SOUTHERN TIOGA SCHOOL DISTRICT
241 MAIN STREET
BLOSSBURG, PA 16912
MINUTES: BOARD OF EDUCATION– February 9, 2004
The meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by Vice President, William Miller, with the following members present: Kathleen Halstead, Barbara Shull, Roxanne Landis, Dan Berguson and Francine Wunderlich.
Also present were Messrs: Kalata, Rakoski, Sikorski, Lindner, David, Mrs. Crowell, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Sargent, and Mrs. Drabick and interested teachers and citizens.
The Minutes of the meeting held on January 12, 2004 were read by the Board. On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Ms. Shull the Board voted 6 to 0 to approve the minutes as presented.
The Financial Summary was presented and showed a balance in the General Fund Checking Account of $99.17, $3,530,708.20 in the Cash Management Account, and $1,090,394.77 in PLGIT. The report also included statements regarding the Student Activity Funds, Student Athletic Funds, Capital Reserve Funds, and Bank Notes. On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mrs. Landis the Board voted 6 to 0 to approve the Financial Summary as presented. (EXHIBIT)
The Board studied the Bill List for the General Fund. On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mr. Berguson the Board voted 6 to 0 to approve paid bills in the amount of $1,201,575.36 and bills to be paid in the amount of $122,733.03. (EXHIBIT)
Mr. Rakoski presented the Food Service Report indicating a loss of $2,646.61 in the breakfast program and a loss of $3,647.08 in the lunch program, for the month of December. On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Wunderlich the Board voted 6 to 0 to approve the food service report as presented. (EXHIBIT)
On motion of Ms. Shull and second of Mrs. Landis the Board voted 6 to 0 to accept the resignation of William Kelly as computer assistant at Mansfield High School.
On motion of Mrs. Wunderlich and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 6 to 0 to approve the Facility Use Permits as presented. (EXHIBIT)
On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 6 to 0 to approve Field Trip and Conference Requests as presented. (EXHIBIT)
Mr. Kalata reported for the administration and stated that:
All snow days built into the 2003-04 calendar have now been used.
Tracking of students as reported in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette
was an incorrect interpretation of the career pathway program
which directs students based upon interests not academics.
MHS students participated in a brown bag protest against a perceived
decision that pizza parties would no longer be permitted. The
Administration is considering how to monitor student parties during
the school day.
Student Representative, Renee Norman reported on student government activities throughout the district.
George Kump, Sullivan Township, asked if the Administration has presented their compensation requests in a meet and discuss model. Mr. Kalata responded that they had not.
Julie Bescensany, Mansfield, asked if employment on an emergency certificate counted toward tenure. Mr. Kalata and Mrs. Wunderlich responded that it did.
Preston Jaquish, Mansfield High School student, commented on the brown bag protest, serving size, and cost of a lunch. Mr. Kalata responded that the Administration would have direction regarding student parties by the end of February.
Mary Ellen Hill, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, asked if pizza is served at lunch. Mr. Kalata responded in the affirmative.
The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:
Technology contracts pending E-Rate funding approval
On Motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 6 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.
The Administration recommended approval of a pledge in support of a grant application for the Mansfield University Writing Project in the amount of $2,000. On motion of Mrs. Wunderlich and second of Mr. Berguson to Board voted 5 to 0 to 1, by roll call, with Mrs. Halstead abstaining, to approve the above recommendation.
The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:
A tenure recommendation for James Keyes, Guidance Counselor, at Mansfield High School.
Additions to the 2003/2004 substitute employee list. (EXHIBIT)
On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Ms. Shull the Board voted 6 to 0, by roll call, 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 to Board voted 5 to 1, by roll call, with Mrs. Landis dissenting, to approve the above recommendations.
The Administration recommended Board approval of the supplemental contract for Winter Game Attendants for North Penn High School in amount of $2,500.00 for the 2003/2004 school year. On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mrs. Landis the Board voted 6 to 0, by roll call, to approve the recommendation.
The Administration recommended Board approval of homebound instruction for a Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School student. On motion of Mrs. Wunderlich and second of Ms. Shull the Board voted 6 to 0, to approve the recommendation.
The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:
On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 6 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.
The Administration recommended Board Approval of an agreement with the State Armory Board in the amount of $100 to rent the Armory for one hour per day from February 9, 2004, through April 8, 2004, to accommodate the Junior High basketball practice schedule. On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 6 to 0, by roll call, to approve the recommendation.
The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:
A request from Jay Barton, music teacher at the Blossburg schools, for an unpaid leave of absence for education reasons from February 10, 2004, through November 24, 2004.
The employment of Jay Barton as temporary assistant elementary principal at Blossburg and Liberty Elementary Schools, effective February 10, 2004, through November 24, 2004. Mr. Barton will be employed at a daily rate of $221.28 plus benefits as defined by the Performance Based Administrator Compensation Plan for Middle Management.
The employment of Sue Cowan as multi-support secretary at W. L. Miller Elementary School, effective February 24, 2004, pending receipt of her Child Abuse History Clearance. Ms. Cowan will be employed at an annual salary of $14,600, to be pro-rated for the 2003/2004 school year, plus benefits as defined by the Conditions of Employment for Classified Staff.
The employment of Rebecca Hemling as secretary to the principal at Blossburg Elementary School, effective February 10, 2004. Ms. Hemling will be employed at an annual salary of $18,000, to be prorated for the 2003/2004 school year, plus benefits as defined by the Conditions of Employment of Classified Staff.
Donnalea Jacoby, social studies teacher at Mansfield High School, as mentor for new teacher Belinda Houghtalen, effective February 9, 2004, for the remainder of the 2003/2004 school year in the amount of $471.44.
The employment of Molly Wall as teacher assistant for a student with special needs at Liberty Elementary School, effective February 10, 2004. Ms. Walls will be employed at an hourly rate of $8.00 plus benefits as defined by the Education Assistants Employment Agreement.
The employment of Kelly Diehl as day-to-day substitute teacher, effective February 5, 2004.
The employment of Wendy Wool as day-to-day substitute teacher assistant and secretary effective February 9, 2004.
On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Ms. Shull the Board voted 6 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.
Board Vice President Miller made the following announcements:
6:30 p.m., Mansfield High School Library, Mansfield
Monday, March 1, 2004
6:30 p.m., Boyanowski Administration Building Conference Room,
Blossburg
Negotiations Committee
Thursday, February 12, 2004
4:00 p.m., North Penn High School Library, Blossburg,
RE: Labor
Negotiations Committee
Thursday, February 19, 2004
4:00 p.m., North Penn High School Library, Blossburg
RE: Labor
On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Ms. Shull the Board voted 6 to 0
to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted
_____________________
James J. Rakoski, Board Secretary