Meeting started a little late after a lengthy executive session. While we waited, we had cake and coffee that was provided by Food Services for School Director Recognition Month. Meeting finally started around 8:00 PM. Dr. Marino and Mr. Hensley absent.
Dr. Brennan from the Colonial IU20 was there to give a presentation on the IU20 Budget. Specifically, she presented the General Operating Budget (GOB), which for 08-09 is $2.8M. NASD share of the operating budget would be approximately $30K. It was noted that the IU20 budget does not contain additional programs nor additional positions. The GOB is actually just one of approximately 50 budgets that make up the IU20 spending. Total IU20 spending for 2008-09 is expected to be approximately $73M. The individual budgets that make up the total have increases of 0% to 3.75% over 07-08 spending.
Dr. Lesky noted that January is School Director Recognition Month (see cake above!) and presented certificates to the board members.
The rest of the meeting agenda went by fairly quickly. Resolutions IV, V, VI and VII all passed 7-0 with the exception of V. Financial which was passed 7-0 with a no vote by Mr. Maher on item V.F (Approval the IU20 GOB).
Dr. Lesky had a couple items in his superintendent's report. The first item is Pennsylvania HB1841 which would affect all school districts in PA (except Philadelphia). The bill would create the infrastructure and means to deliver a statewide health care system for public school employees in Pennsylvania. However, right now, there is little in the way of details. In addition, the committee that would be formed has the power to implement its' findings, without going back to the Legislature. Dr. Lesky said that "we just don't know" how this would affect our employees' coverage, premiums, co-pays, etc. Right now, our employees' health care coverage is managed by a Trust made up of approximately 13 area school districts. According to Ms. Rischoff and Dr. Lesky, the Trust has worked well for our district in keeping costs/claims low. Mr. Maher made a motion (seconded by Ms. McDonald) that would authorize Dr. Lesky to write a letter to our State Rep (I believe this would be Rep. Grucela) asking him to support the O'Neill (?) amendment that would stop short the power of the commission to implement its' findings.
The second item on Dr. Lesky's report was that Graduation Competency Exams look more and more like a reality starting in 2014. Right now, it looks like students would have to pass 6 exams in core subjects but they could be taken immediately after completing a class. For example, if a student took Algebra I in 9th grade, they could take the exam immediately afterwards (possibly in lieu of a final) and that would count towards graduation.
The final item on Dr. Lesky's report had to do with Pennsylvania School Funding and their ASSET proposal to increase spending at the state level, thereby decreasing the expected contributions at the local level. Several groups have joined together to support this effort.
That was it. Meeting adjourned around 9:00 PM (enough time to have another piece of cake!)
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