Southern Tioga School District

Administration Office 241 Main Street, Blossburg, Pa 16912

Phone: (570) 638-2183 or (570) 659-5521 Fax: (570) 638-3512

SOUTHERN TIOGA SCHOOL DISTRICT

241 MAIN STREET

BLOSSBURG, PA 16912

MINUTES:  BOARD OF EDUCATION–January 8, 2007

The meeting of the Board of Education of the Southern Tioga School District was called to order by Board President, Barbara Shull, with the following members present:, Ivan Erway, Roxanne Landis, Frank Kollar, Gloria Schwab, Dan Berguson, Francine Wunderlich, and Terry Osborne.

Also present were Messrs: Kalata, Rakoski, Sikorski, Barton, David, Jaquish, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Sargent, Mrs. Freeman, and interested teachers and citizens.

The Minutes of the meetings held on December 4, 2006 were read by the Board. On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve the minutes as presented.

The Financial Summary was presented and showed a balance in the General Fund Checking Account of $74.03, $2,742,161.07 in the Cash Management Account, $2,859,290.50 in PLGIT.  The report also included statements regarding the Student Activity Funds, Student Athletic Funds, Scholarship Funds, Capital Reserve Funds, Bank Notes, Construction Fund and Swaption Proceeds.  On motion of Mr. Kollar and second of Mrs. Landis 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 Mrs. Wunderlich and second of Mr. Erway the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve paid bills in the amount of $2,485,619.99 and bills to be paid in the amount of $56,461.46.  (EXHIBIT)

The Board studied the Bill List for Capital Projects.  On motion of Mr. Berguson

and second of Mr. Kollar the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve paid bills in the amount of $24,144.69. (EXHIBIT)

Mr. Rakoski presented the food service report. On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Schwab the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve the Food Service Report as presented. (EXHIBIT)

On motion of Mr. Osborne and second of Mrs. Schwab the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve the resignation of Sara Brion, as North Penn Jr. Sr. High  School stage production advisor and Joseph Eglesia, as Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School boys tennis coach.  

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

On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mr. Berguson the Board voted 8 to 0 to approve Field Trip and Conference Requests as presented.  (EXHIBIT)

Mr. Kalata spoke for the Administration and;

• Presented a copy of a New York Times article highlighting the district and its compliance with state health regulations regarding body mass index.
• Outlined a plan for removal of student artwork (ceiling tiles) at W. L. Miller Elementary School.
• Advised of progress in the dual enrollment program.

Mr. Rakoski advised the Board about:

Barbara McCauley and Harold Witushynsky of Blossburg spoke on behalf of a North Penn student who is attending a non-public school and would like to continue as a cheerleader at North Penn Jr. Sr. High School.

Debra Pasquello and Lori Spotts of the Liberty area requested additional bus service in Cogan House to alleviate an overcrowding on buses #2 and #33.

George Kump, Sullivan Twp., commented on the need for a policy stipulating public access to Board members

Carrie Thompson, Dennis Crumb, and Penny Mitstifer commented on their previous request for bus service to their day care provider on Plank Road.

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:

Employ Laura Giles, learning support paraprofessional at Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School, retroactively to December 6, 2006.  Ms. Giles will be employed at an hourly rate of $8.75 as defined by the CWA Paraprofessionals Agreement.

Request from Joey Sue Hamilton-Ficks, health/physical education teacher at Liberty Jr. Sr. High School, to extend her maternity leave through January 10, 2007.

Extend the employment of Shawnta Fladd, substitute health/physical education teacher at Liberty Jr. Sr. High School through January 10, 2007.

Employ Joann Collister, kindergarten paraprofessional at Blossburg Elementary School, effective January 8, 2007.   Ms. Collister will be employed at an hourly rate of $8.75 as defined by the CWA Paraprofessionals Agreement.

Employ Maureen Chrisfield, part-time cafeteria employee at Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School, retroactively to January 2, 2007.   Ms. Chrisfield will be employed at an hourly rate of $6.50 as defined by the Conditions of Employment for Hourly Employees.

Request from Jennifer Wile, 4th grade teacher at W. L. Miller Elementary School, for a maternity leave beginning approximately March 12, 2007, through the end of the 2006-2007 school year.

Request from Maureen Angelopulos, 3/5 English teacher at North Penn Jr. Sr. High School, to extend her maternity leave through the end of the 2006-2007 school year.

Request from Carlene Harer, cafeteria employee at Liberty Jr. Sr. High School for an unpaid leave of absence occurring every Thursday, beginning January 18, through April 12, 2007.

Additions to the 2006-2007 Day-to-Day Substitute Employees list:

• Melissa Jackson, elementary teacher, effective January 4, 2007
• Matthew Hildebrand, elementary teacher, effective January 4, 2007
• Jennifer Minnich, paraprofessional, effective January 4, 2007
• Brenda Barden, paraprofessional, effective January 4, 2007

On motion of Mr. Erway and second of Mr. Kollar the Board voted 8 to 0, by roll call,  to approve the above recommendations.

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:

Permission to advertise a 2007/2008 Proposed Preliminary Budget

Enter into an “Adopt-A-School Agreement” with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) which increases awareness in students and parents of the available post-secondary educational opportunities available.

On motion of Mr. Kollar and second of Mrs. Schwab the Board voted 8 to 0, by roll call,  to approve the above recommendations.

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:

Enter into supplemental contracts with the following individuals for the 2006-2007 school year:

• Mary Beth McKeever, stage production co-advisor, North Penn Jr. Sr. High School, $502.00
• Selina Paulhamus, Jr. High girls basketball coach, North Penn Jr. Sr. High School, $1,419.00
• Deb Bowen, yearbook co-advisor, North Penn Jr. Sr. High School, $1,280.00
• Laurel Smith, yearbook co-advisor, North Penn Jr. Sr. High School, $1,280.00

Approve Robert Strohecker as a volunteer for Jr. High wrestling program, Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School for the 2006/2007 school year.

On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Wundelrich the Board voted 8 to 0, to approve the above recommendations.

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:

Transfer of a pupil transportation contract from Nancy Hunter to Donna L. Baker, effective January 2, 2007.

Permission to add an additional 30 passenger school bus in the Cogan House area and enter into a contract with Joseph Bohnert at Board approved formula compensation in accordance with district policy.

On motion of Mrs. Schwab and second of Mr. Berguson the Board voted 8 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.

Board President Barbara Shull made the following announcements:

              Next Board Meetings(s)

              Monday, February 12, 2007, 6:30 P.M.

              Liberty Jr. Sr. High School Auditorium, Liberty

              Board Work Session(s)

              Monday, February 5, 2007, 6:30 P.M.     

North Penn Jr. Sr. High School Library, Blossburg

            Student and Community Services Committee Meeting (s)

            Monday, January 29, 2007, 6:30 P.M.

              North Penn Jr. Sr. High School Library, Blossburg

On motion of Mrs. Wunderlich and second of Mrs. Schwab the Board voted 8 to 0 to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted

______________________

James J. Rakoski, Board Secretary

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