Minutes of the meeting of the board of directors

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

September 13, 2010

I. ROLL CALL, FLAG SALUTE, AND A PERIOD OF SILENT MEDITATION

A voting meeting of the Board of Directors of the Punxsutawney Area School District was held on Monday, September 13, 2010, 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. Lesa Conner, Mr. Gary Conrad, Mrs. Roberta Dinsmore, Mr. Jeff Martz, Mr. Francis J. Molinaro, Mr. Robert Pascuzzo, Mrs. Penny Pierce, Mrs. Penny Pifer and Mr. Jack White.

Also in attendance were Dr. Keith Wolfe, Superintendent; Mrs. Susan H. Robertson, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Attorney David L. Young, Solicitor; Administrators – Gerald Gigliotti, Cheryl Repik, Kate Shaffer, Dave London, Richard Britten, and Travis Monroe.
Board President Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Following the Roll Call, Board President Conrad led those in attendance in the Flag Salute and a period of silent meditation.
Note **There was an executive session held prior to the start of the regular meeting from 6:00-7:00 p.m. for personnel reasons.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT

1. Valerie Hughes, 894 Kachmar Road, Punxsutawney, PA 15767 - Valerie was here to

address the foreign exchange student policy. She would like the July 1^st deadline to be evaluated and waived when necessary. She has a foreign exchange student that wishes she could attend Punxsutawney Area High School.
2. Caro Frican, care of Valerie Hughes, 894 Kachmar Road, Punxsutawney, PA 15767 –

Caro is a foreing exchange student from Ecuador at the Punxsutawney Christian High School. Caro thought she would be attending Punxsutawney Area High School but was not admitted. The cost difference is difficult for her family. Caro is requesting to switch to Punxsutawney Area High School and graduate from our school.

Following Public comment the board held a discussion on the foreign exchange policy.

Dr. Wolfe explained the policy and the events leading to Ms. Frican being denied admission. He indicated that he followed the policy as it has applied to other students.

A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Mr. White to accept Mrs. Frican into PHS for the 2010-2011 school year provided all other requirements are met.
On a roll call vote Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Martz, Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Pifer, and Mr. White voted yes. The motion passed 9-0.
Dr. Wolfe explained both the Rotary Club and PEACE have requested waivers to the deadline for the school year.
A motion was made by Mrs. Pierce, seconded by Mrs. Dinsmore to accept the rotary foreign exchange student that was denied entry if they are still interested in attend PHS and meet all requirements.
On a roll call vote Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Martz, Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Pifer, Mr. White, and Mrs. Conner voted yes. The motion passed 9-0.
3. Joe DiPietro, Shermorhorn Drive, Punxsutawney, PA 15767 – Mr. DiPietro, Vice

President of Mathog wrestling club which promotes Elementary wrestling. He explained how and why the club started and the primary functions of the club and their fundraisers events. He is concerned regarding the new fee schedule in place for facility use. He believes these fees will limit what the club can afford to do. They are asking that facility use fees be re-evaluated.

III. STUDENT BOARD REPORT
Mr. London indicated two students are interested in becoming student board members.

IV. RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 25, 2010

VOTING MEETING.
A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Mr. Pascuzzo to approve the minutes from the August 9th and 25th, 2010 voting meetings as presented. On a voice vote the motion passed 9-0.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
VI. REPORTS
A. Transportation

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

following as presented:

a. Bus stops for special circumstances

b. New bus stops

c. An additional run

A discussion was held on the special circumstances.

On a roll call vote Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Martz, Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Pascuzzo, Mrs.

Pierce, Mrs. Pifer, Mr. White, Mrs. Conner, and Mr. Conrad voted yes. The motion

passed 9-0.

Mrs. Repik provided a listing of AM and PM run times.

B. Building & Maintenance

1. A discussion was held on the fee structure for PTO/PTA and parent organizations

for facility use.

• 
  Business Office was directed to waive fees for PTO/PTA and parent organizations until the board reviews the policy.
  

2. A discussion was held on the rain damage that occurred to the Middle School gym

floor.
C. Federal

1. A motion was made by Mr. Molinaro, seconded by Mr. Pascuzzo to approve the

following purchase orders as presented:

• 
  NCS Pearson – Successmaker license $6,795.00
  
• 
  Zaner Bloser – parent involvement instructional sets $6,189.99
  
• 
  Riverview Intermediate Unit – nonpublic funds $6,393.74
  

On a roll call vote Mr. Martz, Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Pifer,

Mr. White, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad, and Mrs. Dinsmore voted yes. The motion

passed 9-0.

D. Financial

1. A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Mrs. Pifer to approve the following:

a. August financial summary

b. Upgrade the copier in the Instructional Technology Department – includes updated Smartsend software and color scanning

c. Payment to S&S Paving in the amount of $17, 988.00 for the tar/chip project at the high school with funds from the Construction Account

d. Agreement with Tritt-Schell Consulting Services to provide E-Rate consulting

application services for funding year 2010-2011 in the amount of $6,000.00

e. Agreement for insurance appraisal services through American Appraisal Associates for a fee of $4,500.00

f. Purchase Orders:

• 
  Calvert Education Services – Cyber school $ 5,356.00
  
• 
  RIS Paper Company – copy paper $15,972.00
  

A discussion was held on the appraisal agreement.

On a roll call vote Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Pifer, Mr. White,

Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, and Mr. Martz voted yes. The motion

passed 9-0.
E. Superintendent’s Report
1. Dr. Wolfe expressed his appreciation to everyone involved especially the board and

Chamber of Commerce in planning and attending the Meet the Superintendent

picnic.
2. Dr. Wolfe presented the list of teachers receiving service awards
3. Dr. Wolfe presented the list of Administrators receiving service awards
4. Student discipline matters:

a. A motion was made by Mr. Pascuzzo, seconded by Mrs. Dinsmore to approve

a 7^th grade student discipline matter
The Board hereby adopts the recommendations of the Administration to expel a 7^th

grade student for the first semester of the 2010-2011 school year, commencing on

or about September 15, 2010. This expulsion from school will be served in the

Punxsutawney Area High School after-school Alternative Education Program. The

Board further adopts the recommendation to require the student to comply with any

treatment/counseling recommendations that may result out of the SAP Referral

issued as a result of the charged infraction and also undergo a psychological

evaluation conducted by the Punxsutawney Area School District school psychologist.

Said expulsion, SAP Referral, and psychological evaluation are as a result of the Student’s violation of School District Policies 218 and 218.2, 218.5 and Act 26 violation, and the State Board of Education Regulations located at 22 Pa. Code 12.2.
While serving out the expulsion, the student is prohibited from attending any extra-curricular, co-curricula, or school sponsored activities and is not permitted on school property, other than to attend classes in the after-school Punxsutawney Area High School Alternative Education Program, without receiving prior authorization from the Superintendent, High School Principal and/or their designees.
On a roll call vote Mr. Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Pifer, Mr. White, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Martz, and Mr. Molinaro voted yes. The motion passed 9-0.
5. A motion was made by Mr. Pascuzzo, seconded by Mr. White to approve the

conferences and field trips as listed.

A discussion was held on the conferences/field trips.
On a roll call vote Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Pifer, Mr. White, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad,

Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Martz, Mr. Molinaro, and Mr. Pascuzzo voted yes. The

motion passed 9-0.
F. Cafeteria

No report

G. Athletics
1. A motion was made by Mr. Martz, seconded by Mr. White to approve an

adjustment to the Assistant Athletic Director’s salary in the amount of $4605.00

On a roll call vote Mr. White, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr.

Martz, Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pierce, and Mrs. Pifer voted yes. The

motion passed 9-0.
2. A motion was made by Mr. Martz, seconded by Mr. Molinaro to hire Mike Dickey

as the head baseball coach.

On a roll call vote Mrs. Pifer, Mr. White, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore,

Mr. Martz, Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Pascuzzo, and Mrs. Pierce voted yes. The motion

passed 9-0.
H. Personnel and Instruction
1. A motion was made by Mr. Molinaro, seconded by Mrs. Dinsmore to approve the

additions of the following people to the support substitute list:

a. Kerrie Reagle Support Substitute

b. Laura Keeley Support Substitute

c. Kayla Anderson Support Substitute

d. Ashley Moore Substitute Teacher

e. Dana Ray Substitute Teacher

f. Donald Shawunathon Substitute Teacher

g. Deidre Martino Substitute Teacher

h. Charlene Skarbek Substitute Teacher

i. Danielle Carapucci Substitute Teacher

j. Carole Roberts Substitute Teacher

k. Karen Young Substitute Teacher

l. John Hastings Substitute Teacher

m. Lisbeth Hoover Substitute Nurse
On a roll call vote Mr. White, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr.

Martz, Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pierce, and Mrs. Pifer voted yes. The

motion passed 9-0.
2. Discussion: Classroom aides – The board discussed the number of students in

each class and the need for aides.

A motion was made by Mr. Pascuzzo, seconded by Mr. Molinaro that only one

aide is hired for Bell Township Kindergarten and the other Mapleview position

not be filled.
On a roll call vote Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Molinaro, Mr.

Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pifer, and Mr. White voted yes. Mr. Martz and Mrs. Pierce voted

no. The motion passed 7-2

I. Educational Achievement
None
VII. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

A. Vocational-Technical School Report
Meeting will be later this month
B. I.U. 6 Report
Meeting in October
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS

1. Mr. White discussed student safety. He believes students should have to call into

the school when they are absent.

Dr. Wolfe indicated he is looking into School Reach which would address this

issue.
IX. PAYMENT OF BILLS
1. A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Mr. Martz to pay bills for

General, Cafeteria, and construction Funds as presented.

On a roll call vote Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Martz, Mr. Molinaro, Mr.
Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Pifer, Mr. White, and Mrs. Conner voted yes. The motion

passed 9-0.

X. NEW BUSINESS
1. A motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore, seconded by Mr. Molinaro to move the

December 6, 2010 Reorganization meeting to December 7, 2010.

On a roll call vote Mr. White, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Martz,

Mr. Molinaro, Mr. Pascuzzo, Mrs. Pierce, and Mrs. Pifer voted yes. The motion

passed 9-0.
2. Mrs. Pierce highlighted the Open House and what a great program it was.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
1. At 8:23 p.m. a motion was made by Mrs. Dinsmore to adjourn the meeting. On a

voice vote the motion passed 9-0.

*An Executive session was held immediately following for personnel matters.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan H. Robertson

Board Secretary
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