1-28-08 Board Meeting Notes
Superintendent Patricia Best thanked the board members for their service to our schools and our community especially during school board recognition month. She also announced that all our schools, except the high school, have received Keystone Awards for achieving Adequate Yearly Progress two years in a row.
The board approved new members for the Citizens Advisory Committees for Finance - Richard J. Bartnik and Facilities: David Dudukovich, Blair Malcolm, Frank Peno, Ernie Romanini, Alan Popovich, and Julie Jobe.
The board approved a resolution in support of House Bill 648 to improve the No Child Left Behind Act that includes recommendations put forth by the National School Boards Association.
After much discussion and community comment, the board voted not to make an exception to the district weapons policy for the BB gun championship competition’s request to use district facilities.
General Obligation Bonds Refinancing
Dennis Younkin and John Frey presented information on the refinancing of the General Obligation Bonds for Series 2001 and Series AA of 2001. It was recommended the board get bank financing bids and at a future date, possibly Feb. 25, lock in the interest rate at that time. If the interest rate continues as projected rate, the savings could be approximately $250,000.
Memorial Field Bleacher Project
Ed Poprik, director of physical plant, presented further information on temporary seating for the options formerly presented. The board voted unanimously to accept option B1 (originally presented as Option B)– that would close one section of bleachers and perform remedial work as required to the remaining bleachers. This would involve no temporary seating and would cost in the range of $50,000 to $75,000.
The board discussed the Citizens Advisory Committee Procedures and whether their meetings should be open to the public. Several CAC members and community members spoke. The issue will be on the next board meeting agenda as an action item.
Barney Grimes officially resigned his seat on the board as of Feb. 12 because of personal commitments taking him away from the area.
The board discussed the process for interested community members to apply for the open board seat and the interview and selection process. Notice to the public on how to apply will begin immediately via press release, advertising, Web site, list serve, and CNET. Interested community members can send a letter of application and a resume by noon on Feb. 11 to MaryJenn Dorman, Board Secretary, 131 W. Nittany Ave., State College, PA 16801 or mjp11@scasd.org.
