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SELINSGROVE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTBOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORSMINUTES OF MEETING – DECEMBER 4, 2006The regular monthly meeting of the Selinsgrove Area School District’s Board of Directorswas held on Monday evening, December 4, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of theSelinsgrove Area Middle School, 401 N. Eighteenth Street, Selinsgrove, PA 17870-1198.The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m. by the President, Mr. Eric L. Rowe.The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited by all of those in attendance.A roll call indicated a quorum with the following members present: Mr. Larry D.Augustine, Mr. Thomas A. Badman, Mr. David E. Hostetter, Mr. Robert M. Klingler, Jr., Mrs.Cynthia J. O’Hora, Mr. William D. Robinson, Mr. Eric L. Rowe, Mr. Paul F. Spiegel, Jr., Mr.Jeffrey P. Whitman, and non-voting member, Dr. Frederick C. Johnson, Superintendent.Others present were as follows:Mr. John Bohle – Assistant Middle School PrincipalMr. Chad Cohrs – Director of Curriculum and InstructionMr. Peter Geipel – Technology Coordinator Mr. Terry Heintzelman – Intermediate School PrincipalMr. Jeffrey Hummel – Business Manager Mrs. Lorinda Krause – Elementary Schools PrincipalMr. Charles Longwell – Assistant High School PrincipalMr. Reed Messmore – High School PrincipalMr. Kevin Oswald – Director of Food ServicesMrs. Cindy Vennie – Director of Special EducationMrs. Claudia Beaver – Recording SecretaryMr. Thomas Clark, Esq. – School Board Solicitor Mr. Philip AdamMr. Charlie Benner – Tax Study Commission Member Miss Kelley BohmMiss Leanna Carstetter Mr. Dave Herbert – Tax Study Commission Member Ms. Vickie KingMr. Dave Nichols – Tax Study Commission Member Mr. Dave Richard – Tax Study Commission Member Mr. Steve RubinMr. Dalton SavidgeMr. Joe Siro – Tax Study Commission Member Ms. Asten Smith – Representative from The Daily ItemMr. Mike Volinskie – Tax Study Commission Member It was moved by Mr. Spiegel and seconded by Mr. Badman to approve the General FundBills List dated 11/28/06. (a copy of the list to be attached and made a part of the officialminutes) Roll call vote:Mr. Badman – Aye Mr. Rowe – AyeMr. Hostetter – Aye Mr. Spiegel – AyeMr. Klingler – Aye Mr. Whitman – AyeMrs. O’Hora – Aye Mr. Augustine – AyeMr. Robinson – AyeMotion carried: 9 Ayes – 0 No – 0 Absent
 
2Mr. Rowe announced that the next regular monthly meeting of the Board is tentativelyscheduled for the second Monday in January which is the 8
th
, pending Board approval at theReorganization Meeting. He explained that the first Monday of the month is a holiday. Thesecond meeting will be held on the fourth Monday, which is the 22
nd
. Mr. Rowe called attentionto the addendum to the evening’s meeting which included additional personnel matters,transportation matters, and approval of an Athletic Trainer Support Agreement.Mr. Hostetter, Tax Study Commission Member, reported that the Board will receive arecommendation from the Commission that evening regarding the Act 1 tax shift. He explainedthat, because the vote was split by only one vote, they felt the Board should hear from bothsides.Mr. David Herbert, Chairman, reported that the Commission is recommending that theBoard increase the earned income tax (EIT) by .6%. He noted that this decision was based onmany hours of intense discussion. Mr. Herbert added that there is currently a method in placefor collecting EIT and that collectability of PIT is in question.Mr. David Richard, TSC Member, spoke in favor of PIT. He explained that the vote wasfour in favor of EIT, three in favor of PIT, and two were absent. Mr. Richard commented that thetwo members that were absent from the voting meeting are present that evening and indicatedto him that they would have leaned in favor of the PIT. He feels that the PIT is more equitableand would be spread across a wider tax pool.Mr. Hostetter expressed appreciation to the members of the Commission. He noted thatthey had in-depth discussion and worked hard to make an educated decision. He commentedthat it was a pleasure to be a part of that committee. Discussion was held briefly regarding thetimeline for Board approval of a resolution and the pro’s and con’s of EIT vs. PIT.Mr. Hummel indicated that the Board should acknowledge and accept therecommendation of the Tax Study Commission and officially discharge them from their duties.(a copy of the recommendation, tax shifting model, and public hearing presentation to beattached and made a part of the official minutes)Mr. Rowe personally presented certificates of appreciation to those members of the TaxStudy Commission present who included: Charles Benner, David Herbert, David Hostetter,David Nichols, David Richard, Michael Volinskie, and Joseph Siro. The certificate read: TheSelinsgrove Area School District’s Board of Directors wishes to express its sincere appreciationfor your service to the district as a member of the 2006 Tax Study Commission.Dr. Johnson announced that an All-Day Kindergarten/Facilities Committee meeting withEI Associates is scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2006, at 4:00 p.m. in the Multi-PurposeRoom of the Middle School. He reported that, as a result of his inquiries, he has receivedresponses from Bucknell University and Susquehanna University regarding the possibility of obtaining interns to work with the district’s Technology Department. He noted that a jobdescription will need to be developed and guidelines regarding confidential access to studentdata must be established. Dr. Johnson stated that a grievance hearing regarding volunteers willbe held on Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at 10 a.m. He also reported that he received writtenpermission from the Selinsgrove Area Education Association to enter into an agreement withGeisinger HealthSouth for Athletic Trainer support.Mr. Hummel referred the Board to the Act 1 Timeline which he reviewed. He noted thatAct 1 has two sets of timelines, one for the tax shift referendum and one for budget adoption.The chart is color coded and blue represents the first option which is if the Board chooses to
 
3pass a resolution not to raise taxes above the index for 2007-2008, timelines remain the samefor budget adoption. Pink is the second option which is if a tax increase is needed above theindex. Yellow represents Board meeting dates and green represents tax referendum.Discussion was held regarding adopting a resolution allowing for installment payment of property taxes. Mr. Hummel explained that the Board is responsible for setting the number of payments. (copies of the timelines to be attached and made a part of the official minutes)Mrs. Krause reported that they are currently in the middle of DIBELS testing in Grades 1and 2. She noted that ReCreation performed a free program for the students last week. Also,Grades 1 and 2 traveled to Penn State this week to see “A Year in the Life of Frog and Toad”.Mrs. Krause explained that the cost of transportation was the only expense for this field trip.Mr. Heintzelman reported that a Rotarian from Selinsgrove, for the second year in a row,donated dictionaries to all third grade students. He also reported on focusing on math at theIntermediate School level and the use of Study Island as an instructional tool.Mr. Bohle publicly expressed thanks and recognition of Ray Benfer, MS HeadCustodian, for making and hanging curtain rods, and Wendy Watkins, MS Family andConsumer Science Teacher, for sewing curtains for the Multi-Purpose Room to provide for moreprivacy and less distraction.Mr. Messmore announced that the High School will hold a winter choral concert onThursday, December 7, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. at the Middle School. He commended the fall sportsteams, as well as the cheerleaders and band, for their efforts. Mr. Messmore expressed pridewith the conduct of the students and how they represent the school.Mr. Messmore introduced the four students from our district who attended thePennsylvania Governor’s Schools for Excellence. P.J. Adam, Leanna Carstetter, Steve Rubin,and Kelley Bohm each made a brief presentation regarding their experiences as participants of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools for Excellence. Mrs. O’Hora commended all of thestudents and encouraged them to promote the program to their peers. Mr. Rowe expressedappreciation to them for taking the time to attend the School Board meeting.Mr. Cohrs reported that a Strategic Planning sub-committee has developed Belief Statements, a Mission Statement, and a Vision Statement. He invited Board members to attendthe meetings. (a copy of the statements to be attached and made a part of the official minutes)Mrs. Vennie reported that the SEALS Den and High School classroom have entered aChristmas tree at Tree Fest. She explained that the theme of the tree is “Old McDonald” whichis the book that they donated to the library. She invited everyone to stop in to see the tree atthe Festival held at the Episcopal Church on Market Street in Selinsgrove.Mrs. O’Hora questioned if Green Tea is served in the school cafeterias? Mr. Oswaldresponded that it is available in the vending machines.Mr. Geipel reported that letters went out to all parents with passwords for LetterGrade.By yesterday, 68 people had logged in. He noted that some of the information is not completelyaccurate. Mr. Geipel explained that 30 minute training sessions for parents have beenscheduled for December 7 and 11, from 4-6 p.m. in the Middle School Multi-Purpose Room.Mr. Hostetter, Budget and Finance Committee Chair, reported that he would like toschedule a committee meeting for next week.
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