Budget Hearing and Special Meeting Agendas/Minutes 6-5-17

All attachments in pdf

 

Agenda
Budget Hearing 6-5-17
Meeting Room A - 7:00 p.m.
Panorama Village Administrative Center
240 Villa Crest Drive
State College, PA 16801

 
I.         CALL TO ORDER

II.       INTRODUCTION and PURPOSE of MEETING
                 
Budget Hearing for FY 2017-2018 School Year

III.      PRESENTATION to REVIEW INFORMATION for FINAL FY 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR BUDGET (attachment III) (PowerPoint)

IV.       PUBLIC COMMENT

V.        ADJOURNMENT

 

Agenda
June 5, 2017 Board Special Meeting
Immediately Following Budget Hearing
Panorama Village Administrative Center
240 Villa Crest Drive
State College, PA 16801

I.         CALL TO ORDER

II.       COMMUNICATIONS
                 
Introduction of nest years Student Government Officers and Board Representatives

III.      ACTION ITEMS

  1. A motion to approve the PA Dept of Transportation Safety Inspector Certification and Recertification Training Program Performance Agreement as presented. (attachment III-A)
  2. A motion to approve the PA Dept of Transportation Emissions Inspector Certification (EIC) and Emissions Inspector Recertification (EIR) Training Program Performance Agreement as presented. (attachment III-B)
  3. A motion to approve Appointment and Contract for Wilbur (Will) L. Stout, Jr. as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education for a five year term beginning July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022 as presented.

IV.       INFORMATION / DISCUSSION

       A. District Goal Category:  Facilities and Grounds
                  60% Review for Elementary School Projects (attachment IV-A) (PowerPoint) (calendar)

V.        PUBLIC COMMENT

VI.       FUTURE AGENDA PLANNING

June 8, 2017 - Community Forum - Elementary Design 60% Review 7:00 p.m. Panorama Village Administrative Center

June 12, 2017 Regular Meeting
**Action Items
Annual Appointment of District Solicitor for 2017-2018 school year (Routine)
Approval of Secondary Textbooks for 2017-2018
Adopt 2017-2018 Final Budget and Related Resolutions
Second reading and approval of Revised Policy 209.2 - Head Lice
Insurance Carriers to provide District coverages for 2017-2018
Annual Appointment of Tax Collectors 2017-2018
Depository Banks and Investment Institutions for 2017-2018
Annual Appointment of NW Financial Group as Municipal/Financial Advisor for 2017-2018
Annual Bid Award for Gasoline, Diesel, Heating Oil and Propane
Bid Award for Lenovo Chromebooks
Bid Award for Alcatel/Lucent Technology Infrastructure
PSA Healthcare Agreement for Field Trip Nurses
High School Project Change Orders
Award Additional Summer Projects
**Information Discussion
C-Net Report
Elementary Projects Design Development - 60% Review Forum Comments

June 26, 2017 - Act 34 Hearings (6:00 p.m.) - Corl Street, Houserille, Radio Park
June 26, 2017 Regular Meeting
**Action Item
High School Project Change Orders
Approve 60% Design Development Submission for Elementary Projects
**Information Discussion
High School Project Update
Elementary Projects Design Development
Extended Day Decision Making Process (Tentative)

VII.    ADJOURNMENT


MINUTES

June 5, 2017 Budget Hearing / Special Meeting Minutes
Meeting Room A - 7:00 p.m.
Panorama Village Administrative Center
240 Villa Crest Drive
State College, PA 16801

I.        CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Concepcion called the State College Area School District Board of School Directors Budget Hearing to order at 7:04 p.m. She welcomed all in attendance and those viewing from home.

A copy of all materials distributed to board members for discussion and/or action is included with the official minutes, unless otherwise indicated.

Board members present : Amy Bader, Amber Concepcion, Dan Duffy, Penni Fishbaine, Scott Fozard, David Hutchinson, Jim Leous
Board members absent : Gretchen Brandt, Laurel Zydney
Board Secretary : Mary Jenn Dorman
Student Representative :
Solicitor : Scott Etter
Superintendent : Robert O’Donnell
District Personnel : Vernon Bock, Randy Brown, Dotty Delafield, Nabil Mark, Jason Perrin, Sharon Perry, Linda Pierce, Ed Poprik, Chris Rosenblum, Donna Watson

Guests : Matt Harlow, Tim Jones, Wilbur Stout, Jeff Straub

II.       INTRODUCTION and PURPOSE of MEETING
Budget Hearing for FY 2017-2018 School Year
Ms. Concepcion noted this was a Budget Hearing that is required by state law. Dr. O’Donnell added that he appreciates Mr. Brown, Ms. Watson, and the finance team for all their work for getting this together over the last couple of months for review of updates for the Proposed 2017-2018 Final School Year Budget.

III.      PRESENTATION to REVIEW INFORMATION for FINAL FY 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR BUDGET
Mr. Brown noted that he would review information for the General Fund Budget – accounts for the expenses related to general operations of the district and the other funds that it supports. He reviewed the General Operations Fund Budget is required to be completed and submitted by June 30 each year, the budget development timeline noting the Board approved the proposed final budget for 2017-2018 at its May 8 meeting. Tonight is the Public Hearing for the final budget, and on June 12, the Board will approve the General Fund Budget and Resolution, Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion Resolution, and the Annual Tax Levy Resolution. We must comply with Act 1 of 2006, which provides for tax relief for approved homesteads, and the district will receive approximately $1.4 million of gambling funds for 2017-1018 school year that means approximately $109/homestead of property tax relief.

Act 1 Index for 2017-2018 is 2.5%, and the district would be eligible for the Exception for PSERS (pension) costs but the Board chose not to request the exception. There were no exceptions requested for 2017-2018. Mr. Brown reviewed the referendum information and in 2017-2018 the millage rate includes an amount to generate tax revenue needed to fund the referendum debt service payment. The Proposed Tax Increase in Real Estate tax is 1.55% with millage 44.1468, and the Act 1 Index is 2.5% for 2017-2018. He spoke on what that meant for the average taxpayer increase and reviewed the District’s Historical Real Estate Tax Increase since 2003-04, the Tax Rebate Program with $100,000 set aside for in the 2017-2018 budget, the maximum rebate per household being $650, applications being processed on a first-come basis, one of the three eligibility requirements must be met, the household income does not exceed $35,000, must be registered for Homestead/Farmstead, and claimant received a rebate from the PA Property Tax Rebate Program received after June 30, 2017. Applications may be submitted beginning July 1, 2017 and additional information will be on our website and sent in the 2017-2018 real estate tax bill mailing.

Ms. Watson reviewed the District revenue from local, state and federal sources with percentages and then a further breakdown, the proposed expenses by object and function with percentages and chart, the budgeted 2017-2018 proposed new positions, and Charter School information with number of students, cost/student and the total Charter School expense to the District. She explained PSERS, the employees’ pension, and the use of PSERS fund balance strategy to smooth the increases, and the expense change of $5 million compared to 2016-2017. She spoke on the addition to Capital Reserve Fund. Ms. Watson noted the projected unassigned General Fund Balance is 7.9%, which is in the allowed limit of less than or equal to 8%.

The Final Budget adoption is scheduled for June 12, 2017, and is required to be passed by June 30 each year. The Board would have the opportunity to reopen the district budget after passage of the state budget, if necessary. For more information on the budget process, go to www.scasd.org/page/32243

Board member asked for an update on the ta rebate program for this year and Ms. Watson responded that it was approximately $83,000 right now and they are receiving some additional applications this year. The $100,000 that is budget should be fine for 2017-2018.

Mr. Brown thanked Ms. Watson and the finance team for their assistance with gathering all the information and their work on the presentation tonight.

IV.       PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

V.        ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Fozard moved and Ms. Fishbaine seconded to adjourn the Budget Hearing. With the motion moved and seconded all board members present voted aye with a voice vote. (Ms. Brandt and Ms. Zydney were absent.) The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Concepcion adjourned the State College Area School District Board Of School Directors Budget hearing at 7:20 p.m.

SPECIAL MEETING

VI.       CALL TO ORDER Ms. Concepcion called the State College Area School District Board of School Directors Special Meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. She announced the Board held an executive session on May 22 on personnel and a legal matter and also prior to this meeting on personnel. With the agenda before them, she asked board members if there were any changes; there were no changes.

VII.      COMMUNICATIONS
Dr. O’Donnell announced the upcoming events:
         •  June 6 - Our annual Professional Development Pinning Ceremony will take place at the Nittany Lion Inn, 5:00 p.m. The PDS Interns will receive pins for completion of their year-long internships in our schools. He thanked PDS interns and teacher for another great year in our classrooms.
         •  June 8 - Community Forum on 60% Designs for the elementary school projects and will take place at the Panorama Village Administrative Center in the boardroom. After the initial overview, there will be individual breakout sessions for each building project. 
         •  June 10 - Graduation Ceremony at the Bryce Jordan Center starting at 11:00 a.m. with a concert by our student musician and at 11:30 a.m., the procession of the students begin.

Dr. O’Donnell provided a brief update on the Extended School Day Proposal noting they have had constructive public meetings this spring at each elementary school and the high school. He also met with high school students separately. He thanked all that attended and this week, an audit of our bus routes are to be received and they hope to use the information to review options and refine the proposal by this summer.

VIII.     PENNDOT SAFETY INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION and RECERTIFICATION
A motion to approve the PA Dept of Transportation Safety Inspector Certification and Recertification Training Program Performance Agreement as presented. Mr. Leous moved and Mr. Fozard seconded to approve the motion. There was no discussion. With the motion moved and seconded above, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. (Ms. Brandt and Ms. Zydney were absent.) The motion passed unanimously.

IX.         PENNDOT EMISSIONS INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION and RECERTIFICATION
A motion to approve the PA Dept of Transportation Emissions Inspector Certification (EIC)
and Emissions Inspector Recertification (EIR) Training Program Performance Agreement as presented. Mr. Fozard moved and Ms. Fishbaine seconded to approve the motion. Board member questioned who typically does this and is required to have the agreement? Dr. Perry was present and explained it is for our CTC Program and explained that CPI would also do this for their secondary and post-secondary program. With the motion moved and seconded above, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. (Ms. Brandt and Ms. Zydney were absent.) The motion passed unanimously.

X.          APPOINTMENT of ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT of SECONDARY EDUCATION
A motion to approve Appointment and Contract for Wilbur (Will) L. Stout, Jr. as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education for a five year term beginning July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022 as presented. Mr. Leous moved and Mr. Hutchinson seconded to approve the motion. There was no discussion. With the motion moved and seconded above, all board members present voted aye on a roll call vote. (Ms. Brandt and Ms. Zydney were absent.) The motion passed unanimously.  Dr. O’Donnell noted that administrators are looking forward to having Dr. Stout join them. He is an impressive educational leader. Ms. Concepcion welcomed him to the District.

Board members took a break from 7:29 to 7:34 p.m.

XI.         DISTRICT GOAL CATEGORY: Facilities and Grounds
60% Review for Elementary School Projects
Mr. Poprik noted that high points would be reviewed with a PowerPoint presentation. This Thursday, there would be a Community Forum that would begin with an overview and then breakout session for each building project. They will gather the F and Qs and comments from the forum and on Friday, June 16, there is a Facilities and Grounds Committee meeting to review along with estimates. They do not have the estimates for tonight. The June 26 meeting will be preceded by three act 34 Hearings for the elementary projects. The Q and A will be in sections.

Mr. Straub provided an overview of the agenda for tonight. There would be modifications between the 30% to 60% review, comparing buildings and equity through the projects, noting the sq.ft. of gyms and cafeteria. Board members noted that the size of gym and cafeteria is not an option at Corl Street (CS) and the need to be prepared to explain, talk with teachers to make sure they are large enough for needs, the seating capacity for lunch or event, and creating a space for community use as well. Mr. Straub has talked with teachers and he noted there is flexibility in these spaces.

Radio Park
Mr. Straub began with Radio Park (RP) and Mr. Harlow reviewed the site plan that has not changed much. He explained at 60%, mostly underground things are taken care of. They are going through the Municipal process and major items have not changed much from the beginning. Mr. Straub reviewed the floor plan and showed an area where square footage was added but they reduced the building about 2,500 sq, ft., with no cutting of any educational programs. He reviewed the renderings of the building and noted RP is the most difficult to phase and provided an explanation with and without the add alternate. Mr. Jones also provided information on phasing and time of year, the five room modular and/or the add alternate possibly being used as unfinished space.

Houserville
Mr. Harlow noted the parking circulation is the same as 30%, they are looking at all things for the Municipality, and utilities design. Mr. Straub reviewed the floor plans and building has been reduced 5,000 sq. ft. that was mostly circulation space. Mr. Jones spoke on the phasing being straightforward with this project with the new behind the existing, the Fogelman Field connection will be maintained, and the only gray area is support spaces like the kitchen and mechanical rooms. They spoke about leaving the cafeteria more open and a possible flow into the lobby.

Corl Street
Mr. Harlow noted the site is still the same as 30% and they are refining the underground water system and storm water. The parking and access patterns are the same. Mr. Straub explained there are slight modifications for more integration with special education and there is still a gray area with the kitchen layout. Corl Street square footage, wall, roof construction and the playground have stayed the same. The only difference is that 391 sq. ft. have been added.

Mr. Jones reviewed the two main phases for this project, the playground will be maintained, and two trailers will be brought in for classrooms. Lunch is no problem, things for staff and students will go smoothly. Mr. Poprik explained the transition with trailers from the High School to other places. Mr. Jones noted they shared the trailer space at the High School and it helped with communication, will need to wait and see with three sites how things will work.

Mr. Straub noted that sustainability would be discussed at a future committee meeting. They are looking at gold LEED certification and spoke on main categories and wanting the buildings to be as efficient as possible. He explained that from 60% to 90%, there is not much change in the floor plans, and at 90%, everything is pretty set and locked in. They will have a cost estimate next week at the Committee meeting but will continue moving forward to 90%. Board members commented on the open cafeteria, the phasing challenges were explained well for RP, acoustic studies, and playgrounds. Mr. Poprik spoke on the playgrounds being provided mostly by PTOs and not designed as part of the project, it is not tied to a contractor. Every school is different, kids experience needs to be looked at holistically, look at physical motion and some amount of risk. Dr. O’Donnell added this might be something we would like to charge, equity of all playgrounds. June 16 Facilities and Grounds Committee will be the next look at the projects.

XII.      PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

XIII.     FUTURE AGENDA PLANNING
Ms. Concepcion reviewed the dates as follows:
Community Forum for 60% Review - June 8, 7:00 p.m.
Regular Board Meeting - June 12, 7:00 p.m.
Act 34 Hearings - June 26, 6:00 p.m., Prior to the Regular Board Meeting

XIV.       ADJOURNMENT
Dr. Bader moved and Ms. Fishbaine seconded to adjourn the meeting. All board members present voted aye with a voice vote. (Ms. Brandt and Ms. Zydney were absent.) The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Concepcion adjourned the State College area School District Board of School Directors special meeting at 8:55 p.m. to an executive session.

Submitted by,

Mary Jenn Dorman
Board Secretary