Saucon Valley School District

 

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

December 9, 2008 – 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

 

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

 

                        December 2, 2008 – Personnel, Negotiations, and Legal

 

V.        Approval of Minutes –

 

                        November 11, 2008

                        November 25, 2008

 

VI.       Recognition            

           

VII.      Presentation

 

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 - $170,223.40

 

XI.       Treasurer’s ReportEdward Inghrim/David Bonenberger

 

            A.        Budget Transfer

 

XII.     Motion to Approve Agenda

 

 

A.        Education

 

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

 

High School Program of Studies for 2009-2010

 

1.         Approve the second and final reading of the High School Program of Studies for 2009-2010 with one change.

 

 

Awarding of Mini Grants

 

2.         Approve the following 2008-09 mini grants sponsored by the Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovations.  Descriptions are attached

 

            Small Grants

            Beyond the Walls

            Aquarium

            Senteo Response System

            Ceramic Mural

            Podcasting Plots

 

 

Lehigh Valley Girls’ Lacrosse Bylaws

 

3.         Approve the acceptance of the Lehigh Valley Girls’ Lacrosse League Bylaws.

 

 

Lehigh Valley Girls’ Lacrosse League Annual Dues

 

4.         Approve the payment of annual dues of $400 to become a member of the Lehigh Valley Girls’ Lacrosse League for participation of our team in the League this spring.

 

 

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

 


 

B.        Personnel

 

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Long Term Substitute

 

1.         Approve the following long-term substitute. Salary is based on the 2007-08 contract and is subject to change following approval of the 2008-09 contract

 

            Kathy Truskowski as fifth grade long term substitute beginning December 2, 2008 and continue while Mrs. Jennifer Sakelaries is out on maternity leave.  Mrs. Truskowski’s salary will be $39,878 (Bachelors, Step 1), which will be prorated for the number of days worked.

 

 

Mentor

 

2.         Approve the following mentor beginning December 2, 2008.  The $500 salary will be pro-rated for the remainder of the year.

 

            Mentor                         Inductee

            Vicky Gazzana             Kathy Truskowski

 

 

Substitute Teacher

 

3.         Approve the following substitute teacher for the 2008-2009 school year:

 

            Annjanette Trinidad – Emergency

 

 

Conference/Travel Requests

 

4.         Approve the attached conference/travel requests.

 

 

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

 

C.        Facilities

 

 

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.

 

Recommendation: No recommendations.

 



D.        Finance

 

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

 

 

A.        2009-2010 Budget Timeline for 2008-2009 School Year

 

2009-2010 Budget Timeline for 2008-2009 School Year

January 29, 2009

(110 days prior to primary election)

District Deadline to have 2009-2010 Proposed Preliminary Budget available for public inspection; or adopt a Resolution not to raise the rate of any tax by more than its index.

February 3, 2009

(5 days after Resolution adoption)

District Deadline to submit adopted Resolution and proposed tax rate increases to the Department of Education.

February 8, 2009

(10 days prior to Preliminary Budget adoption deadline)

District Deadline to give public notice of intent to adopt the 2009-2010 Preliminary Budget unless a Resolution was adopted indicating that it will not raise the rate of any tax by more than its index.

February 13, 2009

(10 days after receipt of Resolution)

Department of Education Deadline to notify districts that adopted a Resolution whether the 2009-2010 proposed tax rates are equal to or less than their index.

February 18, 2009

(90 days prior to primary election)

District Deadline to adopt the 2009-2010 Preliminary Budget unless a Resolution was adopted.

February 23, 2009

(85 days prior to primary election)

District Deadline to submit 2009-2010 Preliminary Budget containing proposed tax rate increases to  the Department of Education.

February 26, 2009

(1 week prior to filing of request for referendum exception)

District Deadline to publish notice in newspaper of intent to file petition with the Court of Common Pleas or to request approval from the Department of Education for a referendum exception.

March 5, 2009

(75 days prior to primary election)

District Deadline to seek approval from Court of Common Pleas or the Department of Education for referendum exceptions requiring their approval.

March 20, 2009

(60 days prior to primary election)

District Deadline to submit referendum question seeking voter approval of tax rate increase in excess of index to the County Board of Elections, unless request for referendum exception has been submitted to the Court of Common Pleas or the Department of Education. If the school district’s proposed tax rate increase would exceed their Index even if all of its referendum exception requests were approved, and if it intends to submit a referendum question for that part of the tax rate increase, it must do so by this date.

March 25, 2009

(55 days prior to primary election)

Deadline for Court of Common Pleas or Department of Education to issue ruling on school district’s petition for referendum exception.


 

March 30, 2009

(50 days prior to primary election)

District Deadline, if the Court of Common Pleas or Department of Education denies all or part of the school district’s request for referendum exception, to submit to the County Board of Elections a referendum question seeking voter approval of tax rate increase in excess of index for the portion of the referendum exception request denied.

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________   _______________

 

 

Mileage Rate

 

1.         Approve the federal standard business mileage rate from 58.5 cents per mile to 55 cents per mile beginning January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 in accordance with the Saucon Valley Education Association Professional Contract and the Administrative Employment Agreement.

           

 

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

 

E.        Community Outreach

 

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 December 10, 2008 at 7 pm at Saucon Valley School District.

 

 

Recommendation: No recommendations.

 

F.         Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech School – Lachlan Peeke/Sharon Stack

            (Meetings are first Tuesday of every month)

 

 

 

G.        Colonial Intermediate Unit – Susan Baxter

            (Meetings are fourth Wednesday of every month)

 

H.        PSBA – Susan Baxter/Sandra Miller

 

I.          Northampton Community College – Charles Bartolet

            (Meetings are first Thursday of every month)

 

J.         Hellertown/Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce – Michael Karabin

 

K.        New Business

 

XIII.     Solicitor’s Report

                                                                                                                    

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

 

XV.      Announcements

 

            Future Meetings ~     

                                                  January  13, 2009 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          High School Audion

 

                          January 27, 2009 – 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.