Saucon Valley School District

 

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

                                                     October 9, 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 personnel and negotiations  

 

 

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

                        October 9, 2007

 

V.        Approval of Minutes –

                        September 11, 2007 Minutes

                        September 25, 2007 Minutes

                                                                                                           

VI.       Recognition

                       

VII.      Presentation

            A.        Public Financial Management (PFM) – Jamie Doyle Attachment

 

VIII.     Superintendent’s ReportDr. Sandra Fellin, Superintendent

                       

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

            and address.

 

X.        Presentation of BillsDavid Bonenberger

            A.        General Expenditures

 

XI.       Treasurer’s ReportGeorge Torrella/David Bonenberger

            A.        Budget Transfers


 

 

XII.     Motion to Approve Agenda

 

 

A.        Education Committee – Susan Baxter/Ira Hiberman

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

1.         Strategic Plan – Next meeting October 17th 6:30 pm – Audion

2.         Overview of Science Curriculum

 

 

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.

                                               

                Recommendation: No recommendations.

 

B.        Personnel Committee – Sandra Miller/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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Maternity Leave Request

1.         Approve the following maternity leave:

 

            Stacey Anthony, 3rd grade teacher.  Mrs. Anthony will work up until her due date, approximately November 30, 2007.  She intends to use 10 sick days prior to taking 12 weeks of FMLA, which will include additional number of sick days, depending upon her recovery.  After her recovery period, Mrs. Anthony will then use her six personal days.  She will then be out the remainder of the school year, which will be unpaid leave.  Mrs. Anthony plans on returning at the start of the 2008-09 school year.

 


 

Substitute Teachers

2.         Approve the following substitute teachers:

 

            Rebecca Esslinger – Elementary

            Robert Lowman – Emergency

            Lori Paro - Emergency

 

Long Term Substitutes

3.         Approve the following long term substitutes:

 

            Amy Cromen as kindergarten long term substitute effective August 23, 2007 and continue to approximately February 21, 2008.  Mrs. Cromen is replacing Elizabeth Birli, who is on sick leave.  Her salary will be $39,878, which will be pro-rated for the number of days worked.  She is entitled to benefits per the current professional contract.  Mrs. Cromen was originally approved as a day to day substitute for Mrs. Birli.

 

            Lisa Curry as fourth grade long term substitute effective October 9 2007 and continue to approximately January 15, 2008.  Ms. Curry is replacing Stephanie Hamman, who is on maternity leave.  Her salary will be $39,878, which will be pro-rated for the number of days worked. She is entitled to benefits per the current professional contract. 

 

            Robert Newell as high school English long term substitute effective October 1, 2007 and continue until November 19, 2007.  Mr. Newell is replacing Jennifer (Falcaro) Barreiros who is on maternity leave.  His salary will be $39,878, which will be prorated for the number of days worked.  He is entitled to benefits per the current professional contract. Mr. Newell was originally approved as a day to day substitute for Mrs. Barreiros.

 

Days without Pay

4.         Approve the following days without pay:

 

            Jackie Peeke, MS instructional aide – November 1 & 2, 2007 – On October 29th-31st, Mrs. Peeke will use her personal days.  This was previously approved as all unpaid days.

 

Job Descriptions

5.         Discuss the following job descriptions:

 

Automotive Mechanic I – New     Old

Automotive Mechanic II – New     Old

Custodian – New    Old

Head Custodian – New     Old

Maintenance Personnel – New    Old

School Bus Driver – New     Old

Utility Truck Driver – New    No old one

 

 

ADA Compliant Tasks for the Custodial - Maintenance - Transportation group.

 


 

Food Service Department – Assistant Head Cook

6.         Approve Donna Ziegler as Assistant Cook in the High School Cafeteria, at an hourly rate of $13.39, with benefits per the terms of the current Food Service Employment Agreement, effective October 10, 2007.  Ms. Ziegler is replacing Pat Good who retired.

 

Transportation Department – Substitute Bus Driver

7.         Approve Ronald Jones as a Substitute Bus Driver, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis at an hourly rate of $10 for riding and $14.59 for driving, no benefits, effective October 10, 2007.

 

                                                               

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

 

C.        Facilities CommitteeHerb Payung/Wally Zimpfer

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

1.         Discussion of replacing high school roof.

 

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    _______________

 

 

Baseball/Softball Dugouts

1.         Approve the construction of dugouts by volunteers for an amount not to exceed $9,500. 

               

                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

1.         Discussion refinancing/potential savings – Public Financial             Management

 

            Resolved:  The Board of School Directors of the Saucon Valley School District (the “School District”) does hereby authorize the Administration to work with Public Financial Management, as Financial Advisor; and Rhoads & Sinon, LLP, as Bond Counsel in conjunction with the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Services of 2008 for the purpose of refinancing the School District’s General Obligation Bonds, Series of 1998 and a portion of the General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2002, at a minimum net savings of $______________ via a ____________ sale (competitive internet auction or negotiated).

 

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________   _______________

 

                               

Saucon Valley Education Foundation

1.         Approve Kenneth Grounds from Educational Foundation Consultants to proceed with the development of the Saucon Valley Education Foundation.  Attached Consulting Proposal

           

            Consulting Fee Structure:

                        Consulting fee for Plan I..............     $21,500

                        Consulting fee for Plan II.............      $29,500

 

                               

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.

______________    ______________    ______________    ______________

 

 

Second and Final Reading of Policy 904

1.         Approve the second and final reading for Policy 904.

 

 

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 Meeting

1.         The next meeting of the Saucon Valley Partnership is scheduled for October 10, 2007 beginning at 7 pm at the Hellertown Borough.

 

 

Recommendation: No recommendations.

ion.

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

 

XIII.     Solicitor’s Report

                                                                                                                    

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

 

XV.      Announcements

 

            Future Meetings ~    October 23, 2007 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          High School Audion

 

                                                  November 13, 2007 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          High School Audion

 

XVI.     Motion to Adjourn Meeting

 

 

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