Board of School Directors Public Meeting Agenda Thursday, October 23, 2014

Board of School Directors
Public Meeting Agenda
Thursday, October 23, 2014
7:15 PM
Blue Mountain Middle School
Orwigsburg, PA
Mrs. Heather L. Gosch
Board President
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
4.
RECOGNITION OF GUESTS
5.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
6.
REVIEW OF AGENDA
7.
INVITATION TO PUBLIC TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
8.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
9.
REPORT ON BOARD ACTIVITY
Dr. Robert L. Urzillo
Superintendent
Resignation of Board Member
It is recommended that the Board accept the resignation of Marci A. Kramer from the Board of School
Directors effective October 31, 2014. The Board has 30 days from October 31, 2014 to fill the position.
Appointment of Board Secretary
It is recommended that the Board appoint ______ as Board Secretary until June 30, 2017.
10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It is recommended that the Board approve the minutes of the meetings as listed (Attachment #1):
September 25, 2014 Regular Board Meeting
October 16, 2014 Committee of the Whole Meeting
1
11. FINANCE (John Granito – Chairperson, Timothy Grube, David Lafko)
A motion is requested to approve all recommended items as listed under Finance:
Financial Reports
It is recommended that the Board approve the financial reports as listed (Attachment #2):
Monthly Bank Account Summary – September 2014
Revenue Report – Total Receipts – September 2014
Expenditure Report – September 2014
General Fund Check Register – October 2014
General Fund List of Payments – September 2014
Cafeteria Report – September 2014
Cafeteria Fund Check Register – October 2014
Cafeteria Fund List of Payments – September 2014
High School Activity Fund Report – September 2014
Middle School Activity Fund Report – September 2014
Special Revenue Fund Report - September 2014
Athletic Fund Report – September 2014
Athletic Fund List of Payments – September 2014
BMEE Additions and Renovations Project – September 2014
Budget Transfers
Tax Refunds
Budget Transfers 2013-2014
It is recommended that the Board approve the budget transfers for the 2013-2014 fiscal year (Attachment
#3).
Daily Rate Reimbursements
It is recommended that the Board approve the following transportation daily rate reimbursements for the
2014-2015 school year which will fluctuate throughout the year depending on mileage and pupil count:
R & J Transportation, Inc.
LNE Transportation, Inc.
Daniel Eckroth
$8,715.25
$2,122.93
$307.33
Act 32 Earned Income Tax Representative
It is recommended that the Board approve Michael Sokoloski as the Act 32 Earned Income Tax
Representative for the Blue Mountain School District.
Appointment to Schuylkill County Tax Collection Committee
It is recommended that the Board appoint Michael Sokoloski as Blue Mountain’s representative to the
Schuylkill County Tax Collection Committee with Jack Hurst and Kimberly Umphrey as alternates.
12. PHYSICAL FACILITIES (Timothy Grube – Chairperson, Dean Gherghel, John Granito)
A motion is requested to approve all recommended items as listed under Physical Facilities:
Facility Requests
It is recommended that the Board approve the attached list of facility requests dated October 23, 2014
(Attachment #4).
2
13. PERSONNEL (Marci Kramer – Chairperson, Scott Reichert, David Lafko)
A motion is requested to approve all recommended items as listed under Personnel:
Resignations
It is recommended that the Board accept the following resignations:
Andrew Diehl, Technology Technician, effective October 21, 2014.
Matthew Vitale, School Psychologist, effective immediately. The District reserves the right to hold
him for 60 days.
Substitute Employees
It is recommended that the Board approve the following new substitute employees for the 2014-2015
school year in accordance with School Board Policy No. 405:
John Harding – Art K-12 (pending receipt of certification)
Jemma Johns – Music
Lucero Martinez – Grades PK-4, Spanish
Independent Contract
It is recommended that the Board approve an Independent Contract with KidsPeace to provide an
educational program for a student that receives special education services during the 2014-2015 school
year. The contract will extend from October 14, 2014 (retroactive) through June 15, 2015 at a rate of
$140.00 per day.
Transportation Contract
It is recommended that the Board approve a transportation contract with Michelle Kimmel at the
prevailing IRS mileage rate beginning October 24, 2014 through the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
BMEA Collective Bargaining Agreement
The following items are in accordance with the BMSD/BMEA Collective Bargaining Agreement
and district policies and procedures:
Mentor Teacher
It is recommended that the Board approve Elaine Hafer as a mentor for Carolyn Humes for the 2014-2015
school year at a stipend of $600.
Requests for Leave of Absence
It is recommended that the Board approve the following leave of absence requests:
Elizabeth Williams, BMMS, a leave without pay for personal reasons on October 8, 2014.
Sondra Jones, BMEE, is requesting a leave without pay for personal reasons on December 2, 3, and
4, 2014.
Ashley Fuggiti, BMHS, is requesting a maternity leave of absence beginning December 17, 2014,
utilizing applicable birth of child, personal and sick days followed by a family medical leave of
absence followed by an unpaid leave of absence through the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
Tammy Chrin, BMEW, is requesting an intermittent family medical leave for medical reasons.
3
Transfers
It is recommended that the Board approve the following transfers effective October 24, 2014:
Ashley Zelinsky from BMMS, BMEC, and BMHS Speech to BMEC and BMMS Speech.
Ashley Russo from BMEE, BMMS and BMHS Speech to BMEE Speech.
Lisa Hoynoski from BMHS and BMEE Speech to BMHS and VoTech Speech
Employment Request
It is recommended that the Board approve the employment of Lauren Gately as a long term substitute
English teacher assigned to BMHS, at the prorated salary of $38,500 with benefits, beginning
approximately December 15, 2014 through the end of the 2014-2015 school year due to Mrs. Fuggiti’s
leave of absence.
BMESPA Collective Bargaining Agreement
The following items are in accordance with the BMSD/BMESPA Collective Bargaining Agreement
and district policies and procedures:
Resignation
It is recommended that the Board accept the resignation of Jean Suggs, BMHS Cafeteria, effective
October 3, 2014.
Employment Requests
It is recommended that the Board approve the following employment requests:
Sheila Ferraiolo as a probationary cafeteria employee assigned to BMHS for 4 hours per day at the
hourly rate of $7.75, retroactive to October 14, 2014. Ms. Ferraiolo fills the vacancy created by the
resignation of Ms. Suggs.
Jessica Soto as a probationary Learning Support classroom aide assigned to BMMS for 3 hours per
day at the hourly rate of $8.50 retroactive to October 21, 2014.
Requests for Leave of Absence
It is recommended that the Board approve the following leave of absence requests:
Lisa Edling, BMHS custodian, an extension of her family medical leave of absence from September
2-24, 2014.
Christine Scheitrum, BMHS cafeteria, a leave without pay for personal reasons on September 19,
2014.
Karen Snyder, BMEE aide, a leave without pay for personal reasons on October 15, 2014.
Catherina Zwolan, BMHS aide, a leave without pay for personal reasons on November 25 and 26,
2014.
Regular Employment Status
It is recommended that the Board acknowledge regular employment status for the following employees
who successfully completed their 60-day probationary period on October 23, 2014:
Tanya Bowman
Christina Scheitrum
Karen Snyder
Ashley Nettles
Stacia Scheitrum
4
Information Item
A list of names of individuals who have submitted applications or letters of interest for employment
(Attachment #5).
14. CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS (Herman Fligge – Chairperson, Marci
Kramer, Scott Reichert)
A motion is requested to approve all recommended items as listed under Curriculum and Instructional
Programs:
Advanced Placement Testing
It is recommended that the Board authorize Administration to include in the 2015-2016 BMHS
Curriculum Guide the requirement for all students who enroll in an Advanced Placement (AP) level
course to participate in AP testing through the College Board.
Out of State Field Trip Request
It is recommended that the Board approve chaperones and students to take a field trip to attend the Times
Square Discovery Museum on Friday, November 21, 2014 to observe “Body World,” departing at 6:30
a.m. and returning at approximately 5 p.m. Chaperones include Kevin Kerstetter, Harry Myers, Ruth
Weidman, Albert Yackenchick, Richard Eckert, and Cheryl Pishock. The only cost to the district would
be substitutes.
Settlement Agreements Regarding Waiver of Expulsion and Stipulation
It is recommended that the Board approve the following settlement agreements:
Settlement Agreement Regarding Waiver of Expulsion Hearing and Stipulation related to student
#1611260 dated September 25, 2014.
Settlement Agreement Regarding Waiver of Expulsion Hearing and Stipulation related to student
#1807900 dated October 3, 2014.
Settlement Agreement Regarding Waiver of Expulsion Hearing and Stipulation related to student
#1814900 dated October 6, 2014.
15. FOOD SERVICES, HEALTH AND SAFETY (Scott Reichert – Chairperson, Marci Kramer, Anne
Usuka)
Information Item
Minutes of the September 30, 2014 meeting of the Safety Committee (Attachment #6).
16. EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS (Dean Gherghel – Chairperson, John Granito, Anne Usuka)
A motion is requested to approve all recommended items as listed under Extracurricular Programs:
Resignation
It is recommended that the Board accept the resignation of James Ebling as BMMS Assistant Athletic
Director (Winter).
5
Employment Requests
It is recommended that the Board approve the following employment requests for the 2014-2015 school
year in accordance with the BMSD/BMEA Collective Bargaining Agreement:
Adam Street as BMHS Drama/Musical Technical Director at the stipend of $840 (Class D, Step 1).
Brian Rauenzahn as BMMS Assistant Athletic Director (Winter) at the stipend of $1,261 (Class FF,
Step 1).
Benjamin O’Brien as Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach at the stipend of $1,208 (Class DD, ½ of
Step 1) contingent upon completion of paperwork.
John Harding as Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach at the stipend of $1,208 (Class DD, ½ of Step 1).
Volunteer Request
It is recommended that the Board approve the following volunteers for the 2014-2015 school year:
Charles Kahler as a volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach at the Junior High level contingent upon
receipt of clearances.
Bryant Penberth as a volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach contingent upon receipt of clearances.
17. POLICY/LEGISLATIVE (Anne Usuka – Chairperson, Timothy Grube, Herman Fligge)
A motion is requested to approve all recommended items as listed under Policy/Legislative:
Policy – Second Reading and Adoption
It is recommended that the Board approve the second reading and adopt the following policy of the Blue
Mountain School District School Policy (Attachment #7):
Policy 707 Property – Use of School Facilities
18. COMMUNITY RELATIONS/EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT/TECHNOLOGY (David Lafko –
Chairperson, Herman Fligge, Dean Gherghel)
A motion is requested to approve all recommended items as listed under Community
Relations/Educational Support/Technology:
Donation
It is recommended that the Board accept a donation from the Blue Mountain Elementary East PTO in the
amount of $23,116.80 which will be used to purchase 30 new Dell computers for the BMEE computer
lab.
Information Item
Community Information Series #2 will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at BMEE beginning at
6 p.m. and Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at BMEW beginning at 7:00 p.m. The topic of discussion will
be Singapore Math in Focus.
19. OLD BUSINESS (Reserved for prior agenda items)
20. NEW BUSINESS (Reserved for items for placement on next meeting agenda)
6
21. RECREATION COMMISSION (John Granito, Scott Reichert)
A motion is requested to approve all recommended items as listed under Recreation Commission:
Recreation Commission Report
It is recommended that the Board accept the Recreation Commission September 24, 2014 report which
includes minutes of the August 27, 2014 meeting (Attachment #8).
22. OTHER REPORTS
A.
Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 (Anne Usuka)
Information Item
Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 agenda for the October 6, 2014 IU Board of Directors meeting and
minutes of the Board of Directors meeting of September 8, 2014 (Attachment #9).
B.
PSBA Legislative Council (Dean Gherghel)
23. OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
Invitation to Public to Speak
24. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Thursday, November 13
Committee of the Whole Meeting – 7:15 p.m.
Blue Mountain District Office Conference Room
Thursday, November 20
Board of School Directors’ Regular Meeting – 7:15 p.m.
Blue Mountain Elementary Cressona
25. EXECUTIVE SESSION
26. ADJOURNMENT
7