year. 8/24/17 3
2. Recommend approval of Bus Stops for the 2017-2018 school year. 3. Request authorization to provide transportation for these parochial/private schools which have formally requested that Mifflin County School District provide their students for the 2017-2018 school year. Belleville Mennonite Mifflin County Christian Academy Beth-El Christian Day School Sacred Heart School Valley View Christian School G. STUDENT-RELATED H. PERSONNEL 1. Recommend that the following Coaches be reappointed for 2017-2018: BERNARD HOWARD Baseball JACK MCCURDY Softball SCOTT GANTZ Girls Track and Field SCOT SECHLER Boys Track and Field L. GLEN KYLE Boys Tennis I. ATHLETICS and ACTIVITIES CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Ms. Sigler, second by Mr. Knepp to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL VOTE: - YES 7 Members present, motion carried unanimously. V. ROLL CALL ITEMS 1. TRANSPORTATION ADDENDUM a. Recommend that the following be approved as bus drivers for C.H. Fisher, Inc.: Amy Jo Kintzel Russell M. Specht Motion by Ms. Sigler, second by Mr. Knepp to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL VOTE: - YES 7 Members present, motion carried unanimously. 8/24/17 4
2. PERSONNEL a. Recommend approval to rescind hiring MEGAN E. HERBSTER as a permanent Fifth Grade Teacher at LIS due to PDE Certification requirements. b. Recommend that MEGAN E. HERBSTER be hired as a Long-Term Substitute Fifth Grade Teacher at LIS effective for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year or less at a prorated salary of $40,432 (Bachelors, Step 1) based on the number of days worked. c. Recommend that ERMALINDA M. STEPHENS be hired as a permanent Fifth Grade Teacher at LIS effective for the 2017-2018 school year at a salary of $41,632 (Step 1, Bachelors+24). d. Recommend that LAURA J. FARO be hired as a permanent Second Grade Teacher at LES effective for the 2017-2018 school year at a salary of $40,432 (Step1, Bachelors). e. Recommend that NICOLE M. ALLAMON-MINEAR be hired as a permanent Learning Support Teacher at LES effective August 29, 2017 at a salary of $43,382 (Step 1, Masters +15). f. Recommend that the resignation of CHRISTOPHER V. EVANS, Emotional Support Teacher at MCHS, be accepted effective August 22, 2017 due to other employment. g. Recommend approval for the transfer of TRACEY ROE from Paraprofessional at LES to Paraprofessional at MCJHS effective for the 2017-2018 school year. h. Recommend that REBECCA J. FULTZ be hired as a 3-hour Cashier at MCHS effective August 25, 2017. i. Recommend that JESSICA M. WALTERS be hired as a 3-hour Cashier at IVEC effective August 25, 2017. j. Recommend that TAYLOR M. BOOZEL be added to the Event Staff list for 2017-2018. k. Recommend that AARON L. GINGRICH be hired as 9 TH Grade Girls Basketball Coach for the 2017-2018 School Year. l. Recommend that COLTON W. SPADE be hired as Assistant Junior High Wrestling Coach for the 2017-2018 School Year. m. Recommend dissolving two ESL Paraprofessional positions. n. Recommend that the resignation of NEIL A COULTER, Multi Craft Maintenance Tech, be accepted effective at the end of the shift on September 8, 2017, due to other employment Motion by Ms. Sigler, second by Mrs. Sharp to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL VOTE: - YES 7 Members present, motion carried unanimously 8/24/17 5
3. ROLL CALL a. Recommend approval for a Paid Statistician for Varsity Football, to be paid $30/game for 10 games. This was left out of the Athletic Regulations previously approved via oversight. Motion by Ms. Sigler, second by Mr. Russler to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL VOTE: - YES 7 Members present, motion carried unanimously b. Recommend that JENNIFER ESH be approved as Building Leader for LIS for the 2017-2018 school year ($1600 stipend). She was previously approved as Building Leader at IVEC but will be transferred to LIS. c. Recommend that DOUGLAS A. PARSON be approved as Building Leader at IVEC for the 2017-2018 school year ($1600 stipend). Motion by Ms. Sigler, second by Mr. Russler to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL VOTE: - YES 6 NO-1 Mr. Knepp voted no. d. Recommend that the following teachers be appointed as Mentors for the 2017-2018 School Year. Mentors for the full Induction Program will receive a $1000 stipend. Mentors for the partial program will receive a $350 stipend. Nancy Rawding for Zanna Matthews MCMS Full Induction Program Steve Himes for Ermalinda Stephens - LIS Crystal Fabina for Laura Faro LES Full Induction Program Motion by Ms. Sigler, second by Mr. Russler to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL VOTE: - YES 6 NO-1 Mr. Knepp voted no. e. Recommend approval of the following Compensation Plans as previously reviewed: Non-Certified Employees Compensation Plan 2017-2022 Administrative Support Employees Compensation Plan 2017-2022 Technology Employees Compensation Plan 2017-2022 Act 93 Agreement-Principals and Administrative Supervisors 2017-2022 Central Office Administrators Compensation Plan 2017-2022 Motion by Ms. Sigler, second by Mr. Knepp to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL VOTE: - YES 7 Members present, motion carried unanimously. f. Recommend approval of the bid for MCMS patio work for $68,000 to be taken from Capital Reserve. Bid award goes to Houck Services Inc. Motion by Ms. Sigler, second by Mrs. Sharp to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL VOTE: - YES 7 Members present, motion carried unanimously. 8/24/17 6
VI. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Russler asked what we made from the Logo fund for 16/17. Mrs. Fiscus reported that we made $2133.77. Mr. Estep said Mrs. Lohr and Mr. Gagliardo are working on selecting the playground equipment and will present their recommendation at next month s meeting. Mrs. Laughlin asked if hours could be changed. At the school store to accommodate parents and community members. She also questioned what the students are learning at the store with the limited hours. A suggestion was that the store could be open during sporting events. Mr. Varner is going to ask Mrs. Hassinger and some students to come and speak to the Board about the store. VII. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - Nothing at this time. VIII. ADJOURNMENT BY PRESIDENT With no further business before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:28 P.M. Amy L. Smith, Board Secretary 8/24/17 7