MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 9, 2011 A board meeting of the Board of Directors of the Mars Area School District was held at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 in the board room of the Administration Office. Present for the meeting were board members Rebecca Brown, Rita Dorsch, Dayle Ferguson, Kimberly Geyer, Ross McConnell, Christine Vereb, Bonnie Weaver, Board Secretary, Jill Swaney and Attorney Thomas W. King III of Dillon, McCandless, King, Coulter & Graham L.L.P. Board members Gordon Marburger and Christian Ola were absent from the meeting. Also present were Dr. William G. Pettigrew, Matthew B. Friedman, Josh Schwoebel, Secretary to the Superintendent, Kate Rich, two members of the press and various members of the public. ROLL CALL Roll call at 7:01 P.M. showed seven (7) board members present and two (2) board members absent. PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD Bryan Thomas of 546 Juniper Court, Mars, PA was introduced to the board. A letter to the board members was also distributed. Bryn is a student at the Mars Area High School and is here this evening to discuss the 9-11 Never Forget Project. Last year Bryan placed flags on the High School lawn to honor the victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. He is requesting permission from the board to host another 9-11 Never Forget Project at the high school. The board members all agreed it was a meaningful project. A motion was then made by Mr. McConnell and seconded by Ms. Vereb to permit Bryan Thomas to host another 9-11 Never Forget Project on the lawn of the high school. With Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Geyer, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Vereb and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. Attorney Thomas King was introduced. He addressed the public regarding an executive session that was held prior to the board meeting to discuss personnel issues. A negotiations meeting with the teachers union was also held prior to the board meeting. The Board Member Negotiating Committee received a proposed contract settlement from the Mars Area Education Association. The board will vote on this proposed settlement tonight with two caveats: (1) The Association needs to have this proposed contract settlement voted on and approved and (2) Such contract settlement would have to be voted on and approved by midnight of August 28, 2011, as August 29, 2011 is the first in-service day for the teachers. The contract would have to be approved and in effect prior to the first in-service day. Attorney King proceeded to review the various settlement items being proposed. Such items included the contract being for the 2011-2012 school year with new negotiations for a successor contract beginning in January of 2012. Salaries would be frozen at the 2010-2011 levels with the only possible exception to this item being for degree advancements. Health care and dental benefits would remain the same as what was in effect for the 2010-2011 school year and all Memorandums of Understanding that took effect during the 2006-2011 contract time period would remain in effect. The reinstatement of two furloughed employees to similar professional positions is also requested. A motion was then made by Mr. McConnell and seconded by Ms. Vereb to approve the proposed Mars Area Education Association contract settlement, as presented this evening, subject to the professional employees of the Association approving the same agreement prior to August 29, 2011. A roll call vote was taken and with Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Geyer, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Vereb and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried.
Page 2 of 6 MINUTES A motion was made by Ms. Vereb and seconded by Ms. Ferguson to approve the Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of July 12, 2011 and the Board Meeting of July 19, 2011. With Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Geyer, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Vereb and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. PERSONNEL A motion was made by Ms. Vereb and seconded by Ms. Ferguson to: Approve the issuance of Professional Employee Contracts for the following teachers who have met the requirements of tenure: Shaun Babka Abigail Burkes Bator Carol Deringer Katelyn Derringer Kelli Regan Kolder Jessica Kozak Erin Linden Melanie Mertz Kim Schuelke Patrick Scott Ashley Vancheri Jamie Seka Waters Michelle Weston Sasha Burton Zavacky Accept the resignation of Julie Lee (Food Service Worker) effective July 24, 2011. Approve Theresa Eshenbaugh as a long-term substitute teacher for Sarah Sondej (2 nd Grade) tentatively scheduled to begin August 29, 2011 to the end of the first semester of the 2011-2012 school year. Ms. Eshenbaugh will be paid at the day-to-day substitute teacher rate until she reaches the long-term substitute teacher rate (after 45 consecutive days), as per the provisions of the Professional Teacher Agreement. Approve Jennifer Matelan as a long-term substitute teacher for Concetta Richards (3 rd Grade) tentatively scheduled to begin August 29, 2011 through November 29, 2011. Ms. Matelan will be paid at the day-to-day substitute teacher rate until she reaches the long-term substitute teacher rate (after 45 consecutive days), as per the provisions of the Professional Teacher Agreement. Effective August 15, 2011, approve Rick Glosser as School Psychologist for the Mars Area School District. Mr. Glosser will be hired as an Act 93 Employee at a starting salary of $47,550.00 for a 210 day school year. Approve the request of Megan Balawejder (Language Arts 6 th Grade) for Child Bearing/Rearing Leave tentatively scheduled to begin October 9, 2011 through January 31, 2012, as per the provisions in the Agreement between the Mars Area School District and the Mars Area Education Association July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2011. Ms. Balawejder will utilize sick days and unpaid leave time. Approve the resignation of the following Supplemental Athletic Coach positions for the 2011-2012 school year: Activity Asst. 1 Varsity Girls Soccer Asst. 2 Varsity Girls Soccer Instructor Richard Casey Slusser Luke Marsh
Page 3 of 6 Approve the following Supplemental Activity Contracts for the 2011-2012 school year, at stipends to be determined, for the Mars Area High School, pending the receipt of the necessary paperwork: Activity Band Director Co-Assistant (1) Co-Assistant (2) String Orchestra Percussion Instructor Musical (1) Muscial (2) Musical (3) Musical (4) Vocal Concert Musical Pit Director Concert Band Jazz Band Percussion Ensemble Choral Ensemble Stage Crew Plays (1) Plays (2) Thespians (1) Thespians (2) Co-Student Council (1) Co-Student Council (2) Co-Senior Class (1) Co-Senior Class (2) Co-Junior Class (1) Co-Junior Class (2) Co-Sophomore Class (1) Co-Sophomore Class (2) Co-Freshman Class (1) Co-Freshman Class (2) Co-Art Club (1) Co-Art Club (2) Art Showcase (1) Art Showcase (2) Computer Club French Club German Club Key Club Co-Spanish Club (1) Co-Spanish Club (2) Varsity Club Interact Club Robotics Instructor Tammi Redmond Dave Beck/ Heather Sirney/ Ron Molinaro David Soose Marlin Clay Stacie Cifrulak Ron Molinaro Tammi Redmond Tammi Redmond David Soose Marlin Clay Marlin Clay Tina Bigante Tanis Rose Gabrielle Hock Ashley Vancheri Diane Iman Melanie Mertz Erica Nigro Kristan Kriley Matt Karczewski Erine Sloane Rita Johnson Erin Sloane Rita Johnson Rob Case Carol Wolcott Shawna Peters Rebecca Winek Mary Lou Foxall Erin Linden Scott Heinauer Mike DelDuca Rob Case
Page 4 of 6 Co-American Field Service (1) Co-American Field Service (2) Future Teachers of America National Honor Society Co-SADD-REACH (1) Co-SADD-REACH (2) Co-Forensics (1) Co-Forensics (2) Future Business Leaders Of America TV Broadcast Director Cheerleaders Head Cheer Assistant (JV) Cheer Assistant (9 th ) Colorguard II Winterguard I Winterguard II Yearbook Newspaper Water Protection Head Co-Coordinator Co-Coordinator Co-Coordinator Erin Lindin Shawna Peters Paul Rubish Darcy Silbaugh Colleen Tosadori Rob Case Darcy Silbaugh Diane Iman Ryan Siniawski Carol Bayne Ashley Vancheri Alexandria Reed Gerallyn Holby Jennifer Dunn Gerallyn Holby Karen Yost Gabrielle Hock Bill Wesley Carol Wack Peter Black Brian Hobaugh Approve the following teachers for unpaid Activity Sponsor positions for the 2011-2012 school year: Activity Bible Club (1) Bible Club (2) Book Club (1) Book Club (2) Bowling (1) Chess Club Cycling Club Environmentally Concerned Film Club Intramurals (1) Intramurals (2) Intramurals (3) K NEX Redefining Beautiful Ski Club Tech Ed Club (1) Tech Ed Club (2) Sponsor Rebecca Winek Abigail Burkes Gail Quigley Erin Donahue To be determined Chris Knauff Jim Sloane Jim Frank Matt Karczewski Dave Mayer Dana Petruska Rich Schoeffel Paul Rubish Gabrielle Hock Chris Knauff Shawn Haywiser Ray Machusko
Page 5 of 6 Approve the following day-to-day substitute teachers at the pay scale approved at the 7/21/2009 board meeting: Carly Baxter Elementary Rebecca Deutsch Health & Physical Education Lauren Duda Spanish Sarah Fugh Elementary/Special Education Jami Kleinert Music Stephanie Loder Elementary/Special Education Lauren Pappert German Peter Ramirez Elementary Katelyn Shulik Elementary/Special Education Stacey Wahl Elementary/Early Childhood/English 7-9 Daniel Zerick Elementary Approve the following day-to-day substitute support personnel at the rate of $9.85 an hour, as earned: Sheri McMaster Substitute Paraprofessional Remove the following substitute teachers from the day-to-day substitute calling list: Diane Dressel Martin Schenck Remove the following substitute support personnel from the day-to-day substitute calling list: Jacqi Jockel With Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Geyer, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Vereb and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. FINANCE A motion was made by Mr. McConnell and seconded by Ms. Brown to approve the Payables List Bills to be paid in August 2011. With Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Geyer, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Vereb and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. PROGRAMS A motion was made by Mr. McConnell and seconded by Ms. Ferguson to: Approve the Group Event Agreement with Kennywood for the school picnic scheduled June 13, 2012, as presented. Pending solicitor s review, approve the Facility Agreement and the Shelter Agreement with the American Red Cross, as presented. Approve the Affiliation Agreement between California University of Pennsylvania and the Mars Area School District for Student Teaching, as presented.
Page 6 of 6 Approve the Affiliation Agreement between Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and the Mars Area School District for Student Teaching, as presented. With Ms. Brown, Ms. Dorsch, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Geyer, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Vereb and Ms. Weaver voting aye the motion carried. DISCUSSION/COMMENTS Matthew Friedman (Assistant Superintendent) was introduced to the board. Mr. Friedman distributed material regarding the upcoming school year to the board for their review. Letters will be sent out to the principals shortly regarding the first in-service day for the teachers. The programs that are scheduled for the day were reviewed with the board. Mr. Friedman also reviewed various items that will be accomplished within the next few weeks. The new website should be up and running by mid-october and the Mars Cyber Academy will be running in the next several weeks. Mr. Friedman has been working diligently with Jeffrey Bitzer, Technology Director, on making the middle and high schools completely wireless. Ms. Vereb thanked Mr. Friedman for everything that has been accomplished during his first year with the district. A lot of good things have been developed. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the board meeting adjourned at 7:43 P.M. MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MARS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Board President Board Secretary