The highlight of the June 22 Schuylkill Valley School Board meeting was the recognition of the large group of students who participated in the Berks County Special Olympics Track and Field Meet.
The event was held on April 29 at Kutztown University and was coordinated by Middle School Learning Support teacher, Dana Carter who provided a video presentation documenting the joys of the day for the Board and meeting attendees.
The motto of the Special Olympics, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”, opened Carter’s presentation, which included information about each Schuylkill Valley student who participated, including their names, ages, the events in which they were entered, and how they placed. Carter stated during her slot at the meeting that at Schuylkill Valley “we celebrate all children here.” She received a round of applause from those attending in support of her work with the children involved.
The Superintendent’s monthly report, as in previous months, involved Dr. Mata stressing the increase in enrollment in the district, which he detailed as an increase of 80 students, requiring an additional third grade class to be added. Mata also discussed what he deemed a successful graduation experience at the school and proudly relayed to the group that the graduation rate at Schuylkill Valley for students who start in ninth grade and continue to twelfth grade is at 98.1%.
Multiple personnel changes were voted in unanimously by the Board at the June 22nd meeting. Lisa Jacobson, School Psychologist, was granted a sabbatical leave for the “restoration of health” for the first semester of the upcoming school year and the Board approved Ashley McGinty-Napolitano as the long-term substitute in the Psychologist position at a salary of $52,937. The retirement request of Carmela M. Rudy, Second Grade teacher, was voted effective at the close of the 2014-2015 school year.
The Board voted unanimously for unpaid childbearing leave of absence for Abbey Sassaman, High School Mathematics, and Heather Weller, Elementary School Non-certified Aide. The Board also approved changes for the Food Service workers’ schedule from three hours per day to four hours per day effective in the upcoming school year. The four hour per day Food Service Secretary position was reinstated from the current two hour per day position. The hourly wage for cafeteria substitutes was increased from $8.20 an hour to $9.00 an hour, effective for 2015-2016.
Numerous resolutions regarding students with special needs were approved by the Board at the June meeting. The Policies and Procedures Handbook for Parents and Students was adopted pending policy changes and the school calendar amendment for 2015-2016 denoting Thursday, March 24th, and Monday, March 28th, as additional inclement weather make-up days was unanimously approved.
Technology expenditure resolutions were accepted by the Board for district-wide mass notification software, district website service renewal, interactive whiteboard project replacement and upgrades, and high school TV studio project installation and materials.
The Board voted in favor of resolutions endorsing payment of Special Education costs provided by Hogan Learning Academy LLC, Wilson School District, and Valley Forge Education Services for several Schuylkill Valley students.
The Board of Directors unanimously confirmed payment of General Fund and Cafeteria Fund bills for May and June, as well as Technology Reserve Fund, Capital Project Fund, Scholarship Funds, and Construction Fund bills for May.
The Final General Fund Budget for 2015 – 2016 was approved at the June Board of School Directors meeting in the amount of $36,008, 987, using $355,000 of the committed fund balance for instructional materials.
The Board unanimously voted for the upcoming fiscal year tax structure for Schuylkill Valley School District as Real Estate Tax (no change) at 26.79 mils, Per Capita Taxes for Sections 511 and 679 PA School Code at $5.00, and both Real Estate Transfer Tax and Earned Income Tax at 1/2%.
A Memorandum of Understanding among Ontelaunee Township, Berks County, and the Schuylkill Valley School District was approved regarding the installation and maintenance of flashing school zone traffic signs at the entrances and exits to the High School on Lakeshore Drive, the Middle School on Ontelaunee Drive, and the Elementary School at Ashley Way.
The Board of School Directors meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m. with the next meeting scheduled for Monday, July 27th, at 7:00 p.m.
