The Canton Area School District Board Of Education met March 12 at the Canton Area Elementary School Theaterette with President Jared Wilcox and directors Gary Black, Eric Anderson, Ryan Allen, Mike Herman, Dennis Sourbeer and Judy Sourbeer, Superintendent of Schools Matt Gordon, Elementary Principal John Rimmer, Special Education Supervisor Dan Coran, Business Manager Mark Jannone, Food Service Director Shawna Lee, Solicitor Dick Sheetz and an audience of five.
Under Administrator Reports, Mr. Gordon apologized to Mrs. Lee because the agenda mistakenly listed the name of a previous Food Service Director.
He said Governor Wolf's proposed budget "shows a slight increase in basic education. We got a slight amount, and it is predicated on revenue increases." Mr. Gordon said these include liquor modernization, increases in the personal income tax and sales tax, which will be swapped out with property tax decreases; and a natural gas severance tax. He said that the Governor plans to reformulate the reimbursement for cyber charter and charter schools. "It is a very convoluted budget process." He said our local Senators and Representatives have warned school districts that the legislature might not approve an increase. Mr. Gordon said, "The Governor is asking the public to support increases in education. He says he won't sign a budget unless it does that."
This year's school calendar had six snow days, and all were used. There also were nine two-hour delays and one day with an early dismissal due to weather. Under the school code those days can be counted as whole days if due to weather."We are still on schedule to have Commencement on June 5," he said.
Mr. Gordon also said that "We have a bare track, and the infields are visible on the softball and baseball fields."
He said that The Jungle Book as presented by Missoula Children's Theatre was "very entertaining." A Music Appreciation program was given on Monday and a Hoe-Down Dance was held Friday.
The FFA Public Speaking competition will be held March 24 and a statewide Severe Weather Drill will be March 25.
April 2 will be a snow make up day, and also an early dismissal for professional development. April 6 also is a snow make-up day.
There will be three weeks of PSSA testing in April with a week dedicated to Math, to Science, and the English/Language Arts.
Mr. Gordon gave the high school report because Principal Craig Coleman was absent due to health issues. "Our thoughts, best wishes and prayers to him for a speedy recovery and we hope to see him back soon." Mr. Gordon said.
Elementary Principal John Rimmer said that March 2 was "Read Across America" Day in honor of Dr. Seuss. Students could dress up as Dr. Seuss characters, and those were higher attendance days, he said. Progress reports were issued on March 5 and on March 18, the PTA fundraising items will be delivered.
Kindergarten registration is March 24 and 25. So far 55 have enrolled, with perhaps another ten expected.
March 29 is the end of the marking period and report cards will be issued April 9. April 13 will be PSSA tests. Enrollment is 524, down eight from last month.
Mr. Rimmer read a letter about renovating the elementary playground. (See Page One)
Special Education Supervisors Daniel Coran reported that the Extended School Year will be held in Canton, in two sessions: June 22 to July 2 and July 13 to 23 (Mondays through Thursdays). Troy students will attend the Canton sessions. Under the IDEA law the district is required to offer Summer school sessions. "It is a great opportunity for certain individuals to retain their skills [over the summer]," he said.
There will be special training on "Frustration, Anxiety and Tension" for paraprofessionals to see through the eyes of students with learning disabilities.
Mr. Coran asked the directors to notice the chocolate chip cookie at their places tonight. They were provided by Mrs. Stroup's learning support classes. "They bake every Thursday and sell them to administrators and teachers. This improves the students' social skills and math skills" He said the funds are used for Special Olympics t-shirts, and end of the year party and similar projects.
Mr. Coran related a light moment when he asked a student to guess his age, and was told "Ninety." "My self esteem went down," Mr. Coran said.
Mr. Jannone said that Bus Evacuation Drills will be held April 7 . He will be providing evidence at a hearing concerning a motorist accused of passing a school bus with its warning devices activated. He said the incident was captured on the outside camera on the bus. "We have outside cameras and will prosecute," Mr. Jannone stated. "There are very severe penalties and we take these infractions very seriously."
He told the Board that he would provide a preliminary budget at the April meeting and a Power Point presentation on the budget when the final budget is passed.
The Finance Committee will have a meeting on the budget.
Mr. Jannone credited Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Dann Lepper for finding a grant that pays for radon tests. "We will explore this for our buildings," Mr. Jannone said. Mold tests were performed last year, and all came back negative. He called the directors attention to the fact "You don't hear running water. Three inlets have solved the problem of 'the floating building'."
Mrs. Lee reported on the Food Service. She said that whole grain funnel cakes have proven very popular, and a la carte sales are "getting better and better." Other new items include pudding cups, whole grain brownies and sparkling ice water. Molly the Cow visited the Elementary School. A Shamrock eraser giveaway and a Hot Chocolate giveaway will be held. "Taking Nutrition Global" will feature Arawak Chicken from Venezuela.
Mr. Sourbeer reported on several Buildings and Grounds items: three stormwater drain inlets were installed, with a "very positive effect." The staff also replaced several electrical parts that had exhibited 'wear and tear'. These included a switchgear that caused a power outage. She said "there is need for some asphalt repairs at the front of the building, and asked that lines be painted for parking.
Mrs. Sourbeer thanked Jeff Sechrist and Dave Ward for donating two loads of mushroom mulch and Tyler Sechrist and Jeremiah Martin for spreading the mulch on the football field at no cost.
The board voted to approve the following items: the Treasurer’s Report, the Bills lists, the list of Tax Adds, Exemptions, Exonerations; the transportation (van route) changes; the Nutrition Group renewal budget for 2015/2016 school year; the Affiliation Agreement between Canton Area School District and Mansfield University of Pennsylvania dated March 12, 2015 for a term of five years and the Athletic Training Services Agreement between Canton Area School District and Susquehanna Health System Sports Medicine Center through June 30, 2016.
Last month Mr. Sourbeer advised that there was an error in the tax exoneration list. Tonight Mr. Jannone said that his advice was correct, and the list was corrected to reflect that a person was not deceased and therefore should not be granted an exemption.
There is a $500 increase in the Athletic Training Services Agreement.
The directors voted to hire Nancy Neff, part time cafeteria worker, at $7.25 per hour, no benefits, retroactive to February 16, 2015.
Updated Administrative Procedure #123.1 was approved for Championship Participation, Jackets, Travel, Meals, and Lodging by Athletic Teams. This authorizes the district to pay for overnight stays on multiple-day events, rather than transporting students back to Canton and then returning to the event.
The board approved the second reading of revised policy No. 504, Employment of Classified Employees. Under this revision, the District will pay for clearances on a case-by-case basis.
The High School and Elementary School Library Board Reports for the second quarter were approved. Mr. Wilcox said that "Lots of library materials are quite dated; some of them forty years old." He asked if these were going to be offered to the students. Mr. Gordon responded that "There is a process to dispose of them under the school code." He said this includes offering them first to non-public schools, and eventually to the students. "We have to be careful about reselling them," Mr. Gordon said, "because they were purchased with taxpayer money."
There were no visitor comments at tonight's meeting.
Prior to tonight's meeting the board held an executive session held to discuss personnel and legal issues.