Minutes 2011-12-19

1. Call to Order – Mr. DeHaas
   1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
      Mr. DeHaas called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 
   2. Roll Call
      Members present – Emily Bates, Jennifer Clancy, John DeHaas, William Kirk, Lynne Leopold-Sharp, Roger Miller, Lois Ann Schroeder, Joel Sears, Cathy Shaffer, Michael Hogg (Student Board Representative)
      Members not present – none
   3. Public Comment
      Jim Koontz, 1280 Toann Rd – thanked School Board for their efforts and support to students, acknowledged all the hard work the Board has done, concerned about potential vote for increase of 1.7% – concerned about future and people leaving community

      Scott Wagner, 1630 Wyndham Drive – asked Board to remain at state index of 1.7% – shared salary analysis handout with Board – like to understand merit system – requesting board meetings be televised on community access channel

      Mr. DeHaas asked to what end for televising meetings?

      Mr. Wagner replied for transparency and educating community.

      Mr. DeHaas replied the Board will discuss suggestion at future meeting.

      Warren Bullette, 1775 S. Queeen Street – propose change in teacher utilization guidelines for Middle School and High School – suggest implementation of more on-line learning

      Tim Purcell, 301 Old Orchard Lane – request delay of action for appointment of Lacrosse Coach and ask for review of process – request to stay within 1.7% increase

      Mr. DeHaas responded personnel issues and process are held strictly in confidence.
       

   4. Discussion and Action on Board Minutes – Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of November 21, 2011 and the Minutes of the Re-Organization and Planning Committee Meeting of December 5, 2011.  [Approve as submitted/corrected]
      Mr. DeHaas reported the minutes will stand as submitted.

1. Approval of Treasurer’s Report as of 11/30/11 [File for audit]  The Treasurer’s Report, Summary Report and Check Summary are provided.
2. Fund Account Reports showing balance as of 11/30/11
   1. Food Service Fund – $75,446.74 
   2. Capital Reserve Fund – $300,002.16
   3. Capital Projects Fund-Bond Series of 2006 & 2007 – $1,224,921.66
3. Payment of Bills
   1. General Fund-2011-12 – $929,574.20
   2. Food Service Fund – $136,890.80
   3. Capital Reserve Fund – $45,406.25
   4. Capital Projects Fund-Bond Series of 2006 & 2007 – $52,107.75

1. Executive Session.  The Board met in executive session following the December 5, 2011 Planning Committee Meeting for the purpose of discussing personnel and/or legal issues.
   Mr. DeHaas reported above information. 
2. Board Committee Assignments.
   Mr. DeHaas provided handout to board members and asked that any concerns be conveyed.
3. Board Goals Review.
   Mr. DeHaas started discussion stating he could withdraw the fiscal goal if the Board desires.

   A discussion continued.  Points of the discussion included – goals should be unanimous by the Board; suggestion for #7, to establish paramenter for next year’s budget while we, followed by bullet points; the listing will remain a working document; suggestion to have goals set in time for administration to take action for next new school year, especially the quantitative goals that are dated.

   Mr. DeHaas concluded that one of our goals is to have goals done in May to give administration time to prepare for new year. 

1. Student Enrollment Report.  The Student Enrollment Report is provided.
   Dr. Orban reported above information. 
2. District 7 Musicians.  Following the auditions process, the following high school students were selected to participate in the District 7 Program.
   1. Edward Allison, son of Barry & Julie Allison – Chorus, bass
   2. Jon Arthur, son of Cyrus & Lori Arthur – Band, trumpet
   3. Noah Baker, son of James & Amie Baker – Band, trumpet
   4. Rose Crosset, daughter of Robert & Lisa Crosset – Orchestra, violin
   5. Kailyn Hall, daughter of Ronald & Victoria Hall – Band, bass clarinet
   6. Breah Koller, daughter of Brett & Linda Koller – Band, clarinet
   7. Nathan Krebs, son of Martin & Melinda Krebs – Band, trombone
   8. Morgan Lehman, daughter of Robert & Tammy Lehman – Band, clarinet
      Dr. Orban reported above information.
3. See Addendum for action on Student Adjudication.
4. Dr. Orban shared a short video clip of Brain Busters competition where YS students were victorious. 

1. The next Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee meeting is scheduled January 4 at 3:30 PM.
   Mrs. Clancy reported above information. 
2. The annual Academic Standards & Curriculum Meeting is February 15 at 6:30 PM.
   Mrs. Clancy reported above information and reminded parents in attendance to relay information about this meeting to other parents.

1. The Activities Report and Communications Report is provided.
   Mrs. Schroeder reported above information. 
2. The next Communications Committee meeting is scheduled January 9 at 6:00 PM.
   Mrs. Schroeder reported above information. 

1. The next Facilities Committee meeting is scheduled February 1 at 3:45 PM.
   Ms. Leopold-Sharp will announce the next meeting date in January.

1. The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled January 4 at 7:30 AM.
   Mr. Miller reported above information. 

1. The administration recommends Board approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of School Directors and the York Suburban Education Association that offers a retirement incentive.  The proposed Memorandum of Understanding is provided.  [Motion and Vote]
   Motion, Shaffer, Second, Bates; Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of School Directors and the York Suburban Education Association that offers a retirement incentive.  Roll call vote, all present, yes.  Motion carried 9-0.
2. Consent Agenda:  You have before you the Personnel Report which includes employment, request for leave of absence, approval of disability benefits, volunteer winter coaches for 2011-12, intramural coaches for winter 2011-12, substitute teachers, guest teachers, retirement and resignation.  Would any board member like any of these items considered separately or are there any questions on any of these items?  If not, the chair moves approval of the below-mentioned items; roll call vote.
    
   Ms. Leopold-Sharp asked about varsity intramural coaches.

   Dr. Merkle replied intramural coaches have been a standing position when numbers warrant additional assistance to coaching staff for the past nine years and payment is at intramural rate.  The administration is currently looking at these positions for the future.  It is not an intramural program.

   Mrs. Clancy asked about Stephanie Barnes being suggested as Head Softball Coach.  She was previously approved as JV Softball Coach.  Will a new appointment for JV Coach being coming forth soon?

   Dr. Merkle replied once Stephanie is hired this evening, she will turn in resignation for JV Coach position and then we will look for another person for JV Coach.

   Mrs. Clancy stated that she had a child who had Mrs. Ashton and will be relunctantly accepting her resignation this evening.  Mrs. Ashton has been a great asset to the district.

   Mrs. Shaffer asked for clarification on C.5. – this is Boys Head Lacrosse Coach, correct?

   Dr. Merkle replied yes.

   Motion, Shaffer, Second, Leopold-Sharp, and passed, DeHaas-no (8-1); Approval of the consent agenda items for Personnel Committee Report (including items on Addendum).

   Mrs. Shaffer stated her children were not privileged to have Mrs. Ashton as a teacher but always wanted to have her because she played the guitar.  That was certainly an asset to the students in her classroom.  She is an asset to the district and will definitely be missed.

   Dr. Orban shared there have been several emotional meetings with Mrs. Ashton about her retirement. She is thinking of the district and wanted to inform us now of her retirement to given ample time for planning.  She has mixed emotions but does know that she is ready.

   Mrs. Schroeder echoed remarks about Mrs. Ashton and added that her shoes will be tough to fill.  Also, it is refreshing to see recent graduates coming back to the district in the capacity of volunteers and coaches and doing a very important job.
    

3. Employment
   1. Recommend the appointment of Stephanie Barnes as Head Softball Coach at the salary of $4,602, which represents Step 3 of the Extracurricular Salary Schedule.
   2. Recommend the appointment of Tyler Knaub as Assistant Junior High Wrestling Coach at the salary of $1,925, which represents Step 1 of the Extracurricular Salary Schedule.
   3. Recommend the appointment of Brandon Snyder as Assistant Wrestling Coach at the salary of $2,083, which represents Step 1 of the Extracurricular Salary Schedule.  
4. Request for Leave of Absence
   1. Recommend Board approval of the request of Mary Ann Stone, Food Service Employee at East York, for an unpaid leave of absence from January 17, 2012 through approximately March 5, 2012.
5. Approval of Disability Benefits
   1. Recommend Board approval for disability benefits for Beth Landau, English Teacher at the High School, beginning November 17, 2011 through approximately February 3, 2012.
6. Volunteer Winter Coaches for 2011-12
   1. Nikki Lehman – Swimming
   2. Ashley Rudisill – Girls JH Basketball
   3. Alexis Snell – Varsity Cheerleading
7. Intramural Coaches for Winter 2011-2012
   1. Joseph Hasenfuss – Boys Varsity Basketball
   2. Randy Hollinger – Girls Varsity Basketball
8. Substitute Teachers and Guest Teachers 
9. The next Personnel Committee meeting is scheduled February 13 at 2:00 PM.
   Mrs. Shaffer reported above information. 

1. The next Planning Committee meeting is scheduled January 9 at 7:30 PM.
   Ms. Leopold-Sharp reported above information. 

1. The next Policy Review Committee meeting is scheduled January 10 at 3:45 PM.
   Ms. Bates reported the above information.

1. The Mini-Board Report dated November 22 is provided by the York County School of Technology Joint Operating Committee.
   Mr. DeHaas reported above information.  Mr. Kirk and Mrs. Schroeder will give this report in the future.

1. “…by Dawn’s Early Light” outlining the highlights of the November 29 LIU Board Meeting is provided.
   Mr. DeHaas reported above information.  Mr. Sears will give this report in future.

1. Authorization to Solicit Bids – Art, Athletics, Custodial, General, Paper Supplies and Physical Education. The administration recommends approval of the advertising and soliciting of bids for the 2012-13 school year for the following supplies and equipment:  Art, Athletics, Custodial, General, Paper Supplies and Physical Education.  The IU and District Bid Timelines and Policy No. 613 Cooperative Purchasing is provided.  [Motion and Vote]
   Mr. Younkin reported above information.
   Motion, Clancy, Second Shaffer; Approval of the advertisiting and soliciting of bids for the 2012-13 school year for the following supplies and equipment:  Art, Athletics, Custodial, General, Paper Supplies and Physical Education.  Roll Call Vote, all present, yes.  Motion carried 9-0.
2. 2012-13 Budget Development.   Act 1 requires the Board to adopt a resolution either not to exceed the real estate tax index or adopt a Preliminary Budget for 2012-13.  The resolutions are provided.  [Motion and Vote]
   Mr. Younkin reported above information. 

   Mrs. Schroeder reported that she is not a fan of raising taxes, we should live within our means, believes firmly to control costs.  Act 1 allows districts to apply for costs that are out of the district’s control.  Special Education Federal mandates are very costly.  These costs continue to increase and local school districts get no voice in the mandates and no relief from Washington to pay for them.  Increased retirement costs are decisions made by state officials that allowed for a payment holiday during good economic times. This decision coupled with recent low interest rates has led school districts to make larger payments to recoup that loss.  I was recently approached by member of YS community, who told me that she was counting on me to be a voice for the kids.  She appreciates the fact that I am a fiscal conservative but reminded me that we are about educating kids; we’re not just about balancing budgets and paying bills.  We are all about helping our students to achieve to their fullest potential.  Community members that do not want increased taxes have made their opinions heard.  I respect their right to be heard.  I agree with them in principle and have cast my vote accordingly in the past.  This community member’s voice continues to resonate with me.  It is just wrong that our students will be denied educational programing that both the Board and the administration agree should be offered because Harrisburg and Washington won’t help us pay for their mandates.  We are looking at almost $400,000 here and that kind of money makes a big difference in our programs.  At budget meetings over the last few weeks, we have heard from a number of families who don’t want to lose programs.  They want student-centered programs, keep classes small because that is what is best for kids.  They want enhanced transportation services.  They don’t want to close buildings, lose teachers or counselors. They want us to continue offering the kind of top drawer programming our students deserve and our community has come to expect. Local revenue sources pay for 86% of our budget.  It is wrong for local taxpayers to have to pay for education without more help from Washington and Harrisburg.  If we are granted the exceptions, we will be able to save at least some of our programs.  Therefore, relunctantly, I will support applying for the exceptions for this budget year.

   Mr. Sears stated in last year’s very difficult budget cycle, the administration and the Board came together and accomplished closing a gap of $4 million out a $42 million budget. It was a monumental effort to close that gap.  Closing another gap will require a supreme effort.  Thinking about what it actually takes to deliver education in the district, a $400,000 bump from exceptions is roughly 1% of the budget or less. As a Board, we have the obligation to the community to look as hard as we can to look for that $400,000 within the current budget exceptions, rather than constantly opening that door to go for exceptions.  I am against going above the state index.

   Mrs. Clancy stated she did run in a lengthy campaign this fall where we had the opportunity to voice our opinion on whether we would have a 0% tax increase, lower taxes, or exceed state index and I stated that I would not exceed the state index and I will remain with that this evening.

   Ms. Leopold-Sharp asked the public to think about this while the Board deliberates on this matter and going forward as work continues on a more detailed budget.  During my 16 years on the Board, I have seen the media or individuals writing in the newspaper and occasionally on the television, arguing the problem with school boards in Pennsylvania is that they do not act more like businesses.  When another county’s Representative was talking about abolishing property tax and going on sales taxes to fund public education, I inquired of him that I may consider such a thing if he was willing to change the school code to enable school districts to operate more as a business, to look at our needs and to look at our future budget opportunities.  When we see that our budgets, consider restructuring our staff as a private enterprise might do when times get hard.  Last spring a legislator debated for some period of time by allowing school districts to reduce staff for economic reasons by not impacting programs in any way, by not just changing class size.  The legislature refuses to do that.  I ask the public to remember that as the Board votes this evening, we are constrained in ways that the public sector never has been and may never be constrained.  Because of the decisions of the legislature and despite years and years of lobbying, particularly on behalf of growing school districts, the bulk of the legislature is unwilling to address the systemic problem that limits the efficiency and effectiveness of our structuring school districts that  would meet both economic challenges and the educational needs of our students.

   Mr. Miller stated that one of the things that came out of last year’s budget process was that we became more efficient because the administration did look at the operation of school.  That is one positive thing that has come out of a tight budget.  The administration is examining how we can operate and maintain education more efficiently.  That work continues this year.  The administration is doing an excellent job. I will support staying at the 1.7% or below.  This is making us to be more efficient.  I don’t think the quality of education has changed from the changes and reductions from last year from what I have heard from the administration.  This is telling me that possibly we were paying too much for our education before and there were positions we could do without during previous years. 

   Motion, Miller, Second, Sears; Approval of the resolution to allow the Board to not exceed the index of  1.7%.

   Roll Call Vote, Leopold-Sharp, yes; Miller, yes; Schroeder-no; Sears-yes; Shaffer-no; Bates-no; Clancy-yes, Kirk-yes, DeHaas -yes.  Motion carries 6-3. 

Warren Bullette, 1775 S. Queen St – I have not received an answer on many emails that I have sent the Board.  I respectfully request a procedure to answer any emails that are received.  A system where people get answers would be appreciated.