At its regular meeting on Monday, April 21, 2008, the following items were discussed/resolved by the Rockwood Area School Board:

1.

The minutes of the committee meeting on 3/17/08 and the regular meeting on 3/17/08 were approved

2.

The agenda, agenda items, and additional agenda items were approved. 

3.

The financial and treasurer reports, bills, and budgetary transfers were approved as presented.

4.

The following students of the month were recognized by the Board:

             Molly Smith

            Echo Kincaid

            Valerie Friedline

            Noah Killen

            Amanda Engleka

            Jared Fencil

5.

Public Comment:

Sue Wilson addressed the Board regarding the full-time psychologist position with the district and the amount of money that the individual is earning.  She explained that very few school districts of this size have a full-time psychologist and she asked the Board to consider its options when the position becomes vacant.  Board members explained that the decision to hire a full-time psychologist and replace the elementary guidance counselor and the services provided by the IU was a cost saving decision.

Karen Morgan distributed a letter that she would like residents of the district to support and mail to legislators regarding the per- pupil funding formula used by the state.  She also asked the administration to come up with a mechanism to inform the public of any volunteer services that could be utilized by the district.

Audra Beal asked the Board to consider the safety concern associated with a child molester in the area of the requested bus stop when making their decision.

6.

Approved charging the New Centerville Spinnetts the in-district, non-profit rate for their use of the school facility. 

7.

A motion to approve an additional bus stop on Glade Road failed.

8.

A motion to table the decision to amend the sabbatical leave policy as originally approved in the school district policy manual was approved. 

9.

Approve the purchase of property owned by Vernon C. Coleman et. al. by Edward Zubek at private sale.

10.

Approved the purchase of property owned by Charles & Carolyn Mowry by Edward Zubek at private sale.

11.

The NRA Foundation grant in the amount of $1,650.00 was accepted.

12.

Tabled the approval of homebound instruction for a high school student. 

13.

Approved an on-going donation program to the Rockwood high school library sponsored by the Rockwood American Legion.

14.

Approved a tuition student from the Turkeyfoot Valley School District for the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year. 

15.

Renee Saylor was approved as a student teacher with Barb Pelesky from 8/25/08 through 12/12/08.

16.

Approved Brandon Bruening as a volunteer assistant coach for baseball pending completion of all paperwork. 

17.

Approved an unpaid medical leave of absence for Rebecca Spiker from 4/10/08 through 5/12/08. 

18.

Approved Cindy Miller as a substitute instructional assistant pending completion of all paperwork. 

19.

Approved adding the following individuals to the district substitute list pending completion of all paperwork:

            Kimberly Miller                     Type 06 Emergency

            Jason Addair                          Technology Education

            Breigh Svonavec                    Elementary Education

            Amy Roberts                          Science

            Saralane Robaci                     Elementary Education

20.

Approved adding Kimberly Miller to the district secretary and instructional aide substitute lists pending completion of all paperwork.

21.

Accepted the retirement of Brenda Hardwig effective the day following the last student day of the 2007-2008 school year. 

22.

Accepted the retirement of Steven Frey as school psychologist effective at the close of the 2007-2008 school year. 

23.

Tabled the approval of a sabbatical leave for restoration of health for Donna Mosholder for the first semester of the 2008-2009 school year. 

24.

The following conference requests  were approved:

1.   Spring 2008 School Health Update – Pittsburgh, PA – 5/1/08 – Amanda Custer

2.   Potomac Stream Samplers Grant – Spruce Knob, WV – 8/4/08 through 8/6/08 – Kurt Woolslayer

25.

The following field trip requests were approved:

1.   Byham Theater – Pittsburgh, PA – 5/12/08 – Pam Schrock and Rich Kingera or Doug Spiri

2.   County Envirothon – Kooser State Park – 5/6/08 – Tim Vought and 15 students

3.   State Envirothon – State College, PA – 5/19/09 through 5/20/08 – Tim Vought and 5 students

4.   County Highlights banquet and awards ceremony – Somerset, PA – 5/7/08 – Nicole Hetrick and 2 students

5.   Au petit Paris – Frostburg, MD – 5/27/08 – Beniot Denault and 9 students – paid by French club.

6.   Pirates baseball game – Pittsburgh, PA – 5/23/08 – Beniot Denault and 20 students paid by the French and Spanish clubs.

7.   Recreation Day – Yough, PA – 5/8/09 – Dana Weimer and 12 students.

8.   Volunteer luncheon – Somerset, PA – 5/2/08 – Dana Weimer and 3 students – no cost to district.

9.   Mountain Playhouse – Jennerstown, PA – 5/12/08 – Kathy Dequenne, Tammy Minnick, Susan Slope, Kay McCormick and 75 students .

10. Mountain Playhouse, Somerset Hospital – Jennerstown, Somerset, PA  - 5/16/08 – Jenna Sembower, Donna Mosholder, Brenda Hardwig and 61 students.

11. Career Fair – Seven Springs – 4/17/08 – Mary Gosnell and 60 students.

12. Washington DC – 5/15/08 – Esther Baker, Jack Illar and 56 students – no cost to district.

13. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp – Mill Run, PA – 5/28/08 – Cathy Phillippi, Daryl Jones, Jaime Gross and 46 students.

14. Laurel Hill State Park – Trent, PA – 5/28/08 – Deb Phillippi, Denise Miller, Shirley Brougher and 69 students.

15. Middlecreek Golf Course – Rockwood, PA – Susan Dom and 4 students – no cost to the district.

26.

The following use of school facility requests were approved:

1.      Mother’s Day Dinner preparation – Rockwood cafeteria – 5/9/08, 5:00 – 10:00; 5/10/08, 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM; 5/11/08, 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Mother’s Day preparation.

2.      Rockwood Baseball Boosters – Rockwood cafeteria, kitchen – 6/20/08, 1:00 – 7:00 – spaghetti dinner.

3.      Rockwood Little League – Rockwood gymnasium, athletic fields – Tuesday, Wednesday evenings, Saturday mornings, April through June when facilities are available – little league practice and games.

4.      French club – Rockwood high school auditorium – 5/15/08, 4:00 – 7:00 – movie night.

5.      Rockwood junior high football – Rockwood athletic fields, weight room, mat room – Tuesday and Thursday, 3:15 – 4:30 during school; Tuesday and Thursday, 4:45 – 6:00 through summer – open workouts.

6.      Senior Class and Rockwood Ministerium – Rockwood auditorium, chorus room – 6/2/08, 6:00 – 9:00; 6/3/08, 5:00 – 10:00 – baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies.

7.      Rockwood basketball boosters – Rockwood high school gymnasium – 1 Sunday per month from September through April, 7:00 – 8:00 – meetings

8.      Dance with Miss Amanda – Rockwood high school auditorium – 5/10/08, 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM – dance recital and rehearsal.

27.

Mark Bower informed the Board that the amount of the dual enrollment grant has increased and students will receive a refund ranging from $215.00 to $250.00.

28.

The board met in executive session for the discussion of personnel. 

The Board met in executive session at 8:35 P.M. and reconvened at 9:42 P.M.

29.

A motion to amend the sabbatical leave policy as originally approved in the school district policy manual failed.

30.

Approved homebound instruction for a high school student. 

31.

Approved advertising a budget meeting for 5/6/08 at 7:00 P.M

32.

Approved a sabbatical leave for the restoration of health for Donna Mosholder for the first semester of the 2008-2009 school year, as per the policy manual of the Rockwood Area School District.

At its regular meeting on Monday, March 17, 2008, the following items were discussed/resolved by the Rockwood Area School Board:

1.

The minutes of the committee meeting on 2/18/08 and the regular meeting on 2/18/08 were approved.

The agenda, agenda items, and additional agenda items were accepted. 

2.

Approved the financial and treasurer reports, bills, and budgetary transfers as presented. 

3.

The following students of the month were recognized by the Board:

•             Amanda King

•             Elle Enos

•             Adam Meyers

•             Nicholas Foreman

•             Nathan Church

•            Camille Fleischauer

4.

Public Comments:

*Karen Morgan requested a copy of the resolution that was passed by the Board to raise taxes above the index and exceptions that were granted by the Department of Education.

*Audra Beal addressed the Board on a decision that was made by Brian Coughenour and Mark Bower not to add an additional stop to an existing bus route as she requested.  She informed the Board that a sex offender lives within two miles of her home and she believes that every student should be picked up at their home for safety reasons.  Brian Coughenour informed the Board that he and Mark Bower reviewed the request and denied it for the fact that the stop would add 5 to 10 minutes to a route that is already one of the longest in the district. They also informed the Board that the walking distance is approximately 6 tenths of a mile to the current stop and other similar requests were denied.  The Board instructed Mr. Bower and Mr. Coughenour to obtain additional information regarding the stop and the request will be placed on the agenda in April for a decision by the Board.                                                                                                                      

*Andy Demidont addressed the Board and thanked Mark Bower for doing a fine job on the public presentations.  He also expressed his thanks to the Board members and community members who attended the meetings.  Mr. Demidont stated that a lot is riding on the referendum vote and people must understand that they will have to pay, whether it be now or in the future.

5.

Authorized the business office to advertise for the following bids for the 2008-2009 school year:

•  General School Supplies                           

•  Industrial Arts Supplies

• Custodial Supplies                                     

•  Electrical Supplies

•  Coal                                                          

•  Propane

6.

The graduation date for the class of 2008 was set for 6/3/08.

7.

Approved advertising for bids for the metal awning that was removed from the elementary entrance. 

8.

Accepted the quote from QSP by Esber Cash Register for the purchase of new software for the food service program at a cost of $7,695.00. 

9.

Approved a cooperative sports agreement with Turkeyfoot for volleyball. 

10.

Adopted the following resolution authorizing participation with the Department of Education with a Management Assistance Team:

            The Rockwood Area School District Board of Directors requests and authorizes participation in a Management Assistance Team as provided by the Department of Education.

11.

Approved the annual donation to the Somerset County Reading Teacher’s Association for the annual scrabble tournament in the amount of $100.00. 

12.

A motion to adopt the Appalachia IU 08 general fund budget for the 2008-2009 school year failed.  The board authorized the administration to write a letter to the IU requesting a change in the method of funding as contained in the articles of agreement. 

13.

Brian Coughenour distributed and collected the ballots for the Appalachia IU 08 Board of Directors.

14.

Approved the Rockwood Area School District lunch policy.  (A copy of the policy is contained in the district policy manual)

15.

Approved rescheduling the June 16, 2008 meeting to June 19, 2008. 

16.

Coaching positions:

*Approved employing Doug Molhoek as assistant varsity track coach for the 2007-2008 school year, pending completion of all paperwork. 

*Jesse Gump was approved as a volunteer assistant coach for softball for the 2007-2008 school year.

*approved the following volunteer assistant coaches for girl’s varsity soccer for the 2008-2009 school year pending completion of all paperwork:

             Elyse Branam                                                Chance Branam

17.

Accepted the retirement of JoAnn Kelsey effective the day after the last student day of the 2007-2008 school year and approved advertising for the position. 

18.

The following conference request  was approed:

1. PA Association of Federal Program Coordinators Annual Conference – Hershey, PA – 4/13/08 through 4/16/08 – Sam Romesberg

19.

The following field trip requests were approved:

1. Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center – Johnstown, PA – 4/22/08 – Doug Spiri and 58 students
2. Johnstown Flood Museum, Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center – Johnstown, PA – 4/22/08 – Kirby Barclay, Mindy Sarver, Eric Witt and 55 students
3. Foreign Language Competition – Indiana, PA – 4/26/08 – Benoit Denault and 9 students (paid by French Club).
4. Summer Foreign Language Camp – Millersville, PA – 8/3/08 through 8/9/08 – Andrea Minor and 7 students – (paid by Spanish Club and individual students).           
5. Reading Competition – Meyersdale, PA – 4/15/08 – Jill Morgan and 30 students

20.

The following use of school facility requests were approved:

1. Rockwood River & Rails – Rockwood high school auditorium, band room – 6/17/08, 5:30 – 10:00; 6/18/08, 5:30 – 10:00; 6/20/08, 5:30 – 10:00 – Rivers & Rails Queen contest.
2. Somerset County Chorus – Rockwood high school auditorium, classrooms, cafeteria, chorus room – 11/24/08, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; 11/25/08, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM – All-County chorus festival.
3. Rockwood River & Rails – Rockwood high school auditorium, athletic fields, parking lot – 6/21/08, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; 6/22/08, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM – tractor buddies, fireworks, car show, etc.
4. Linda’s Dance Studio – Rockwood auditorium, chorus room – 6/7/08, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM or 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (must work around graduation – dance recital rehearsal and performance.
5. Talus Rock Girls Scouts Council – Rockwood elementary PTA room – Thursday evenings, 3/17/08 through 4/24/08, 3:30 – 5:00 – troop meetings.
6. Rockwood Junior Legion Baseball Team – Rockwood athletic fields – April through July when available – baseball practice and games.
7. Rockwood American Legion – Rockwood auditorium 5/26/08, 9:00 – 11:00 AM – Memorial Day services in case of inclement weather.
8. CEF of Fayette Somerset – Rockwood elementary library – 3/28/08 through 4/25/08, 3:15 – 4:30 – Good News Club.
9. New Centerville Girls Softball League – Rockwood softball field – dates when available – games & practices.
10. Rockwood cheerleading boosters – Rockwood elementary gymnasium, chorus room – 4/26/08, 5:00 – 10:30 PM – dance

21.

The following club & class activity request was approved:

1. Junior/Senior High Band – Dante’s Pizza Sale – 3/24/08 through 4/4/08 – raise funds for equipment.

22.

Mark Bower encouraged the community members that were present to invite their friends and neighbors to attend the upcoming community meetings.