January 11, 2010 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bradford Area School District was held in the Floyd C. Fretz Large Group Instruction Room, 140 Lorana Avenue, Bradford, Pennsylvania at 7:00 p.m. Present Directors: Timothy Bean, President, Paul Ridley, Treasurer; Keith Hatch, Secretary; Helen Cummiskey Asst. Secretary; Dave Feely, Carla Manion, Shane Oschman, and Joseph Troutman Absent: Pat Vigliotta Administrators: Sandra Romanowski, Superintendent; Katy Pude, Sam Johnson, Kathy Kelly, Ken Coffman, David Ray, Gail Herrman, Tina Slaven, Dara Signor, Dave Jones, Erin Waugaman, and John Petruzzi News Media: JoEllen Chesnut – The Bradford Era Anne Holliday – WESB Visitors: Denise Borland, Lisa Fedak, Brittany Baker, Diane Button, Lisa Godding, Elyse Godding, Regan Johnson, Olivia Platko, Amy Yohe, Tom Yohe, Parker Yohe, Kelly Moonan, William Updegrove, Denise Bean, Bruce Gray, Jennifer Morgan, Bryn Manion, Dan Hillard, Sue Hillard, Heather Freeman, Manu Gajanan, Sharon Hollebeke, Mollie Hollebeke, Ellen Laire, Pam Reinhardt, Mike Grady, Barry Bryan, and Marsha Dowd Timothy Bean, President, called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Ms. Mary Bean opened the meeting with the National Anthem. Recognition of Visitors There were no visitor’s comments. Presentations in Honor of our School Directors The ORFF Ensemble from GGB, consisting of 2nd grade students, under the direction of Lisa Fedak, performed “Carol to the Board,” which thanked the board for their hard work and continued dedication. From School Street, Mike Grady’s fourth grade chorus performed “Our Gift for You,” a musical selection accompanied by sign language interpretation supplied by the singers. Also from School Street, a digital storybook was narrated by fifth grade student Bryn Manion and created by Erin Waugaman, School Street Assistant Principal. The storybook illustrated updates on the school’s improvements including the paved parking lot, refinished gymnasium floor, as well as new equipment for the science classes, etc. and expressed the students’ gratitude for improvements and new equipment through video clips included in the storybook. The Show Choir at Fretz, under the direction of Brittany Baker presented two songs for the Board and Manu Gajanan, a seventh grade student, performed two piano selections, including one by Frederic Chopin. From Bradford High, the Madrigal Singers performed two selections. In addition, Paul Ridley and Joe Troutman were each recognized for their eight years of service on the Board of Education. Regular Meeting January 11, 2010 Page 2 Approval of Board Agenda Motion by Shane Oschman, seconded by Carla Manion, to approve the Board agenda as presented. Unanimously carried. Approval of Minutes Reorganization Meeting – December 7, 2009 Regular Meeting – December 7, 2009 Motion by Keith Hatch, seconded by Helen Cummiskey, to approve the minutes as presented. Unanimously carried. Business Office and Financial Affairs A. Treasurer’s Report for the period ending November 30, 2009 as presented. Motion by Keith Hatch, seconded by Shane Oschman, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Unanimously carried. B. Payment of Bills (General, Capital Reserve, School Lunch, and Athletic Activities) Motion by Keith Hatch, seconded by Carla Manion, to approve the payment of bills as presented. Unanimously carried. C. Tax Exonerations, Homestead Adjustments, and Tax Refunds Motion by Paul Ridley, seconded Helen Cummiskey, to approve the tax exonerations, Homestead Adjustments and Tax Refunds as presented. Unanimously carried. D. Resolution There will be no increase in the rate of tax above the state index established by the Department of Education. While this resolution will indicate the school district will not raise real estate taxes higher than 4.3%, it is the intent of the district administration to propose a budget for the 2010-11 school year which will call for no increase in real estate taxes. Motion by Carla Manion, seconded by Paul Ridley, to approve the agreement as presented. Unanimously carried. Policies A. Policy #351.1, Pre-Employment Drug Testing, Administrative Employees B. Policy #451.1, Pre-Employment Drug Testing, Professional Employees C. Policy #551.1, Pre-Employment Drug Testing, Classified Employees Regular Meeting January 11, 2010 Page 3 Motion by Keith Hatch, seconded by Carla Manion, to approve the policies as presented. Unanimously carried. Students and Curriculum A. BAHS Registration Guide (2010-11) – Mr. Kenneth Coffman Mr. Coffman explained the changes to the registration guide for the coming school year. Motion by Paul Ridley, seconded by Carla Manion, to approve the registration guide as presented. 8 Yeas 0 Nays B. Overnight Trips 1. Permission is requested for the Boys’ Basketball Team to travel to Brookville, PA on Friday, February 12, 2010. On Saturday, February 13th, it is requested for the team to travel to watch the Penn State Men’s Basketball Team play Michigan State. The Booster Club will cover the cost of the rooms. 2. Permission is requested for the Vocal Music Department to travel to Meadville, PA for the PMEA District 2 Chorus Festival on January 27-30, 2010. Motion by Carla Manion, seconded by Shane Oschman, to approve the overnight trips as presented. Unanimously carried. C. Curriculum Update Mrs. Pude reported on the United Way Community Innovations Grant. Care for Children received the grant to provide kindergarten handwriting clinics, teacher consultations, and supplies for our students. The grant will provide for trained occupational therapists to observe in kindergarten classrooms, examine student trends, and provide feedback to teachers in order to promote proper writing techniques and assist in early fine motor development. The intent is to address issues early enough so that educational therapies are not needed following the formation of bad habits. School Street teachers have continued with their “Science It’s Elementary” Training this school year as a result of a grant we received last year for training and supplies. (All fourth and fifth grade teachers will be trained by the end of the month with third grade to follow.) Teachers have been implementing the modules in the classroom using the Discovery Learning Techniques. Fretz teachers have been organizing Academic Pep Assemblies that are very similar to those held prior to major sporting events. Individual grade levels cheer for each other. Group and individual accomplishments are celebrated. Personnel A. Resignation Mary Wilber, Nurse Aide/LPN at School Street Elementary School and GGB Elementary School, effective January 13, 2010. Regular Meeting January 11, 2010 Page 4 Motion by Keith Hatch, seconded by Carla Manion, to approve the resignation, as presented above, with regrets and appreciation for her 13 years of service to the staff and students of the District. Unanimously carried. B. Employment 1. Paraprofessional Cheryl Bauschard, Paraprofessional (General Aide) at GGB Elementary School, rate of pay is $10.38 per hour for 7.25 hours per day for 180 school days per year, effective January 13, 2010. Motion by Paul Ridley, seconded by Carla Manion, to approve the employment of Ms. Bauschard, for the position, as shown above, pending completion of all necessary paperwork and in accordance with Board policy and the current agreement with BAESPA. 2. Coaching Staff (2009-2010) Baseball Assistant Varsity Coach: Jerry Peterson Motion by Keith Hatch, seconded by Helen Cummiskey, to approve the employment of the above- listed individual for the position, as shown above, pending completion of all necessary paperwork and in accordance with Board policy and the current agreement with BAEA. 8 Nays 0 Nays C. Leaves of Absence 1. Nicole Lohrman has requested a maternity/childbearing leave of absence under FMLA guidelines, district policy, and the current agreement between the Bradford Area School District Board of Education and BAEA beginning March 19, 2010 through May 3, 2010. 2. Leeanne Cuddy has requested a maternity/childbearing leave of absence under FMLA guidelines, district policy and the current agreement between the Bradford Area School District Board of Education and BAEA beginning March 18, 2010 through May 11, 2010. Motion by Carla Manion, seconded by Shane Oschman, to approve the requests as presented. Unanimously carried. D. Substitutes 1. Teachers and Nurses a. Jon Hannon, Substitute Teacher, Emergency Certification, effective January 12, 2010. b. Richard Riesenberger, Substitute Teacher, Emergency Certification, effective January 12, 2010. c. Rebecca Ward, Substitute Teacher, Elementary Certified, effective January 12, 2010. d. Jessica Vigliotta, Substitute Teacher, Act 36 Certification, effective January 12, 2010. e. Lynn Simpson, Substitute Teacher, Emergency Certification, effective January 12, 2010. f. Jamie Colley, Substitute Nurse, effective January 12, 2010. Regular Meeting January 11, 2010 Page 5 2. Substitute Aides and Substitute Nurse’s Aides a. Brenda Wells, Substitute Aide and Substitute Nurse’s Aide, effective January 12, 2010. b. Lynn Simpson, Substitute Aide, effective January 12, 2010. c. Mary Wilber, Substitute Nurse’s Aide, effective January 12, 2010. d. Connie Ford, Substitute Aide, effective January 12, 2010. 3. Substitute Bus Driver Paul Hartwick, Substitute Bus Driver, effective January 4, 2010. Recommendation: To add the above-listed individuals to the District’s approved substitute listing, in accordance with Board Policy and pending the completion of all necessary paperwork. Unanimously carried. Superintendent’s Report Mrs. Romanowski presented a PowerPoint overview of the Race To The Top National Competition. Other Business None Announcement An executive session may be conducted for the reason stated in Section 8 of the Sunshine Law between now and the next regularly scheduled meeting. Recognition of Visitors None Adjournment Motion by Paul Ridley, seconded by Keith Hatch, that the meeting be adjourned. Unanimously carried. Keith Hatch Secretary