Regular Meeting south williamsport area school district official Record

November 4, 2013

Regular Meeting SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Official Record

October 7, 2013

The regular meeting of the South Williamsport Area School Board was called to order this evening in the conference room of the Rommelt Building at 7:00 p.m. by the President, John Engel.

The meeting opened with the Lord’s Prayer and Pledge to the Flag.

Board Members Present: Anthony, Balawajder, Branton, Broskey, Burch, Davenport, Lowe, and Engel.

Board Members Absent: Cowden
Others Present: Dr. Mark Stamm- Superintendent, Kathy Furman-Central Principal, Dwight Woodley-Rommelt Principal, Jesse Smith- High School Principal, Matt Fisher-Assistant High School Principal, Kristin Bastian- Special Education Director/School Psychologist, Lynn Kromer-Maintenance Director, Dennis Artley-Business Manager, and Fred Holland-Solicitor.
Visitors: Alysse Murphy-Sun-Gazette, Scott Hill

APPROVE TREASURER’S REPORT

A motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of August 2013 was moved by Anthony, seconded by Lowe. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.

APPROVE GENERAL FUND BILLS
A motion to approve payment of bills from the General Fund in the amount of $1,252,224.12 was moved by Branton, seconded by Burch. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.

APPROVE CAFETERIA FUND BILLS

A motion to approve payment of bills from the Cafeteria Fund in the amount of $11,724.71was moved by Davenport, seconded by Lowe. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.

APPROVE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND BILLS
A motion to approve payment of bills from the Capital Reserve Fund in the amount of $3,310.88 was moved by Anthony, seconded by Davenport. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.

APPROVE MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes of September 9, 2013, as written, was moved by Burch, seconded by Davenport. All members present voting yes, motion carried.

SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDATIONS
CONFERENCES
A motion to approve the following conferences was moved by Anthony, seconded by Burch.

• 
  Kathleen Flerlage, to attend Fall Regional Federal Programs Coordinator Workshop, at Blast IU 17, in Williamsport, on October 22, 2013.
  
• 
  Matt Fisher, to attend the Principals’ Induction Program, sponsored by Bloomsburg University to be held on October 29, 2013 at CSIU 16
  
• 
  Lisa Beach, to attend the ACPA Fall Meeting, for Pennsylvania Information Management System reporting sponsored by PDE and ACPA at Hershey Lodge on November 1, 2013.
  
• 
  Thomas Deljanovan, to attend a Pennsylvania Game Commission Basic Archery Instructor course at Saucon Valley Middle School, on November 8, 2013
  
• 
  Patty Schick, to attend A Day on the Hill sponsored by External Relations Committee, in Harrisburg PA, on November 12, 2013
  
• 
  Matthew Eisley, to attend the PSTA Annual Conference sponsored by Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association being held in State College, PA, on December 5 and 6, 2013.
  

Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes,

Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.

RESIGNATION
A motion to accept the letter of resignation from Bobbi Pfeegor as a food service employee, effective September 20, 2013, was moved by Burch, seconded by Davenport. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
A motion to accept the retirement resignation of Susan Lamont, High School English teacher, effective January 17, 2014, was moved by Broskey, seconded by Burch. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.
JOB/TITLE/JOB DESCRIPTION CHANGE
A motion to approve the change in job title of Amanda White from Cook/Baker to Building-Level Food Service Manager, effective at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, was moved by Anthony, seconded by Davenport. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.
EMPLOYMENT FOOD SERVICE WORKER
A motion to approve the appointment of Julia Murray as a General Food Service Employee, at the Rommelt Elementary for 3 hours per day, at the rate of $10.13/hr. was moved by Davenport, seconded by Lowe. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.
EMPLOYMENT TENTH GRADE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
A motion to approve the appointment of Julianna Stalker to the position of Tenth Grade Special Education Teacher at Bachelor’s Step 1, with a salary of $42,207 prorated, was moved by Broskey, seconded by Branton. Hilarie German will be the mentor teacher. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.
EMPLOYMENT SEVENTH GRADE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
A motion to approve the appointment of Kimberly Bollinger to the position of Seventh Grade Special Education Teacher at Master’s Step 1, with a salary of $45,507, prorated was moved by Anthony, seconded by Burch. Leigh Jones will be the mentor teacher. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.
EXTRA DUTY STIPENDS
A motion to approve the following Extra Duty Stipend positions was moved by Lowe, seconded by Burch.

1. 
   Senior Class Advisors: Mike Rogers/Robyn Rummings - $315/person
   
2. 
   Junior Class Advisors: Mike Allison/Bonnie Rosamilia - $287.50/person
   
3. 
   Sophomore Class Advisors: Chris Molino/Liz Deljanovan - $210/person
   
4. 
   Yearbook Advisors: Michelle McGee and Kelly Shearer - $1625
   
5. 
   Yearbook Business Advisors: Michelle McGee and Kelly Shearer - $440
   
6. 
   Drama Director: Dawn Burch - $2700
   
7. 
   Key Club Advisors: Scott Manning and Jamie Bloom - $440/person
   
8. 
   Builders Club Advisor: Susan Stamm - $440
   
9. 
   FCCLA Advisor: Patty Schick - $880
   
10. 
    FBLA Advisors: Adam Rubert and Jennifer Kimball - $880/person
    
11. 
    Senior High Student Council Advisor: Ryan Carper - $880
    
12. 
    Junior High Student Council Advisors: Mike Rogers and Mark German - $220/person
    
13. 
    Academic Decathlon Advisor: Kevin Eck - $1,050
    
14. 
    Senior High National Honor Society Advisor: Celeste Ryan - $880
    
15. 
    Junior High National Honor Society Advisor: This will go into NJHS account
    
16. 
    Leo Club Advisor: Stephanie Fay - $880
    
17. 
    SADD Club Advisor: Mike Allison - $880
    
18. 
    Department Chairpersons: English: Bonnie Rosamilia - $590, Mathematics: Jamie Bloom - $590, Science: Jim Robbins - $590, Social Studies: Richard Zalonis - $590, Fine Arts: Sandy Hess - $590
    
19. 
    Behind the Wheel Driving: Richard Zalonis and Mike Allison $25/hr.
    
20. 
    Coordinator Audio Visual: Keith Cremer - $475.
    

Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, except he abstained on the Drama Director stipend, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.
SUBSTITUTES 2013-2014
A motion to approve the addition of the following substitutes to the 2013-2014 substitute list was moved by Branton, seconded by Anthony. Sherry Steppe/English and Bobbi Pfleegor/Cafeteria.

Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes,

Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.

GUEST TEACHER LIST
A motion to approve the revised Guest Teacher list as submitted by Blast IU 17 was moved by Davenport, seconded by Burch. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.
OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIP REQUEST
A motion to approve an overnight field trip request for November 10-11 from Jennifer Kimball for FBLA students in grades 9-12 who will participate in workshops that enhance leadership skills and practice business concept was moved by Broskey, seconded by Davenport. Roll call: Anthony-yes, Balawajder-yes, Branton-yes, Broskey-yes, Burch-yes, Davenport-yes, Lowe-yes, and Engel-yes, motion carried.
EDUCATION UPDATE
Dennis Artley, Business Manager, provided the Board a chart with a 12-year history of state revenues within the District. This chart began with school year 2002-2003 through the current year. In 2002/2003, the District received a total of $4,108,615 in the basic subsidy. This amount increased every year until 2009/2010. Mr. Artley pointed out that the basic subsidy was almost exactly the same in 2012/2013 as it was in 2008/2009. The second subsidy was Charter School Reimbursement which started small in 2002/2003, but then was completely discontinued in 2011/2012. The special education subsidy was $662,801 in 2002/2003 and was rising each year until 2008/2009, when it rounded off around $800,000. The special education subsidy has not increased for 5 years. The transportation subsidy has been consistent. Property tax reduction from gambling revenue was started in 2008/2009 at $560,000, but this number has never gone up. PA Accountability Grant was started in 2004/2005 at $168,620. We used these funds to start full-day kindergarten and it paid most of the wages for this program. It is now down to $80,000, which basically only pays for one full-time teacher. The last state subsidy he discussed was retirement. The retirement subsidy has gone from $46,000 in 2002/2003 to $800,000 in 2013/2014. This would normally be a good thing, but this only accounts for around 50% of the actual expense. So even though revenue is up around $750,000, the expense figure would be double that or about 1.5 million. In summary, the basic subsidy has only gone up $100,000 in the last five years, special education subsidy has been completely flat for five years, charter school funding has been discontinued, and PA Accountability Grant has gone down. The only subsidy really going up is retirement, and that is a 50% reimbursement of actual expenses.
Kathy Furman, Central Elementary Principal, provided the Board an update on the Journeys ELA Program K-4. She stated the program has been a three-part process. Part 1- Needs assessment and embedded training on foundational literacy skills were provided by Amy Breon from IU 17. Part 2-The selection of Journeys as our core language program was selected by a literacy committee comprised of teachers from each grade level, Title 1, Learning Support, Administrators, and our literacy consultant from the IU. Part 3- The transition and implementation phase. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt provided training over the summer on the program content and technology. Our literacy consultant from IU 17 has provided the content-based training within and between grades for the staff since the end of August.
Positives from implementing this new curriculum:

• 
  It has increased the rigor of our ELA instruction.
  
• 
  Journeys include materials for below level, on-level, and above-level students. This provides the classroom teacher with the ability to differentiate based on the students’ individual needs using materials aligned with the core lessons.
  
• 
  The small group session for our below-level/struggling students is using materials aligned with the vocabulary and skills of the core classroom lessons and provide for the differentiation needed to meet the individual needs of the students.
  
• 
  There is greater consistency within the grade levels in ELA instruction. The program has the potential to provide a concrete scope and sequence to our ELA instruction K-4 which has been lacking.
  
• 
  Students appear to be more engaged by the new materials. The topics and stories used seem to be of more interest to the students.
  
• 
  The program includes spelling, grammar, and writing so that they are not stand-alone skills, but directly related to the ELA skills presented in the week’s lesson.
  
• 
  It truly is a journey worth taking to better provide our students with the skills and knowledge needed to be academically and functionally prepared for college.
  

Moved by Anthony, seconded by Lowe that the meeting be adjourned, all members present voting yes, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Attest


Dennis A. Artley