The Canton Area School District Board of Education met October 8 with President Jared Wilcox, Directors Mike Herman, Judy Sourbeer, Eric Anderson, Melony Taylor, William Holland and Ryan Allen, Superintendent of Schools Matt Gordon, Elementary Principal John Rimmer, High School Principal Craig Coleman, Business Manager Mark Jannone. Special Education Supervisor Dan Coran, Solicitor Richard Sheetz and an audience of five.
Mr. Gordon stated, "This is Day 99 of the state's budget impasse." He said the Department of education was conducting a survey to see if any program cuts or cost-cutting measures have been implemented or are planned in the Canton district due to the budget situation. There are none at this point. Mr. Gordon said there was an erroneous TV news report that the district was borrowing money, but no borrowing has occurred or is planned. The district did refinance some debt, resulting in savings in excess of $100,000, but this had no relationship to the budget crisis. Mr. Gordon explained the work that will take place on some upcoming In-Service days.
On October 30 there will be early dismissal for parent conferences. This year conferences will be held all day Thursday to 6:30 and all day Friday to 3:30. The extra three hours for the teachers will be traded off in May for an early dismissal.
A bill has been introduced in the state Senate that would require a voter referendum for any proposed budget increase, and any increase in millage would have to be approved by the voters.
Mr. Gordon noted that the district regretted the downsizing of Cudd Energy Services.
Mr. Rimmer thanked the Troy Rotary for presenting dictionaries to each third grader. The Canton Fire company conducted Fire Safety week activities with the school. Progress reports have been sent home and the Religious Release program would begin October 16. Enrollment is up three to 496.
Mr. Coleman noted various events at the high school, including the Old Shoe Game on November 6. He, Mr. Rimmer and Mr. Gordon took part in training at BLaST.
Mr. Jannone repeated that the TV news report was "totally untrue." He said "Canton is better off than some districts." He said if the impasse continues, "It will be mid-February before we need to secure outside funding."
He said the District is beginning a Fecebook page to be used to disseminate information to the public. 'It is not for communication, but can be used to dispel rumors, promote sporting events and drama events. We are still developing the page."
The National School Lunch Program will be audited, but because of the free lunches and breakfasts for all Canton students, "There is a lot less to audit," Mr. Jannone said. Shawna Lee, Food Services Director for the Nutrition Group, is taking maternity leave.
Mr. Coran said Canton will be monitored for the federal reports on Special Education. JoAnn O'Hara, communications facilitator, is teaching sign language in Miss Waldmeyer's class. "We are delighted she is able to implement this," Mr. Coran said.
"Lisa Inman is sharing her expertise on strategies on focus and attention in Mrs. Palmer's class."
The paraprofessionals are taking online training, and training on autism on October 30.
Mr. Holland raised some questions about cyber charter schools. Mr. Gordon noted that funds are deducted from Canton's subsidy for each cyber charter student. Mr. Gordon said Canton had about 25 cyber charter students and 15 to 18 homeschooled students in the district. "We recommend Wellsboro Online Academy," where the fees are much lower. Mr. Holland said that the state's cyber charter school funding system "is abysmal. What a joke," he said.
Under the Agenda items: The board approved the Treasurer’s Report, the Bills lists, the list of Tax Adds, Exemptions and Exonerations; and transportation changes; and accepted the revised memorandum of understanding between the Canton Borough Police Department and Canton Area School District.
The Elementary and High Central Treasury Reports through September 30 were approved.
The board accepted with regret the resignation of Melony Taylor, School Director from Region 1 (Canton and Leroy Townships) effective October 15, 2015.
The retirement of Debbra Keppler, Certified School Nurse, with 25 1/2 years of service was accepted, effective December 31, 2015.
These coaches were hired for the 2015/16 sport season, pending completion of all paperwork:
Tim Ward, Jr High Assistant Football Coach, retroactive to September 21.
Casey Aylesworth, Girls Head Track Coach;
Jason Gee, Assistant Baseball Coach
Kelly Davis, Basketball Cheerleading Coach
Susan Rockwell was hired as Dramatics Advisor, with a stipend of $2,690.88. Mr. Anderson said, "We are happy to introduce dramatics again."
These people were added to the substitute list, pending completion of all paperwork:
Savanna Parker and Samantha Black, paraprofessionals
Nina Sakers, paraprofessional and cafeteria
Tawnya Chaapel, custodian
Heather Pepper, bus driver
Four names were added to the volunteer list: Greg Bellows and Craig Route, Wrestling; Kiana Binford, Girls Basketball; Cody Martin, Boys Basketball.
The Board gave first reading to these revised board policies:
No. 113.3 – Screening & Evaluations for Students with Disabilities
No. 127 – Assessment System
No. 137 – Home Education Programs
No. 138 – English as a Second Language/Bilingual Education Program
No. 918 – Title I Parental Involvement
new policies: No. 116 – Tutoring
No. 212 – Reporting Student Progress
Obsolete Policy No. 213 Grading of Student Progress, will be deleted.
The board granted permission to the Elementary Playground Project Committee to advertise the various recognition levels along with the logistics of the proposal for equipment that would fit in the footprint of the existing primary playground behind the elementary school.
The board met in executive session prior to tonight's meeting to discuss personnel issues.