The Special Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District of which all members were duly notified and of which due public notice was given as required by Act 84 of 1986, was held on Tuesday evening, June 28, 2005, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
in the Board of Directors’ Room, District Service Center, 201 West Third Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The President, David B. Stone, Jr., called the meeting to order with the following members:
PRESENT: Karen V. Harris, David A. Huffman, Susan A. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Markle,
Jay B. Shultz, David B. Stone, Jr., James E. Temple, Lois T. Williams,
Thomas A. Zimmerman
ABSENT: None
INVOCATION – Silent Reflection
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion made by Mrs. Mahaffey, seconded by Mrs. Harris to approve the Regular Meetings of May 17 and June 7, 2005 and Special Meeting of May 24, 2005. Mr. Huffman requested that the minutes of the June 7, 2005 meeting be amended to reflect the reason for his “no” vote on approving the 2005-06 Roosevelt Middle School Student/Parent Handbook. He requested that the following language be inserted: “Mr. Huffman indicated he is against inspections and searches without cause. The only exception is school lockers which are school property.” The other board members did not object to this request and the June 7th minutes will be amended to include this language.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – None
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D.
A. On behalf of the Williamsport Area School District Board of Education and the administration, we would like to welcome the following administrator:
Rox-Ann Reifer – Secondary Special Education Coordinator
Committee Reports by Board Members - None
Construction Projects - None
President Stone recognized Mr. Butters to speak to the Board. Mr. Butters requested a budget without a tax increase.
FINANCE REPORT
Motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Williams to approve the following financial items related to the 2005-2006 budget:
6.1 Approve the following Tax Levy Resolution Required by Act 91 of 2004:
RESOLVED that the Board of School Directors of the Williamsport Area School District, in accordance with the provisions of Act 91 of 2004, hereby levies a real estate tax to establish preliminary tax rate in the amount of 11.52 mills on each dollar ($1.52 on each $100) of the assessed valuation of real estate established by the Lycoming County Assessment Office. This preliminary tax rate is the rate which would cause the total amount levied for the 2005-06 fiscal year to equal the total amount levied for the 2004-05 fiscal year reflecting the changes in assessed values arising from the countywide reassessment completed during the 2004-05 fiscal year. This preliminary tax rate has been
determined without considering the amount to be levied on newly constructed buildings or structures or on increased valuations based on new improvements made to existing houses, as permitted by the provisions of Act 91. The Board adopts this levy to comply with
Act 91 of 2004 with the intention of levying a final tax rate at a later time during the same meeting that this levy has been adopted.
6.2* Adopt the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, as summarized below and adopting the following tax levies and resolutions, where appropriate, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006:
Estimated Beginning Fund Balance $ 1,300,000
Estimated Reserve for Encumbrance 175,000
FY05-06 Unrestricted Revenue 58,325,231
FY05-06 Restricted Revenue 7,476,355
Total Estimated Fund Balance and
Revenue Available for Appropriation $67,276,586
FY05-06 Unrestricted Expenditures $58,325,231
FY05-06 Restricted Expenditures 7,476,355
Estimated Encumbrances 175,000
Total Estimated Expenditures $65,976,586
Estimated June 30, 2006 Fund Balance $ 1,300,000
Tax levies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006:
05/06
Real Property (18.20 mills 04/05) (11.52 mills revenue neutral) 11.98
Act 511 Taxes
Earned Income* 1½ %
Real Estate Transfer* ½ of 1%
*Real Estate and Earned Income Tax Resolutions
Roll Call: Yeas - Harris, Mahaffey, Markle, Shultz, Stone, Temple, Williams and
Zimmerman
Nays - Huffman
The motion carried 8-1.
Motion made by Mr. Zimmerman, seconded by Mr. Shultz, to approve the balance of the agenda
including the addendum.
The motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
6.2* Authorize payment of invoices and services rendered by the list submitted marked Order
No. 06/24/05 in the amount of $263,252.07, 06/24/05A in the amount of $121,475.17, 06/24/05B in the amount of $40,651.93, 06/24/05C in the amount of $79,869.22 and that
the officers of the Board of School Directors be directed to execute Order Nos. 06/24/05, 06/24/05A, 06/24/05B and 06/24/05C.
BOARD POLICY – None
CURRICULUM REPORT - None
PERSONNEL REPORT
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF
Elect the following staff, for the purpose and on the date indicated:
A. Tracey A. Yarnell, 1096 Park Ave., P.O. Box 32, Woolrich 17779, as a professional employee, effective with the 2005-2006 school term (scheduled date is August 25, 2005), to teach Chemistry at the high school, at a salary rate of Step 5, master’s (+ 18 credits), $47,450, pending receipt of all necessary paperwork. Ms. Yarnell holds a bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University and a master’s degree from Montana State University-Billings and is certified in Chemistry, Biology and Physics (replacing James Poechmann, retired). Ms. Yarnell will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2005-2006 school term.
B. Matthew A. Radspinner, 1616 Whitman St., Williamsport, as a temporary professional employee, effective with the 2005-2006 school term (scheduled date is August 25, 2005), to teach instrumental music at Curtin Middle School, at a salary rate of Step 1, bachelor’s, $38,300. Mr. Radspinner holds a bachelor’s degree from Mansfield University and is certified in Music (replacing Melissa Becker, resigned). Mr. Radspinner will also be scheduled to participate in Induction Program activities before the start of the 2005-2006 school term.
C. Phyllis Sieber, 61 Roderick Road, Williamsport, WAHS Guidance Counselor, and P. Nayo Brown, 605 Fourth Avenue, Williamsport, WAHS Special Study Supervisor, as Coordinators of Project 720 Future Educators of America, at an annual stipend of $3,500 each. Ms. Sieber and Ms. Brown will help set criteria for selecting students (focusing on minority students), mentor them through the establishment of this organization, serve as liaisons with Dr. Jane Penman of Lock Haven University (who will serve as first-year advisor for the group) and help prepare the members of this organization for the second semester college credit- bearing course, "Teaching and Learning." Open to all students, this organization will focus during the first semester
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
C. on the attributes of succesful teaching, and providing teaching simulation scenarios for these students, who will, second semester, take the Teaching and Learning course at the high school, taught by Dr. Penman. Ms. Sieber and Ms. Brown will help develop intern experiences for students, monitor the academic progress and behaviors of these students, serve as contact persons for Lock Haven University, advocate for these students at the university level, and will be responsible for providing communi-
cation to parents regarding the program and their students' progress during the year. All work conducted by Ms. Sieber and Ms. Brown will occur outside of the school contract day, and both positions will be funded through the Project 720 grant, at no cost to the district
D. All regular part-time and substitute bus drivers as part-time employees to perform cleaning and minor maintenance service to the District’s school bus fleet during June, July and August, 2005, at the salary rate of $10.74 and/or $11.14 per hour for the actual number of hours worked, as stated in the collective bargaining agreement between the Williamsport Area School District and the Williamsport Area Support Personnel.
E. The following regular part-time school bus drivers for the Elementary Summer School Program, effective June 20, 2005, through August 5, 2005, at the current rate for the actual number of hours worked, as stated in the collective bargaining agreement between the Williamsport Area School District and the Williamsport Area Support Personnel:
Connie S. Mills 1976 Maple Grove Circle, Williamsport
Bonnie L. Van Allen 2220 Fox St., Williamsport
Bryan C. Baird 1842 Sweeley Ave., Williamsport
Bonnie L. Dibble P.O. Box 192, Trout Run
F. The following regular part-time school bus drivers for the Special Education Summer School Program, effective June 20, 2005, through August 5, 2005, at the current rate for the actual number of hours worked, as stated in the collective bargaining agreement between the Williamsport Area School District and the Williamsport Area Support Personnel:
Beverly M. Fishel 96 Bennett Drive, Williamsport
Wayne L. Furman 351 Daughertys Run Rd., Williamsport
Daniel C. Walz
732 Park Ave., Williamsport
9.3* ELECTION OF STAFF CONT’D:
G. The following persons as school bus aides for the Special Education Summer School Program, effective June 20, 2005, through August 5, 2005, at the current rate for the actual number of hours worked, as stated in the collective bargaining agreement between the Williamsport Area School District and the Williamsport Area Support Personnel:
Debbie S. Hanley 1191 McGill Hollow Rd., Linden
Beatrice J. Magargle 1220 High St., Williamsport
Vivian D. Pena 1685 St. Michaels Rd., Cogan Station
H. All regular part-time and substitute bus drivers as needed as substitute school bus drivers or aides for the Elementary Summer School Program and the Special Education Summer School Program, effective June 20, 2005, through August 5, 2005, at the current rate for the actual number of hours worked, as stated in the collective bargaining agreement between the Williamsport Area School District and the Williamsport Area Support Personnel.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10.1 RELEASED TIME/TRAINING PROGRAMS
Approve released time for staff members to participate in professional development activities in accordance with the Professional Development Plan of the Williamsport Area School District and consider approving training programs. All expenditures proposed are within local, state and federal budget categories approved as noted.
STUDENT/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - None
BIDS/CONTRACTS
12.1 Authorize a lease agreement with the Williamsport Scottish Rite to hold the 2007 WAHS prom at a cost of $500.00.
12.2 Approve a revised agreement with Williamsport Child Guidance Services governing the terms and conditions of providing a summer school program using proceeds from the Education Assistance Program Grant.
12.3 Approval of a contract with Williamsport Child Guidance to provide an afternoon recreation and social development program in conjunction with the elementary summer school. All costs are included in the Sheridan Project Twenty-first Century grant and the Educational Assistance Grant.
12.4 Approval of a contract with YMCA of North Central Pennsylvania to provide an afternoon recreation and social skills program in conjunction with the middle level summer school. All costs are included in the Sheridan Project Twenty-first Century grant and the Educational Assistance Grant.
TAX ITEMS - None
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Zimmerman stated that he would be interested in seeing a statistical comparison of our site-based schools vs. non site-based. He also stated it might be a good idea to have our site-based principals do a presentation to the rest of the principals. Mrs. Mahaffey stated that the site-based committee would consider these recommendations as part of their upcoming review.
Mrs. Markle thanked everyone for the cards, flowers and well wishes concerning the passing of her mother.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC
Mr. Lilley and Mr. Fesemyer spoke to the board concerning budget and taxes.
President Stone announced that an executive session, for personnel and a confidential student matter would follow the meeting.
Upon motion made by Mrs. Markle, seconded by Mrs. Williams and carried the meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
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Charles E. Peterson, Jr. Board Secretary