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Issue Home July 28, 2010 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Summertime At Blue Ridge
Susky Gets Demo Update
Courthouse Report
Sentencing Report
Silver Lake Twp. Police Report
Pipelines, Ripples In N. M. Twp.
Hallstead To Tackle Water
Elk Lake Brief, Busy



Summertime At Blue Ridge
By Ted Brewster

There may have been a time when life slowed down in the summer at our schools. That fiction is supported at Blue Ridge by the School Board’s lazy meeting schedule this year: once a month through the summer. It’s hard to believe, however, with many areas of the campus and buildings torn up by construction and programs being cut back.

The public Board meeting on July 19 was bracketed by executive sessions on personnel issues, one of them concerning the search for a new superintendent. And when the official session was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance, there was no flag to salute because the cafeteria is torn up with on-going renovations. You had to find a new way into the building because the main entrance to the Elementary School is also being rebuilt. And it’s hard to find a place to park because the parking lots are being repaved, and repaved again.

In fact, according to Business Manager Loren Small, the paving on one of the driveways was so poorly done, that the contractor may be forced to grind it all up and start over. Two change orders on some of the projects were approved at a cost of over $10,000. Otherwise, Mr. Small reported that most of the facilities projects are on schedule.

At the start, a parent asked about rumors that the wrestling program would be eliminated. He said that there was “a lot of passion for the sport in this area,” while admitting that “yes, the numbers are down.” Only 6 students participated in the Middle School last year, yet Board President Alan Hall pledged that “we are not cutting the wrestling program.” He said the sport is “not in jeopardy yet,” and that the Board is considering alternatives, including a co-sponsorship program much like Blue Ridge has with Susquehanna for football.

In fact, the number of coaches is being cut, as are auxiliary positions in all areas of the schools. These are the so-called Schedule B positions, Schedule B being part of the teachers’ contract, and include such things as club advisors, department heads - and coaches. A sheet attached to the meeting agenda listed 54 such positions that are to be eliminated, for a total savings of almost $43,000. That still left another list of 62 positions that were filled, including a new Athletic Director, at a salary of $7,000. The old full-time permanent position of Transportation and Activities Director was eliminated earlier in the summer. Mr. Hall said that he is trying to replace some full-time slots with part-time and/or temporary positions, to save money, a process that involves some negotiation with the teachers’ organization.

At the same time there are ever-increasing demands on the staff budget. The Board approved a raise of $4,500 for the school psychologist. And the Education and Curriculum Committee is asking for a social worker position (that would be paid for in part by a grant), as well as a speech therapist.

The problem, of course, is a shortage of money. The new state budget increased school funding by a meager $250 million, which will mean little to Blue Ridge. It also called for cuts in subsidies for charter schools, and a 14% cut for the Intermediate Unit. The budget also cuts subsidies for dual-enrollment programs, yet Lackawanna College wants to add a second accounting course to its Blue Ridge offerings.

The biggest threat looming over local school budgets state-wide is the under-funded pension system. The directors of the state pension program recommended that the state boost deposits to 8% of gross salaries, but the budget cut that to just over 5.5%. The teachers pay 6%-7% themselves; the state reimburses local districts about half of their contribution. Projections suggest steeply rising pension contributions from local school budgets for the next several years. With declining enrollments, Mr. Hall wants to keep local property taxes stable without impacting educational programs. It’s a complicated puzzle that the Board will be facing in a weak economy.

Nevertheless, the Board transacted a normal business agenda at the meeting. Along with a few routine personnel matters, the Board welcomed Judith McKee as the new school nurse, who attended the meeting in person.

The Board also approved something called the “PROSPER/Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth.” This program sponsored by the county Children and Youth Services office and the Penn State Cooperative Extension will pay for a coordinator, 3 facilitators, a child-care coordinator and 2-3 child-care assistants, in return for in-kind provision of space and some limited staff and custodial time. The program is otherwise free to the district and participating families, and bills itself as “an evidence-based, risk prevention and parent education program that brings together parents/caregivers and their 10-14 year-old kids to: Share their dreams, wishes and goals for the future, learn about the best ways to communicate with each other, develop great problem-solving skills to handle problems, … Increase and enhance family bonding, and Decrease risky behaviors like teen drug and alcohol abuse.” All of that in 7 “FUN, free” sessions.

The Board approved a contract with NHS Human Services to provide “School Outreach Services” for the new school year. According to Middle School Principal Matthew Nebzydoski, this is a state-mandated program that provides additional counseling services 1 day a week. The contract cost is over $11,500.

Another agreement with Children’s Service Center provides “education to students placed in BridgeView School - Residential Treatment Facility/Milfor Barnes School - Partial Hospitalization Program” for the new school year at a cost of $85-$95 per day for treated Blue Ridge students/patients.

The Board also approved a new set of policies for its classified (non-professional) employees, covering time clocks, sick leave, personal leave and vacation.

The Board accepted bids from Butter Krust Baking and DiRienzo Brothers Bakery for bread products for the new school year, and from Hartt Dairy for milk products.

The Board also approved a memorandum of understanding with Johnson Controls that will allow the company to survey the schools and the district’s energy records in order to prepare a proposal for a major project that would hope to save on energy costs. A similar arrangement with Johnson Controls two years ago had no observable outcome. This time the company is promoting a windmill to power the schools, as well as other energy-saving measures that would have to pay for themselves. A preliminary estimate projected a cost of nearly $3 million. So far, however, the arrangement involves “no financial commitment from the district,” according to Mr. Small.

Teachers have been undergoing some training over the summer. A “Tech Academy” led by “coach” Farrell involved 10 teachers and some substitutes over 3 days learning about some of the technologies available at the schools, all paid for by a grant. Eight teachers will also undergo training in the district’s primary MMS system in early August for a total cost of about $1,400 in salaries.

The August School Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 9th. After school starts, the first September meeting will be on the 13th. All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m., with some committees meeting an hour earlier. All meetings are staged in the cafeteria in the Elementary School.

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Susky Gets Demo Update

Susquehanna Boro Council met for their regular monthly meeting on July 20; present were Sue Crawford, Dave Scales, Joe Varsik, Roy Williams, Allen Wolf and Secretary Roberta Kelly.

It was reported that work on the site of the demolished Capra building has been completed. All of the allocated funding has been spent, the upper portion of the lot has been blacktopped, the area behind the retaining wall has been backfilled, and work has been done to ensure that rain water is directed to the drainage system. Since the demolition was funded through a grant, the site must be inspected by a representative from Harrisburg, who will issue a close out report that will be sent to the county Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The authority will in turn issue a close out report. The process will take anywhere from three to six months, after which the boro can determine what to do with the property. Council had received a letter of interest from an individual who would like to purchase the property, but the close out process must be completed first, and the property would need to be appraised and put out to bid if it is decided to sell it.

In other business, there was no news on the removal of the rail cars by the Chemung Valley Historical Society.

The local Boy Scouts had previously contacted council about planting a tree in honor of the anniversary of the Scouts and in honor of Ira Reynolds, who has been involved with Scouting for nearly one hundred years. The Scouts have decided on a site at the Prospect Street park, and will coordinate a dedication ceremony with the local Little League.

At the last regular monthly meeting, Secretary Kelly had requested council’s permission to obtain the services of an Experience Works helper to redo the files in the boro office. At this meeting, she said that it would not be necessary, as she and Treasurer Ann Stewart and several community workers had been doing the job.

Under new business, a resolution was approved to renew the boro’s agreement with PennDOT for the Agility program for a period of five years. Mr. Williams said that this is the last year that PennDOT would accept street sweeping as part of the exchange of services. A meeting will be held to discuss terms of the agreement, what services would be performed by the boro and which services PennDOT will offer.

And, a motion carried to accept renewal of the boro’s insurance policy with DGK, at an increase of $77 over this year’s.

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Courthouse Report
Compiled By Lauren Price Ficarro

Hopkins Living Trust (by trustee) to Hopkins Living Trust (trust by trustee), in Forest Lake Township for one dollar.

Ronald C. Buchta to Cheryl A. Buchta, Julene N. Graham and Frances J. Lawrence, in Great Bend Borough for one dollar.

John Paul McGurrin (estate) to John Paul McGurrin (estate by trustee), in Lenox Township.

Eugene R. and Jennie Paumgardhen to Stephen and Rita Knopick, in Great Bend Township for one dollar.

Kenneth and Susan M. Porter and AJ and Barbara Frasca to Allan and Paula Kazmierski, in Clifford Township for $50,000.00.

Candace M. Jones to Northeast Investments LLC, in Montrose for $138,000.00.

Leon H. Carrar, Jr. to Laser Midstream Company LLC, in Liberty Township for $10.00.

Kim Goodrich and Karl Bergmann, Laurie J. Goodrich and Tara Lilian and Robert Tetrault to Sandra J. Major, in Silver Lake Township for $335,000.00.

David A. and Laurie J. Passetti to Kimberly A. Harris, in Susquehanna for $75,000.00.

Larry D. Cobb to Joseph J. and Lori A. Hunt, in New Milford Borough for $19,000.00.

Marion Garvey (AKA) Marion Moran (estate) and Joseph R. Woody to David A. Dodge, in Lathrop Township for $70,402.04.

Bremer Hof Owners, Inc. to Terry J., Mary P., Matthew B. and Jarrett A. Woodfork, in Herrick Township for $100.00.

Gail Roberts Hinkley (AKA) Gail R. Wydeen to Gail R. Wydeen, in Lenox Township for one dollar.

Robert O. (AKA) Robert and Christine N. Johnson to Jacob J. and Lindsay Y. Johnson, in Gibson Township for one dollar.

Frederick J. Svoboda (estate) to Brenda Jean Landis and Ronald Henry Svoboda, in Lenox Township for one dollar.

Alvah and Marjorie Weaver to Paul and Linda Montalbano, in Rush Township for $30,000.00.

Pennsylvania Mineral Group LLC to EHMP LLC, in Lathrop, Gibson, Harford and Springville Townships for $10.00.

Pennsylvania Mineral Group LLC to EHMP LLC, in Springville Township for $10.00.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has bench warrants for the following individuals as of 9:52 a.m. on July 23, 2010.

Erika L. Back, Keith Bryant Beach, Harold R. Bensley, Tonya S. Birchard, David Shawn Blaisure, Allen S. Bowman, Ryan T. Brooks, Howard A. Burns, III, Deborah L. Drish, Robert W. Evans, Jonathan Fathi, David J. Fischer, Racheal L. Frisbie, George Graham, David Haines, Jr., Keith G. Harms, Erik E. Krisovitch, Joshua S. Lee, Charlie J. Legere, Carlos L. Leiser, Jason Lindquist, Mark C. McCarey, Matthew S. Miller, Jennifer M. Miller, Shane Nelson, Anthony Neri, Sheri Pabon, Arthur D. Quick, David J. Shiner, Richard D. Shoemaker, Kristopher M. Slocum, Duane Spencer, Justin Thompson, Christina L. Trayes, Charles VanWinkle, Jr., Keith W. Vroman, Jamie L. Williams, Kenneth L. Wilmot, Jr., Karl D. Zantowsky.

Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.

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Sentencing Report

Following is the Susquehanna County sentencing report for July, 2010 as submitted by the county District Attorney’s office.

Guererro Morales, 22, of Roswell, NM to 30 days to 6 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $750 fine, pay $100 Act 198, pay $100 CAT surcharge, pay $10 EMS, attend alcohol safe driving school program, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation for Driving Under the Influence in Bridgewater Township on March 21, 2010.

Derrick C. Smith, 24, of Hallstead, PA to 5 days to 6 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $300 fine, pay $100 Act 198, pay $100 CAT surcharge, pay $10 EMS, attend alcohol safe driving school program, receive drug and alcohol counseling for Driving Under the Influence in New Milford Borough on June 28, 2009.

Rodney G. Clark, 50 of Susquehanna, PA to 15 months to 30 months in a State Correctional Facility, pay $500 fine, pay $100 Act 198, pay $250 DNA fee and submit sample, perform 50 hours of community service for Manufacture of a Controlled Substance in Harmony Township on August 4, 2009.

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Silver Lake Twp. Police Report
Submitted By Silver Lake Twp. Police Department

BURGLARY

On June 1, a break-in was reported at a residence on Eb’s Corner Road, Franklin Township. The dwelling had been entered and all copper piping and a hot water heater were removed from the residence. The scene was processed for evidence. This incident is still under investigation.

ANIMAL COMPLAINT

On June 2, dogs were reported to be roaming freely around properties on Laurel Lake. Residents are concerned about young children and their vulnerability. The dog warden was contacted to handle this situation.

HARASSMENT

On June 6, a Silver Lake Twp. resident reported that an individual would not leave his property after being told to leave. SLTPD intervened and the situation was rectified.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

George Dzwiak was charged with disorderly conduct after an incident involving he and his wife. This was a probation violation and he was taken to the County Correctional Facility.

ASSIST OTHER AGENCIES

SLTPD assisted several other agencies with a suicidal female who had possession of weapons and was threatening to harm herself. The incident was curtailed without serious incident.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

On June 14, Melody Tereska reported that a black pickup truck with kids in the back, was yelling and throwing beer cans at her residence in Silver Lake Township. This incident is still under investigation.

MVA/REPORTABLE/DUI

On June 17, Oscar Chavez-Sevilla of Scranton, PA, was arrested and charged with DUI after crashing his vehicle on John C. MaNamara Drive in Silver Lake Township.

DOMESTIC DISPUTE

On June 17, a Franklin Township couple were involved in a verbal dispute resulting in the separation of the individuals to separate households and further civil interventions for the sake of the family members involved.

ATV Complaints

On June 20, in Franklin Township, residents on Forks Hill Road complained about ATV’s running back and forth in the roadway. Some possible suspects were identified and SLTPD addressed those area residents having the ATV’s, on the laws and consequences if the activity continued.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT/HARASSMENT

On June 22, a local disgruntled resident was threatening and disorderly towards the employees at the Brackney Post Office. This incident involved the Federal Postal Police Officers as well. This situation is under further investigation and action.

MVA/NON-REPORTABLE

On June 23, Richard Stewart reported that a Lopke truck had side swiped his pickup truck while it was parked along the roadway as he was working cutting up logs. This incident is still under investigation.

DOMESTIC DISPUTE

On June 23, a mother and adult daughter dispute on Briton Road, Silver Lake Township, was escalating into a serious verbal dispute over money and children. The parties were separated and information was recorded.

THEFT

On June 25, Rosemary Stewart, Forest Lake Township, reported credit card theft. The card number was used illegally in the state of Nevada. A police report was filed for the client.

MVA (REPORTABLE)

On June 27, Charles Bliss was involved in a one-vehicle MVA on Hawk Road, Franklin Township. Mr. Bliss lost control of his 2002 Dodge Dakota and struck a tree. He was not injured, but his vehicle was damaged and towed to Hill Collision in Tunkhannock.

IDENTITY THEFT-FRAUD

On June 29, Candace Coney in Silver Lake Township, was caught up in a money scam involving false requests for emergency funds to be sent western union to Quebec, Canada. The State Attorney Generals Office will continue the investigation.

MVA/REPORTABLE

On June 28, a Nissan Diesel Flatbed truck driven by Idalgo Cilerin, Johnson City, NY, hydroplaned during a heavy rainstorm onto and over the guardrails on SR267 northbound in Forest Lake Township. The vehicle was a commercial vehicle for Pace Maker Steel, Utica, NY. The driver was not injured. The vehicle was removed by John’s Towing out of Binghamton, NY. The driver was cited for driving too fast for conditions.

IDENTITY THEFT

On June 30, a resident in Franklin Township reported that at least two incidents had been attempted to get information for a company identifying themselves as a credit card company where the recipients do not even have credit cards. This is a common scam and the victims were advised to give out no information. The callers hung up when asked where they got the phone numbers.

Any information or questions for the Silver Lake Township Police, please call 570-278-6818 or e-mail silverlaketwppd@epix.net. All information will be held strictly confidential. Please visit the Silver Lake Township website at silverlaketwp.org to see all of Silver Lake Township’s news, profiles and resources, including the police reports.

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Pipelines, Ripples In N. M. Twp.
By Melinda Darrow

The July 21 New Milford Township meeting proceeded in its usual uneventful manner until the end, when visitors arrived to air their complaints. Prior to that time, however, several items were addressed.

Mr. Bondurant announced that the Centennial, celebrated so successfully last year, is not over. By popular demand two of the most popular things during the centennial, the concerts and the sock hop at the Green Gables, are going to be repeated. More precisely, one of the concerts, the Endless Mountains Trio, was to be repeated on August 7 at 6:30 p.m. The sock hop was scheduled for September 12, and Mr. Bondurant said further information on that would follow. He said that people expressed how nice it was to get together and on the green, which is why the events were being planned. “That's what everybody wanted so that's what we're doing.”

As was discussed at the last meeting, the cinder shed bids, which had been awarded to Yoder, were withdrawn. Yoder withdrew his bid first, and as the next bid up was for around $12,000 more, the supervisors decided not to move ahead with the project at this time. It is planned to be rebid at a future point.

Two of the township supervisors met with a Mr. Oliver and a Mr. Seth with ITM, representing Dawson Geophysical. They were provided with detailed maps of where they wish to perform blasting and vibe tests within the township, and offered them a tour of a locally stationed vibe truck. Mr. Conroy explained that, basically, the company was working on the other side of the township right now, and would be on the other side in April of the following year. He explained that the blasting involves eight leads at the end of extension cords, and a charge is set off in a hole dug about 20 feet deep. He likened the effect to that of dropping a rock in water, the waves then travel through the ground and back to a truck in Montrose. The supervisors have given them permission to go where the township has right of way only, he emphasized, and not to travel on private property.

Mr. Conroy and Mr. Hunter also met with a Mr. Zone and Mr. Armiak of Bluestone Gathering System regarding an overview for a future proposed gas line and road maintenance agreement. This line is to be a main line, connecting gas here to even larger pipelines. It was asserted that the plan is not written in stone, and that the supervisors would work to keep the public informed of the progress. The current proposal would run across only the northwest quadrant of the township, coming from Montrose and traveling near Lakeside over to Susquehanna. The company said that they would not want to run on the road, but would want to travel across private property, with the permission of landowners. Local owners could expect to receive letters from the company to this effect within two weeks.

The supervisors also met with gentlemen from Chesapeake Energy, to discuss road information and a road maintenance agreement. They discussed with them what the company would do to prevent all the damage that has been done elsewhere, and Mr. Shibley said that it sounded like they had a good plan in place. They do have an engineer on duty, he said, and they would try not to spread their work out but to rather concentrate on one area before moving on to the next. The supervisors did not sign anything, but will send the paperwork to the lawyers to be reviewed. The company representatives apparently said that they had spent 20 million dollars on roads so far and are looking to spend another 60 million or so. Mr. Shibley expressed his opinion that township roads might fair better than roads in other areas anyway, due to the stone traffic they already experience, and that other areas have been pleased with the results. It was quipped that the township might even end up with better roads than it started with.

It was also announced that a letter had been received from PennDot stating that most of the four digit state routes were to be posted with ten ton limits, except for local delivery. Probably 30 or 40 roads will receive the treatment, in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties.

Another small quarry, it was reported, would be opening off Cutter Road. The supervisors received notification to this effect from DEP.

One group of Osborne Road residents attended the meeting to ask when a little work could be expected to be done on that road. The south end, one said, is wonderful, like I81, but to the left of his driveway it is like a wagon trail. Mr. Conroy responded that the machinery is in that area currently, and, if the weather stays favorable he hoped to have it addressed soon. The complainant wasn't truly a complainant, commending the supervisors for the state of the road’s other end, and the secretary for her assistance this spring. He did add, however, that the state mandates that one end of a road be the same as the other to avoid favoritism.

Shortly before the meeting would have otherwise ended, David and Peggy Maloof from the Heart Lake area arrived to express their discontent over the supervisors take on the Dawson Geophysical work. This visit, they said, was to follow up on telephone discussions and correspondence. They had not signed a lease, and had no intention to do so. They felt, then, that the township giving permission for a private, for-profit company, to use the right of way they granted the township was objectionable. Mr. Maloof said that the testing was run by Cabot, and that he felt their business to leave a lot to be desired, and that they had a history of being unsavory. There was some discussion over what right of way involved, and the Maloofs expressed their opinion that this power was given to the supervisors for the public good, and for the purposes of public utilities, not for private for-profit companies. Right of way, Mr. Maloof asserted, did not mean that the township owned the property. Mr. Conroy agreed with this statement, and reiterated that they had given no one permission to go on private land, only on the township's roads. He also stated that he had specifically asked the company to go on the side of the road opposite the Maloofs' property. Mr. Maloof said that he had pictorial proof the work had abutted his property, and that when he had tried asking them to stop he was informed that they had PennDot and township permission. He felt this to be a precursor for other detrimental actions around his land, as the testing was to assess the minerals and natural resources under his land. He did not want this testing to lead to the insertion of a pipeline, etc. He also questioned the legality of granting this right of way, claiming there were cases in court at that time regarding the very same topics. Mr. Conroy rebutted by explaining that he had gone to his superior prior to making a decision, to ensure that he had the right. Mr. Maloof said this was nice, but that he should have gone to the landowners or held a public hearing. The township secretary pointed out that, although the couple repeatedly spoke of other people being upset about the same issue, no one else had contacted the township with complaints. Prior to the discussion's end, the matter of the pipeline was then revisited. It was again reiterated that no permission was given for a pipeline to travel across private land, and that, based on what the company had said, the only time it would run across a road would be in traveling from one plot of land to another.

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Hallstead To Tackle Water

Hallstead Borough Council reviewed an extensive list of areas in need of drainage work at their July 23 monthly meeting, which had been postponed from the previous week. After discussion, it was agreed to tackle them one at a time, beginning with the oldest first. A water problem on Wright St. was also discussed, after which a motion carried to see what could be done for now until a more permanent solution is feasible.

The ballpark was also discussed, specifically the new scoreboard that had been donated. As of the date of the meeting, it had not been hooked up to electric service. The controls are in an old building that was to have been taken down and replaced with a new one, paid for out of grant funding the boro has obtained. It was agreed to contact an electrician to see if the power can be moved to an existing utility pole or perhaps under the pavilion and then proceed with replacement of the building once the scheduled ball games have been completed.

A motion carried to purchase reflective posts, to be placed in an area where vehicles have been driving over the sidewalk and damaging it. The property owner had replaced the walks, which were subsequently damaged.

And, the county Housing and Redevelopment Authority will be contacted regarding drainage problems near a construction site that the authority is overseeing.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m.

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Elk Lake Brief, Busy
By Melinda Darrow

The July 21 school board meetings of the Elk Lake School District and the SCCTC were unusually short. Despite the abridged length, several items of note transpired.

Dr. Bush explained that, as a bit of a quirk in the system, rural schools are being shortchanged in free and reduced monies. This is due to the system being weighted, with more weight being given to urban schools. PARS is working on it, he assured those present. This was part of a discussion regarding the Title 1 funds which, Dr. Bush said, had received about a $20,000 cut. This is pretty consistent with other districts though.

Mrs. Ives addressed her concern that the fourth grade students were receiving Title 1 reading services as they should, with the cuts to the district's Title 1 money. Dr. Bush explained that any reduction would not represent a reduction in services, as Elk Lake would reimburse the difference. When students come back after summer break, he continued, they are evaluated, and plans are developed for the neediest students. Mrs. Staats said that she knows this program, while not under her direction, is doing a good job, because the special education department is seeing fewer special needs students in the lower grades. Mrs. Ives still felt that Title one services needed to be stronger in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. Dr. Bush said that the district would look into this, and reiterated that they were not going to deny services to any students.

There was then a brief discussion about transportation salaries. Dr. Bush opened it up, juxtaposing the district's concern over its ability to attract more drivers and to offer current drivers enough hours to keep them against the need to bring in new drivers to promote flexibility. Dr. Cuomo reiterated this, explaining that the district never seems to have enough drivers, but the more new drivers are brought on, the more upset the veteran drivers become. If the new drivers are not given hours, on the other hand, they are likely to become discouraged and go somewhere else. Mr. Tewksbury asked if it cost the drivers anything out of pocket to maintain their license. Mrs. Hollister explained that once a driver is permanent, the district pays for the physical and the recertification. Dr. Cumo said that, while initially the administration begins the year thinking things are all covered, something might come up.

Mr. Tewksbury spoke on the budget, asking Mrs. Hollister what the district needed to pay into the retirement system. Dr. Bush answered that the district is paying roughly half of what it had planned on paying for this. There was mild discussion regarding why this might have occurred, and the possible repercussions of it.

Bus 17 has a prospective buyer, Dr. Bush announced. Such sales are always brought to the board's attention, he explained, to ensure that it is always a fair and equal transaction. It was clarified that the contractors sell the buses, not the district, and that the bus is sold, not the route. The board expressed no objection to the sale. Mr. Tewksbury explained that there have been instances, in other districts, where a contractor has gotten away with selling a bus for much more money because they try to sell the route as well.

The school bus camera bids came in. The bid price was provided for two large busses, three small busses and, at the contractor's discretion and expense, for an additional camera pointing down the stairs. Dr. Cumo pointed out that most of the contractor's would have already put an additional camera in their busses if they were going to do so at their own expense. If contractors were to decide to do so, however, the dvr could handle up to four channels. In the end, after discussing all of the options, Dr. Bush recommended Pro-Vision, due to that bid having 5 year warranties, and the company’s doing work in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Bush broached the subject of a delegate requirement for the PSBA conference on October 14, a Thursday. Mr. Emmerich volunteered to attend and a second position was left open in case anyone wanted to fill it.

Dr. Bush discussed the August meeting, set for the fourth Tuesday of the month. He proposed that, if a second meeting were to be necessitated after registration, it be scheduled for the 17th of that month. Various people, however, said that they had the meeting slated for the 17th already. Officially, then, it was established to be that day.

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