Saucon Valley School District

 

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

November 10, 2009 – 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, negotiations, and legal.

 

 

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

                        November 6, 2009 - purpose of negotiations

                        November 10, 2009 - purpose of personnel, negotiations, and legal

 

V.        Approval of Minutes

                        October 13, 2009

                        October 27, 2009

                                                                                   

VI.       Recognition -

            A.        Fall Sports – Bob Frey

 

                        Golf – Colonial League Champions

                        Boys’ Soccer – Colonial League Champions

 

VII.      Presentation           

            A.        TAS Presentation – Mr.  Paul Felder

           

VIII.     Superintendent’s ReportDr. Sandra Fellin, Superintendent

            A.        Special Presentation to Todd Gombos

 

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

             and address.

 

X.        Presentation of BillsDavid Bonenberger

            A.        General Expenditures - $528,978.30

           

           

XI.       Treasurer’s ReportEdward Inghrim/David Bonenberger

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

 

2010-2011 High School Programs of Study

 

1.         Approve the changes to the 2010-2011 high school programs of study.

 

 

2009-10 Revised School Calendar

 

2.         Approve the 2009-10 revised school calendar.

 

 

Title I Services

 

3.         Approve the agreement between Saucon Valley School District and Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 to provide remedial reading and/or math instruction services in accordance with the Title I Program at St. Theresa’s School.  This agreement is in effect from August 31, 2009 and continue until June 30, 2010.

 

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 


 

 

Professional Retirements

 

1.         Approve the following professional retirements effective June 30, 2010, with benefits according to the current professional contract:

 

            Danielle Gilly – middle school language arts teacher

            Henry Kipp – high school mathematics teacher

 

 

Maternity Leave

 

2.         Approve the following maternity leave:

 

            Jilanna Humphrey, middle school Spanish teacher, beginning approximately February 15, 2010.  She intends to use 10 sick days prior to starting 12 weeks of FMLA.  Mrs. Humphrey will return to her teaching duties 14 weeks from the delivery of her child.

 

 

Sophomore Class Advisor Resignation

 

3.         Approve the resignation of Martin Lewis as sophomore class advisor for the 2009-10 school year.

 

 

Additions to the Substitute List

 

4.         Approve the following 2009-2010 substitutes:

 

            Kathryn Bishop - Emergency

            Sarah Buzdygon – Elementary; Mid-Level English

            Rosa-Maria Crisci – Emergency

            Caitlin Flaherty – Emergency

            Sheri Herman – Emergency

            Emily Landgreen - Emergency

            Jane Shoemaker – Emergency

            Sahar Simmons – Emergency

            Arlene Sovorsky – Elementary

 

 

Instructional Assistant Resignation

 

5.         Approve the following instructional assistant resignation:

 

            Jason Clifford – middle school - effective October 28, 2009

 

 

Interim High School Administrator

 

6.         Approve Thomas Szabo as interim high school administrator effective November 16, 2009 at a salary of $375 per day.

 


 

 

High School Principal

 

7.         Approve Eric Kahler as high school principal effective upon release from his current employer at a salary of $100,000, which will be prorated for the number of days worked during the 2009-10 school year.   He is entitled to benefits per the current administrative agreement.  Mr. Kahler is replacing Todd Gombos, who recently resigned.

 

 

Middle School Activities

 

8.         Approve the following district employees/parents who have volunteered to organize, chaperone and direct the following 2009-2010 middle school activities:  All district employees have clearances.

 

            Reading Olympics

            Cynthia Lohman – district employee
Sheri Herman – district resident
Stacy Ross – district resident

 

            Tutoring
            Deena Blazka – district resident
            Katie Palenchar – district employee
            Kevin Palenchar – district substitute instructional assistant

 

            Ski Club
Cynthia Hallock – district resident
Martha Sullivan – district resident

 

            Book Fair prior to the Evening Holiday Concert
Sheri Herman – district resident
Leslie O'Connell – district resident

 

            Swimming Intramurals
Lachlan Peeke – district resident

 

 

8th Grade Caring Team Leader

 

9.         Approve Stacy Daly as 8th grade Caring Team Leader beginning January 4, 2010 and continue until the end of the 2009-2010 school year at a salary per the current professional contract.  Mrs. Daly is replacing Jason Stern, who will be acting assistant principal during this time.

 

 

2009-10 Winter Coaches

 

10.       Approve the following 2009-10 winter coaches:

 

            Swimming

            Head Coach – Ed Kolosky –  $4,805.00

            Assistant Coach – Lach Peeke – Volunteer

 

            Wrestling

            Head Coach – Chad Shirk – $6,865.00
            Assistant Coach – Andrew Koch –  $4,805.00
            Jr. High Head Coach – Mason Messinger – $3,775.00
            Assist. Jr. High Coach – Chris Fluck –  $1,800.00
            Assist. Jr. High Coach – Bobby Bisson –  $1,288.00
            Assistant Coach – Ben Chunko – Volunteer
            Assistant Coach – Dave Stauffer – Volunteer
            Assistant Coach – John Severn – Volunteer
            Assistant Coach – Eric Grida – Volunteer
            Assistant Coach – Josh Haines - Volunteer

 

            Boys’ Basketball

            Head Coach – Matt Brown –  $6,865.00

            Assistant Coach – Sean Thomson – $4,805.00

            Assistant Coach – Todd Lipp –  $3,430.00

            Assistant Coach – Tim Murphy – $2,745.00

            Middle School Head Coach – Rick Haas –  $2,750.00

            MS Assist. Coach – Scott Roberts –  $2,412.00

            Assistant Coach – Glenn Brown – Volunteer

Assistant Coach – Jose Figueroa –  Volunteer

Assistant Coach – Don Benner – Volunteer

 

            Girls’ Basketball

            Head Coach – Craig Mogel – $6,865.00

            Assistant Coach – Dustin Webb –  $4,805.00

            Assistant Coach – Kelly Zawodny – $3,430.00

            Assistant Coach – Ron Jones – $2,745.00

            Middle School Head Coach – Martin Lewis – $2,750.00

            MS Assist. Coach –Deanna Mulicka – $2,412.00

 

            Cheerleading

            Head Coach – Nancy Harte – $2,745.00

            Assistant Coach – Janelle Chunko – $1,829.00

            Middle School Coach – Caitlin Zeuggin – $2,059.00

 

 

Maternity Leave Extension Request

 

11.       Approve the unpaid maternity leave extension request from Mrs. Liz Weyrauch, elem. health/physical education teacher.  She was to return on November 30, 2009.  She would like to extend her maternity leave for the entire 2009-10 school year.  Mrs. Weyrauch will return at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year.

 

 

Long Term Substitute Continuation

 

12.       Approve the continuation of the following long term substitute:

 

Nicholas Woodward to continue as elementary physical education teacher for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year. Mr. Woodward’s salary will be $39,878 (Bachelors, Step 1).   Mrs. Elizabeth Weyrauch, who extended her maternity leave to include the whole 2009-10 school year.

 


 

Sophomore Class Advisor

 

13.       Approve the following class advisor.  Salary is determined by the current professional agreement:

 

            Nancy Bohnhorst – sophomore class advisor

 

 

Day without Pay

 

 

 

 

14.       Approve a day without pay for Lucy Kennedy, 5th grade teacher, on December 22, 2009.

 

15.       Approve three days off without pay for Judith Korpics, Assistant Cook, Food Service Department, on December 9, 10, 11, 2009. (Personal days have been used.)

 

 

Substitute Support Staff Employee

           

16.       Approve Corey Koch as a Substitute Custodian, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis at an hourly rate of $10.39, no benefits, and as a Substitute Bus Driver, to be paid $10/hour for riding and $16.50/hour for driving, effective immediately.

 

 

High School Advisors

 

17.       Approve the following as high school advisors.  Salaries per the current professional contract.

 

            Scholastic Advisors

            Fred Lucrezi

            Denise Roche

 

            Reading Competition

            Lani Hahn

 

 

Leave without Pay

 

18.       Approve a request from Deborah Kurter, Permanent Part-Time Food Service employee, for an additional four weeks of leave without pay due to a medical hardship in her immediate family.

 

 

Freshman Class Advisor

 

13.       Approve the following class advisor.  Salary is determined by the current professional agreement:

 

            Denise Roche – freshman class advisor

 

 

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

 

C.        Facilities

 

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

 

A.        Discussion of TAS Proposal for Design Study

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    _______________    _______________

 

 

 

TAS Proposal and Design

 

1.         Approve TAS proposal and Design Study as outlined.

 

            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

 

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

 

 

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 November 11, 2009 at 7 pm at Lower Saucon Township.

 

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 ~     

                          November 24, 2009 – 7:30 pm – Business Meeting

                          High School Audion

 

                          December 8, 2009 – 7:30 pm – Reorganization 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.