Canton Area School District Board Of Education held its December meeting in the Canton Elementary Theaterette with President Jared Wilcox and Directors Judy Sourbeer, Dennis Sourbeer, Gary Black, Mike Herman, Eric Anderson, Bill Holland, Melony Taylor 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, Food Service Director Shawna Lee and Solicitor Richard Sheetz. There was an audience of seven.
The board nominated Mr. Wilcox as temporary president to conduct the election of president and vice-president for the coming year. After Mr. Wilcox was nominated as president and the nomination seconded, Mr. Sourbeer said he would nominate Mrs. Sourbeer, who remarked, "I do not want to cause hard feelings, but you [Mr. Wilcox] told me you did not want to [be President] again."
Mr. Wilcox responded, "I have served three years and felt it was time for someone else to take the responsibility. If [the board wants] me to serve, I will do it if you give me your support."
The board nominated Mr. Wilcox as temporary president to conduct the election of president and vice-president for the coming year. After Mr. Wilcox was nominated as president and the nomination seconded, Mr. Sourbeer said he would nominate Mrs. Sourbeer, who remarked, "I do not want to cause hard feelings, but you [Mr. Wilcox] told me you did not want to [be President] again."
Mr. Wilcox responded, "I have served three years and felt it was time for someone else to take the responsibility. If [the board wants] me to serve, I will do it if you give me your support."
Mrs. Sourbeer then asked that her nomination be withdrawn and the board unanimously elected Mr. Wilcox as president.
Mr. Sourbeer then said that he "really does not want to [be vicepresident] again," and nominated Mrs. Sourbeer. Mr. Holland seconded the motion and, with no other nominations, Mrs. Sourbeer was elected as vice-president.
Mr. Wilcox provided the board with a list of Committee Chairpersons and delegates and asked any who do not want to continue to contact him so different appointments could be made. The final committee roster will be approved next month.
Mr. Jannone was appointed as Delegate For The Bradford County Tax Collection Committee, with Mr. Gordon, 1st alternate and Mr. Sourbeer, 2nd alternate 
The board voted to meet on the second Thursday of each month in 2015 with the exceptions of July, when there will be no meeting; and December, when the board will meet on the first Thursday. All meetings will be at 6:30 PM in the Canton Elementary Theaterette.
Administrator and Committee reports were given.
Mr. Gordon said that progress reports would be issued next week and winter sports will start the weekend of December 5 & 6. The winter music concert will be December 15.
The Giving Tree Club, comprised of National Honor Society, Student Government and SADD, and under the direction of Mr. Wynne, will be wrapping presents for the Giving Tree. "The community outpouring of support was overwhelming," Mr. Gordon said. In addition to many generous gifts from the community, Elementary Students collected $1,174 in change and the first grade raised $588 from selling thanksgiving turkey hand print art. Over $7,000 has been contributed so far this Christmas season. "The community's generosity is to be commended," Mr. Gordon said. "The community effort and endeavor captures the spirit of the holidays." Christmas stockings also will be provided.
On December 12 the high school plus the sixth grade will attend a Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education assembly. The Bradford County Sheriff and County Coroner also will take part.
The Nutrition Group provided a special Board Appreciation dinner prior to tonight's meeting.
Mr. Gordon said the newly elected Governor, Tom Wolf, will inherit no deficit, because state revenues are higher than predicted, with no budget shortfall predicted. However, "The PSER cliff is coming and Mr. Wolf will have economic pitfalls coming in front of him."
A new state law concerning child protection will have a major impact, because every employee, contractor and volunteer who will have direct contact with children will need new certifications every 36 months, and those who have certifications over three years old will need to be recertified within a year. New volunteers will need certification immediately and existing volunteers must be recertified by July 2015. These will cost $10 each for a child protective and state police clearances and $28 for FBI fingerprint clearance. "The law will overwhelm the existing systems," Mr. Gordon warned. Mr. Anderson asked if the volunteers would have to stand the cost of certification and clearances. "It's hard enough to get volunteers without [making them] shell out fifty bucks," he said. Mr. Gordon said the district had a policy that if the volunteer worked a predetermined number of days, the district would reimburse their fees. Mr. Gordon concluded his remarks by wishing "a joyous and happy Christmas holiday" to everyone.
Mr. Rimmer reported the Benchmarks will be administered for the second time and Troy Community Hospital will have a program on chest pain education.
The sixth grade held a coat drive and the First grade will have a gingerbread project.
The Kindergarten Christmas Tea will be December 17.
Due to the success of the Giving Tree collection, the Elementary School will have a "pajama day" on December 19. The students raised $80 more than last year.
There will be a special Christmas movie in the Theaterette as part of the Behavioral incentive program. The high school chorus will lead a holiday sign-a-long for the students.
Elementary enrollment is 537.
Mr. Coleman reported that the high school has been very busy with the Giving Tree project. The Literature Keystone exams will be given along with make-ups for biology and algebra.
This winter Canton will be host to 23 basketball and wrestling events.
Mr. Coran told the Board that Canton was among the districts taking part in the Transition workshop at Penn College. Thirty-four students were present and they were given information on how to attain services. There was a special panel on students with disabilities. "It was a very worthwhile event," he said. He thanked Ronda Ayres, Transition Coordinator, for her work on the event. On January 9 nine learning support students will take part in the Special Olympics Bowling at Terrace Lanes in Troy.
A total of 170 CASD students require support services with individualized Education Plans. This is a drop from the 181 last year.
Mr. Jannone said that he will prepare a resolution stating that the board will not exceed the Act 1 index for tax increases.
Mrs. Lee reported that the food services will be busy with the gingerbread project, the Kindergarten tea, a breakfast and special holiday dinners. She said new salt guidelines will require use of other salt-free spices "to jazz up the food."
There were no visitor comments.
The Board passed a motion approving Treasurer’s Report, the Bills, the list of Tax Adds, Exemptions, Exonerations, the transportation (van route) changes, and the 2014-2015 Spring Sports Bid in the amount of $4,702.44. Mr. Jannone said the bid was a couple hundred dollars less than the previous year.
By a 7-2 vote with Mr. Holland and Mr. Anderson voting nay, the board accepted the reassignment Memorandum of Understanding between the School District and the Canton Area Education Association and Rebecca Hamilton, reassigning her from the elementary school to the high school. Mr. Sourbeer and Mr. Herman indicated they were voting yes but opposed the MOU.
The resignation of Marie Layng, part time cafeteria worker, was accepted effective November 24, 2014.
Approve the hiring of the following new employees, pending completion of all paperwork: Jodi Matthews and Linda Lupold were hired as part time cafeteria employees at $7.25 per hour with no benefits.
Billie Jo Shedden, cafeteria; Ashley Selfridge, paraprofessional and school nurse; and Sandy Rusk, bus/van driver, were added to the substitute list, pending completion of all paperwork.
Keane Sallada, wrestling coach, was added to the volunteer list for the 2014/15 school year, pending completion of all paperwork. The Canton Jr/Sr High School and Canton Area Elementary School Library Board Reports for the first quarter of the school year were approved.
Mr. Wilcox wished everyone a "great holiday" and "good luck hunting," and said he hoped the shoppers "find the best bargains possible!"
The next board meeting will be held January 8, 2015.
Mr. Sourbeer then said that he "really does not want to [be vicepresident] again," and nominated Mrs. Sourbeer. Mr. Holland seconded the motion and, with no other nominations, Mrs. Sourbeer was elected as vice-president.
Mr. Wilcox provided the board with a list of Committee Chairpersons and delegates and asked any who do not want to continue to contact him so different appointments could be made. The final committee roster will be approved next month.
Mr. Jannone was appointed as Delegate For The Bradford County Tax Collection Committee, with Mr. Gordon, 1st alternate and Mr. Sourbeer, 2nd alternate 
The board voted to meet on the second Thursday of each month in 2015 with the exceptions of July, when there will be no meeting; and December, when the board will meet on the first Thursday. All meetings will be at 6:30 PM in the Canton Elementary Theaterette.
Administrator and Committee reports were given.
Mr. Gordon said that progress reports would be issued next week and winter sports will start the weekend of December 5 & 6. The winter music concert will be December 15.
The Giving Tree Club, comprised of National Honor Society, Student Government and SADD, and under the direction of Mr. Wynne, will be wrapping presents for the Giving Tree. "The community outpouring of support was overwhelming," Mr. Gordon said. In addition to many generous gifts from the community, Elementary Students collected $1,174 in change and the first grade raised $588 from selling thanksgiving turkey hand print art. Over $7,000 has been contributed so far this Christmas season. "The community's generosity is to be commended," Mr. Gordon said. "The community effort and endeavor captures the spirit of the holidays." Christmas stockings also will be provided.
On December 12 the high school plus the sixth grade will attend a Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education assembly. The Bradford County Sheriff and County Coroner also will take part.
The Nutrition Group provided a special Board Appreciation dinner prior to tonight's meeting.
Mr. Gordon said the newly elected Governor, Tom Wolf, will inherit no deficit, because state revenues are higher than predicted, with no budget shortfall predicted. However, "The PSER cliff is coming and Mr. Wolf will have economic pitfalls coming in front of him."
A new state law concerning child protection will have a major impact, because every employee, contractor and volunteer who will have direct contact with children will need new certifications every 36 months, and those who have certifications over three years old will need to be recertified within a year. New volunteers will need certification immediately and existing volunteers must be recertified by July 2015. These will cost $10 each for a child protective and state police clearances and $28 for FBI fingerprint clearance. "The law will overwhelm the existing systems," Mr. Gordon warned. Mr. Anderson asked if the volunteers would have to stand the cost of certification and clearances. "It's hard enough to get volunteers without [making them] shell out fifty bucks," he said. Mr. Gordon said the district had a policy that if the volunteer worked a predetermined number of days, the district would reimburse their fees. Mr. Gordon concluded his remarks by wishing "a joyous and happy Christmas holiday" to everyone.
Mr. Rimmer reported the Benchmarks will be administered for the second time and Troy Community Hospital will have a program on chest pain education.
The sixth grade held a coat drive and the First grade will have a gingerbread project.
The Kindergarten Christmas Tea will be December 17.
Due to the success of the Giving Tree collection, the Elementary School will have a "pajama day" on December 19. The students raised $80 more than last year.
There will be a special Christmas movie in the Theaterette as part of the Behavioral incentive program. The high school chorus will lead a holiday sign-a-long for the students.
Elementary enrollment is 537.
Mr. Coleman reported that the high school has been very busy with the Giving Tree project. The Literature Keystone exams will be given along with make-ups for biology and algebra.
This winter Canton will be host to 23 basketball and wrestling events.
Mr. Coran told the Board that Canton was among the districts taking part in the Transition workshop at Penn College. Thirty-four students were present and they were given information on how to attain services. There was a special panel on students with disabilities. "It was a very worthwhile event," he said. He thanked Ronda Ayres, Transition Coordinator, for her work on the event. On January 9 nine learning support students will take part in the Special Olympics Bowling at Terrace Lanes in Troy.
A total of 170 CASD students require support services with individualized Education Plans. This is a drop from the 181 last year.
Mr. Jannone said that he will prepare a resolution stating that the board will not exceed the Act 1 index for tax increases.
Mrs. Lee reported that the food services will be busy with the gingerbread project, the Kindergarten tea, a breakfast and special holiday dinners. She said new salt guidelines will require use of other salt-free spices "to jazz up the food."
There were no visitor comments.
The Board passed a motion approving Treasurer’s Report, the Bills, the list of Tax Adds, Exemptions, Exonerations, the transportation (van route) changes, and the 2014-2015 Spring Sports Bid in the amount of $4,702.44. Mr. Jannone said the bid was a couple hundred dollars less than the previous year.
By a 7-2 vote with Mr. Holland and Mr. Anderson voting nay, the board accepted the reassignment Memorandum of Understanding between the School District and the Canton Area Education Association and Rebecca Hamilton, reassigning her from the elementary school to the high school. Mr. Sourbeer and Mr. Herman indicated they were voting yes but opposed the MOU.
The resignation of Marie Layng, part time cafeteria worker, was accepted effective November 24, 2014.
Approve the hiring of the following new employees, pending completion of all paperwork: Jodi Matthews and Linda Lupold were hired as part time cafeteria employees at $7.25 per hour with no benefits.
Billie Jo Shedden, cafeteria; Ashley Selfridge, paraprofessional and school nurse; and Sandy Rusk, bus/van driver, were added to the substitute list, pending completion of all paperwork.
Keane Sallada, wrestling coach, was added to the volunteer list for the 2014/15 school year, pending completion of all paperwork. The Canton Jr/Sr High School and Canton Area Elementary School Library Board Reports for the first quarter of the school year were approved.
Mr. Wilcox wished everyone a "great holiday" and "good luck hunting," and said he hoped the shoppers "find the best bargains possible!"
The next board meeting will be held January 8, 2015.