Upper St. Clair School District

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING REPORTUPPER ST. CLAIR SCHOOL DISTRICTAugust 3, 2009MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF W. THEODORE BROOKSMrs. Billerbeck requested a moment of silence in memory of W. Theodore Brooks, who served as Solicitorfor the School District since February 2003. Mr. Brooks passed away in July 2009.READING OF THE MISSIONMrs. Petersen read the following School District Mission Statement:Developing lifelong learners and responsible citizens for a global society is the mission of theUpper St. Clair School District, served by a responsive and innovative staff who in partnershipwith the community provides learning experiences that nurture the uniqueness of each child andpromote happiness and success.APPROVAL OF AGENDA (Billerbeck)The Board unanimously approved the agenda as presented.ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONSAPPROVAL OF RESOLUTION REGARDING STAFFINGThe Board unanimously approved the addition of the following Extra Curricular ActivityPositions:Assistant Field Hockey CoachHip Hop SponsorAPPROVAL OF PERSONNEL LISTINGSThe Board unanimously approved the following the Personnel Listings, pending receipt of allpaperwork:Leave of Absence- Professional StaffMelissa Welhorsky – High School/Special Education - unpaid personal leave effective 9-25-09through 12-11-09Jackie Neve – Ft. Couch/Special Education – unpaid personal leave for the 1 st semester of the2009-2010 school year

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING REPORT – 8-3-09 3Megan Myron – Boyce/Elementary (Long-Term Substitute for B. Williams) for the 2009-2010school year effective 8-18-09Election – Curriculum LeaderErin Peterson – Middle School Language Arts Curriculum Leader effective 8-1-09Andrew Lucas – Middle School Math Curriculum Leader effective 8-1-09Election – Classified StaffJames Kulik – Ft. Couch/Custodian effective 8-5-09Dominic Mannella – High School/Custodian effective 8-17-09Resignation – Classified StaffErin Giegerich – Ft. Couch/Teacher Aide effective 8-17-09Retirement – Classified StaffWolk, Patricia – Bus Driver effective 8-14-09Change of Status – Administrative SupportAnn Garbin FROM Eisenhower Nutrition Center General Worker TO Eisenhower NutritionCenter Supervisor effective 8-24-09Retirement -Administrative SupportBonnie Thomas – Central Office/Confidential Secretary effective 9-15-09Administrative SubstituteDr. Terrance Kushner effective 7-13-09Resignations – Extra Curricular ActivitiesFred Lese – Girls Golf Coach effective 7-9-09Erin Lemon – Field Hockey Assistant Coach effective 6-29-09Mike Voelker – Football Assistant Coach effective 8-16-09Brad Wilson – Middle School Football Coach effective 8-16-09New Appointments – Extra Curricular ActivitiesShannon Dressler – Hip Hop Club SponsorKathryn Robison – Field Hockey Head CoachJaclyn Rutkowski – Field Hockey Assistant CoachBrad Wilson – (.8) Football Assistant CoachDaniel Zelenski – Football Assistant Coach (9 th grade)Dan Stellute – Football Assistant CoachAdditions to District Substitute ListClassified:Jane Dodd – Summer Sub Aide effective 8-4-09Virginia Gutauskas – Summer Sub Aide effective 8-4-09Denise Luckenbach – Summer Sub Secretary effective 7-13-09Loretta Flaherty – Secretary effective 6-25-09Deletions from District Substitute ListProfessional:Susan Hughes – Social Studies/History effective 6-23-09Myrna Hronakes – Elementary effective 6-23-09Ernest Koontz – Chemistry/Physics/General Science effective 6-23-09Stephanie McLaughlin – Elementary/Middle School Science/Middle School Math effective 7-9-09Kara Meston – Elementary effective 8-17-09Jaclyn Neice – Elementary effective 7-9-09

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING REPORT – 8-3-09 4Madhura Ranade – General Science/Chemistry/Math/Middle School Math effective 6-23-09Judith Reilly – English effective 6-23-09Susan Rupp – Elementary/Reading Specialist effective 6-23-09Philip Rychcik – Elementary effective 7-9-09Colin Syme – Chemistry/Biology effective 8-17-09BUSINESS & FINANCEREVIEW PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE 2008-09 BUDGET/EXPENDITURES & FUNDINGPSERSMs. Cordisco stated that she anticipated closing the 2008-09 school year with approximately$520,000 in surplus funds, which would keep the fund balance at approximately 6%. Shesuggested designating approximately $400,000 for PSERS, bus replacements and capital reserve.Ms. Cordisco explained that she will be requesting a formal approval at the August Board meeting.Ms. Cordisco and Dr. O’Toole responded to questions of board members.MIDDLE SCHOOLS RENOVATION PROJECT UPDATEREVIEW OF PROJECT BIDS (INCLUDING ALTERNATES) FOR RENOVATIONS &ADDITIONS TO BOYCE & FORT COUCH MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND REVIEWESTIMATE FOR DEBT SERVICEJohn Taormina of P. J. Dick Incorporated, reviewed the comparison of base bids and base bidswith recommended alternates for renovations and additions to Boyce and Fort Couch MiddleSchools. He also reviewed the summary of bid results with soft costs and insurance added.John Taormina, Dave McLean, Ray Berrott, and Dr. O’Toole responded to questions of boardmembers. Mr. Berrott noted that with the savings from the bids being under budget that areas oftechnology could be included that are yet to be bid.Mike Bova of Boenning & Scattergood presented information regarding the impact of bids relatedto financing costs, bond issue size, millage requirements, summary of interest rates, interest ratetrend analysis, and market update of interest rates. He added that he is hoping to use the BABsstructure. Ms. Cordisco reviewed the debt service comparison.Dr. O’Toole reviewed the process of the Middle Schools Renovation Project, which began in 2005with the first feasibility study, including the educational specifications and design process, and Act34 Hearings. Dr. O’Toole recommended that the Board move forward with the renovation of bothmiddle schools, as well as alternates at Boyce Middle School for the addition of four classrooms, atheatre and parking lot.Mr. McLean explained that the approval to submit Attachment C of PlanCon Part F to thePennsylvania Department of Education is a certification of the bid openings and is not a vote bythe Board to award contracts. Once PDE has approved Attachment C the Board would bepermitted to vote on the bid awards for the construction contracts. Mr. McLean explained that theconstruction manager will contact the low bidders to receive insurance quotes and reviewed thedifference between contractor-provided vs. owner-provided insurance. He also reviewed the bidsreceived compared to the budgeted estimates, recommended alternates, and proposed constructioncosts not exceeding the figures from the Act 34 hearings. Mr. McLean anticipated receivingapproval from PDE of PlanCon Part F so that the Board could approve the submittal of PlanConPart G and award construction contracts in August.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING REPORT – 8-3-09 5There was full discussion among the Board, administration, architect, and construction manager,including a review of the recommended alternates, advertising and approval of a bond sale,implementation of the projects including project schedules, meeting deadlines, anticipated changeorders, pros and cons of approving the projects separately or simultaneously, delayingrecommended alternates, financial impact to the community, time sensitivity of approving theprojects in August, LEED certification, and needed improvements in technology.Board members requested a copy of the bid results, including all alternates for both projects.Board members also expressed their opinions with respect approval of the projects, includingalternates.Mrs. Billerbeck requested board members to contact Dr. O’Toole, Ms. Cordisco, or Dr. Bornyasfor clarification of any additional questions they may have before the next meeting.Mrs. Billerbeck thanked the entire team of architects, construction managers, and administratorsfor their work on the project. Dr. O’Toole provided a special thanks to Ms. Cordisco and Dr.Bornyas for their efforts.SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTAPPROVAL TO SUBMIT ATTACHMENT C FOR PLAN CON PART F (POST BIDOPENING CERTIFICATION) TO PDE FOR RENOVATIONS & ADDITIONS TOBOYCE MIDDLE SCHOOLThe Board unanimously authorized the School District to submit Attachment C for PlanCon Part F(Post Bid Opening Certification) to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Renovations &Additions to Boyce Middle School.APPROVAL TO SUBMIT ATTACHMENT C FOR PLAN CON PART F (POST BIDOPENING CERTIFICATION) TO PDE FOR RENOVATIONS & ADDITIONS TO FORTCOUCH MIDDLE SCHOOLThe Board unanimously authorized the School District to submit Attachment C for PlanCon Part F(Post Bid Opening Certification) to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Renovations &Additions to Fort Couch Middle School.MATTERS OF INFORMATIONAUGUST 10 & AUGUST 24 MEETINGS HELD AT HIGH SCHOOL LGI ROOM – 7:00 P.M.Dr. O’Toole announced that the following meetings would be held at the High School LGI Room at 7:00p.m.August 10, 2009 – Committee of the Whole MeetingAugust 24, 2009 – Regular Board MeetingThe agendas for School Board meetings are available on the School Districtwebsite at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us (District Info – School Board).Meetings are also videotaped and will be cablecast onSchool Access Comcast Channel 19 & Verizon Channel 41.