MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES MARCH 13, 2007 A Board Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Mars Area School District was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, in the Board Room at the Administration Office. Present for the meeting were board members Rebecca Brown (Ms. Brown arrived at 7:20 p.m.), Dayle Ferguson, Kimberly Geyer, Susan Madeja, Gordon Marburger, Marj Vincent, Bonnie Weaver, board secretary Jill Puryear and district solicitor, Thomas King III. Dan Ratterman and Cynthia Yeager were absent. Also present were Dr. Sharon Kamicker, Todd Kolson, Ian Magness, Dr. Elizabeth McMahon, Dr. William G. Pettigrew, Joshua Schwoebel and Robert Zaccari representing Administration, Secretary the Superintendent Kristen Bruce, 20 citizens of the public and 2 members of the media. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. A prayer by Ms. Geyer and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. ROLL CALL A roll call vote at 7:02 p.m. showed 5 board members present and 3 absent. CITIZENS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD David Thaman (resident Hidden Oak Drive) spoke regarding the bus stop issues. Dr. Pettigrew advised that nothing would be acted on at this meeting since Ms. Weaver is going to complete her research on the cul-desac standards and give her results at the April 17, 2007 Board Meeting. AGENDA Dr. Pettigrew requested a closed personnel session at 7:05 p.m. The board meeting reconvened at 7:21 p.m. PERSONNEL A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Geyer to: approve Colleen Tosadori (Guidance Counselor/Mars High School) and Darcy Elliott (English/Mars High School) for the supplemental activity positions of SADD Reach co-sponsors, at the stipend of $170.00 each, pending the receipt of the necessary paperwork. Ms. Tosadori and Ms. Elliott will fill this position for the 2 nd semester of the 2006/2007 school year. approve the request for Child Bearing Leave for Joelle Patterson (Physical Education/Mars Middle School), tentatively scheduled to begin March 26, 2007 until May 7, 2007. Ms. Patterson will utilize her earned sick and personal days and Family Medical Leave of Absence days, as per the provisions in the extension of the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006. approve the request for Child Bearing Leave for Michelle Goodworth (Special Education/Mars High School) tentatively scheduled to begin May 1, 2007 until May 25, 2007. Ms. Goodworth will utilize her earned sick days, as per the provisions in the extension of the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006. approve the request for a medical sabbatical leave for Janet Barkus (4 th Grade/Mars Elementary School) for the 2007/2008 school year, as per the provisions in the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006.
Page 2 approve the request for early retirement for Kent Shoemaker (Math/Mars Middle School) effective at the end of the 2006/2007 school year, as per the provisions in the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006. approve the request for early retirement for Joanne Van Deusen (Math/Mars Middle School) effective at the end of the 2006/2007 school year, as per the provisions in the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006. approve the request for early retirement for Joseph J. Koczwara (Social Studies and Language Arts/Mars Middle School) effective at the end of the 2006/2007 school year, as per the provisions in the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006. approve the request for early retirement for Nancy J. Kaufman (Librarian/Mars Elementary School) effective at the end of the 2006/2007 school year, as per the provisions in the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006. approve the request for early retirement for Susan E. Ross (4 th Grade/Mars Elementary School) effective at the end of the 2006/2007 school year, as per the provisions in the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006. approve the request for early retirement for Dan Laporte (Social Studies/Mars High School) effective at the end of the 2006/2007 school year, as per the provisions in the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006. approve the request for early retirement for Phyllis Laporte (4 th Grade/Mars Elementary School) effective at the end of the 2006/2007 school year, as per the provisions in the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association 2001-2002 through 2005-2006. accept the resignation of Michael Baumgartel from the supplemental position of Winter Weight Room Co-Supervisor effective for the 2006/2007 school year. approve the following supplemental athletic coaches, at stipends to be determined, pending the ratification of the professional employee contract and pending the receipt of the necessary paperwork: FALL 2007/08 Head Varsity Football Asst 1 Football Asst 2 Football Asst 3 Football Asst 4 Football Head 9 th Grade Football Asst 1 9 th Grade Football Asst 2 9 th Grade Football Head 7/8 Grade Football Asst 1 7/8 Grade Football Asst 2 7/8 Grade Football Head Varsity Girls Soccer Head 7/8 Grade Boys Soccer (Gold) Scott D. Heinauer Brian Hobaugh David Goodworth Scott Pfeiffer Michael Baumgartel Andy Bednar David Mayer Terry Dillner Dave Kuremsky Jeff Rossi Shawn Haywiser Blair Gerlach Tim Tabisz
Page 3 Asst 1 7/8 Grade Boys Soccer (Gold) Head 7/8 Grade Boys Soccer (Blue) Asst 1 7/8 Grade Boys Soccer (Blue) Head 7/8 Grade Girls Soccer (Blue) Asst 1 7/8 Grade Girls Soccer (Blue) Head 7/8 Grade Girls Soccer (Gold) Head Varsity Boys Golf Asst 1 Varsity Boys Golf Head Varsity Girls Golf Asst 1 Varsity Girls Golf Head Varsity Girls Tennis Asst 1 Varsity Girls Tennis Head Varsity Girls Volleyball Head Varsity B/G Cross Country Asst 1 Varsity B/G Cross Country Head 7/8 Gr. Girls Basketball (Blue) Asst 1 7/8 Gr. Girls Basketball (Blue) Greg Wilson Nate Richter Greg Tabisz Pete Aiken Curtis Funkhouser Mike Garguilo Tim Tyler William Pettigrew William Pettigrew Donald Cooley Mark Varlotta Mike DelDuca Dan Mountain Joelle Patterson Bill Donovan Mark Lewandowski Mindy Furnish accept the rescission of the Health Sabbatical Leave of Absence for Joseph Koczwara. approve Tad Campagna as a long-term substitute teacher during the leave-of-absence for Nicole Avon, scheduled to begin April 16, 2007 until the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year. Mr. Campagna will be paid at the day-to-day substitute teacher rate until the completion of 45 consecutive work days, at which time he will be paid at the long-term substitute rate of $31,689/yr, pro-rated for the 2006-2007 school year. approve Tara Sorce as a long-term substitute teacher during the leave-of-absence for Michelle Goodworth, scheduled to begin May 1, 2007 until May 25, 2007. Ms. Sorce will be paid at the day-today substitute teacher rate until the completion of 45 consecutive work days, at which time she will be paid at the long-term substitute rate of $31,689/yr, pro-rated for the 2006-2007 school year. approve Clare Thomas as a long-term substitute teacher during the leave-of-absence for Joelle Patterson, scheduled to begin March 26, 2007 until May 7, 2007. Ms. Thomas will be paid at the dayto-day substitute teacher rate until the completion of 45 consecutive work days, at which time she will be paid at the long-term substitute rate of $31,689/yr, pro-rated for the 2006-2007 school year. approve Richard Schoeffel as the Junior High Softball coach, as a volunteer, pending the receipt of necessary paperwork. approve Vonda McElhinny as the Special Education Related Services (Testing) Secretary, at the rate of $7.40 per hour, as earned, pending the ratification of the Mars Area Association of School Service Personnel 2000-2005 contract, pending the receipt of necessary paperwork.
Page 4 approve the request for a Family Medical Leave of absence for Gilbert Hoover scheduled to begin February 27, 2008 until March 2, 2007, as per the provisions in the extension of the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Association of School Service Personnel 2000-2005. approve the following day-to-day substitute support personnel, at the rates indicated per hour, as earned, pending the ratification of the support employee agreement, pending the receipt of necessary paperwork: Daniel Simonetti Nurse Paraprofessional $7.40 Linda Ow Paraprofessional $7.40 remove the following from the list of day-to-day substitute teachers, effective March 14, 2007: Trisha Jose Justin Mashuda FINANCE A motion was made by Ms. Vincent and seconded by Ms. Geyer to approve the Treasurers Reports for December 2006 and January 2007. A motion was made by Ms. Ferguson and seconded by Ms. Vincent to approve the Cash Receipts Reports for December 2006 and January 2007. A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Vincent to approve the Payables List (bills to be paid March 14, 2007). A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Geyer to approve the Payables Lists (bills paid December 2006, January 2007 and February 14, 2007). A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Geyer to approve the Payables Lists to A. J. Myers for December 2006 and January 2007. A roll call vote was taken. With Ms. Brown, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Geyer, Ms. Madeja, Ms. Vincent and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. Mr. Marburger abstained due to a conflict of interest. A motion was made by Ms. Geyer and seconded by Ms. Vincent to approve the Account Summary Reports for the Revenue Accounts and Expenditure Accounts for December 2006 and January 2007.
Page 5 A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Geyer to approve the Construction Fund Disbursements for December 2006 and January 2007. Ms. Madeja questioned what Trant Corporation s involvement was. Dr. Pettigrew advised that Trant helps the district get certain permissions from PennDOT. A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Vincent to approve the following Student Activity Fund Reports: A. Mars High School Student Activity Fund Reports October 2006; November 2006; December 2006 B. Mars Middle School Student Activity Fund Report November 2006; December 2006 C. Mars High School Student Athletic Fund Reports December 2006; January 2007 A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Geyer to approve the reimbursement of Employment Clearance fees to substitute support personnel, as presented. Dr. Pettigrew advised that Jill Puryear presented the clearance fees at the Work Session of March 6, 2007. Ms. Weaver questioned whom the reimbursement would affect. Ms. Puryear advised the reimbursement would be for new substitute support personnel who begin working with the district after April 1, 2007. A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Vincent to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for Special Education Services with the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV (MIU IV) for the 2006/2007 school year. A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Vincent to approve the 2007/2008 Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV (MIU IV) General Operating Budget, as presented. Dr. Pettigrew advised the budget does not have significant changes. Dr. Pettigrew explained what services the MIU IV provides to the district. A roll call vote was taken. A motion was made by Ms. Vincent and seconded by Ms. Ferguson to accept the ACT 1 Tax Study Commission recommendation. Jill Puryear explained the tax study commission and the recommendation for the ballot question for the May 2007 primary. Mr. King advised discussing this does not mean the board members are for or against this recommendation; it simply means it is a requirement by the state. Ms. Puryear advised this tax has nothing to do with gambling winnings. A discussion by the board members followed. A motion was made by Ms. Vincent and seconded by Ms. Ferguson to adopt the ACT 1 resolution authorizing the referendum question for the May 2007 primary seeking voter approval to levy, assess and collect an earned income or personal income tax for the purpose of annually funding homestead and farmstead exclusions. Refer to Resolution No. 2007-1 (attached) for the referendum wording.
Page 6 PROGRAM A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Geyer to: approve the attendance of Michael Baumgartel (Social Studies/Middle School 2 nd Assistant Boys Baseball) at the Annual Spring Baseball Trip, scheduled for March 21-25, 2007, in Columbia, SC at no cost to the district. Mr. Baumgartel was approved as the 2 nd Assistant for Boys Baseball at the January 9, 2007 Work Session taking the place of Jeffery Kline who resigned the position. The South Carolina trip was approved at the November 21, 2006 Board Meeting. approve the attendance of Melissa Strom (Algebra/Mars Middle School) and one student at the MATH COUNTS State Competition, scheduled for March 23-24, 2007, in Harrisburg, PA. Estimated costs include, meals, travel expenses and a substitute teacher for ½ of a day for Ms. Strom. approve the attendance of Dr. Elizabeth McMahon and Ian Magness at the Pennsylvania Department of Education Annual Conference Effective Interventions: Meeting the Needs of All Students, scheduled for March 27-30, 2007, in Hershey, PA. Estimated costs include, $200.00 for registration fees ($100.00 per participant), $837.12 for three nights lodging (two rooms/$418.56 per room), meals and travel expenses. approve the attendance of Joseph J. Koczwara (Social Studies and Language Arts/Mars Middle School), Tom Dorsch (Math/Mars Middle School) and approximately 40 students at the Armed Forces and Veterans Educational and Appreciation Trip (AFVEAT), scheduled for April 25-30, 2007 in Washington, D.C. and Norfolk, VA. Costs include a substitute teacher for Mr. Koczwara for three days. approve the attendance of Dr. Sharon Kamicker at the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) Women s Caucus: Women in Educational Leadership Resonance and Renewal conference scheduled for May 2-4, 2007 in Hershey, PA. Estimated costs include, $295.00 for registration, $378.00 for two nights lodging, meals and travel expenses. approve the Girls Basketball Booster Trip to New York City tentatively scheduled from March 30, 2007 until April 1, 2007, at no cost to the district. Approximately 45 people (students, parents and coaches) will be in attendance. approve the attendance of Jan Thompson (Librarian/Mars Middle School) at the 34 th Annual Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) Conference, scheduled for April 12-13, 2007 in Hershey, PA. Estimated costs include, $185.00 for registration, $327.00 for lodging, meals, travel expenses and a substitute for 2 days for Ms. Thompson. approve the attendance of Dr. Tina Bigante (Guidance Counselor/Mars High School) at the American Counselors Association National Convention, scheduled for March 22-25, 2007 in Detroit, MI at no cost to the District. approve the attendance of Rita Dorsch, (Science/Mars Middle School) at the Governor s Outdoor Conference, scheduled for March 18-20, 2007 in State College, PA. Estimated costs include $275.00 for registration, mileage and a substitute for 1 day for Ms. Dorsch.
Page 7 OTHER Dr. Pettigrew distributed four 2007/2008 school calendar options that were discussed at the Work Session of March 6, 2007. Dr. Pettigrew explained each option and asked the board members to decide on a calendar by the next board meeting. A discussion by the board members followed. A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Mr. Marburger to approve the school calendar for the 2007/2008 school year. A roll call vote was taken. With Ms. Brown, Ms. Geyer, Ms. Madeja, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Vincent and Ms. Weaver voting aye and Ms. Ferguson voting nay the motion carried. A motion was made by Ms. Ferguson and seconded by Ms. Geyer to adopt the resolution for 5 designated local school holidays: November 22 nd December 24 th December 26 th December 31 st March 21 st A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Geyer to approve the Letter of Agreement for the Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center. POLICIES A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms Geyer to approve the revision of Policy No. 561: Community Use of School Facilities. Ms Ferguson advised that she did some research on the policy. Ms. Ferguson distributed her research to the board members and advised she has come up with an alternate plan for this policy. Dr. Pettigrew stated that until this research was compared to the current policy, that board members should wait on this policy revision. The motion was tabled. A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Geyer to approve the revision of Policy No. 778: Possession/Use of Asthma Inhalers. DISCUSSION Dr. Pettigrew advised the board members of Jill Puryear s memo regarding Cliffside Drive. A discussion by the board followed. Dr. Pettigrew advised that the school board and the administration are spending too much time on this issue this late into the school year. Dr. Pettigrew advised the bus drivers should set the stops as long as they are following the criteria and safety rules. A discussion by the board members followed. Dr. Pettigrew also advised the cul-de-sac issue is a different issue and will be voted on by the board members. Dr. Pettigrew advised he is meeting with the bus garage and will express the school board s concerns. Dr. Kamicker spoke regarding curriculum issues. Todd Kolson spoke regarding the Enrichment Days at the High School. Mr. Kolson advised the program is going very well and the students, staff and community have been gracious about the program. Ms. Madeja asked for discussion regarding the Mars Area Education Association. No discussion was needed.
Page 8 Ms. Weaver discussed the Editor s Letters from the Butler Eagle. Ms. Vincent discussed the next Community Council meeting and proposed a meeting date of May 29 or 30, 2007. A discussion by the board members followed. May 30, 2007 will be the next Community Council meeting date. Jim Rosozski asked questions regarding the Community Use of Facilities policy. Mr. Rosozski questioned pricing of different fields and if the parking lots are included. Dr. Pettigrew advised that parking lots are included with field rentals. Emma Bugle asked about the discussion of athletic coaches for next year. Dr. Pettigrew advised that a private personnel session was held at the beginning of the board meeting and the coaches have been approved as stated on the agenda. Dr. Pettigrew requested a closed executive session to discuss collective bargaining issues after the board meeting. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ms. Madeja and seconded by Ms. Vincent to adjourn the board meeting at 9:00 p.m. The board members reconvened in a closed executive personnel session to discuss collective bargaining issues. MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Board President Board Secretary