11/12/07 Board Meeting Minutes

REGULAR BOARD MEETING
November 12, 2007
7:30 PM, BOARD ROOM
131 WEST NITTANY AVENUE
STATE COLLEGE PA 16801

I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Susan Werner, board president, called the regular board meeting to order at 7:30 pm. Ms. Werner announced an amendment to the agenda to add letter C, School Safety in the High School. Police Chief Tom King will attend and the item was scheduled later due to a previous appointment in his schedule.

Board members present: Robert Ascah, Elizabeth Dutton, Lou Ann Evans, Robert Hendrickson, David Hutchinson, Janet McCracken, Donna Queeney, Gowen Roper, Susan Werner

Board members absent:

Board Secretary: Mary Jenn Dorman

Solicitor: Scott Etter

Superintendent: Patricia Best

District Personnel: Julie Backstrom, Randy Brown, Craig Butler, Pamela Francis, Carolyn Foust,
Dennis Guth, Michael Hardy, Paul Heasley, Marcia Kramer, Debra Latta, Tim Linden, Tod McPherson, Tom Mincemoyer, Jason Perrin, Ed Poprik, Jeff Seamans, Ronald Shealer, Kevin Stahl, Wilda Stanfield, R. Patrick Vernon, Holli Jo Warner, Karen Wiser, Dennis Younkin

Guests: Karen Alley, Chloe Alpert, Christian Blandford, Joshua Bram, Andrew Colwell, Joseph Cusumano, Cecilie Dunoyer, Barney Grimes, Adam Jones, Rick Madore, Eric Margusity, Ann McGlaughlin, Donna McPherson, Sean McPherson, Dena Pauling, Zachary Rhoads, Chris Small, Dorothea Stahl, Alex Warner

II. RECOGNITIONS
Craig Butler introduced Pat Vernon who spoke on the TSA (Technology Student Association) State Competition and National Conference. The following students placed in the State Competition: Christian Blandford, Andrew Colwell, Alexander Jaffe, Benjamin Pipenberg, Austin Shears, Eric Margusity, Sean McPherson, Brady Ripka, and Zachary Rhoads. The following students not only placed in the State Competition but went on to the National Conference: Adam Jones, William Lesieutre, William Ross, Adam Zydney, Karen Alley, Chloe Alpert, Akos Albert Joshua Bram, Russell Burkhardt, Matthew Lee, and Alex Warner. Congratulations were given to the students for their participation and outstanding achievements at the events.

Mr. Ronald Shealer was recognized for being selected the 2007 TEAP (Technology Education Association of Pennsylvania) Award Recipient for Middle School Technology Teacher.

Christian Blandford and Andrew Colwell presented drawings of their fully remote controlled car that is the size of a fingernail, designed for micro-technology.

III. ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS
Board members were presented with a listing of travel requests, with addendum, for staff members to attend meetings or conferences for approval.

Bills payable for October, 2007 were previously mailed to board members. A list of the bills is part of the official minutes.

General Fund $5,134,608.28
Checks 127736 through 128492
and V100307 through V100328

Athletic Fund 47,118.51
Check 33397 through 33573

Food Service Fund 247,647.19
Checks 52574 through 52689

Student Activities Fund 13,969.25
Checks 81792 through 81810

PNC Purchasing Card (September 2007) 57,223.48
Checks 81-85, 248-275, 529-549, 5156-5287

Recommended approval for the 2007-08 general fund budget be amended to include the following:
Anticipated revenue at the high school of $15,000 generated for the 2007-08 year from parking fines and the sale of parking permits.
The Career and Technical Centre has been notified that their application for a Title III � C Carl D. Perkins Grant in the amount of $65,481 has been substantially approved.
The district has also been substantially approved for the Perkins 119 Leadership Grant for the Career and Technical Center in the amount of $14,650.
PDE Bureau of Vocational-Technical Education has approved the district�s application for an equipment grant in the amount of $10,000.

Recommended approval for three new volunteers for the General Advisory Committee for the Career and Technical Center: Bob Conn, Ray Chambers, and Frank Harden.

Dr. Hendrickson moved, Dr. McCracken seconded to approve the travel requests, with addendum, the school district bills for October 2007 (PNC Card, September), the Budget Amendments as presented from parking revenue at the high school and grants, and the new General Advisory Committee Members for the CTC. All board members present voted aye on a roll call vote.

IV. PERSONNEL REPORT
Dennis Guth presented the Personnel Report, with an addendum for approval. Mr. Guth thanked board members for accepting the addendum that included the appointment of Mr. Barry King as the new Director of the CTC Program. A copy of the Personnel Report and addendum is part of the official minutes.

Leave of Absence
Amy Italia, French Teacher in the Park Forest Middle School, requested a Medical Leave of absence starting December 4, 2007 and continuing for approximately six weeks.

Robin Lallement, Autistic Support/Learning Support Teacher in the Park Forest Elementary School, requested an extension of her medical Leave of absence to February 1, 2008. She was originally approved through December 31, 2007.

Appointments
Kathleen Finley recommended to position as a 1.0 Predictable Term Substitute Elementary Teacher in the Easterly Parkway School for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year only at a salary of $38,929 prorated to $29,094.38.

Jennifer McGaughey recommended to position as a 1.0 Predictable Term Substitute Elementary Teacher in the Ferguson Township School from November 20, 2007 through February 11, 2008 at a salary of $39,564 prorated to $10,411.50. She was a PTS in the Easterly Parkway School through November 19, 2007.

Susanne Aurand recommended to additional position as .33 Contract English-As-A-Second-Language Teacher in the Ferguson Township School bringing her to a .83 position at a salary of $40,854 prorated to $30,317.36.

Charles Fuller, Jr. recommended to position as a 1.0 Predictable Term Substitute Social Studies Teacher in the High School South from October 15, 2007 through January 7, 2008 at a salary of $36,510 prorated to $10,953.12.

Linda Gattis, Mathematics Teacher in the High School South requested a voluntary reduction in assignment from .67 Contract to .50 Contract, retroactive to the beginning of the 2007-08 school year.

Jane Sutterlin recommended to position as 1.0 Contract Instructional Technology Specialist in the High School South at a salary of $40,102 prorated to $30,604.30.

Ellen Cannizzaro recommended continuing in position as .50 Predictable Term Substitute Learning Support Teacher in the Lemont and Houserville Schools effective January 2, 2008 through January 31, 2008. This brings her to a .50 Contract/.50 PTS position through January 31, 2008 at a salary of $55,090 prorated to $42,187.28. She was previously appointed the position through December 31, 2007.

Scott Brown recommended to position as Information Technology Support Specialist at a salary of $21,547.50.

Barry King recommended to position as 1.0 Contract Director of Career and Technology Center in the High School North, CTC Program, at a salary of $90,990 to be prorated by a start date yet to be determined.

Extra Duty/Extra Pay
Ryan Ott resigned as PFMS Boys� Basketball Assistant Coach effective October 12, 2007.

Rebecca Donaghue requested a Leave of Absence from positions as Girls� Indoor Track Assistant Coach and Girls� Outdoor Track Assistant Coach for the 2007-08 school year.
Mary Lou Manhart requested a Leave of Absence form PFMS Newspaper Advisor beginning on or about February 11, 2008.

Eric Brinser recommended to position as PFMS Drama Club Co-Advisor for the 2007-2008 school year at a salary of $1,361.50.
Dan Fravel recommended to position as Baseball Assistant Coach for the 2007-08 school year at a salary of $3,034.20.
David Kauffman recommended to position as Boys� Tennis Assistant Coach for the 2007-08 school year at a salary of $2,800.80.

Support Personnel (Non-Certificated)

Community Education � Hired
Sarah Fugate, Ying Li, Christina Manbeck, and Lan Wu-Cavener at $18.00/hour

Secretarial/Clerical - Hired
Jane Hall at $10.63/hour

Paraprofessionals - Hired
Andrew Walls at $9.76/hour
Sharon Capozzi, Carly Catello, Tina Thomas, at $9.04/hour
Dawn Veeder at $9.04/hour and $8.38/hour
Seonmi Bailor at $8.38/hour

Paraprofessional � Terminated
Jodi Elder and Tracy Marshall

Custodial/Maintenance - Terminated
Nathaniel Lowery

Food Service - Hired
Susan Kutch at $8.00/hour

Bus Drivers � Hired
Kimberly Noll at $10.03/hour

Substitute Listing
Listing of new names be approved and added to the substitute (guest) listing of teachers,
secretaries and paraprofessionals.

Ms. Dutton moved, Dr. McCracken seconded to approve the personnel report, with addendum, as presented. All board members present voted aye on a roll call vote.

V. APPROVAL of 400 POLICIES � PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE POLICIES
Dennis Guth and Debra Latta presented the 400 Section � Professional Employees Policies for the second reading. The policies reflect the input of the board from the first reading at the October 8, 2007 meeting. A copy of the policies is part of the official minutes.

Dr. Hendrickson moved, Ms Dutton seconded to approve the Section 400 Policies � Professional Employee Policies as presented. All board members present voted aye on a roll call vote.

VI. LOCAL SERVICE TAX CHANGES and THE AMENDED ACT 511 RESOLUTION
Randy Brown presented the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax (EMST) changed to Local Services Tax (LST), recommended amending the income exemption from $1,000 to $0.00 per employee per year beginning January 1, 2008, and the recommended resolution to amend the Act 511 Taxes per requirements of Act 7 of 2007. A copy of the presentation is part of the official minutes.

Ms. Evans moved, Dr. Queeney seconded to approve the Local Service Tax change, the income exemption, and the amended Act 511 Resolution as presented. All board members present voted aye on a roll call vote.


VII. REQUEST PERMISSION to BID TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT for 2008-09
On behalf of Van Swauger, Dennis Younkin requested permission to bid transportation equipment for the 2008-09 school year. In accordance with the vehicle replacement policy, the request was for replacing three 69-passenger buses. A copy of the request, with explanation and estimated cost, is part of the official minutes.

Dr. Hendrickson moved, Ms. Evans seconded to approve the request for permission to bid transportation equipment for the 2008-09 school year as presented. All board members present voted aye on a roll call vote.

VIII. SWAP TRANSACTION
John Frey reviewed the current status of the SWAP transaction as well as the resolution authorizing to extend the term of the SWAP to a date to be chosen by the Board. The Board needed to make the determination on extending the effective date for the SWAP prior to December 1, 2007. Mr. Frey had prepared rates and information based on date selections of December 1, 2009, June 1, 2010, and December 1, 2010. By not having the effective date of December 2007, there will be an additional $1,000,000 to the district. A copy of the resolution is part of the official minutes.

Board members discussed rationale to pick the effective date, variable rates versus fixed rates, money was for the high school project, and time frame of a new project.

Dr. Queeney moved, Ms. Dutton seconded to approve the resolution authorizing to extend the term of the SWAP transaction date to December 1, 2010. All board members present voted aye on a roll call vote.

IX. PDE SHARED SERVICES/COMMON CENTS INITIATIVE for 2007-08 SCHOOL YEAR
Dennis Younkin reviewed the information on the PDE Shared Services/Common Cents Initiative. In order to participate in the program, the district must complete an application and send it to the Intermediate Unit along with a copy of the adopted resolution. The IU then makes the application to PDE on behalf of the interested districts. A copy of the resolution and form is part of the official minutes.

Mr. Younkin informed the Board there was no change for interested districts in IU#10. There are less than 40 out of 501 districts state-wide that have shown interest. Mr. Younkin and board members discussed the resolution, districts in the area, a chance to participate at a later date, Bellefonte did vote No to participate, no other districts voted, and no legal reason for voting. A decision was made not to vote and let the deadline run out. All board members agreed.

X. HOLDER RELEASE APPROVAL
Scott Etter provided a handout to Board members prior to the meeting for review. Mr. Etter explained a settlement had been reached on a bus accident that happened several years ago. Our carrier has agreed to pay a settlement amount and the carrier of the driver of one of the other cars agreed to pay an additional amount. We need Board approval to waive cross claims we asserted against the other driver. A settlement agreement with a waiver of cross claims has been drawn up to authorize the Board President and Board Secretary to sign to waive the cross claims. A copy of the settlement agreement is part of the official minutes.

Dr. Hendrickson moved, Ms. Evans seconded to approve authorizing the Board President and Board Secretary to sign the settlement agreement and waive the cross claims as presented. All board members present voted aye on a roll call vote.

XI. PROPOSED SECONDARY COURSE CHANGES for the 2008-09 SCHOOL YEAR
Michael Hardy introduced Marcia Kramer and Carolyn Foust to present the proposed secondary course changes for both Academic and CTC Programs. Ms. Kramer reviewed the two sets of title changes for the 2008-09 Course Selection Guide. The Applied Mathematics course titles are being revised to more accurately reflect the course content that now includes basic algebra and geometry concepts. The Advanced Placement course titles are revised to be in compliance with titles required by the College Board.

Carolyn Foust reviewed information on the high priority occupations and the following changes: Program State CIP course title change, the program consolidation of Travel and Tourism as part of the Marketing Program, New Courses � Workplace Foundations 1 and Workplace Foundations 2, the reinstatement of the Health Professions Program with existing and new courses, HOSA will be reactivated, and title changes to existing courses. A copy of the proposed secondary course changes for both the Academic and CTC Program is part of the official minutes. This item will be brought back on the agenda the first meeting in December for action. Board members thanked Ms. Foust and commented on her outstanding performance as Director of the CTC Program. This program affects more students than any other single program.

XII. AG SCIENCE / BIO-DIESEL PROJECT
Carolyn Foust introduced Paul Heasley and William Van Der Sluys. Ms. Foust commented on their excellent teaching, how they provide a wonderful support team for students, and Mr. Heasley always is thinking outside the box.

Mr. Heasley and Mr. Van Der Sluys decided to do an integrated approach to science and agriculture in the Ag Science classroom with bio-diesel fuel. They have many partnerships for this project: SCASD food service, PA Dept of Education, and PA/ National Department of Agriculture. Oil from the kitchen french fryers is used and processed into the bio diesel fuel. The fuel does not provide as much energy as regular diesel fuel but does work well. Mr. Heasley reviewed lessons and provided information on being written in a three-year grant with the University.

Break 9:15 to 9:21 pm.

XIII. SCHOOL SAFETY in the HIGH SCHOOL
Patricia Best announced the purpose of this addition to the agenda was for an update on the situation as experienced today and an update on the investigation. District personnel have been working closely with the police department and working through scenarios. Discussed the finding of a note, determining risk to students, copycat situations, secure in place procedure, organized dismissal, aggressive approach in investigation, and rationale behind this.

Police Chief Tom King reported that it was important to take the steps that were taken and the process worked as intended. He would rather error on the side of safety for the sake of the entire community, not just the students. Discussed the threat of violence, the additional precautions taken, increased police officers in both the north and south buildings, and the frustration of the students, administration, faculty, and staff. The investigation will continue and any information given will be followed-up on immediately.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

Dr. Hendrickson moved, Dr. Roper seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:43 pm. The motion passed. Ms. Werner announced adjournment of the meeting to an Executive Session on litigation and real estate issues.

Submitted by,



Mary Jenn Dorman
Board Secretary