MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES JUNE 6, 2017 A Work Session Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Mars Area School District was held on Tuesday, in the board room of the Administration Office. Present for the meeting were board members Steve Boggs, Rebecca Brown, Rita Dorsch, Dayle Ferguson, Gordon Marburger, William Pettigrew, Christine Valenta, Bonnie Weaver and Board Secretary, Jill Swaney. Board member John Kennedy was absent. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley, Kara Eckert, Lindsay Rosswog, Todd Kolson, Adam Kostewicz, Todd Lape, Josh Schwoebel, Kate Rich, a member of the press and members of the public. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Roll call at 7:02 P.M. showed eight (8) members present and one (1) board member absent. BOARD REPORTS Ms. Ferguson noted the day of graduation for the Class of 2017. She wished the students good luck in their future endeavors and she thanked all of the teachers and staff for another successful year. There will not be a board meeting next week; it is scheduled for June 20 th. The board met in a closed executive session prior to this evening s meeting to discuss personnel and negotiation issues and will meet after the meeting to discuss real estate, personnel and legal matters. The board will also meet on June 19 th in a closed session for personnel matters. Ms. Dorsch advised that the meeting for Clarence Brown was held on May 25 th at the Butler County Area Vocational Technical School. The checking and savings account were closed out and put into escrow. The school s board minutes will be kept with the Mars Area School District. A Resolution was passed for the closing and dissolution of the school. The Mars Area School District will act on this Resolution at the June 20 th board meeting. Dr. Pettigrew reported on the last Mars Planet Foundation meeting. Two programs were approved. Ms. Brown noted that both programs are for the Centennial School. An anti-bullying program and a motivation program to promote positive life choices is scheduled for the fall of 2017 and a skydome planetarium will presented in 2018. Dr. Pettigrew noted that there was discussion regarding the upcoming golf outing. He also met with members of various school affiliated organizations to discuss the purchase of banners from the foundation. The first banner was purchased and it is being displayed at the tennis courts.
Page 2 of 6 Ms. Ferguson provided a Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV report from the May 24 th meeting. A four-year contract with the support union at the IU was approved. Ms. Ferguson noted that she voted against this proposal. An Assistant Executive Director was appointed. The IU was provided an architect rendering for a renovation project of the Shenango building. Water tests at both the IU and the Shenango building were conducted and well within acceptable ranges. The Mayor of Mars Borough, Gregg Hartung, and the Chairperson of the MARS Challenge, Shelly Watson, were introduced. During the Mars New Year celebration this past May, a Mars Meet the Challenge science project was held with First Energy donating $12,000 for the program. Ms. Watson explained the project, which was open to students in grades 9 through 12. NASA was involved with the project and participated in the Mars New Year celebration. Eleven students participated in the challenge. Nine Mars students signed up for the competition. Of the $12,000 donation from First Energy, $11,000 went to the students. The judges thought it appropriate to offer the two participating school districts; Mars and Karns City with an endorsement to guide their science programs. The remaining $1,000 was split between the two school districts and Ms. Watson and Mayor Hartung are pleased to present Ms. Ferguson and Dr. Shipley with a $500 check to the district to promote the sciences and arts programs. MINUTES Dr. Shipley reviewed the Minutes to be approved. PERSONNEL Dr. Shipley reviewed the Personnel items to be approved this evening. A motion was made by Dr. Pettigrew and seconded by Mr. Boggs to: Accept the Retirement of Deborah Adams (Special Education Director) effective at the end of the 2016-2017 school year. Approve the request of Diane Aiken (Paraprofessional) for Family Medical Leave effective May 9, 2017, as per the terms and conditions of the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Support Professionals Association, PSEA/NEA dated July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015. Pending the receipt of the necessary paperwork, approve Summer Weinheimer as a long-term substitute teacher for Patricia Ewing (Elementary Art) effective August 16, 2017 and continuing through the 2017-2018 school year. Ms. Weinheimer will be paid at the day-to-day substitute teacher rate until she reaches the long-term substitute teacher rate (after 45 consecutive days) and as per the terms and conditions of the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association dated July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. Pending the receipt of the necessary paperwork, approve Katie Delaney as a long-term substitute teacher for Ashley Golias (Speech Language Pathologist) effective August 21, 2017 for approximately six weeks. Ms. Delaney will be paid at the day-to-day substitute teacher rate until she reaches the long-term substitute teacher rate (after 45 consecutive days) and as per the terms and conditions of the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association dated July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017.
Page 3 of 6 Pending the receipt of the necessary paperwork, approve Emily Fury-Mazzant for the newly contracted teacher position through the development of the Kindergarten Intervention Classroom commencing with the 2017-2018 school year. However, due to internal transfers, Ms. Mazzant will be assigned to work in Special Education effective August 16, 2017 and continuing through the 2017-2018 school year. Approve the following Summer Employees at the rate of $10.00 an hour, as earned: Ryan Jacob, Dustin Scott, Tyler Grau, Drew Ellis, Jada Green, Blaine Elliott, Cole Guesman and Joshua Ruth. Accept the Resignation of Ashley Derringer (Paraprofessional) effective June 3, 2017. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. Ms. Ferguson thanked Debbie Adams for her years of service to the students and to the district and wished her much luck in her retirement. FINANCE Dr. Shipley reviewed the Finance items. There are several that need to be approved this evening. A motion was made by Dr. Pettigrew and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to: Approve the Athletic Bid Recommendations for the 2017-2018 school year, as presented. Approve the 2017-2018 Contract Renewal with Nutrition, Inc. for Grades K through 8, as presented. Pending solicitor s review, approve the Master Service Agreement with Highmark to service the district s Health Savings Accounts, as presented. Approve the Settlement and General Release Agreement dated, as presented. A roll call vote was taken and with Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. PROGRAMS Dr. Shipley reviewed the items under Programs and requested approval of one item. A motion was made by Mr. Boggs and seconded by Ms. Dorsch to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the National Math and Science Initiative (NIMS) and Mars Area School District for the implementation of the College Readiness Program commencing June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2020, as presented. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried.
Page 4 of 6 POLICIES Dr. Shipley requested approval of the items under Policies this evening. A motion was made by Ms. Dorsch and seconded by Dr. Pettigrew to approve the posting of the following revised and/or proposed Policies of the Manual: 138 - English as a Second Language/Bilingual Education Program 203 - Immunizations & Communicable Diseases 204 - Student Attendance 209.2 - Diabetes Management 246 - School Wellness 251 - Homeless Students 255 - Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care 353 - Whistleblower 800 - Records Management 801 - Public Records 802 - School Organization 803 - School Calendar 804 - School Day 805 - Emergency Preparedness 805.1 - Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies 807 - Opening Exercises/Flag Displays 808 - Food Services 810 - Transportation 810.1 Drug/Alcohol Testing Covered Drivers 810.2 - Transportation Video/Audio Recording 811 - Bonding 812 - Property Insurance 813 - Other Insurance 814 - Copyright Material 818 - Contracted Services 828 - Fraud 830 - Breach of Computerized Personal Information 915.1 - Concession Stands 237 - Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources 351.1 - Pre-Employment Drug Testing With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried.
Page 5 of 6 OTHER Dr. Shipley reviewed the items under Other and requested approval of several items. A motion was made by Dr. Pettigrew and seconded by Ms. Brown to: Approve the request of High School Students A through J to take either on-line and/or face-to-face course(s) during the Summer of 2017 and/or the 2017-2018 school year, as presented. Approve the following Independent Volunteers effective immediately and for the 2017-2018 school year: Vicky Fletcher and Lisa Vactor. Approve the request of High School Student K to take on-line courses for the 2017-2018 school year, as presented. Approve the following Independent Volunteers effective immediately and for the 2017-2018 school year: Susan Cable, Lisa Kumpfmiller, Devin Lucas and Amy Schullick. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Dr. Shipley noted that the last day for students was June 2 nd and the last day for the teachers was June 5 th. Graduation will be held on June 8 th and the adoption of the 2017-2018 school district budget will take place on June 20 th. Adam Kostewicz noted that the Centennial School held kickball tournaments for three days with a dance party following the event. An expo was held with Lego robots and stop motion design. He is looking forward to the start of another good school year. Lindsay Rosswog has interviewed candidates for three open teacher positions, and she hopes to have recommendations for the June 20 th board meeting. AP meetings occurred and graduation will be held this Thursday. Christine Petrini wished everyone a safe and happy summer. Scott McCarthy noted that Ms. Rosswog has been wonderful to work with at the high school and that her goals are for the students.
Page 6 of 6 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made by Ms. Dorsch and seconded by Ms. Brown to adjourn the work session meeting. With Mr. Boggs, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Mr. Marburger, Dr. Pettigrew, Ms. Valenta and Ms. Weaver voting aye the meeting was adjourned at 7:44 P.M. The board convened into a closed executive session to discuss real estate, personnel and legal matters. MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Board President MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Board Secretary