I. roll call, flag salute, and a moment of silence

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
August 28, 2013
I. ROLL CALL, FLAG SALUTE, AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE
A voting meeting of the Board of Directors of the Punxsutawney Area School District

was held on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the board room of the Central Office

located at 475 Beyer Avenue with the following board members present:

Mrs. Roberta Dinsmore, Mr. James Baun, Mr. Gary Conrad, Ms. Lesa Conner, Mr. Robert Pascuzzo, Mrs. Melissa Snyder, Mr. Jack White and Mrs. Penny Pifer. Mr. Francis Monlinaro was excused from the meeting.

Also in attendance were Dr. Keith Wolfe, Superintendent; Mrs. Susan Robertson, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Attorney David L. Young, Solicitor; Administrators –

Mr. Gerald Gigliotti, Mr. Richard Galluzzi, Mr. David London, Mr. Richard Britten,

Mrs. Natalie Enslen, Mr. Travis Monroe and Mrs. Cheryl Repik.
**Note** There was an executive session held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:03 p.m.
II. PUBLIC COMMENTS

1. Ms. Monica Bizousky, 1000 Woodland Avenue, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. Ms. Bizousky

Described the caloric need of football players during their two-a-day practices. She does not

believe the players received the proper required nutrition in the free school lunch.

Ms. Bizousky indicated she represents the football parents in requesting the training table be

reinstated.

2. Ms. Hillary Freeman, 61 Pickett Road, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. Ms. Freeman indicated

her daughter’s first day of school was yesterday. She was to stay on bus 8 from school to the

Playhouse Child Care Center. Her daughter was moved to bus 10. She was dropped off on

the road alone and walked to an empty home. She believes additional precautions need to be

in place to assure this does not happen again.
Dr. Wolfe apologized on behalf of the District. He also outlined steps the District is

considering to assure this does not happen again.

III. PRESENTATION
Lesa Conner, Dr. Wolfe, Rich Britten and Travis Monroe went to an Active Shooter Training.

The training indicated practicing “shooter” drills is very important. Other items presented at the

training were discussed.
STUDENT BOARD
Laura Chelgren indicated senior portraits were in August and that the band went to Indiana and

did well.

Rachel Spack indicated that laptops are being distributed and Spaghetti dinners are available on

September 6, 2013 at the high school cafeteria through the Key Club.

IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Mr. Pascuzzo to approve the minutes from

the August 6, 2013 voting meeting.

On a voice vote the motion passed 8-0. The vote was eight yes.
VI. REPORTS
A. Transportation (Mrs. Repik)
A motion was made by Mr. Pascuzzo, seconded by Ms. Conner to approve the following:

1. Drivers for STA/Krise Bus Service

2. Vehicles for STA/Krise Bus Service

3. Drivers for Tri-County Bus Company

4. Bus stops
Discussion was held on the age of buses and propane buses. Mr. Pascuzzo inquired as to how the district is paying for the propane and CNG.
On a roll call vote Mr. Baun, Ms. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Pascuzzo,

Mrs. Pifer, Mrs. Snyder and Mr. White voted yes. The vote was eight yes. The motion passed 8-0.

B. Building and Maintenance

Mr. Baun asked for a committee meeting.

Discussion was held on the need for an engineer to oversee the project.


C. Federal Programs & Curriculum Reports (Mr. Galluzzi)
A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Mrs. Snyder to approve the following

purchase orders with Federal Funds:

• 
  Apple Computers – MacBooks $ 9,024.00
  
• 
  ETA/Hand2Mind – math classroom package $ 7,560.00
  

On a roll call vote Mr. Baun, Ms. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Pascuzzo,

Mrs. Pifer, Mrs. Snyder and Mr. White voted yes. The vote was eight yes. The motion passed 8-0.
D. Cafeteria

A free breakfast will be offered to all students on September 11, 2013.

E. Financial
A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Mr. Pascuzzo to approve the following:

1. Purchase Orders:

• 
  EBSCO – library books $ 6,141.30
  
• 
  Edmentum, Inc. – Study Island subscription $ 14,906.00
  
• 
  Keystone Smiles – AmeriCorps program $121,950.00
  

2. Agreement with TSA Consulting Group to perform the duties as the Third Party

Administrator for the District’s 403(b) Plan in conjunction with Kades-Margolis. This

service will be at no cost to the district (pending approval of language by the solicitor)

3. Change travel meal stipends to the following:

• 
  Breakfast – from $10 to $15
  
• 
  Lunch – from $15 to $20
  
• 
  Dinner – remain at $25
  

Discussion was held on the travel meals stipends.

On a roll call vote Mr. Baun, Ms. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Pascuzzo,

Mrs. Pifer, Mrs. Snyder and Mr. White voted yes. The vote was eight yes. The motion passed 8-0.

F. Superintendent’s Report (Dr. Wolfe)
Informational

1. There will be a “Big Brothers Big Sisters Night’ at the varsity football game on

September 27^th when we play St. Marys.

There will be a table with program information and public service announcements.

2. Dr. Wolfe indicated a police officer has been at Jenks Hill Elementary School to help

control traffic and keep the students safe.

3. PSP School Crisis Training was held at the Middle School.

4. Dr. Wolfe researched other districts and IU’s that utilize a four-day workweek. The IU

saves $4,000 a year.

5. Mr. Kirk Ferguson of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will be a guest trombonist at

Punxsutawney Middle School on September 4, 2013 at 12:00 PM. Mr. Ferguson is a

graduate of the Punxsutawney Area School District.

6. During In-service many discussions were held regarding teacher effectiveness

evaluations.

On the first day of school we experienced some busing issues.

A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Ms. Conner to approve the

following:

1. Agreement between the Punxsutawney Area School District and the Pyramid Healthcare,

Inc. for providing educational services at the new Vista Learning Center and Central

Pennsylvania Autism Spectrum Disorder Academy for the 2013-2014 school year.

2. Agreement between the Punxsutawney Area School District and the Community Action

for providing mental health counseling services for the PASD Alternative Education

program at the cost of $62.50 per each hour and 15 minute session.

3. The District to participate in the PA Youth Survey (PAYS) sponsored by the PA

Commission on Crime and Delinquency, PA Department of Education, and the PA

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This survey would be administered only in

the school(s) chosen for the 2013 PAYS state sample. The information generated by the

PAYS will be used for planning purposes and for reference in grant applications.

4. Recommend the approval of the following mentors for new faculty members at a stipend

of $400:

New Teacher Mentor Teacher

• 
  Serena Johnston Marcy Gianvito
  
• 
  Monica Hetrick Lisa Kellar
  
• 
  Nicole Rake Cheri Barenchik
  
• 
  Courtney Thompson Beverly Divelbiss
  
• 
  Zachery Karcher Nancy Pearce
  
• 
  Belinda Medsger Noelle Weaver
  
• 
  Emily Skamai Wilma Sheesley
  
• 
  Lori French Joe Kisday
  
• 
  Shaun Donald Chris Fallat
  
• 
  Kristina Morgan Dawn McKenrick
  
• 
  Thad Crawford Christine Austin
  
• 
  Michael Thompson April Barrick
  
• 
  Amanda Turnball Ranee Sikora
  
• 
  Danielle Carapucci Alicia Weaver
  
• 
  Jesse Hockenberry Angela Cesario
  
• 
  Joni Strong Stephanie Neal
  

5. The participation in the Wal-Mart Teacher Rewards Program. The Punxsutawney

Wal-Mart would like to donate $1,000 to Mapleview Elementary School to help offset the

costs of classroom supplies.

6. Discarding and/or donating to a non-profit organization the following outdated textbooks:

• 
  Managing Your Personal Finances 1997 6 copies
  
• 
  Applied Business Mathematics 1997 42 copies
  
• 
  Century 21 Accounting 2000 46 copies
  
• 
  Chemistry 2004 79 copies
  

7. Conferences and field trips as presented
On a roll call vote Mr. Baun, Ms. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Pascuzzo,

Mrs. Pifer, Mrs. Snyder and Mr. White voted yes. The vote was eight yes. The motion passed 8-0.

G. Personnel and Instruction

A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Mr. Pascuzzo to approve the following:

1. Employees who declined employment:

• 
  Amy Nesbitt – Special Education Instructional Assistant
  
• 
  Bernard Filitske – Special Education Instructional Assistant
  
• 
  Nicholas Pisarcik – Special Education Instructional Teacher
  

2. Additions to the substitute list:

• 
  Melissa Constant – Support List
  
• 
  Lisa Rutherford – Substitute Teacher List
  
• 
  Seth Carlson – Substitute Teacher List
  
• 
  Krista Lowry – Substitute Teacher List
  

3. Retirements:

• 
  Charlotte Andrews-Brothers – cafeteria employee – effective October 18, 2013
  

4. Move Danielle Carapucci to Master’s Step 2 – employee was hired at last meeting on

incorrect step

5. Transfer of 41.5 sick days from Redbank Valley School District for Jeff Long

6. Hire:

• 
  Thad Crawford – Special Education Teacher on Bachelor Step 1
  

7. Hire:

• 
  Kelly Surkala – Secretary – full-time – Special Education Office
  
• 
  CarrieYoder – Special Education Instructional Assistant
  
• 
  Deanna Britten – Special Education Instructional Assistant
  

On a roll call vote Mr. Baun, Ms. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Pascuzzo,

Mrs. Pifer, Mrs. Snyder and Mr. White voted yes. The vote was eight yes. The motion passed 8-0.

H. Athletics
A motion was made by Mrs. Pifer, seconded by Mr. White to approve the following:

1. Hire:

• 
  Mike Carlson – Assistant Athletic Director at a stipend of $5,148
  
• 
  Tabitha Bowers – Volleyball Volunteer Coach
  
• 
  Andrew Tygert – Volleyball Assistant Coach at a stipend of $2,475
  
• 
  Tim Reagle – Football Volunteer Coach
  
• 
  Arthur “Buddy” Young – Boys and Girls Soccer Volunteer Coach
  

2. Resignations:

• 
  Tabitha Bowers – Volleyball Assistant Coach
  
• 
  Andrew Tygert – Volleyball Volunteer Coach
  
• 
  Christine Curtis – Girls Track Coach and Indoor Track Coach
  

Discussion was held on the Assistant Athletic Director position.

On a roll call vote Mr. Baun, Ms. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Pascuzzo,

Mrs. Pifer, Mrs. Snyder and Mr. White voted yes. The vote was eight yes. The motion passed 8-0.

Discussion Items:

• 
  Student Government ticket give away incentive
  
• 
  WPXZ tailgates at football games
  
• 
  MS Co Ed Soccer practice area – they are practicing at the Bell Township School
  
• 
  Weight room/Fitness room
  

I. Educational Achievement / High School Student Government Class Officer

Report (Mrs. Snyder)
No Report
VII. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
A. Vocational-Technical School Report
No Report

B. I.U. 6 Report
The I.U. 6 hired a replacement Director of Special Education

VIII. COMMUNICATIONS

A letter was received requesting additional community pool hours.

The board received their packet for next weeks meeting.

IX. PAYMENT OF BILLS
A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Ms. Conner to approve to pay the list of bills for the general fund and cafeteria fund as presented.
On a roll call vote Mr. Baun, Ms. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Pascuzzo,

Mrs. Pifer, Mrs. Snyder and Mr. White voted yes. The vote was eight yes. The motion passed

8-0.
X. NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Postlewaite asked how individuals can get school calendars.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:33 p.m. a motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan H. Robertson

Business Administrator/Board Secretary

SHR/djn