SOUTHERN TIOGA SCHOOL DISTRICT
241 MAIN STREET
BLOSSBURG, PA 16912
MINUTES: BOARD OF EDUCATION– December 3, 2003
The annual reorganizational meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by Secretary, James Rakoski, with the following members present: Jeffrey Rush, Kathleen Halstead, Terry Osborne, Susan Jaquish, William Miller, Barbara Shull, and Roxanne Landis.
Also present were Messrs: Kalata, Sikorski, Lindner, Davis, Mrs. Crowell, Mrs. Sargent, Mrs. Strassburg and Mrs. Sick and interested teachers and citizens.
On motion of Mr. Miller and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board nominated Mr. Osborne to serve as temporary president to conduct the election of officers. On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Ms. Shull the nominations were closed with Mr. Osborne being elected.
Mr. Rakoski administered the oath of office to new board members Daniel Berguson and Francine Wunderlich.
On motion of Mr. Miller and second of Ms. Shull, Mr. Rush was nominated to serve as President. On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mrs. Jaquish the board voted 9 to 0 to close the nominations with Mr. Rush being elected.
On motion of Mr. Osborne and second of Mrs. Halstead, Mr. Miller was nominated to serve as Vice President. On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Ms. Shull the Board voted 9 to 0 to close nominations with Mr. Miller being elected.
On motion of Mr. Miller and second of Mr. Osborne, Mrs. Halstead was nominated to serve as Treasurer. On motion of Mr. Miller and second of Ms. Shull the nominations were closed with Mrs. Halstead being elected.
The Minutes of the meetings held on November 10 and November 24, 2003 were read by the Board. On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mrs. Wunderlich the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve the minutes as amended.
The Financial Summary was presented and showed a balance in the General Fund Checking Account of $9.18, $1,402,141.31 in the Cash Management Account, and $432,182.71 in PLGIT. The report also included statements regarding the Student Activity Funds, Student Athletic Funds, Capital Reserve Funds, and Bank Notes. On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve the Financial Summary as presented. (EXHIBIT)
On motion of Mr. Miller and second of Mr. Berguson the board voted 9 to 0 to authorize Mr. Rakoski to borrow up to $500,000 from the capital reserve account and transfer said funds for the purpose of paying bills in the event of cash flow difficulties caused by the inability of state government to pass a budget.
The Board studied the Bill List for the General Fund. On motion of Ms. Shull and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve paid bills in the amount of $1,139,493.24 and bills to be paid in the amount of $137,392.90. (EXHIBIT)
Mr. Rakoski presented the Food Service Report indicating losses of $516.38 and $661.80 in the breakfast and lunch programs, respectively, for the month of October. On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mr. Miller the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve the food service report as presented.(EXHIBIT)
Mr. Rakoski recognized Mrs. Sick and the food service staff for an outstanding State Review and being named a “nutrition friendly site” by the Pennsylvania State Dept. of Food & Nutrition.
On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Jaquish the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve the Facility Use Permits as presented. (EXHIBIT)
On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 9 to 0, to approve Field Trip and Conference Requests as presented. (EXHIBIT)
Student Representative, Renee Norman reported on student and holiday activities at the various schools.
Mary Ellen Hill, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, asked about the “Body Mass Index” survey discussed at the November meeting. Mr. Kalata stated that the board has received additional information and the Department of Health has been advised of the concern. In addition, a letter was sent to the parent who questioned the survey.
The Administration recommended Board approval to contract services with CSIU of Lewisburg, PA, in the amount of $4,500 to apply for E-Rate funds on behalf of the District. On motion of Mr. Miller and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 9 to 0, by roll call, to approve the recommendation.
The Administration recommended Board approval of the 2004 Board Work Session and Board Meeting schedules. On motion of Mr. Osborne and second of Mrs. Landis the Board voted 9 to 0, to approve the recommendation. (EXHIBIT)
The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:
A request from Susan Alexander, Head Cook at the Liberty schools, for a Family Medical Leave beginning November 10, 2003, for up to 60 days.
A request to add the position of Secretary to the Coordinator of Instructional Services and Grants at the Boyanowski Administration Building.
A request from James Keyes, Guidance Counselor at Mansfield High School, to complete a guidance internship at Mansfield High School.
Additions to the 2003/2004 substitute employee list. (EXHIBIT)
On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 8 to 1, by roll call, with Mrs. Wunderlich dissenting, to approve the above recommendations.
The Administration recommended adding the following persons to the approved volunteer’s list for the 2003/2004 school year:
On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mrs. Wunderlich the Board voted 9 to 0, to approve the above recommendations.
The Administration recommended Board approval for homebound instruction for a W. L. Miller Elementary School student and a Mansfield High School student. On motion of Mrs.Landis and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 9 to 0, to approve the recommendation.
The Administration recommended Board approval to enter into an agreement with Quad 3 Group to perform a preliminary review of the Mansfield Armory property in the amount of $4,500. On motion of Mr. Miller and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 8 to 1, by roll call, with Mrs. Wunderlich dissenting, to approve the recommendation.
The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:
A request from Amy DeCamp, English teacher at North Penn High School, to extend her Family Medical Leave through December 5, 2003.
Extending the employment of Elizabeth Dillman as 3/5 pre-arranged short-term substitute English teacher at North Penn High School, through December 5, 2003. Ms. Dillman will be employed at a daily rate of $72.00 as defined by the Substitute Professional Employees Conditions of Employment.
Extending the employment of Jeff Wynne as 2/5 pre-arranged short-term substitute English teacher at North Penn High School, through December 5, 2003. Mr. Wynne will be employed at a daily rate of $48.00 as defined by the Substitute Professional Employees Conditions of Employment.
Richard Osgood as day-to-day substitute custodian effective December 3, 2003.
On motion of Ms. Shull and second of Mrs. Wunderlich the Board voted 9 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.
Board President Rush made the following announcements:
6:30 p.m., Mansfield High School Auditorium, Mansfield
6:30 p.m., Boyanowski Administration Building Conference Room, Blossburg
RE: Attorney
Negotiations Committee, Wednesday, December 10, 2003
6:00 p.m., Boyanowski Administration Building Conference Room, Blossburg
RE: Labor Relations
On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 9 to 0 to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted
_____________________
James J. Rakoski, Board Secretary
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