Saucon Valley School District

 

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

                                                      June 12, 2007 – 7:30 pm

High School Audion

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Welcome to the meeting of the Saucon Valley School Board.  Our objective is to serve the students, parents, and residents of our community.  You are an important part of this meeting and we look forward to your questions and comments.

 

We are all here for the same reason.  All opinions are welcomed and equally valuable.  Our only request is that we address each other with civility and respect.  Our courtesy toward each other is the best way to show our students how much we respect them as well.

 

Agenda

 

6:30 pm – Executive Session for the purpose of negotiations and personnel. 

 

 

I.          Call to the OrderMr. Ralph Puerta, President, presiding

 

II.         Pledge of Allegiance

 

III.        Recording of Attendance Mr. David Bonenberger, Secretary

 

IV.       Announcement of Executive Sessions

                        June 12, 2007          

 

V.        Recognition

           

VI.       Presentations

            A.        Science Presentation – Jamie Conrad and Isabel Resende

           

VII.      Superintendent’s ReportDr. Sandra Fellin, Superintendent

 

VIII.     Citizens’ Comments – Agenda Items Only – Visitors should state their name

            and address.

 

IX.       Presentation of BillsDavid Bonenberger

            A.        General Expenditures

            B.        Health Benefits

            C.        Cafeteria Expenditures – March, April, May, 2007

           

X.        Treasurer’s Report – George Torrella/David Bonenberger 

            A.        Budget Transfer

                                   

 


 

 

XI.      Motion to Approve Agenda

 

 

A.        Education Committee – Susan Baxter/Ira Hiberman

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

 

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

2007-08 Elementary and Middle School Student Handbooks

1.         Approve the second reading of the 2007-08 handbooks.

 

            Elementary - Student Handbook and Summary of Changes

            Middle School - Student Handbook and Discipline Plan

 

 

Recommendation:  To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Education.

 

B.        Personnel Committee – Sandra Miller/Sandra Fellin

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

1.         Discuss the following groups of job descriptions:

 

            Administrative

            Professional

            Coordinators

            Technology

            Custodial/Maintenance

            Transportation

            Secretarial

            Food Service

            Miscellaneous

 

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Board Treasurer

1.         Approve ____________to serve as Treasurer of the Saucon             Valley School District for a term ending June 30, 2008.

            (Director George Torrella was approved as Treasurer to June 30, 2007             at the June 13, 2006 Board Meeting)

 

District Solicitor

2.         Approve ____________to serve as District Solicitor for a term ending June 30, 2008.

            (Brian M. Monahan was re-appointed Solicitor to June, 2007 at the June 27, 2006 Board Meeting)

 

Per Capita and Occupational Tax Assessor

3.         Approve ____________as Per Capita and Occupational Tax             Assessor for the 2007-2008 fiscal year at a salary of $_______.

            (Vivian Fried was approved as the Tax Assessor for the 2006-2007 fiscal year at a salary of $2,500 at the June 13, 2006 Board Meeting)

 

Tax Collector

4.         Approve ______________as Tax Collector for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

            (David Bonenberger was approved as the Tax Collector for the 2006-2007 fiscal year at the June 13, 2006 Board Meeting)

 

Food Service Employee

5.         Approve Mary Seip as a Permanent Part-Time Employee in the Food Service Department, effective May 1, 2007, to be paid $11.47/hour for 45 days and $11.97 thereafter, with benefits per the terms of the Food Service Employment Agreement.

 

Leave Without Pay - Transportation Employee

6.         Approve time off without pay for Jeff Good, Bus Driver, for the afternoon of May 23, 2007 and the afternoon of May 29, 2007.

 

Professional Transfers

7.         Approve the following transfers for the 2007-08 school year:   *No change in salary except transfers from .5 to full-time.

 

            Heather Borger – from  academic core to 4th grade

            Linda Castner – from 1st grade to 2nd grade

            Rebecca Harvey – from 1st grade to 3rd grade

            Mario Marcozzi – high school social studies from .5 to full-time*

            Cassie Sedlack – from middle school to high school

            Jen Sakelarides – from 4th grade to 5th grade

            Carol Tavormina – from 3rd grade to 4th grade

            Jen Toth – from 3rd grade to 2nd grade

            Nancy Vasko – from 2nd grade to 1st grade

            Stacey Wombocker – from 4th grade to 3rd grade

                       


 

Professional Resignations

8.         Approve the following professional resignations:

 

            Amaal Awadalla – middle school science – effective July 6, 2007

            Jane Crossland – elem health/physical ed – effective June 30, 2007

            Michael Garrison – high school German – effective August 30, 2007

            Dr. Henry Grim – high school chemistry – effective August 15, 2007

            Nicole Severs – elementary – effective August 20, 2007

            Catherine Sobania – hs learning support – effective August 5, 2007

           

Maternity Leave

9.         Approve the request from Amy Lookenbill for an unpaid maternity leave for the 2007-08 school year.  Mrs. Lookenbill plans on returning for the 2008-09 school year.

 

Conference/Travel

10.       Approve the attached conference/travel.

 

Professional Appointments

11.       Approve the following professional appointments:

 

            Jennifer Burkholder as first grade teacher effective August 23, 2007.  Ms. Burkholder’s salary will be $40,425 (B, Step 2) and she is entitled to all benefits per the current teacher contract.  Ms. Burkholder is replacing Mrs. Nancy Saks, who is retiring.

           

            Cheryl Blaukovitch as high school chemistry teacher effective August 23, 2007.  Ms. Blaukovitch’s salary will be $55,262 (M+30, Step 2) and she is entitled to all benefits per the current teacher contract.  Ms. Blaukovitch is replacing Dr. Henry Grim, who is resigning.

 

            Ann LeMaster as second grade teacher effective August 23, 2007.  Mrs. LeMaster’s salary will be $50,535 (M, Step 6) and she is entitled to all benefits per the current teacher contract.  Mrs. LeMaster is replacing Mrs. Gwen Singer, who is retiring.

 

            Andrew Romano as elementary special education teacher effective August 23, 2007.  Mr. Romano’s salary will be $41,521 (B, Step 4) and he is entitled to all benefits per the current teacher contract.  Mr. Romano is replacing Mrs. Nicole Sever, who is resigning.

 

            Amanda Strickler as third grade teacher effective August 23, 2007.  Ms. Strickler’s salary will be $46,853 (M, Step 4) and she is entitled to all benefits per the current teacher contract.  Ms. Strickler is replacing Mrs. Marcia Washburn, who is retiring.

 

Support Staff Resignation

12.       Approve the resignation of Bradford R. Day, Instructional Aide effective May 16, 2007.

 

                                   

Recommendation:  To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Personnel.

 

C.        Facilities CommitteeHerb Payung/Wally Zimpfer

 

 

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    _______________

 

                       

Land Development Improvement Extension Agreement

1.         Approve a one-year extension of the Land Development                        Improvement Agreement for the Saucon Valley School District –

            Elementary/Middle School additions to June, 2008.

 

Fuel Oil, Unleaded Gasoline, Diesel Bid Awards

2.         Approve the award of bid through the Pennsylvania Education             Joint Purchasing Council to Farm & Home Oil Company,

            P.O. Box 60,Milton, PA for the purchase of fuel oil at a firm price

            of $2.0975 per gallon and for the purchase of diesel fuel at a

            firm price of $2.2475 per gallon;  and to Willow Creek Fuels, 556

            Blandon Road, Fleetwood, PA for the purchase of unleaded

            gasoline at a firm price of $2.5353 per gallon.

 

            Approve the award of bid through the Northampton/Monroe/Pike             County Joint Purchasing Board to Willow Creek Fuels, 556

            Blandon Road, Fleetwood, PA for the purchase of diesel fuel at

            a firm price of $2.2615 per gallon.

 

 

            Recommendation:  To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Facilities.

 


 


D.        Finance Committee – George Torrella/David Bonenberger

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

 

 

2007/2008 Budget – Timeline for 2006-2007 School Year

 

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Last day proposed final budget printing

and available for inspection

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Last day proposed final budget public notice;


 

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Last day for school board to adopt final budget;

Resolution adopted for Installment Payments for

school property taxes must be adopted June 30, 2007 and each year thereafter;

 

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

General Fund Budget Submittal Date

(On or Before July 31, 2007)

Saucon Valley Timeline – 2007/2008 Budget

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Board Meeting

Approval of 2007-2008 Proposed Final Budget in the amount of $37,705,244 funded by a 1.13 mill increase

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 to Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Proposed final Budget available for public inspection in the Business Office for 20 days.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

and

Friday, June 15, 2007

Legal Advertisement:

Public Notice of Intent to Adopt the 2007-2008 Final Budget at the June 26, 2007 Board Meeting

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Board Meeting

 

Board Approval of the 2007-2008 Final Budget

 

                 Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________   _______________

 

 

Act 511

1.         Approve the reenactment of taxes under the Local Tax Enabling             Act of 1965 known as Act 511.  The taxes are Earned Income

            Tax, Realty Transfer Tax, Per Capita Tax, and Occupational

            Privilege Tax.

 

Depositories

2.         Appoint the Depositories for Saucon Valley School District funds:  (proper collateral is required by all depositories)

 

            Bank of Pennsylvania

            Fulton Financial Advisors

            KNBT Bank                                 

            Lafayette Ambassador Bank

            Lehigh Investment Trust

            PNC Bank

 

 

 

 

            Summit Bank

            INVEST Program

            Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset Fund (PSDLAF)

            Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT)

            Wachovia Bank

 

Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School 2007-2008 Budget

3.         Approve the 2007/2008 Budget for Bethlehem Vo-Tech in the amount of $9,612,230.00.  Saucon Valley School District’s portion is $536,578.00, which is $27,406 (minus 4.86%) less than 2006-2007.

 

Communication Systems, Inc. - Bus Surveillance System

4.         Approve the CSI Proposal to furnish a Bus Surveillance System for thirty (30) District busses at a discounted PEPPM price of $59,002.66.

 

5.         Approve the CSI Proposal for the installation and focusing of cameras and the installation, setup and programming of the digital video recorders for the cameras at a cost of $425 per bus.

            The price includes all labor, wiring and hardware and is for installation only. 

 

 

            Recommendation:  To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Finance.

 

E.        Policy Task Force CommitteeLachlan Peeke/Sandra Fellin

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

______________    ______________    ______________    ______________

 

 

Policy 811

1.         Discuss Policy 811 – Bonding

            Bonds - Annual Premiums

 

First Reading of Policies

2.         Approve the first reading of the following policies:

 

            Community

            901 – Public Relations Objectives

            902 – Publications Program

            903 – Public Participation in Board Meetings

            904 – Public Attendance at School Events

            905 – Citizen Advisory Committees

            906 – Public Complaints

            907 – School Visitors

            907.1 – Employee and Visit ID Badges

 

Second and Final Reading of Policies

1.         Approve the second and final reading of the following policies:

 

            800 – Operations

            810 – Transportation

            810.1 – Drug/Alcohol Testing – Covered Drivers

            812 – Property Insurance

            813 – Other Insurance

            814 – Copyright Material

            815 – Acceptable Use of Internet

            818 – Contracted Services

 

 

Recommendation:  To approve all motions and recommendations as listed above in Policy.

 

F.         Community Outreach – Susan Baxter/Ed Inghrim/Sandra Fellin

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

 

 

Consensus Motion:

The following items are to be deleted from the consensus motion at board member request.  All items in the shaded area are part of the consensus motion.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

No Report or Recommendations.

 

Saucon Valley Partnership Meetings

1.         The next meeting of the Saucon Valley Partnership is scheduled for June 13, 2007, beginning at 7 pm at the Saucon Valley School District. 

 

 

Recommendation: No recommendations.

 as listed above in Education.

G.        Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech School – Herb Payung/Lachlan Peeke

            (Meetings are first Tuesday of every month)

 

H.        Colonial Intermediate Unit – Susan Baxter

            (Meetings are fourth Wednesday of every month)

 

I.          PSBA – Susan Baxter/Sandra Miller

 

J.         Northampton Community College – Eric Schenkel

            (Meetings are first Thursday of every month)

 

K.        Hellertown/Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce – George Torrella

 

L.         New Business

 


 

XII.      Solicitor’s Report

 

XIII.     Citizen’s Inquiries and CommentsVisitors should state their name and address.

 

XIV.     Announcements

 

            Future Meetings ~    June 26, 2007 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          High School Audion

 

                                                  July 24, 2007 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          High School Audion

XV.      Motion to Adjourn Meeting

 

The Saucon Valley School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap