Club periods raise questions

Publication date: 07.03.08

By Bonnie Swinehart

Staff Writer

Residents expressed concerns at a recent Greenwood School Board meeting regarding the number of club periods that were held during the 2007-08 school year, a number which was less than proposed. The board agreed to look into the matter.

A question also was raised about policy regarding when board meetings are open and when they are closed to the public.

Superintendent Ed Burns responded that although the open portion of the board meeting listed on the agenda is 8:45 p.m., the meeting is open beginning at 7 p.m. The public is invited to discussions that do not require an executive session.

In other news from the June 16 meeting, the board:

— Received a report from elementary principal Inez McClure that schedule changes have been made to incorporate special subjects such as art, music and physical education into the schedule for sixth-graders whenever rooms are open and available at the high school.

McClure also reported that although Spanish will continue to be offered to fourth- and fifth-graders, it will not be offered to sixth-graders next year.

It also was noted that sixth-grade students will have the opportunity to take chorus and band with seventh grade students.

— Received a construction update from Burns, who reported that the elementary school project is on schedule, while the middle school/high school project is running approximately a month behind.

— Agreed to meet with Strategic Energy, which is proposing saving the district money if it participates in an energy saving consortium.

— Approved renewal of Mid Atlantic Insurance Coverage for 2008-09 school year. General liability, property, errors and omissions, equipment breakdown, auto and umbrella will cost $27,213. Workers’ compensation will cost $20,906. Because no claims were filed by Greenwood during the past school year, a discount was received on workers’ compensation.

— Approved the 2008-09 operating budget of $11,232,708.

— Approved the tax structure to support the 2008-09 budget: Perry County mills 13.5, an increase of .6 mills; Juniata County mills 78.52, an increase of 1.53 mills; $5 per capita tax and $5 resident tax for each resident 18 or older; 1 percent realty transfer tax; 1.75 earned income tax.

— Approved a resolution regarding the homestead/farmstead act that will provide each approved applicant a savings of $138 in property taxes.

— Approved Juniata Valley Bank as 2008-09 treasurer.

— Approved a contract of $11,971 with Kurtz Brothers for general supplies.

— Approved preliminary comprehensive audit report from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and preliminary Title I audit report from the state Department of Education.

— Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Pennsylvania State Police since Millerstown does not have a police force.

— Approved purchasing high school textbooks including mathematics, chemistry, civics and business education, as well as new elementary school textbooks.

— Approved transferring sixth-grade students to the middle school building.

— Approved the Safe and Drug Free Schools Grant for 2008-09, which supports a student assistance team to identify “at risk” students.

— Tabled a resolution regarding graduation competency assessments.

— Approved a 4.6 percent raise in administrative salaries for 2008-09 in accordance with the Act 93 agreement, including principals, special education coordinator and technical director.

— Approved personnel for professional employment for 2008-09: Alisha Johnson, kindergarten; Kelly Fegley, first grade; Shannon Smith, third grade; Laurie Lesh, fifth grade; Carrie Hackenberger, learning support; and Brian Tomko, chemistry.

Also, Kent Houser, head boys’ basketball coach; Troy Gantt and Aaron Anstine, assistant boys’ basketball coaches; Troy Gantt, girls’ eighth grade basketball coach; Chelsea Lower, head cheerleading coach; Heather Rolston, assistant cheerleading coach; and Alyssa Thompson, volunteer cheerleading coach.

— Recommended advertising for part-time custodians, and tabled filling a full-time custodian position.

— Recommended advertising for band front instructors.

The board will not meet in July. The next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m., Aug. 13.