SOUTHERN TIOGA SCHOOL DISTRICT

241 MAIN STREET

BLOSSBURG, PA 16912

MINUTES:  BOARD OF EDUCATION– November 10, 2003

Board President Jeffrey Rush called the meeting to order with the following members also present: Kathleen Halstead, Terry Osborne, Martha Bastian, Susan Jaquish, William Miller, Barbara Shull, and William Johnston.

Also present were Messrs:  Kalata, Rakoski, Sikorski, Lindner, David, Mrs. Crowell, Mrs. Sargent, Mrs. Strassburg and interested teachers and citizens.

The Minutes of the meetings held on October 14, 2003 were read by the Board.  On motion of Mr. Miller and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve the minutes as amended.

The Financial Summary was presented and showed a balance in the General Fund Checking Account of $29.95, $2,373,500.98 in the Cash Management Account, and $358,999.89 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. Halstead and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve the Financial Summary as presented.  (EXHIBIT)

The Board studied the Bill List for the General Fund.  On motion of Mr. Johnston and second of Mr. Miller the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve paid bills in the amount of $1,430,052.60 and bills to be paid in the amount of $130,423.42.  (EXHIBIT)

Mr. Rakoski presented a Food Service Report indicating losses of $542.01 and $2,902.64 in the breakfast and lunch programs, respectively, for the month of August/September. On motion of Mr. Osborne and second of Mr. Johnston the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve the food service report as presented.

On motion of Mrs. Bastian and second of Ms. Shull, the Board voted 8 to 0 to accept the resignation of Carl Walker, jr. high basketball coach at Mansfield High School.

On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mrs. Jaquish the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve the Facility Use Permits as presented.  (EXHIBIT)

On motion of Mr. Johnston and second of Mrs. Halstead the Board voted 8 to 0, to approve Field Trip and Conferences as presented.  (EXHIBIT)

Mr. Kalata recognized:

• Noreen Fox, guidance counselor at Liberty High School, for being named Laurel Youth Services 2003 School Staff Person of the Year.
• Jaryn Horner, Liberty High School, named as one of 10 Senate Youth Scholarship Finalists
• Dan Berguson and Francis Wunderlich as newly elected School Board Directors
• William Johnston and Martha Bastian, retiring Board Members
• Those who contributed to making one full academic and sports season a success.

 Student Representative, Renee Norman was unable to attend the meeting, but submitted a written report outlining student activities at the various schools.

 Larry Meeker, Covington, questioned the Body Mass Index Survey.  Mr. Kalata responded that it was a state survey to inform parents.

The Administration recommended rejecting any and all bids for the new piano at North Penn High School.  On motion of Mrs. Jaquish and second of Mr. Johnston the Board voted 8 to 0, to approve the above recommendations.

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following additions to the 2003/04 Approved Bus Driver List: 

• Kimberly McCauliffe, Chamberlain Transportation, pending receipt of CDL.

On motion of Mr. Miller and second of Mrs.Halstead the Board voted 8 to 0, to approve the above recommendations.

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:

A request from Amy DeCamp, English teacher at North Penn High School, for a Family Medical Leave beginning October 27, 2003, through November 26, 2003, excluding November 10, 2003.

Extending the employment of Elizabeth Dillman as 3/5 pre-arranged short-term substitute English teacher at North Penn High School, from October 27, 2003, through November 26, 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, from October 27, 2003, through November 26, 2003.  Mr. Wynne will be employed at a daily rate of $48.00 as defined by the Substitute Professional Employees Conditions of Employment.

The employment of Kristopher DeRemer as a temporary professional employee with initial assignment as Elementary teacher at Blossburg Elementary School, effective October 31, 2003.  Mr. DeRemer will be employed at Step 1 of the Bachelor’s salary column, $33,500, to be prorated in the 2003/3004 school year, plus benefits as defined by theSTSD/STEA Employment Contract.

The employment of Theresa Bird as the 2003/2004 Teen Parent Advocate, effective November 5, 2003.  Ms. Bird will be employed at an hourly rate of $18.00 as defined by the 2003/2004 Pregnant and Parenting Teens Grant.

Extended the employment of Lona Heyd as a temporary teacher assistant for a student w/special needs at Blossburg Elementary School, through January 16, 2004. Ms. Heyd will be employed as a pre-arranged short-term substitute teacher assistant at an hourly rate of $7.50 as per the Hourly Employees Conditions of Employment.

The employment of Carolyn Grinnell as Pre-Arranged Short-Term Substitute Cafeteria Monitor at Liberty Elementary School for several weeks until the head cook returns to work.  Ms. Grinnell will be employed at an hourly rate of $6.50 as per the Hourly Employees Conditions of Employment.

The employment of Sandra Hawkins as dishwasher at W.L. Miller Elementary School, effective October 31, 2003.  Ms.Hawkins will be employed at an hourly rate of $6.50 as per the Hourly Employees Conditions of Employment.

Additions to the 2003/2004 substitute employee list.  (EXHIBIT)

On motion of Ms. Shull and second of Mrs. Bastian the Board voted 7 to 0 to 1,with Mrs. Jaquish abstaining, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following supplemental contracts for the 2003/2004 school year:

• Liberty Booster Ass’n, Fall Game attendants, for $2,155.00
• Blossburg Track Booster, Fall Game attendants, for $3,880.00
• Mansfield Booster Club, Fall Game attendants,  for $2,640.00

• Tami Delinski, Co-Cheerleading Advisor, Liberty High School, for $978.50.
• Shelley Pequignot, Co-Cheerleading Advisor, Liberty High School pending receipt of clearance, for $978.50.
• Jeff Manikowski, Mentor for new teacher Kristopher DeRemer, Effective October 31, 2003, for $784.00.
• Patty White, Mentor for new teacher Mimi Williams, effective October 14, 2003, for $866.00.

On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mr. Johnston the Board voted 8 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: 

• Roger Learn, District-wide PIAA swimming program volunteer
• Randy Pequignot, North Penn High School winter sports volunteer
• Brigette Ostrom, North Penn High School winter sports volunteer
• Jim Bogaczyk, North Penn High School winter sports volunteer
• Erick Cummings, North Penn High School boys basketball volunteer
• John Ostrom, Liberty High School girls basketball volunteer

On motion of Mr. Osborne and second of Mr. Miller the Board voted 8 to 0, to approve the above recommendations.

The Administration recommended Board approval for homebound instruction for (2) Liberty High School students and (1) Mansfield High School student.  On motion of Mrs.Halstead and second of Ms. Shull the Board voted 8 to 0, to approve the recommendation.

Board President Rush made the following announcements: 

• Special Board Meeting: Monday, November 24, 2003

           6:00 p.m., Boyanowski Administration Building Conference Room, Blossburg 

• Next Board Meeting, Wednesday, December 3, 2003

           6:30 p.m., Mansfield High School Auditorium, Mansfield

• Board Work Session, Monday, November 24, 2003

           6:30 p.m., Boyanowski Administration Building Conference Room, Blossburg

On motion of Mrs. Halstead and second of Mrs. Jaquish the Board voted 8 to 0 to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted

_____________________

James J. Rakoski, Board Secretary

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