Saucon Valley School District

 

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

December 8, 2009 – Immediately Following Reorganization

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 OrderPresident, presiding

 

II.         Recording of Attendance Mr. David Bonenberger, Secretary

 

III.        Announcement of Executive Sessions

                        November 30, 2009 – personnel, negotiations, and legal

 

IV.       Approval of Minutes

                                                                                   

V.        Recognition

            A.        Saucon Valley Foundation of Educational Innovations Annual Report  

           

VI.       Presentation

 

VII.      Superintendent’s ReportDr. Sandra Fellin, Superintendent

 

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

             and address.

 

IX.       Presentation of Bills

            A.        General Expenditures - $146,201.67

            B.        Budget Transfers

 

X.        Treasurer’s Report – None

XI.      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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

 

Awarding of Mini-Grant

 

1.         Approve the following 2009-10 mini grant sponsored by the Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovations.  Description is attached.

 

            Small Grant

            ELMO – Seventh Grade Language Arts

 

 

Saucon Valley Music Connection Competition Trip

 

2.         Approve the Saucon Valley Music Connection competition trip to Myrtle Beach, SC from April 30-May 4, 2010, at an approximate cost per student of $600-$650, which will be incurred by the students and fundraising. The only cost to the district is for 1-2 substitute teachers for 2½ days.

 

 

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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 

Maternity Leave Extension

 

1.         Approve the maternity leave extension for Mrs. Frances Marsilio.  Mrs. Marsilio was to return on January 4, 2010; she would now be returning on January 18, 2010. This is an unpaid childrearing leave.

 


 

 

Long Term Substitutes

 

2.         Approve the following long-term substitutes.  Salaries based on the 2007-08 contract and is subject to change following approval of the 2008-09 contract.

 

               Jessica Swartz as middle school Spanish teacher beginning mid-February through mid-May.  Ms. Swartz’s salary will be $39,878 (Bachelors, Step 1), which will be prorated for the number of days worked.  She is replacing Jilanna Humphrey, who will be on maternity leave during this time.

 

               Stephen Kocis as middle school social studies beginning January 4, 2010 until the last teacher day of the 2009-10 school year.  Two transitions days are requested – December 28th & 29th.  Mr. Kocis’ salary will be $39,878 (Bachelors, Step 1), which will be prorated for the number of days worked.  He is replacing Jason Stern, who will be acting middle school assistant principal.

 

 

21st Teaching and Learning Grant (CFF)

 

3.         Approve Rita Chuhran as 21st Teaching and Learning coach for the 2nd semester of the 2009-10 school year.  Grant formerly called Classrooms for the Future (CFF). Cost not to exceed $25,000

 

 

Indoor Twirling/Guard Advisors and Program

 

4.         Approve the following indoor twirling/guard advisors and programs:

 

            Advisors

            Indoor Twirling – Alison Ferris – Instructor

            Indoor Guard – Jenna Collins – Instructor

 

            Indoor Twirling Program

            A.  Transportation costs will not be covered by the district.  Transportation will be provided by the parents.

            B.  Costume cost approximately $75 per student.

            C.  Dues $75 for the entire group to divided by number of participants

            D.  Rehearsals twice a week

            E.  Cost would be approximately $82.50 per participant

            F.  Approximately six competitions.

 

            Indoor Guard Program

            A.  Transportation costs will not be covered by the district.  Transportation will be provided by the parents.

            B.  Uniform cost – none/minimal – they will be using tops from marching band with additional parts of the uniform being paid for by the members if needed (gloves, make-up, shoes, etc.)

            C.  Dues $75 for the entire group to divided by number of participants

            D.  Rehearsals two-three times per week

            E.  Cost would be approximately $50 per participant

            F.  Approximately six competitions.

 

 

Indoor Track and Field Advisors and Club

 

5.         Approve the following indoor track and field advisors and club:

 

            Volunteer Advisors

            Ed Kolosky

            Casie Williams

            Joe Stack

            Lorraine Kelly

           

            Program

            A.  Transportation – School van(s) would be needed at district

expense

            B.  Approximately 18-24 athletes

            C.  Participants are permitted to wear their school track uniforms

            D.  Practices would be Monday-Friday – Monday, Wednesday, Friday would be road/track and field work – Tuesdays/Thursdays would be supervised weight room at the stadium.

            E.  Costs would be approximately $2-$3 per student per competitions

            F.  Approximately five competitions – ESU, Kutztown, Lehigh and possibly Penn State on Friday evenings & Saturdays.     

 

Support Staff Substitute

 

6.         Approve Melissa Mundy as a substitute bus driver, to be employed on a “call as needed” basis at an hourly rate of $10/hr for riding and $16.50/hr for driving, no benefits, effective immediately.

 

 

Addition to the Substitute List

 

7.         Approve the following 2009-2010 substitutes:

 

            Stephen Goosley - Emergency

            Deborah Magnotta – Elementary, Reading Specialist

            Karin Mohr –  Elementary, Mid-Level English, Family  

                                  Consumer Science

 

 

Mentors

 

8.         Approve the following mentors for the 2009-10 school year. Salary based on the 2007-08 contract and is subject to change following approval of the new professional contract.  Salaries will be prorated.

 

            Mentor                                     Inductee

            Keith Riefenstahl                     Stephen Kocis

            Corinne Rivero                        Jessica Swartz

 

 

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

 

C.        Facilities

 

 

Items/Projects for Discussion and Possible Resolution

 

A.        Discussion of Exterior Cameras

 

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 recommendations

 

            Recommendation: No recommendations.

 



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.

 

________________    ________________    ________________    ______________

 

 


 

Federal Standard Business Mileage Rate

 

1.         Approve the federal standard business mileage rate from 55 cents per mile to 50 cents per mile beginning January 1, 2010, in accordance with the Saucon Valley Education Association Professional Contract and the Administrative Employment Agreement.

 

 

Northampton Community College Budget

 

2.         Approve the Northampton Community College General

            Operating Budget for 2010-11 in the total amount of $5,680,111.  Saucon Valley’s portion is $261,635, which represents a 1.98% decrease from 2009-2010 in the amount of $5,029.      

 

 

Act 32 Delegates

 

3.         Approve the appointment of Tax Collection Committee             representatives for the Saucon Valley School District as

            follows: Edward Inghrim (District Board Director) as             Primary Voting Delegate; David Bonenberger (District             Business Manager) as First Alternate Voting Delegate;              and Gina DiNino (District Assistant Business Manager)

            as Second Alternate Voting Delegate.

 

 

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 December 9, 2009 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

 

XII.      Solicitor’s Report

 

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

 

XIV.     Announcements

 

            Future Meetings ~     

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

                          High School Audion

 

                          January ___, 2010 – 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.