Saucon Valley School District

 

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

January 12, 2010 – 7:30 pm

High School Audion

­¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

 

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, negotiations, and legal.

 

 

I.          Call to the OrderMr. Lachlan Peeke, President, presiding

 

II.         Pledge of Allegiance

 

III.        Recording of Attendance Mr. David Bonenberger, Secretary

 

IV.      Motion to Approve Agenda

 

V.        Announcement of Executive Sessions

            January 12, 2010 – Personnel, negotiations, and legal

 

VI.       Approval of Minutes

            November 24, 2009 Business Meeting

            December 8, 2009 Reorganization Meeting

            December 8, 2009 Business Meeting

            December 16, 2009 Special Business Meeting

                                                                                   

VII.      Recognition            

            A.        School Director Recognition Month

 

VIII.     Presentation           

            A.        2010-2011 Budget Presentation – Discussion of Sections 1-6 from budget book

 

IX.       Superintendent’s ReportDr. Sandra Fellin, Superintendent

 

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

             and address.

 

XI.       Presentation of BillsDavid Bonenberger

            A.        General Expenditures - $307,519.97

            B.        Cafeteria Expenditures - $90,066.79

            C.        Health Benefits - $445,334.09       

 

XII.      Treasurer’s ReportEdward Inghrim/David Bonenberger

            A.        Cash Investment and Bond Activity.

            B.        Expansion Project Finance Report

            C.        Condensed Board Summary Report

            D.        Budget Transfer - $6,383.25

            E.        Middle School Activity Report

            F.         High School Activity Report

 

AGENDA ITEMS

 

A.        Education

 

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

 

A.        Discussion of 2010-11 School Calendar

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

 

Textbook Adoption

 

1.         Approve the first review of the following middle school textbooks.  Both textbooks are tentatively in the preliminary 2010-11 budget.

 

            Course Title – 6th Grade Mathematics

            Textbook Title – Prentice Hall Mathematics Course 1

            Text Replaces – Math in Context

            Cost Per Textbook – $60.47/Student Textbook

                                               $9.47/Student Workbook

            Number of Textbooks – 200 of each

            Total Cost – $12,094/Student Textbook

                                  $1,894/Student Workbook

 

            Course Title – 7th Grade Mathematics

            Textbook Title –  Prentice Hall Mathematics Course 2

            Text Replaces – Mathematics in Context

            Cost Per Textbook – $61.97

            Number of Textbooks – 185

            Total cost – $11,464.45

 


 

 

Surplus Materials

 

2.         Declare the following items as surplus HS AV materials. Remote controls have been unused for several years most likely belong to TVs and VCRs we no longer have.  VCRs have been replaced by VCR/DVD players.  Infocus Projectors have been sent for repair and have either come back as un-repairable or not cost effective to repair.   

 

                      Item                       Serial Number    Year Purchased

 

             42 Assorted Remote Controls

 

             Panasonic VCR              L9IA99447                     1998

             Panasonic VCR              OIA84845                      2000

             Panasonic VCR              LOIC89062                    2000

             Sony VCR                       0365699                        N/A

             Infocus LCD Projector     AMMC43302590           2005

             Infocus LCD Projector     AMMC51901995           2005

             Infocus LCD Projector     AMMC42300965           2005

             Infocus LCD Projector     AMMC42300972           2005

             Infocus LCD Projector     AMMC52001812           2005

             Infocus LCD Projector     AMMC1902003             2005

             Infocus LCD Projector     AVFC732E1238            2006

 

 

Second and Final Reading of Policies

 

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

 

            Policy 140 – Charter Schools

 

            Administrative Employees

            Policy 335 – Family and Medical Leave

            Policy 335-AR – Family and Medical Leaves

            Policy 335-AR-1 – Your Rights

            Policy 335-AR-2 – Request/Response for FMLA Leave

            Policy 335-AR-3 – Certification of Health Care Provider

 

            Professional Employees

            Policy 435 – Family and Medical Leave

            Policy 435-AR – Family and Medical Leaves

            Policy 435-AR-1 – Your Rights

            Policy 435-AR-2 – Request/Response for FMLA Leave

            Policy 435-AR-3 – Certification of Health Care Provider

           

            Classified Employees

            Policy 535 – Family and Medical Leave

            Policy 535-AR – Family and Medical Leaves

            Policy 535-AR-1 – Your Rights

            Policy 535-AR-2 – Request/Response for FMLA Leave

            Policy 535-AR-3 – Certification of Health Care Provider

 

            Policy 801 – Public Records

            Policy 801-AR – Exempted Records

            Policy 801-AR-1 – Disclosure/Production of Certain Records

            Policy 801-AR-2 – Fees for Public Records Requests

            Policy 810.1 – Drug/Alcohol Testing – Covered Drivers

 

 

Waiver of Expulsion Hearing

 

4.         Approve the waiver of expulsion hearing of high school student #11358. 

 

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Resignation

 

1.         Approve the professional resignation of Sarah Hawk, high school special education teacher effective January 29, 2010.

 

 

Professional Employment

 

2.         Approve the following professional appointment:

 

            Brianna Barona as high school special education teacher effective upon release from current employer, at a salary of $50,444 (B+15, Step 5), which will be prorated for the number of days work during the 2009-10 school year.  Ms. Barona is replacing Sarah Hawk, who recently resigned.

 

 

Maternity Leaves

 

3.         Approve the following maternity leaves:

 

            Kasandra Diehl, high school Spanish teacher, beginning February 5, 2010.  She intends to use 30 sick days prior to starting 12 weeks of FMLA, which will run concurrently with her unpaid leave.  Mrs. Diehl requests an unpaid maternity leave for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year. Mrs. Diehl will return to her teaching duties at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year.

 

 

 

 

            Megan Kern, high school English teacher, beginning approximately January 21, 2010.  She intends to use 14 sick days prior to starting 12 weeks of FMLA, which will run concurrently with her unpaid leave.  Mrs. Kern requests an unpaid maternity leave until she returns to her teaching duties on June 17, 2010 through June 23, 2010.  Should some unforeseen reason the school year be extended, Mrs. Kern will return for the last five days of the 2009-10 school year.

 

 

Accountability Grant - Elementary Math Tutor

 

4.         Approve Ms. Gwen Singer as the elementary math tutor funded by the Accountability Grant beginning January, 2010.  This position is an instructional assistant position which will be paid at the current assistant salary.  This position is funded by the Accountability Grant for this year only.

 

 

Unpaid Leaves

 

5.         Approve the following unpaid leaves:

 

            Sally Dartouzos – food service – February 2-5, 2010 for travel.  She will use her personal day also.

 

            Faye Kichline – food service – March 9-19, 2010 for travel.  She will use her personal days also.

 

            Deborah Kurter – permanent part-time food service employee – an additional four weeks of leave

 

            Jean Ruhf – first grade teacher – January 18, 2010 for travel.  She will use her personal days also.

 

            Edward Stine – bus driver – April 8, 2010 for travel.  He will use his personal days also.

 

 

Conference/Travel Request(s)

 

6.         Approve the attached conference/travel request(s).

            (second page attachment).

 

 

MS Student Council Advisor

 

7.         Approve Stephen Kocis as middle school student council advisor from January 19th to the end of the 2009-10 school year.  Salary will be prorated.  Mr. Kocis is replacing Amanda Hay, whose LTS position will be ending on January 18th.

 


 

 

Substitute Support Staff Employees

 

8.         Approve Frances Schumann as a Substitute Non-Instructional Assistant, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis at an hourly rate of $9.99,no benefits, effective immediately.

 

9.         Approve Tracie Drayton as a Substitute Food Service Worker, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis at an hourly rate of $9.80, no benefits, effective immediately.

 

10.       Approve Corey Koch as a Substitute Non-Instructional Assistant, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis at an hourly rate of $9.99, no benefits, effective immediately.

 

11.       Approve Casey Koch as a Substitute Custodian and Substitute Bus Driver, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis, no benefits, effective immediately. 

            The Substitute Custodial rate of pay is $10.39/hour and the Substitute Bus Driver rate of pay is $10/hour for riding and $16.50/hour for driving.   

 

12.       Approve Brian Traupman as a Substitute Bus Driver, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis, to be paid $10/hour for riding and 16.50/hour for driving, no benefits, effective immediately.

 

 

Maternity Leave Extension

 

13.       Approve the maternity leave extension for Victoria Zuck, kindergarten teacher, for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year.  Mrs. Zuck was to return the second semester.  Mrs. Zuck plans to return at the beginning of 2010-11 school year.

 

 

Change in Maternity Leave

 

14.       Approve the change in maternity leave request for Jilanna Humphrey.  Mrs. Humphrey’s maternity leave was approved on November 10, 2009 and she was approved to take 10 sick days prior to starting FMLA.  She is now requesting 18 sick days prior to starting FMLA.

 

 

Addition to the Substitute List

 

15.       Approve the following 2009-2010 substitute:

 

            Ashley Krutsick – Elementary

 

 

            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.

 

________________    ________________    _______________    _______________

 

 

 

Change Orders – Security Entrance Modifications

Administration Building Project

 

1.         Approve Change Order G-001 to provide and install two exit signs at a cost of $98.

 

            Approve Change Order G-002, credit for unused unit prices, in the amount of $69.55.

 

            Approve Change Order G-003 for two new signs provided to owner at a cost of $110.

 

 

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

 



D.        Finance

 

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

 

A.        2010-11 Budget Timeline for 2009-2010 School Year

B.        Discussion of Sections 7-8 from budget book

 

 

2010-2011 Budget Timeline for 2009-2010 School Year

January 28, 2010

(110 days prior to primary election)

District Deadline to have 2010-2011 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 2, 2010

(5 days after Resolution adoption)

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

February 7, 2010

(10 days prior to Preliminary Budget adoption deadline)

District Deadline to give public notice of intent to adopt the 2010-2011 Preliminary Budget unless a Resolution was adopted indicating that it will not raise the rate of any tax by more than its index.

February 12, 2010

(10 days after receipt of Resolution)

Department of Education Deadline to notify districts that adopted a Resolution whether the 2010-2011 proposed tax rates are equal to or less than their index.

February 17, 2010

(90 days prior to primary election)

District Deadline to adopt the 2010-2011 Preliminary Budget unless a Resolution was adopted.

February 22, 2010

(85 days prior to primary election)

District Deadline to submit 2010-2011 Preliminary Budget containing proposed tax rate increases to  the Department of Education.

 

February 25, 2010

(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 4, 2010

(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 19, 2010

(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 24, 2010

(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 29, 2010

(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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________   _______________

 

 

 

No reports or recommendations

 

Recommendation: No recommendations.

 

E.        Community Outreach

            Saucon Valley Partnership (COG) Edward Inghrim and Lanita Lum

 

 

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 January 13, 2010 at 7 pm at Hellertown Borough Hall.

 

Recommendation: No recommendations.

 

F.         Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech SchoolLachlan Peeke/Sharon Stack

            (Meetings are first Tuesday of every month)

 

 

G.        Colonial Intermediate UnitSusan Baxter

            (Meetings are fourth Wednesday of every month)

 

H.        PSBA – Susan Baxter/Sandra Miller

 

I.          Northampton Community College – Sandra Miller

            (Meetings are first Thursday of every month)

 

J.         Hellertown/Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce

            (Currently Michael Karabin is the Board Representative for the             Hellertown/Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce)

 

            Approve _______________ to serve as Board Representative for the             Hellertown/Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce for a one-year term

            ending December, 2010.

 

 

K.        Saucon Valley Education Foundation – Sharon Stack

 

L.         New Business

 

XIII.     Solicitor’s Report

 

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

 

XV.      Announcements

 

            Future Meetings ~     

                          January 26, 2010 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          High School Audion

 

                          February 9, 2010 – 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.