MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES MAY 7, 2013 A work session meeting of the Board of Directors of the Mars Area School District was held at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in the board room of the Administration Office. Present for the meeting were board members Rita Dorsch, Jane Dunn (Ms. Dunn departed the meeting at 8:15 P.M.), Dayle Ferguson, John Kennedy, Gordon Marburger, Christine Valenta, Bonnie Weaver and Board Secretary, Jill Swaney. Board member Ross McConnell was absent. Also present were Dr. William G. Pettigrew, Matthew Friedman, Todd Kolson, Dale Sleva, Richard Cornell, Todd Lape, Robert Zaccari, Dr. Elizabeth McMahon, Deborah Adams, Anna Saker, Josh Schwoebel, Secretary to the Superintendent, Kate Rich, three members of the press, various Mars Area School District staff and members of the public. ROLL CALL Roll call at 7:01 P.M. showed eight (8) board members present and one (1) board member absent. PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD Bob Marz of Roth Marz Partnership was introduced to the board. On April 22, 2013, two bids were received for a bleacher project at the Mars Athletic Complex. This project was initially bid approximately one and one-half years ago and was awarded to CoStars. When it was determined that CoStars could not furnish the labor, the project had to be re-bid. Sports and Recreation Associates, Inc. came in with the lower of the two bids at $159,900 for both the bleachers and the foundation. The other bidder, Grand Stands, Inc., was $223,000. There was a significant difference between the two prices. Mr. Marz noted that while the low bid is a good price, he is suggesting that the construction project be monitored by a Clerk of Works. The Sports and Recreation Associates, Inc. bid was then reviewed with the district solicitor to confirm that the bid complies with the project specifications. The solicitor also recommended that a Clerk of Works be retained to monitor construction to assure that Sports and Recreation Associates, Inc. hold to the specifications of the project. Board member Bonnie Weaver suggested having the project monitored by Roth Marz Partnership rather than an outside firm. Dr. Pettigrew inquired about the fee for monitoring the construction. Mr. Marz estimated a fee of approximately $7,500. Ms. Ferguson entertained a motion to accept the bid recommendation from Roth Marz Partnership for the bleacher project. A motion was then made by Ms. Valenta and seconded by Ms. Weaver to accept the bid recommendation from Roth Marz Partnership to award Sports and Recreation Associates, Inc. the bleacher project at the Mars Athletic Complex in the amount of $159,900. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Dunn, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. Ms. Ferguson entertained a motion to hire Roth Marz Partnership to monitor the bleacher construction project. A motion was then made by Ms. Valenta and seconded by Ms. Weaver to hire Roth Marz Partnership for approximately 10 hours per week for 10 weeks to monitor the construction of the bleacher project at an estimated cost of $7,500. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Dunn, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried.
Page 2 of 7 Lisa Schiller, Executive Director for the Mars Home for Youth, was introduced to the board. Ms. Schiller is new to the area. She had the opportunity to have lunch with Ms. Ferguson and Dr. Pettigrew and thought it would be appropriate to meet the rest of the school board members and administrators. The Mars Area School District and the Mars Home maintain a long history together. Ms. Schiller updated the board on the various facilities and services that are offered to boys and girls not only in Butler County but in other counties within Pennsylvania. She is very grateful to the school district for their association with the home and she looks forward to their continued relationship. John Olesnevich of 170 Old Glade Mill Road, Valencia, PA was introduced to the board. Mr. Olesnevich is a bus driver for the district. He wanted to publicly comment that there needs to be better communication with the bus drivers. He also noted that the construction on Route 228 can be a distraction to the bus drivers and that the school district should be made aware of the situation. Ms. Ferguson thanked Mr. Olesnevich for bringing this to the board s attention. The board adjourned into a closed executive session at 7:26 P.M. to discuss personnel issues. At 8:19 P.M. the work session meeting resumed. Board President Ms. Ferguson noted that a retirement dinner was held earlier this evening for this year s retirees. She thanked these teachers for their long years of service and support. There are five teachers retiring from the district. One of the retiring teachers has been working for the district for 41 years. Ms. Ferguson congratulated Dr. Pettigrew on receiving an outstanding educator award from the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools. Board member Bonnie Weaver is being recognized for her volunteer work on the school board and the Mars Planet Foundation. Ms. Ferguson also congratulated Josh Schwoebel, Director of Communications, on an award he received from PENSRA. She also thanked the board of Glade Run Lake Conservancy for speaking at a presentation in the school district. Dr. Elizabeth McMahon (Principal Primary Center) was introduced to the board. Dr. McMahon noted that the school held a book fair in which over $6,000 was collected. The annual diaper drive was a success; 600 more diapers from last year were collected for the Lighthouse Foundation. Dr. McMahon distributed material to the board and reviewed two drafts of the Math Skill Reinforcement Program she would like to initiate at the school. The literacy program already in place has been very successful and she would like to do the same with a math program for the students. Anna Saker (Director of Pupil Services) was introduced to the board. Ms. Saker noted that a speaker will be in the district to talk about cyber bullying and what students and parents can do to prevent such type of bullying. Pupil Services is finishing evaluating procedures for guidance and nursing. The Mars Planet Foundation will present several scholarships at the upcoming academic banquet. There is a new scholarship to be awarded to two seniors. It is called Pioneer BC3 and is for those seniors who will attend Butler County Community College. The scholarship is coming from Kimberly Geyer, a former Mars School Board President and longtime resident of Mars, who attended the community college. The foundation also received $2,500 from the Rotary Club. This money will be directed to Camp Invention, which the school district is conducting over the summer. The Mars Planet Foundation has also been selected by In Mars Magazine as the foundation of the year. Robert Zaccari (Principal Elementary School) was introduced to the board. Yesterday the Elementary School hosted Author Day with Alan St. Jean. The students really enjoyed the program, as they were familiar with the books he had written. Mr. Zaccari thanked Ms. Jones for coordinating the program. He also thanked Ms. Semler and Ms. Sondej for working with their students in coordinating a food drive which was completely student-driven. There are quite a few field trips and activities in May. He and his staff are already gearing up for the next school year.
Page 3 of 7 Deborah Adams (Director of Special Education) was introduced to the board. Parent training meetings are finished for the year. The special education and gifted teachers will be will be reviewing students going into the next grade level. On Friday the Middlesex Building will be conducting a critical incident training program with law enforcement and emergency personnel in the area. Ms. Adams noted that four more students have moved into the area with special education requirements. Todd Lape (Principal Centennial School) was introduced to the board. There was good parent turnout for the open house held last week. DARE Graduation occurred on May 2 nd and the 6 th grade students visited the Middle School in preparation for their transition to 7 th grade. The 6 th grade students will also be visiting Slippery Rock University tomorrow for a team building program. The spring concert is scheduled for May 21 st. A fund raiser was held for the Glade Run Lake Conservancy in which piggy banks were made out of recycled material. Another fund raiser was held in which over $1,600 was raised for the service dog foundation, MIRA. Richard Cornell (Principal Middle School) was introduced to the board. Mr. Cornell distributed a packet to the board with the course manual sheets for the 6 th graders transitioning into the Middle School next fall. Also included in the packet is great advice from the 7 th grade students on how to be successful in middle school. Last Friday an art showcase was held. The students artwork was fantastic and the art department did a great job in coordinating the event. The school is preparing for the Keystone Exams for Algebra I. The school has doubled the number of teachers participating in project-based learning, as all core subject areas are now included. Dale Sleva (Assistant Principal High School) was introduced to the board. The high school is getting ready for the next scheduled round of Keystone Exams. There are five cyber school students who will be taking the exam. Additional security guards will be hired for the prom walk this Friday. Mr. Sleva reviewed the shuttle transportation being provided to and from the high school for the prom walk. The last Renaissance breakfast of the year was held last week. Todd Kolson (Principal High School) was introduced to the board. The academic banquet is being held next week. There are 258 graduates this year and a class meeting was held with the seniors today. May 30 th is the last day for seniors and graduation practice is scheduled for May 31 st and graduation will be on June 6 th. AP testing commenced today and final exams will be conducted later this month. Information is posted on Edline regarding the Keystone Exams. Mr. Kolson distributed and reviewed information outlining the Algebra I Tutorial Program that began in the Spring. PERSONNEL Dr. Pettigrew noted that there are several personnel items to be approved this evening. A motion was made by Ms. Valenta and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Support Professionals Association and Patricia Steiner (Paraprofessional) for the retirement of Ms. Steiner effective June 3, 2013, as presented. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried.
Page 4 of 7 A motion was made by Ms. Dorsch and seconded by Ms. Weaver to approve the following day-to-day substitute support personnel: Katherine Anton Substitute Nurse Paraprofessional $9.85/Hour George Knaell Substitute Custodian $9.85/Hour Brender Gerber Substitute Nurse Paraprofessional $9.85/Hour With Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. Ms. Ferguson noted earlier in the meeting that board member Ross McConnell was in the hospital. She spoke with Mr. McConnell this morning and made a promise to him that she would relay his words at the board meeting this evening, as he very much wanted to participate in the next personnel action to be taken. Mr. McConnell noted that through the entire superintendent search Dr. James Budzilek was the best person for the job. Dr. Budzilek demonstrated he can lead the entire staff and is a great communicator. Mr. McConnell feels that the transition from Dr. Pettigrew to Dr. Budzilek will be an easy one, and when Dr. Budzilek volunteered to move into the school district, it sealed the deal. Mr. McConnell wants Dr. Budzilek to know he has 100% of his support. A motion was then made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to approve Dr. James Budzilek s Employment Contract for Superintendent/Superintendent Designate effective August 5, 2013 at a starting salary of $138,000.00, as per the attached. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. Ms. Valenta voted nay. Ms. Ferguson congratulated Dr. Budzilek on this appointment. She also officially named him as a Fightin Planet. Ms. Ferguson said that he has the experience not only in the classroom, but demonstrated a broad area of knowledge in every aspect of a school district. He has a keen ability to listen and to communicate and has great dedication to the students. Dr. Budzilek was presented with Mars Spirit Wear. On behalf of the school board, they welcome him and is family to the district. Dr. Budzilek introduced his family to the board and noted that the whole process has been a whirlwind event. He is very honored to have been selected to serve as the next superintendent and he is anxious to learn more about the school district and the community. The district needs to have an engaging curriculum for the students and he wants to work together to take the schools and the students to new heights. He thanked the board for their support and for selecting him to fill the position of superintendent. Ms. Ferguson thanked everyone that participated in the superintendent tour in April. She also thanked the community for participating in the superintendent survey. Ms. Ferguson thanked Dr. Morrone for his help and guidance as consultant in the superintendent search. Dr. Victor Morrone commented that the school board deserves a lot of credit. They made a commitment to attend every superintendent meeting and they worked hard to find the best candidate for the position. FINANCE Dr. Pettigrew reviewed the finance items to be approved. approved this evening. There several finance items that need to be A motion was then made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to reject the Request for Proposals for Food Service Management for the 2013-2014 school year. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried.
Page 5 of 7 A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Valenta to approve the renewal of the Food Service Management Contract with Nutrition, Inc. for the 2013-2014 school year. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. A motion was then made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to approve the full-paid meal prices for the 2013-2014 school year as listed: Elementary - $2.50 and Secondary - $2.75. With Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. Ms. Swaney outlined the tentative budget for the 2013-2014 school year. A motion was then made by Ms. Valenta and seconded by Ms. Brown to tentatively adopt the Mars Area School District Budget in the amount of $41,477,350.00 for the 2013-2014 school year. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. A motion was made by Ms. Valenta and seconded by Ms. Brown to approve the Police Service Agreement for the Public Safety of the Children, Staff, Volunteers and Visitors to the Schools of the Mars Area School District, as presented. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. A motion was made by Ms. Brown and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to approve Tri Rivers Surgical Associates, Inc. as the Mars Area School District s Medical Examiner for the 2013-2014 school year at an Athletic Physical Exam rate of $20.00 per exam. With Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. A motion was made by Ms. Valenta and seconded by Ms. Weaver to approve the following: The Board of School Directors of the Mars Area School District (the School District ) has determined that it is in its best financial interest to issue general obligations bonds in order to refund its currently outstanding General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2009 (the Refunding Program ) and does hereby authorize the School District s Administration to work with Janney Montgomery Scott, as Investment Banker and Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, as Bond Counsel and Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham, LLP, the Local Solicitor, in connection with the foregoing, provided that the Refunding Program can achieve net present value debt service savings of two percent (2%) and further provided that final approval of a financing requires formal board approval. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. PROGRAMS Dr. Pettigrew reviewed the Programs item to be approved. POLICIES Dr. Pettigrew reviewed the Policies item to be approved.
Page 6 of 7 BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS Dr. Pettigrew advised that there are three items under Buildings and Grounds that he would like to have approved this evening. A motion was then made by Ms. Dorsch and seconded by Ms. Weaver to: Approve the bid recommendation for the purchase and installation of the Mars Area Middle School Chiller to Renick Brothers Construction Company in the amount of $311,454.00. Approve the bid recommendation for the purchase of the replacement boiler for the Middlesex Building to Schultz Installation and Service Co. in the amount of $72,500.00. Approve the bid recommendation for the purchase of the replacement boiler for the Mars Area Primary Center to Schultz Installation and Service Co. in the amount of $75,500.00. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marburger, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. DISCUSSION/COMMENTS Board member Bonnie Weaver provided an update on the Mars Planet Foundation s meeting of April 23 rd. The deadline for the foundation s logo contest was May 1 st and now a selection will be made. Foundation board member Wyatt Lee and Dr. Pettigrew are working on organizing the first foundation golf outing. The next scheduled meeting is May 22 nd. Board member Rita Dorsch provided an update on the Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting which was held on April 18 th with Consultant, Norton Gusky. The goals of the planning committee deal with professional development and resources. The original timeline of presenting the plan to the school board was June, but Ms. Dorsch feels they will not be ready to do so until August. Board member Gordon Marburger updated the board on the last Butler County Area Vocational Technical School meeting. Graduation is scheduled for May 22 nd. An authority meeting is scheduled for May 16 th to review the bond issue for expansion. Students enrolled in the automotive classes can now receive up to eight certifications. Board President Dayle Ferguson updated the board on the last Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV meeting. On April 24 th the annual convention was held. Ms. Ferguson was elected for another three-year term to serve as an IU board member. A public meeting was held and the Executive Director s resignation was accepted. An internal investigation into the misuse of the unit s credit card will follow. Ms. Ferguson noted that she was the only board member that voted for termination of the director. A grievance hearing was held with several of the Frew Mill staff members due to the closing of that facility earlier in the year. The next scheduled IU meeting is May 22 nd. Matthew Friedman (Assistant Superintendent) did not have a specific report for the school board this evening. He looked at the comprehensive planning material and concurs with Ms. Dorsch that the timeline for June is not practical. He is going to rework some items and deal with the PDE templates and process. A more detailed report will be provided next month. Josh Schwoebel (Director of Communications) noted that he is working with the local police departments on safety procedures. A risk and vulnerability assessment was conducted at the high school and several recommendations have been made to improve security.
Page 7 of 7 Laurie Dufford (President of the Mars Area Education Support Professionals) thanked the school board again for allowing her to meet with the superintendent candidates. Negotiations with the support professionals and the school district have been slow but meetings have continued and she is hopeful that the matter will be finalized soon. Christine Petrini, representing the Mars Area Education Association, on behalf of the association, welcomed Dr. Budzilek. She thanked the board for everything they did to select a new superintendent. Ms. Ferguson thanked Dr. Pettigrew for his 26 years of leadership. The new access road that is being constructed will officially be named Doc s Way in honor of his leadership, loyalty and unique style of management. Dr. Pettigrew requested a closed executive session with no need to return to discuss personnel issues. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the work session meeting was adjourned at 9:53 P.M. The board reconvened into a closed executive session to discuss personnel issues. MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Board President Board Secretary