MONTROSE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT - the Montrose Area School ...

MONTROSE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
CHOCONUT VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MEETING DATE AUGUST 14, 2006, 6:30 PM
MEETING MINUTES APPROVED SEPTEMBER 11, 2006
(Visit our website at www.masd.info)
Mr. Michael F. Ognosky
Superintendent of Schools
The Montrose Area School District Board of Directors Meeting was called to order by Mrs. Celeste Ridler,
Acting Board President, at 6:30 PM in the Choconut Valley Elementary School faculty room, RR 1 Box 1730,
Friendsville, PA, 18818.
I. OPENING EXERCISES - Led by Mr. Ray Smith, Board Member
II. ROLL CALL – Mr. Lewis Plauny, Board Secretary
PRESENT: Mr. Chris Caterson, Mrs. Denise Gieski, Mr. George Gow, Mrs. Mary Homan,
Mrs. Kathleen Mordovancey, Mr. Joseph Reynolds, Mrs. Celeste Ridler, Mr. Kevin Sives, Mr. Ray Smith
ADMINISTRATORS/SUPERVISORS: Mr. Michael Ognosky, Mr. Lewis Plauny, Mr. Gregory Adams,
Mr. Christopher McComb, Mr. Craig Owens, Mr. Rickie Clapper
III. OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO ADDRESS AGENDA ITEMS - None
(Visitors must speak directly into the public microphone for accurate transcription of minutes. Even if the person speaks loud enough to be
heard by meeting attendees, they cannot be heard on the tape transcription unless they speak directly into the microphone.)
IV. GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING
Mr. Ognosky shared with the Board members and those attending this evening’s meeting a thank you card
received from the students who had attended the Choconut Valley Elementary School computer class which
expressed how much they had enjoyed the class. Mr. Ognosky said that he would invite those students to a future
Board meeting.
V. INFORMATION ITEMS
A. Items from members of Board of Directors
Mr. Caterson introduced Melinda Darrow, reporter for the Susquehanna County Transcript, who was
attending this evening’s meeting.
VI. BOARD PRESIDENT ELECTION
Mrs. Ridler, Acting President of the Board of Directors, ask if there were any other members of the Board
interested in the position of Board President other than the two members who had submitted their names
for consideration. Hearing none, Mrs. Ridler distributed the ballots for the election.
A. From the board members present Mrs. Ridler, Acting President of the Board, collected the written ballots
of each Board member’s first choice for his/her nomination for Board President. Mrs. Ridler tallied the
written ballots and moved the following motion for the candidate who received a plurality of the ballots,
Mr. Kevin Sives.
B. A motion was made by Mr. Caterson, seconded by Mr. Smith to appoint Mr. Kevin Sives as the School
Board President for the Montrose Area School District until the reorganization meeting in December 2006.
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
C. Newly elected President Sives took office. Mr. Sives thanked the members of the Board for their vote of
confidence.

Board Meeting Minutes
August 14, 2006
Page -2-
VII. AGENDA ITEMS
A. MINUTES – Mr. Kevin Sives, Board President
11. A motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Mordovancey to approve the following
minutes as submitted:
a. July 10, 2006 Board Meeting
b. July 17, 2006 Special Board Meeting
c. July 17, 2006 Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting
d. July 24, 2006 Policy Committee Meeting
e. July 31, 2006 Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
B. FINANCE – Mr. Chris Caterson, Chairperson
12. A motion was made by Mr. Gow, seconded by Mrs. Gieski to approve a list of bills to be paid as
submitted.
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
13. A motion was made by Mrs. Gieski, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve the 22 Fund Check
Register and Cash Balance Report as submitted.
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
14. A motion was made by Mr. Reynolds, seconded by Mr. Smith to adopt a Resolution, as submitted
by the school district solicitor, renewing realty transfer tax.
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
C. LEGISLATIVE – Mr. Chris Caterson, Chairperson
D. TRANSPORTATION – Mr. Raymond Smith, Chairperson
15. A motion was made by Mrs. Ridler, seconded by Mrs. Mordovancey to approve summer 2006
extended school year transportation contracts as submitted at a combined total cost not to
exceed $26,600.00.
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Abstain; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 8 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 1
E. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS / SAFETY – Mr. George Gow, Chairperson
F. CURRICULUM – Mr. Joseph Reynolds, Chairperson
G. EXTRA CURRICULAR – Mr. Kevin Sives, Chairperson
16. A motion was made by Mrs. Mordovancey, seconded by Mrs. Gieski to accept with regret the
following resignations effective immediately:
a. Debra Andre as Student Council Advisor
b. Jeffrey D. Norris as Junior High Assistant Football Coach
c. Roy Amato as Head Junior High Soccer Coach
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0

Board Meeting Minutes
August 14, 2006
Page -3-
VII. AGENDA ITEMS – Extra Curricular continued
17. A motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Gieski to appoint Kim Forys as Student
Council Advisor effective beginning with the 2006-2007 school year at a stipend of $1,800.00 per
school year.
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
H. POLICIES – Mrs. Celeste Ridler, Chairperson
18. Following a brief review of the changes to each policy by Mr. Ognosky, a motion was made by
Mr. Gow, seconded by Mr. Smith for first reading of revisions to the following policies as
submitted:
a. 001 Name and Classification
b. 002 Authority and Powers
c. 004 Membership
d. 005 Organization
e. 006 Meetings
f. 007 Distribution
g. 008 Organization Chart
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
I. PERSONNEL – Mrs. Celeste Ridler, Chairperson
19. A motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Gow to accept with regret the following
resignation effective immediately:
a. Marcia O’Reilly, part-time food service worker, Junior-Senior High School
b. Linda Reynolds, cook, Junior-Senior High School
c. Mary Hinds, Learning Support Instructional Aide, Lathrop Street Elementary School
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Abstain; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 8 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 1
20. Mr. Ognosky reported that there was only one remaining vacancy for Support Staff positions and
that position had been posted. A motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Gieski to
employ the following effective August 28, 2006 contingent upon completion of employment
requirements and in accordance with the M.E.S.P.A. Agreement:
a. Ronda Palmer as part-time food service worker at the Lathrop Street Elementary School
at the rate of $7.04 per hour for a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 4.5 hours for
178 full student days per school year with no fringe benefits
b. Melissa McFarland as part-time food service worker at the Choconut Valley Elementary
School at the rate of $7.04 per hour for a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 4.5
hours for 178 full student days per school year with no fringe benefits
c. Karen VanEtten as part-time food service worker at the Junior-Senior High School at the
rate of $7.04 per hour for a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 4.5 hours for 178 full
student days per school year with no fringe benefits
d. Connie Rubio as cook at the Junior-Senior High School at the rate of $9.22 per hour for a
maximum of 5.75 hours for 178 full student days per school year with no fringe benefits
e. Anne Mittmann as Learning Support Instructional Aide at the Lathrop Street Elementary
School at the rate of $7.55 per hour for a maximum of 6.5 hours per student school day
with employee only fringe benefits
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0

Board Meeting Minutes
August 14, 2006
Page -4-
VII. AGENDA ITEMS – Personnel continued
21. After Mr. Ognosky reported that he would be advertising shortly for additional Support Staff
substitutes, a motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Gow to appoint the following as
substitute support staff for the district contingent upon completion of employment requirements:
a. Lindsay Strohl
b. Elizabeth Karpov
c. Tina Cundey
d. Amy Lyden
e. Karen Spence
f. Cynthia Bleil
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
J. PROFESSIONAL – Mrs. Mary Homan, Chairperson
22. A motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Mordovancey to accept with regret the
following resignations effective immediately:
a. Gretchen Grimaud as social studies teacher at the Junior-Senior High School
b. Bridgid Petorak as computer-information technology teacher at the Junior-Senior High
School
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
23. In response from a Board member’s question, Mr. Ognosky explained the October start date for
one of the new teachers. A motion was made by Mrs. Mordovancey, seconded by Mrs. Ridler to
employ the following full-time, contracted teachers contingent upon completion of employment
requirements and in accordance with the current M.E.A. Collective Bargaining Agreement:
a. Daniel Cherney as a social studies teacher at the Junior-Senior High School effective
August 24, 2006 at a salary of $39,512.00, step one bachelor’s
b. Michael Clifford as a computer-information technology teacher at the Junior-Senior High
School effective October 16, 2006 at a salary of $45,507.00, step 4 bachelor’s
permanent, to be prorated
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
24. A motion was made by Mrs. Gieski, seconded by Mrs. Mordovancey to employ Michaela Steele
as a long-term substitute first grade teacher at the Lathrop Street Elementary School contingent
upon completion of employment requirements for approximately 90 days from September 20,
2006 through February 6, 2007 at a daily rate of $147.22 with no fringe benefits.
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
25. A motion was made by Mr. Gow, seconded by Mr. Smith to employ the following mentor teachers
for the 2006-2007 school year at a stipend of $1,000.00:
a. Jim Fluck – computer-information technology, Jr/Sr High School
b. Joe Festa – social studies, Jr/Sr High School
c. Eric Powers – social studies, Jr/Sr High School
d. Jan Ross – social studies, Jr/Sr High School
e. Polly Pritchard – gifted, all buildings
f. Jessie Puzo – second grade, Choconut
g. Sue Lewis – fourth grade, Choconut
h. Ellen DePhillips – physical education, Choconut
i. Diane Cronk - first grade long term sub, Lathrop
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0

Board Meeting Minutes
August 14, 2006
Page -5-
VII. AGENDA ITEMS – Professional continued
26. Mr. Ognosky reported on this position in response to a question from a Board member. A motion
was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Gieski to contract with JoAnn Heitsman as dental
hygienist at the elementary schools contingent upon completion of employment requirements for
60 half school days at the annual cost of $6,339.00 with no additional benefits.
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
27. A motion was made by Mr. Gow, seconded by Mr. Smith to appoint Jamie Janesky as an
elementary substitute teacher for the district contingent upon completion of employment
requirements:
Mr. Caterson, Aye; Mrs. Gieski, Aye; Mr. Gow, Aye; Mrs. Homan, Aye;
Mrs. Mordovancey, Aye; Mr. Reynolds, Aye; Mrs. Ridler, Aye; Mr. Sives, Aye; Mr. Smith, Aye
AYE – 9 NAY – 0 ABSTAIN – 0
VIII. NEW BUSINESS - None
IX. SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC BOARD MEETINGS – Mr. Sives reviewed the following upcoming meetings:
A. Monday, August 14, 2006, immediately following Board Meeting – Work Session, Choconut Valley
Elementary School faculty room
B. Wednesday, August 16, 2006, 7:00 PM – Transportation Committee meeting, Junior-Senior High School
auditorium
C. Monday, September 11, 2006, 6:30 PM – Board meeting, Choconut Valley Elementary School faculty
room
D. Monday, September 11, 2006, immediately following Board Meeting – Work Session, Choconut Valley
Elementary School faculty room
Following a discussion between Mr. Ognosky and members of the Board, it was decided to hold an Extra
Curricular Committee meeting Monday, August 21 st , 7:30 PM at a venue to be determined at a later date.
In response to a question from Mr. Sives, Mr. Owens reported on the status of recent network problems.
Mr. Ognosky read two thank you letters written to the members of the Board from recent district retirees.
X. OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS’ ADDITIONAL COMMENTS - None
(Visitors must speak directly into the public microphone for accurate transcription of minutes. Even if the person speaks loud enough to be
heard by meeting attendees, they cannot be heard on the tape transcription unless they speak directly into the microphone.)
XI. ADJOURNMENT – This meeting adjourned by acclamation at 7:07 PM.
__________________________________________
Lewis Plauny, Board Secretary