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HEADLINES: Susky Board Facing Uncertainty As in recent years, the state budget is once again presenting some uncertainty to school districts throughout the state. At their January 19 meeting, Superintendent Bronson Stone reported to the Susquehanna Community School Board that they are facing “definite uncertainties.” There have been many rumors and theories making the rounds, but it is looking as if the new governor’s upcoming budget will be reducing the amount of basic education subsidies that districts receive, which is, incidentally, their largest funding source. Conjecture at this point is that the funding will be reduced to 2008-09 levels. With definite increases in health care costs, salaries and supply costs, Mr. Stone foresees a deficit in the range of $800,000 if the basic education subsidy is reduced. The district may not increase taxes by more than 2.1%, which would not be enough to offset the expected deficit. He said that the staff has been exploring a wide variety of actions to take, if necessary, including reductions in staff, programs and athletics, non-essential functions. In the meantime, the governor’s budget is being “patiently” awaited. In other business, January is School Director Recognition month, and the board was recognized for their service with plaques as well as letters from fifth grade students. Due to the number of recent snow days used in the past few weeks, parent teacher conferences have been rescheduled to February 2. Letters have been sent home to eligible students to promote the Project Lead the Way program, which is an introduction to engineering. The district is only one of three in NEPA that offers the course. Jason Legg was guest speaker at an assembly for ninth grade students on January 21; his topic was “Too Smart for Trouble” and covered high risk behavior. The assembly was co-sponsored by Trehab and the Women’s’ Resource Center. Homestead (property tax reduction) applications were sent out in December; eligible property owners have until March to apply. Other items approved by the board were as follows: - The 2011-12 Special Education Services contract with NEIU19; this covers students who are sent to other districts for special education services. - The Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19 regional Wide Area Network service agreement for five years at a monthly rate of $2,169. The cost is partially subsidized by the state. - 2011 transportation contracts. - A contract with Freddy’s Refuse Removal at a cost of $9,235.49 for 2011. - A homebound request for an eighth grader. - The resignation of Kristin Stanford, elementary library aide. - Hiring for the following positions: personal care aide, elementary library aide, homebound instructor. - Substitutes for the 2010-11 school year: teachers Meghan Gilleran, Kimberly Frechen, Kimberly Marco, Erin Rosenthal, Kathryn Fuller, Jennifer James, Jaimie Himka and John Carpenter; aides Michele Sweeney and Patricia Cottrell. - The following volunteers: junior high track, Karen Trynoski; wrestling, Mike Lloyd; elementary wrestling, Larry Rumola, Dennis Gow, Chad Crawford, William Collins and Damon Sisler. - A district COBRA policy. - A revision to the current management team contract (2009-13); it is to insert an item that was approved during negotiations but had been inadvertently omitted from the printed version. - Use of the school cafeteria to hold Weight Watchers meetings after school hours. - Sarah Holmes as a homebound instructor. - Student Council’s request to hold movie nights once a month, with students paying all costs involved. - Permission for the Parent Involvement Committee to hold a sixth grade dance, an annual Easter egg hunt and a Saturday Jump Tent Day for elementary students, all dates to be announced. The board also granted permission for Superintendent Stone to seek a co-sponsorship/cooperative agreement with Blue Ridge for junior high and varsity wrestling and wrestling cheerleading. Both districts have seen declining participation in the past few years; Susquehanna only has six students in the wrestling program at the present time. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00 pm in the administration offices in the elementary building.
Elk Lake Students, Teachers Excelling The vo-tech was certified to be able to offer lead certification, Dr. Davis stated at the beginning of Elk Lake's first monthly meeting on its new night. Also, some students won at the District competition of FBLA and were to be going on to the state competition. For Christmas, the vo-tech sponsored seven families. Jill Weidmeyer was appointed to the Culinary Arts position at the SCCTC. Dawn Traver was approved as a can adult program instructor. Donna Evans was approved as a consultant. The board was asked to approve bid authorization for the vo-tech. A committee was also approved to open and consider the bids. An excavation bid was opened for house number three, which bid had been rejected prior because only one had been received. After it was rebid, five companies responded. The low bid was in the $13,000 range. There was then some discussion regarding whether or not this was for excavation and foundation, or just foundation, and whether or not it included the driveway. It was stated that the foundation bid had been awarded at a previous meeting, and this excavation bid encompassed quite a bit for the price. After reviewing exactly what the bid encompassed, it was approved. Dr. Bush asked for a special meeting on January 27 at 7 p.m., for the purpose of approving documents for the Department of Community and Economic Development, for local government unit debt act occupation. There was only supposed to be one item. It was suggested that this be rearranged for a ball game, but decided that as the meeting would likely be short it could still be held that night. The caveat was added, “for the next available school day,” in case of inclement weather. January is board recognition month, and Dr. Bush thanked the board for their hard work and dedication. He expressed appreciation from various groups. A visitor said that Elk Lake needed to congratulate the scholastic team which competed on channel 44 a few weeks ago, and won. She said she was proud of them. Mr. Place said that he had it on his notes to mention already. The visitor said that she was very proud of the group, and she felt Mr. Horvath ought to be thanked as well. Mr. Place said that he had been sent an e-mail. The forensics team, he reported, did well too. During the principal's reports, Dr. Cuomo said that he was going to speak of the scholastic bowl. He also mentioned the forensics team, and that Mr. Brosious was one of fifteen people nationally to earn the NFL diamond award for longevity and points earned by his team. Thousands of teams compete in the forensics NFL, and Dr. Cuomo felt he should be commended. Mr. Mallery thanked people for their patience as the district works through the winter sports season. He stated that they were trying to be proactive instead of reactive, for instance moving teams up to be held earlier in the day or moving games to a day earlier or later, where there hadn't been inclement weather yet but there was concern. He also spoke of the Jr. High version of scholastic team, the quiz bowl, which would begin competing over the internet soon. The middle school was running one of the federal government's cyber bullying programs. Also, he said, on February 3, with the help of the domestic violence collaboration and the Women's Resource Center, a program was to be held on healthy relationships for the ninth graders. Through the juvenile prosecutors' network a program called Too Smart for Trouble was to be run, and Geisinger was to hold a drug and alcohol program. Mr. Pironne said that the elementary school was to restart their grandparents program in March, to avoid bad weather. He said he would speak more on rti and the swebs programs at the next meeting. At the elementary school there was to be staff development on diffusing volatile student problems in the classroom, along with an anti-bullying program. He said that there had been comments on the sign out front, which still welcomed students back from the holidays. It wasn't being neglected, he said, it was frozen. The board approved the act 1 resolution. The allowed index for the school was 2.0%, and the board was certifying to the state that they would not increase the school district tax for the following year at a rate which exceeded the index. Mr. Tewkesbury asked Dr. Bush about the budget. He answered that the unofficial information which they had been hearing was that the state was considering funding schools for the coming school year at a level reminiscent of the 08-09 school year funding. This would be about a $500,000 decrease. The district will not know anything for certain until the governor announced what would happen. Mr. Tewkesbury asked if the district wanted to sign this resolution tonight. It was answered that the district would either have to do so, or put it out to referendum. Mr. Tewksbury said that he felt the gas and oil money should go to the taxpayers as much as possible. Mr. Emmerich stated that if the budget falls short, that money will be going to the taxpayers to avoid increasing taxes. It will still benefit taxpayers, though it won't be additional as had been hoped. It was proposed that the open swim pool rate be approved. The rate would increase from one dollar to two dollars. It was explained that during the summer the pool hours were increased, and the price had been increased at the same time. The price had never gone down, and when representatives had come to talk to Mrs. Hollister, she told them that it needed to go through the board agenda. It was pointed out that it had been held at one dollar for about nineteen years. Mr. Emmerich said that one thing he thought was that the district encouraged the community to use their facilities for a very low cost, and he thought this was wonderful. The district didn't charge for basketball games, which he also thought was good. He wondered if this increase was really necessary, and how much money would really be brought in. Mrs. Hollister stated that the increase hadn't deterred anyone. A few other board members agreed with Mr. Emmerich, as some families that brought in multiple children could see a real increase in cost. When asked, Mrs. Hollister said that the number of people who attended differed based on season and night. However when there are only a few swimmers, the district loses money on lifeguard cost. It was pointed out that if the district were to keep on track with its athletic policy, there wouldn't be a charge at all, though there was some cost to running the pool. Mr. Tewksbury quipped that there was a cost in referees as well. When asked, it was also clarified that any excess income does go to the pool. Dr. Bush suggested then that, for the sake of brevity, the cost be kept at one dollar. This was approved. Due to senior projects, Dr. Bush asked that on March 2 the 2:00 dismissal become a 12:45 dismissal. It was clarified that this would only be for Elk Lake.
Courthouse Report DEEDS Gaylene L. Mowry (NBM) Gaylene L. Dodge to Gaylene L. Mowry, in Auburn Township for one dollar. Scott J. and Melinda P. Quigg to TCO, Inc., in Montrose for $400,000.00. Rosemarie Pobutkiewicz to Rosemarie Pobutkiewicz, in Jackson Township for one dollar. Scott and Cheryl Taylor to Thomas C. and Deborah A. Diehl, in Lenox Township for $40,000.00. Thomas C. and Deborah A. Diehl to Thomas C. and Deborah A. Diehl, in Lenox Township for one dollar. Crystal Lake Estates LLC to Frances B. Crofton, in Clifford Township for $410,000.00. Craig L., Mark F. and Wayne C. Stevens, Laurie A. Strawn and Eloise Krogh to Laser Northeast Gathering Company LLC, in Silver Lake Township for $95,264.64. Beatrice N. Barton (by atty), Jeffrey H. and Susan Donna Wheeler to Beatrice N. Barton, Jeffrey H. and Susan Donna Wheeler, in Harmony Township for one dollar. Heather J. and Terrell L. Soellner to Thornwood Three LLC, in Springville Township for $240,000.00. Marion Naylor (by atty in fact) to Alan D. Naylor, in Auburn Township for one dollar. Raymond F. Creeden and Kathleen Braker Woloszczuk to Raymond F. Creeden, in Jackson Township for one dollar. John A. and Vivian W. Bolles to John R. and Katherine Bolles, in Dimock Township for one dollar. William B. Tyler and Dorothy Hine-Tyler to Jonathan K. and Terry A. Tyler, in Harford Township for one dollar. Robert S. and Gail Decker to Christina I. Decker and Frank Schutz, in Lathrop Township for one dollar. Michael C., Sr., Michael C., Jr., Jennifer L., Chester S., Jr. and Christopher S. Grzankowski to Grzankowski Family Properties LLC, in Oakland Township for one dollar. Michael C., Sr., Michael C., Jr., Jennifer L., Chester S., Jr. and Christopher S. Grzankowski to Grzankowski Family Properties LLC, in Harmony Township for one dollar. Lucille E. Grzankowski to Grzankowski Family Properties LLC, in Harmony Township for one dollar. Michael C., Sr., Michael C., Jr., Jennifer L., Chester S., Jr. and Christopher S. Grzankowski to Grzankowski Family Properties LLC, in Oakland Township for one dollar. BENCH WARRANTS The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has bench warrants for the following individuals as of 10:12 a.m. on January 21, 2011. Asa Atherholt, Erika L. Back, David Shawn Blaisure, Ryan T. Brooks, Douglas Buckman, Bryan S. Burnett, Howard A. Burns, III, John C. Creps, David Depue-Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Fathi, David J. Fischer, Thomas Fisher, Ryan M. God, Jeremy J. Grick, Andy L. Groff, David Haines, Jr., Keith G. Harms, William Neil Hendrickson, Gerald C. Hundley, Jason R. James, Erik E. Krisovitch, Lee Labor, Casey J. Lawton, Joshua S. Lee, Charlie J. Legere, Carlos L. Leiser, Derrick Lezinsky, Jason Lindquist, Mark C. McCarey, Jennifer M. Miller, Shane Nelson, Jeremy Presson, Theresa A. Pushinaitis, Arthur D. Quick, Michael S. Rieman, David J. Shiner, Richard D. Shoemaker, Garrett M. Staudinger (aka Thomas), Justin Thompson, Todd M. West, Steven G. Wormuth, Karl D. Zantowsky, Donna Zeluff. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.
Susky Boro Gets PennDOT Updates Residents of Euclid Ave. and representatives from the fire department were requested to attend the January 18 meeting of the Susquehanna Boro Council to discuss upcoming PennDOT projects. Work on the bridge on Main Street over Drinker Creek is expected to begin this August, and the second phase of the project, concerning the retaining wall at the foot of Franklin Ave. along Euclid Ave. is expected to begin in August, 2012. The original plan was to do the projects in the reverse of that order, but the bridge replacement has since been given a higher priority. Council President Dave Scales explained that the work on Main St. will involve temporary traffic control devices, but that the exact placement has not yet been decided. PennDOT’s engineers are reviewing four different designs and a final decision had not been made as to which would be used. The main item of the discussion, however, concerned the work on Euclid Ave. Mr. Scales said that the boro had looked over the plans, and had determined that the best option would be to close the upper entrance to Euclid Ave. PennDOT will be expanding the width of the lower portion of Euclid to fifteen feet (it is currently about seven) and the guests were asked for their input. After discussion, it was agreed that closing the upper entrance would not be a problem, as it allows for little to no sight distance to those trying to get onto Franklin Ave. Mr. Scales stressed that it will not be closed until the construction portion of the project is done; once the rest of the project is finished, it will be closed and guard rails will be put up. A cul-de-sac will replace the entrance, but no parking will be allowed. A motion carried to close the upper entrance, and PennDOT will be advised. In other business, there was some question about whether or not there were outstanding salt bills. Mr. Scales said that Streets Commissioner Steve Glover had asked that the bill for three loads of salt be paid, as further deliveries might not be paid if it was not. Treasurer Gail Hanrahan said that an invoice had been paid at the beginning of the month, and there was a question as to whether or not that was the bill in question. Mr. Glover was contacted, and it was determined that the bill that had been paid was the one. Another item was discussed at length, an extended warranty for the 2008 F550 truck, cost $3,672.90. It would increase the current warranty term to 72 months or 75,000 miles. There was a lengthy discussion about what it covers and whether or not it would be advisable to purchase it. Mr. Glover was contacted again; he explained that it covers a list of 84 components, and that there is an earmark in the streets budget for its cost. A motion carried to add this item to the bill list. A motion also carried to add a payment of $911 for Mr. Glover’s health insurance to the bill list, and a motion carried to pay the bills. Mayor Matis reported that the PA State Association of Boros will be hosting a workshop for newly elected officials in February. He also reported that a panel comprised of a number of individuals and local organization representatives had met to discuss the future of the Starrucca House, which is now in possession of the county Tax Claim Bureau. One idea to save it is to have it put on the state’s list of historical preservation sites. The boro can amend its current zoning regulations to allow for historical preservation, which would keep it, and other significant sites in the boro, from being demolished or inappropriately used. Mr. Matis clarified that his family, which had owned the building, has no financial interest or ties to the building. A committee comprised of Deborah Zayas, Sue Crawford and Mr. Matis will review sample ordinances and make a recommendation to council. Council agreed to authorize Mr. Matis to contact Great Bend Township and Harmony Township to get an idea of what they might be looking for in the way of police coverage, after which the boro could form a plan and make a proposal to each to provide police coverage. Council will conduct interviews of applicants for the police department in February. A motion carried to approve a resolution setting the base pay and the probationary period for police officers. The library had had a problem with their heating system, and the technician who responded to the repair call recommended that both furnaces in the boro building be overhauled. Council will consider it later in the year. A motion carried to approve purchase of a vacuum cleaner for the boro building, at cost of up to $70.00. The boro’s capital reserve fund was discussed. At the January 4 committee meeting, council had discussed “earmarking” the funds to ensure that they will be used for specific purposes; however, the designations can be changed at any time. The proposal was to allocate the funds as follows: $5,000 for the heating system; $8,000 for Parks and Rec.; $2,000 for police uniforms; $5,000 for a replacement truck for the streets department; and $30,000 for street improvements. Mr. Matis suggested that council consider setting aside funds towards replacing the police car. Mr. Scales agreed that was a valid suggestion, and said that he would check the balance in the boro’s money market fund to see if there was $5,000 that could be applied towards a police car. The matter was tabled until the next meeting. Mr. Scales said that he had appointed John Sholtiss to the Parks and Rec. Committee, and after review of letters of interest, Carol Scales and Carly Batzel were also appointed. Mrs. Scales is also interested in the seat on the vacancy board. An offer for the property the boro owns on Washington St. was read and rejected; the property has been listed with Snyder Realty; any interested parties should contact them. Mrs. Zayas relayed a complaint about limited sight distance caused by hedges at the intersection of Washington St. and Fourth Ave., and Joe Varsik relayed a similar complaint about the intersection at Elm St. and Broad Ave. Both were passed on to the boro’s property maintenance officer. The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Mt. View Tries Out New Night On its new night, the third Monday of the month, and its new time, 7 p.m., the Mountain View School Board held its regular meeting. It began with the report by Ryan Walsh, the Student Government liaison. The FBLA had their Jr. High versus faculty game, and the faculty won. The students refereed. On January 21 an open mic night and art show was to be put on by the art club. The international language club was doing a fund raiser t-shirt sale. The scholastic club was to have a competition in Waverly in the near future, and one in March at their own school. On March 10, 11 and 12, the drama club was to present Footloose. During the first hearing of visitors Roy Twining asked a question regarding an agreement with the intermediate unit, wondering if the board had ever looked into getting vendors other than that organization. Mr. Zick answered that they had, and Dr. Chichura said, in response to a question regarding its cost efficacy, that the board was investigating other vendors for speech and occupational therapy off-campus. There aren't too many of the services that the school contracts through the intermediate unit that could be provided through other vendors, he said, but there were a few which could. The contract passed that night was the main contract, and did not include the pre-determined services which they would use the IU for. That would be done later. The agreement was estimated, it was explained, based upon what the district contracted for the previous year. If the district were to change this, notification would need to be given. Mr. Twining felt that this should be considered due in part to the deficit and the money which might be brought back into the district. Dr. Chichura said that they were also looking into a system where the district would perform the medical access billing if it prepared the individualized education plans, and the IU would do the billing if it prepared them. This would reduce administrative cost. If all the billing were done within the district, there would be some money which would come back in. There was some quibbling regarding the WAN Service Agreement with NEIU #19, with Mrs. Rinehart-Cowan taking umbrage to the idea that the school was purchasing the larger packet. Mr. Mirabelli explained that the base package alone wouldn't be sufficient to run the programs the district uses offsite. Dr. Chichura explained that if the district did not purchase enough bandwidth up front, it would be required to purchase additional bandwidth later at a greater expense. The district, then, should wish to purchase more than it needs. The NEIU purchases more than the districts request, and if a district needs it they will sell it - a revenue stream for them. The amount paid, Mr. Mirabelli stated, was still less than the previous year. Dr. Chichura reported that the districts are now having more legal responsibilities than in the past. The school district, for example, would hold the responsibility for the legal repercussions of a district student being educated at the NEIU. The board does not, however, have much say in changing this action; it was developed by the attorneys at the NEIU and the attorneys of various districts. Mrs. Aherne voted no to the resolution related to this, stating that she felt the district had more work to do before it was passed. Seven board members voted no, only two voting yes, which kept it from being passed. The Act 1 index was adopted to stay within the 1.9% maximum limit, a .6 or .65 mill increase. Dr. Adams voted against this, citing a presentation in the past. He said that he was in favor of low taxes, but the district already had low taxes, and that the schools were facing even greater cuts than the previous year. Mrs. Rinehart-Cowan disagreed, wanting to stay within the index and alluding to the number of children in the district who fall within poverty levels, and the number of senior citizens in the district. She said that numbers at the elementary school continue to fall, and that this would roll over to the high school. She felt things needed to change, and that it wasn't fair to taxpayers if there were 11 or 12 kids in a regular class. She felt that it was a challenge but it could be done. Mr. Griffiths said that he didn't know what kind of debts the other districts had, and that Mountain View had been prudent with building, etc. He reported that though the Scranton district was millions of dollars short, it had found a way to lower their taxes. Dr. Adams rebutted that with the numbers they had, Mountain View’s taxes were the lowest in Susquehanna County. He was in favor of option two, to file for exceptions based on the PSERS retirement rate increase, which would allow the district to raise the maximum two percent more. The vote came through with 6 in favor of staying within the index, and 3 against In Dr. Chichura's report, he stated that the district had received notice that it had been granted the Asset Innovation Three (I3) grant. It had been applied for in December, for the Science It's Elementary grant, and required a five year commitment. It was a grant for dollar equivalent, representing instructor training, substitutes, program modules, etc. It was equivalent to around $437,000 total. He encouraged the board to acknowledge and accept receipt of this grant. He also then stated that the dual enrollment grant would need to be applied for by February 15, and he had added Lackawanna College to the list. Mrs. Pipitone mentioned another grant that would need to be applied for by February 14, for special education funding. It is a competitive grant for approximately $20,000; there are areas of need, she said, according to the compliance monitoring which the district had recently undergone. The board would need to approve that both grants could be applied for. Both were approved unanimously. Mrs. Pipitone congratulated those who had worked on the Asset grant in their receipt of it. Mr. Zick thanked those working on it as well, on behalf of the board. The district was one of only twenty schools to receive it, and the only one in northeastern Pennsylvania. The board unanimously approved receipt thereof. Mrs. Yarrish spoke of a girls’ varsity game that was to be aired on Adams cable. The game was the same night as the board meeting. It was stated that this station aired the Forest City and Clifford games. She also asked why the water and milk machines were empty so often. It was answered that the water machine had been broken, and had been freezing the water. The repairman had been there twice. The milk machine was the cafeteria's responsibility. Mr. Mirabelli pointed out that the milk machines’ contents spoiled rather rapidly, so sometimes the district waited on having them stocked. Following is the list of names drawn to serve as Petit and Traverse jurors to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse, Montrose, on the 7th day of February at 9:00 a.m. Apolacon Twp.: David Purtell. Ararat Twp.: Lee Hugaboom, Arthur Straway. Auburn Twp.: Lana Bosco, George J. Gregory, Larry, Lyne. Bridgewater Twp.: Russell Breeze, Diane Chamberlain, Robert Grace, L. Jacobs, Cathy Liggett. Brooklyn Twp.: Nancy Pordon. Choconut Twp.: James Barber, Lee Burts, Michelle Kannenberg. Clifford Twp.: Lori Ahrens, Josephine Correa, Mary Kelley, Elizabeth Lewandowski. Dimock Twp.: Mary Ann Nowalk, Sharlene Watts. Forest Lake Twp.: Phyllis Clifford, Stephen Costley, Daniel Powell. Franklin Twp.: Diana Birchard, Carolyn White. Gibson Twp.: Ellen Althouse, Auburn Lyons. Great Bend Twp.: Steven Lynch. Hallstead Boro: Martin Brown, Timothy Gaughan, Matthew Goff, Cheryl Slater. Harford Twp.: Jennifer Johnson. Harmony Twp.: George Cernusca. Herrick Twp.: Karen Green. Jessup Twp.: Gary Downer, Carl Mosca. Lanesboro Boro: Roberta Christianson. Lathrop Twp.: David Kielar, Alan E. Loch, Eleanor Very, Ralph Yocum, John Zimmerman. Lenox Twp.: Esther Graham, Dennis Karp, James O’Brien, Gertrude Ransom, Adam Sanders, John Spillar, Mary Trotter. Liberty Twp.: Susan Henry, Robert Poole. Middletown Twp.: William Capwell. Montrose Boro, 1W: Michelle Kowalowski, Ruth Regan. New Milford Twp.: Dorothea Anderson, Pearl Cramer, Charlotte Raub. Oakland Boro: Shannon Crawford, Caroline Hallisey. Rush Twp.: Gary Douglas, Ronald Staehle. Silver Lake Twp.: Linda Alvelo, Shawn Aukema, Julia Mann, Nancy Reagan. Springville Twp.: Randy Post, Joseph Rinkus, Linda Rose, Daryl Traver. Susquehanna Boro, 2W: John Perry.
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