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–June 11, 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, Frank Kollar, Dan Berguson, Gloria Schwab, Susan Jaquish, Francine Wunderlich, Roxanne Landis, and Terry Osborne.

 

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

 

President Shull appointed Chaniesha Morgan, Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School, as student representative to the Board for 2007-2008.

 

President Shull presented Elementary Teacher of the Year awards to Kate Chabala, Reading Teacher at Blossburg Elementary School and Dianne Ostrom, 4th grade Teacher at Liberty Elementary School.  She presented to Secondary Teacher of the Year award to Carol Wooley, Social Studies Teacher at North Penn Jr. Sr. High School.

 

The Minutes of the meetings held on May 7, 2007 and May 14, 2007 were read by the Board. On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mrs. Wunderlich the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve the minutes as presented.

 

The Financial Summary was presented and showed a balance in the General Fund Checking Account of $54.75, $646,053.35 in the Cash Management Account, $653,262.35 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 Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Schwab the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve the Financial Summary as presented.  (EXHIBIT)

 

The Board studied the Bill List for the General Fund.  On motion of Mr. Osborne and second of Mr. Erway the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve paid bills in the amount of $1,588,361.09 and bills to be paid in the amount of $115,233.65.  (EXHIBIT)

 

Mr. Rakoski presented the food service report. On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mr. Kollar the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve the Food Service Report as presented. (EXHIBIT)

 

On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 9 to 0 to accept the following:

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Schwab and second of Mr. Berguson the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve the Facility Use Permits as presented.  (EXHIBIT)

 

On motion of Mrs. Schwab and second of Mr. Erway the Board voted 9 to 0 to approve Field Trip and Conference Requests as presented.  (EXHIBIT)

 

Mr. Kalata spoke for the Administration and:

 

 

Joel Gregory, Liberty, requested Board approval to construct dugouts on the soccer field at Liberty, pending approval of a building permit.  On motion Mr. Kollar and second Mr. Erway the Board voted 9 to 0.  The project is Mr. Gregory’s Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project.

 

Keith Diehl, IA & Gifted Teacher, addressed the decline in enrollment in the Industrial Arts Program and suggested that the decline may be in opportunities offered to students.

 

Barbara McCauley, Blossburg, asked about non-public student participation in cheerleading.  Mr. Kalata responded that he would address the matter by submitting a policy in July.

 

David Redell, teacher, suggested saving money by eliminating tennis court construction, which was not even proposed, shutting down the Liberty Schools so we did not have to tap-in to the sewer system, considering a central school, and eliminating the district marching band.

 

Will Schlosser, teacher, thanked the Board for considering a district marching band and indicated that he may have as many as 130 student participants.

 

Kevin Thomas and Gary Butters, Mansfield, requested that the board deny a preferential tax assessment to Lowe’s.  Gary also suggested providing for public input later in the agenda.

 

Leon Tucker, Covington, complimented the board on their efforts to hold the line on property taxes and suggested that preferential tax abatement for Lowe’s should be considered.

 

Alisha Slater and Lindsay Bogaczyk, students, spoke in support of the health careers program.

 

George Kump, Sullivan Twp., commented on budget transfers, administrative work year, and collection of delinquent taxes.

 

Rita Alixon, Mansfield, commented on the publication of the agenda and minutes and offered support for the enrichment program.

 

Heather Dempsey, Mansfield, advised the Board that a parent’s group is forming to discuss dual enrollment and related programs.  The meeting will be on June 26th at 6:30 P.M. in the Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School cafeteria.

 

Rachael Wade, Liberty, voiced support for the FBLA program at Liberty.

 

Ann Keiser, Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School teacher, commented on the need for a strong local program for vocational students in lieu of the state approved programs.  She will be conducting a study and will make a presentation to the Board.

 

The Administration recommended Board approval to terminate the temporary authority of the Superintendent to approve all matters of decision making regarding the reopening of the Warren L. Miller Elementary School, including expenditures and contracting services.  On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mr. Erway the Board

voted 9 to 0, by roll call, to approve the recommendation.

 

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:

 

Employ Barbara Kelly as Supervisor of Special Education effective July 1, 2007.  Ms. Kelly will be employed at an annual salary of $70,000 plus benefits as defined by the Act 93 Compensation Plan, pending receipt of updated clearances.   In addition, a one time payment of $5,376 ($336/credit x 16 credits) for credit reimbursement purposes will be paid to Ms. Kelly.

 

Employ Pearl Woodard-Smith as part-time cafeteria employee-cashier, at Liberty Jr. Sr. High School, effective May 21, 2007, for up to 90 days, pending receipt of FBI Clearance.  Ms. Woodard-Smith will be employed at an hourly rate of $6.50 plus benefits as defined by the Hourly Employees Conditions of Employment.

 

Employ Sandra Pettit as part-time cafeteria employee-dishwasher, at Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School, effective May 21, 2007.  Ms. Pettit will be employed at an hourly rate of $6.50 plus benefits as defined by the Hourly Employees Conditions of Employment.

 

Employ Anjanette Wheeler as part-time cafeteria employee at Blossburg Elementary School, effective May 29, 2007.  Ms. Wheeler will be employed at an hourly rate of $6.50 plus benefits as defined by the Hourly Employees Conditions of Employment.

 

Add the following persons to the day-to-day substitute employees list:

 

Employ the following teachers to provide Extended School Year services to identified students during the summer of 2007:

 

Enter into supplemental contracts with the following 2007 Summer School Program staff:

 

Enter into Professional Employee contracts and grant tenure to the following Temporary Professional Employees:

 

On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Schwab the Board voted 9 to 0, by roll call,  to approve the above recommendations.

 

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:

             

              Eliminate the following positions:

 

Create 7.5 new positions titled Early Literacy Paraprofessionals.

 

Reassign the following persons to Early Literacy Paraprofessionals:

 

On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 9 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.

The Administration recommended Board approval of the Superintendent’s recommendation to curtail or alter the industrial arts program pursuant to Section 1124(a) (2) of the Public School Code by reducing ½ of a position due to a substantial decline in course enrollment, and that the Superintendent be directed to seek approval from the PA Department of Education for this curtailment or alteration as required by Section 1124(a) (2) of the Public School Code.  On motion of Mr. Osborne and second of Mr. Berguson the Board voted 8 to 1, by roll call, with Mr. Kollar abstaining, to approve the recommendation.

 

The Administration recommended Board approval to eliminate the Health Careers II Program.  On motion of Mr. Osborne and second of Mr. Berguson the Board voted 7 to 2, by roll call, with Mr. Kollar and Mrs. Schwab abstaining, to approve the recommendation.

 

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following staffing changes for the 2007/08 school year:

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Wunderlich and second of Mr. Kollar the Board voted 9 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.

 

The Administration recommended Board approval of the following:

 

Renew 2007/08 supplemental contracts (EXHIBIT).

 

Add the Southern Tioga Marching Band to the extracurricular program. 

 

On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Wunderlich the Board voted 6-3, by roll call, with Mr. Erway, Mrs. Jaquish, and Mrs. Landis dissenting, to approve the recommendation.

 

Spring game attendants for North Penn Jr. Sr. High School. 

 

On motion of Mr. Wunderlich and second of Mrs. Jaquish the Board voted 9 to 0, to approve the above recommendations.

 

The Administration recommended approval of the following:

 

2007/2008 General Fund Budget in the amount of $26,826,932.

 

Real Estate Millage for 2007/2008 as follows:]

Tioga County – 13.295 mils or $1.3295 on each $100 of taxable assessed valuation.

Lycoming County – 12.201 mils or $1.2201 on each $100 of taxable assessed valuation.

On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mr. Kollar the Board voted 9 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.

 

The Administration recommended approval of the following:

 

Budgetary transfer authorization, granting permission to the Administration to make any and all necessary budgetary transfers in accordance with PA Public School Code and PDE Regulations (EXHIBIT).

 

Appoint Interstate Tax Service, Inc. as Power of Attorney to represent the district with the Office of Unemployment Compensation Tax Services and the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.

 

Enter into an agreement with Data Services PRO to print and handle the 2007 Real Estate Tax Billing documents and files.

 

On motion of Mrs. Jaquish and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 9 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.

 

The Administration recommended approval of an application from The Murus Company for Preferential Tax Assessment.  On motion of Mrs. Landis and second of Mrs. Wunderlich the Board voted 5-3-1, by roll call, to approve the recommendation with Mr. Berguson, Mr. Kollar, and Mrs. Landis dissenting and Mr. Osborne abstaining.

 

The Administration recommended approval of the following:

 

Purchase new textbooks for the Jr. High reading program.

 

Delete all Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, effective July 2007

 

On motion of Mr. Berguson and second of Mr. Osborne the Board voted 9 to 0, to approve the above recommendations.

 

The Administration recommended approval of the following:

 

The Local Level Wellness Policy Confirmation/Amendment (EXHIBIT).

 

2007/2008 Extra Curricular Pupil Transportation bids (EXHIBIT).

 

Add Allen W. McFarland, Sr. to the 2006/07 School Bus Driver’s List.

 

On motion of Mr. Erway and second of Mrs. Landis the Board voted 9 to 0, to approve the above recommendations.

 

Enter into an agreement with the Tioga County Juvenile Probation Department for the 2007/200/ school year for school-based probation officer services in the amount of $23,535.

 

On motion of Mr. Osborne and second of Mrs. Schwab the Board voted 8 to 1, with Mrs. Landis dissenting, to approve the recommendation.

 

The Administration recommended approval of the following:

 

Create the temporary position of Clerk of the Works/District Maintenance, effective 7/1/07 through 9/30/08.  The Administration will reassign Leon Putnam to this position.

 

Add up to 20 temporary student custodian positions at Warren L. Miller Elementary School to assist with moving furniture and supplies.  Work Schedule is anticipated to be 6/18/07-6/22/07, 6.5 hours/day @ 7.00/hour as defined by the Conditions of Employment for Hourly Employees.

 

On motion of Mr. Erway and second of Mr. Kollar the Board voted 9 to 0, by roll call, to approve the above recommendations.

 

The Administration recommended approval of bid submitted by Power Component Systems, Inc., Harrisburg, PA., in the amount of $214,450 for asbestos abatement at Warren L. Miller Elementary School.  On motion of Mr. Kollar and second of Mrs. Wunderlich the Board voted 9 to 0, by roll call, to approve the recommendation.

 

Board President Barbara Shull made the following announcements:

 

Next Board Meetings(s)

                 Monday, July 16, 2007, 6:30 P.M.

                 North Penn  Jr. Sr. High School Library, Blossburg

                 Monday, August 13, 2007, 6:30 P.M.

                 Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School Library, Mansfield

                 Monday, September 10, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.

                 North Penn Jr. Sr. High School Auditorium, Blossburg

                   

Board Work Session(s)

                North Penn Jr. Sr. High School Library, Blossburg

               Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.

               North Penn Jr. Sr. High School Library, Blossburg

 

Executive Session(s)

               Mansfield Jr. Sr. High School Library, Mansfield

               RE:  Confidential

 

On motion of Mr. Kollar and second of Mrs. Schwab the Board voted 9 to 0 to

 adjourn the meeting.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted

 

______________________

James J. Rakoski, Board Secretary

 

 

  

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