Alan Hall will take a seat at the table as a member of the Blue Ridge School Board for the last time on December 12. The long-time Board president will soon take the chair of the Susquehanna County Commissioners. So at the Blue Ridge reorganizational meeting on December 5, he yielded the gavel to Laurie Brown-Bonner, elected to preside by the new board - which looks very much like the old one (see photo).

Blue Ridge Board and Administrators, from left: back - Loren Small, Business Manager; Matthew Nebzydoski, Middle/High School Principal; Matthew Button, Elementary School Principal; Christina Whitney, Curriculum & Career Development Committee Chair; Laurie Brown-Bonner, School Board President; Christina Cosmello, Board Vice Chair; Alan Hall; Cindy Gaughan, Wellness Committee Chair; Harold Empett, Facilities & Grounds Committee Chair; John Ketchur, Technology Committee Chair; front - Barbara McCain, Special Education Coordinator; Bob McTiernan, Superintendent; Shane Rumage, Board Member.

Two seats are now open at Blue Ridge, which the Board will attempt to fill at the special meeting on December 12. Joel Whitehead, elected by write-in ballot to the seat he has held for over 28 years, will not be returning. Mr. Hall thanked Mr. Whitehead for his dedication to the district and its students for so many years. Mr. Whitehead did not stay for the remainder of the meeting.

Harold Empett nominated Shane Rumage for vice chair. But Christina Cosmello was re-elected by a majority of the board. Mr. Rumage also voted No on the election of Ms. Brown-Bonner to the chair.

The meeting schedule for the year was also approved. As usual, public meetings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of most months. (The Board, however, has a tendency to modify the meeting schedule as the year progresses.)

Following a brief recess, the Board reassembled for a business meeting that began with the introduction by Middle/High School Principal Matthew Nebzydoski’s of a pair of outstanding seniors. Kailey Ragard was not able to attend the meeting. But Kevin McCarey - outfitted in suit and tie - recited a list of his activities and achievements at Blue Ridge. He has been soccer team captain, class vice president, participated in Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and the Envirothon, as well as band and chorus. He named several teachers as favorite mentors, and noted the “great lunch program” as a favorite feature. Mr. McCarey hopes to study zoology at either Cornell or the University of Hawaii. He said that he has a special interest in the island nation of Madagascar.

The Board heard a petition offered by Ken Robinson representing the First Presbyterian Church of Hallstead to allow the distribution of a flyer promoting an after-school program sponsored by his church. The district administration at first allowed the flyer, then backed off when it was learned that the program would have “religious content.” Mr. Robinson said that he understood that Board policy 913 blocks the distribution of materials with religious content, but asked that the Board take another look at the policy. He said that the 1st amendment to the U.S. Constitution does not prohibit religion, but protects free expression of all kinds, including religious expression. Policy number 913 states explicitly that “The Board prohibits posting and distributing on school property any literature or material that … promotes or denigrates a particular religion or religious practice.”

Asked later how the Board squares its annual acceptance of the student release program sponsored by the Child Evangelism Fellowship with its rejection of Mr. Robinson’s request, Ms. Brown-Bonner said that the Board would review its policies and actions for consistency in this area.

The Board heard a brief summary of the latest financial audit for the fiscal year ended last June from Michael Dougherty of Murphy, Dougherty & Company, the district’s long-time auditors. The long and comprehensive written report gives Blue Ridge a clean bill of health. “The Blue Ridge School District is financially stable,” it says, “… the Blue Ridge School District has committed itself to financial excellence for many years [and its] system of financial planning, budgeting and internal controls are well regarded.”

The district ended the last fiscal year with a fund balance of $2.5 million. The district received somewhat less than expected in revenue, yet spent almost $400,000 less than expected. That figure would have been higher but that the district allocated $750,000 to the district’s self-funded health insurance program to bolster its reserves. Another $490,000 was set aside for major anticipated increases in contributions to the state retirement fund.

Listing each of the major funds that support the operations of the district, Mr. Dougherty took special note of the self-sustaining food service operation.

In summary, he said that “it’s been a great year,” cautioning that there will be “fiscal challenges for years to come.”

As the meeting came to an end, Mr. Hall thanked everyone, staff, students, the board, for their continuing commitment “to do what’s right for the kids.”

Ms. Brown-Bonner asked her colleagues to consider the development of committees for the next year. She said that she would like to establish a “fund-raising” committee along the lines suggested at a conference she attended earlier in the year. Mr. Hall said that such a committee should be at the “board level” rather than in the schools themselves.

With the next meeting only a week away, Mr. Empett said that his Facilities & Grounds committee would meet the same evening, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Superintendent Robert McTiernan said that he would be preparing some policy amendments related to attendance and tardiness.

And state senator Eugene Yaw was scheduled to visit for an hour or so at the end of the week. Mr. Hall suggested he hear highlights of the successful food-service program; Ms. Brown-Bonner wanted some emphasis on the importance of early education and the work of the kindergarten and pre-K programs at Blue Ridge; and some teachers proposed the advanced use of technology in the district. Mr. McTiernan noted his “disappointment” at senator Yaw’s vote for a voucher bill, but pledged to point out the achievements of Blue Ridge in the face of mounting challenges.

Due to a conflict in meetings, this reporter arrived late to the December 5 Montrose Borough meeting. Upon arrival it was difficult to find a place to sit, as the room was full of visitors, with rows of chairs along the back of the council chamber and overflow seats running up each side of the room. It appeared that nearly all of these people attended for one topic, the plan by a local resident to convert the old Montrose gym into apartments. Already well underway when this reporter arrived, the discussion around this property continued for some time.

These visitors expressed a variety of opinions. Some residents appeared to fear overcrowding in the apartments, with multiple gas and oil workers living in a space designed for fewer people. A few targeted three existing apartments in the borough which they lived near, and had problems with. These related anecdotes of parking problems, noise, fights, and foul language. One man said he had no problem with the people living next to him but with the concentration of people in the space. A few were proponents of the development, stating that the building was located in an area already utilized for commercial and multifamily properties, and that the building should not sit empty. One visitor said that she applauded council for being cautious, in their job of protecting the citizens. These comments came throughout the meeting.

Ms. O'Malley said that the formal meeting would result in an endpoint - either the permit would get approved, or it would get revoked. If it was approved the project would move on, she imagined that there would be some legal action if it was denied. That was the reason for the formal hearing, she continued. The only formal action to be taken that night was the scheduling of the formal hearing. Mr. Reimel suggested December 19, and this was agreed upon tentatively, pending the availability of another attorney. Several people left at this point, but not all.

A man asked what was to prevent him from seeing how many people he could fit into his home and call them family. The point of this was to see what the borough had in place to prevent this. Mr. Granahan said that there were several ways with which the borough could deal with the issue of 7, 8, or 9 unrelated men living in an apartment. One would be the new zoning law which the borough was making adjustments to. What had been approved was that those properties that were previously changed according to conditional use would be still allowed, though this did not mean that exceptions to the definition of condition use or family would be made (this was a decision still to be made). The other means of handling it would be renter registration. Those were the two ways he saw to deter too many single men sharing one apartment (or women). That, he continued, was the definition of the problem, how many single people were being put into an apartment. The issue was how this could be contended with. He emphasized that it be a public discussion, how a community wanted to define itself and whether or not it wanted to maintain the definition of family being a single family dwelling. As they were looking at the renter's ordinance he wanted to know what would meet the needs of both the landlords and the neighbors. The council encouraged the remaining visitors to give their opinions, and it was here that several of them spoke about the topics listed above. Some even said that they were considering no longer residing in the borough long term due to the changes to the quiet rural town.

One man queried as to the borough's feelings of enforcement. They were asking for more stringent regulations, and he wondered when the police were going to ticket and tow. Currently he felt that there were regulations to control but not to enforce. He was concerned that the borough was considering adding more stringent controls when he felt the mechanism in place were not being used. Mr. Schuster replied that at the last meeting the chief of police had been directed to ticket. He also said that some of these issues council had not been made aware of until the meeting prior. They needed to be called if people had complaints. One visitor asked what the suggested course of action should be then. It was responded that council did not know if it wasn't reported. There was a borough police number which could be used which wouldn't go to the 911 number. It was 278-1312, and when questioned it was replied that even if an incident was over it was still good to report so that there was a record. A visitor said that the police were very fast responders. One woman said that the reason police didn't know about problems was because the residents were good neighbors. She felt her community to be a welcoming community, and had not wanted to automatically call the police on the new residents. However she felt they needed the community to make changes to remain a community. Some opined that they were not against the project, or even complimented the architects plans, they simply were concerned with the number of people who could live within it.

Mr. Lamont said that the new zoning ordinance would not fix everything, but it was to bring words like “rooming houses” up to date. The definition of family had changed, and the code would address some of the issues. The new laws, he continued, were also designed to protect the gas workers, and the students. The zoning process had begun long before any particular project. It was said that this was the time to begin it. It wasn't anti-drilling, but the population was increasing rapidly and the book from 1988 needed to be brought up to date.

There was some discussion about the zoning of the Davis property. It was zoned commercial, but an exception could be granted to put apartments in a commercial building. Mr. Lamont considered it a transitional property. The owner of the proposed project expressed his opinion that that particular project was getting muddled in with the problems with the three existing properties. He wondered if the borough were truly evaluating this project on its real impact or on its perceived impact. He wondered what council's ideas were for addressing the demand for housing, and asked what their recommendation would be if it wasn't a project like that Davis project. Mr. Granahan and Mr. Lamont expressed the opinion that it wasn't the borough's responsibility to provide housing for gas workers.

Ms. O'Malley said that anyone who was interested in the public hearing was encouraged to come. She wasn't certain if there would be a place for public input in a formal hearing, but would find out and ask the borough secretary to publish it in the advertisement. At this point most of the remaining visitors left and the regular business of the borough continued.

The approval to advertise the tax ordinance for 2012 was discussed. This was motioned and approved (as presented).

Approval to advertise the 2012 budget was requested. The total budget was $996,985, and when it was asked if there were any significant changes none were given. This was tentatively to be passed on the 27th at 7:30 p.m. The meeting on the 19th would be recessed.

The first meeting in January was scheduled for January 3, for the purposes of reorganization. Normally this would have to be on the first Monday, but as this was a legal holiday it was pushed to the next day.

The setting of 10 ton weight limits on borough streets was tabled. Holidays for borough employees were set to be the 26th and the second.

The SCCTC school board meeting was preceded by the reorganization meeting. After a brief discussion regarding the procedure thereof, the board appointed a temporary president for the purposes of reorganization - Mr. Matt Curley filled this role. Nominations were then held. Chuck Place was nominated and elected to continue his term as president. Arden Tewksbury was nominated and subsequently elected to continue his term as Vice President. Mr. Place thanked the board members for this appointment. Mrs. Hollister administered the oath of office to Mr. Harold Bender, Mrs. Anne Teel, Mr. Chuck Place, Mr. Matt Curley, and Mrs. Alice Carr, all being reelected to their positions by the public. Mr. Place congratulated everyone, and the reorganization meeting ended. The meeting then ensued.

Dr. Davis had spoken the month prior about a reality fair which the business students had attended in Harrisburg. P&G had contacted the district about the event, which they funded a school to attend. Two P&G Credit Union members were present and provided some information about the event. It was a 2.5 hour experience in which students, after researching and choosing a career, had to balance a fictional budget based upon real expenses. The students not only had to research their chosen career, but also the education necessary to achieve it and the cost of that education. They were then required to factor student loans into their budget. They were also required to pay credit card statements, rent, grocery bills, and other living expenses. They chose from a variety of options for different expenses, some costing more and others less. If they ended the experience with a negative budget, they were required to sit down with a financial counselor and to return to change their decisions. Students were encouraged to save a minimum of 10% of their income. The fair tempted the students to spend their income on fun, but the counselors encouraged them to save and plan.

The business instructor, Mrs. Smith, then spoke about their experience, calling it very much an eye opener. The students were able to tour the capital building and enter the supreme court chamber. She had asked the students what they thought of the experience, and shared some of their comments with those present. Mrs. Donica McGee's son, it was related, had told his mom that he found out he couldn't have everything he wanted. She said that she felt it had given him increased respect for what his parents provided. One student had told Mrs. Smith that he had to turn his car back in for a more economical model, another that he had to get a roommate, and a third that she had to cut her entertainment budget. The P&G staff, it was announced, planned to come to the district in March to open the experience to other students.

A student who had attended the event in Harrisburg came and shared his experience, stating that it demonstrated how life would be after college. He said that the event was very well organized, and interestingly run, and that the people working there were very helpful. At their age, he continued, they felt life was simple, but this helped them realize it wasn't. Personally, even living with two roommates, making cost effective choices, and working a decent job, he ended the month only $200 ahead before savings, and with only about $30 in his budget after savings.

Dr. Davis thanked P&G for wanting to do this and being willing to bring it to their school. She also thanked Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Smith in turn thanked the board and administration both for their support of this event and for all of their support of the FBLA. Mr. Place opined that adults could remember the shell shock of growing up, and that it could be rough if students were just thrown out into the real world with no idea what life would cost, expressing approval of the program. When a visitor asked, it was confirmed that the spring event at the district would be open to both Elk Lake and SCCTC students.

Dr. Davis then gave her report, speaking first about the memory book given to every graduating student. One student, Ryan Jenks, was doing Snicker Doodles for Soldiers as his graduation project. He was collecting small items to ship to soldiers who did not receive much, in order to increase morale.

The state put out a training program, called Shale Net, which would train workers to be a roust-a-bout or welder for the Shale industry. Nine educational institutions were chosen, of those who responded to a request for proposals - the SCCTC was one. More information was expected to be gleaned at an upcoming training.

Every year the district did something for the United Way. The Cosmetology department was implementing a number of “red and green out” days for this organization.

Every five years the state came out and reviewed the program, curriculum, business and industry partnerships of the center. They had recommended that the school get more members for the Occupational Advisory Committee and that it explore doing more with co ops. The latter was made more difficult, Dr. Davis felt, by the economy.

A transportation contract revision was reviewed and approved.

The board dates for 2012 were reviewed. These were to remain the third Thursday of every month, except for January, February, October and December. These meetings were bent around some events, it was explained, except for the December which was moved at the dictate of law (for the purposes of reorganization).

The reorganization meeting for the Elk Lake school board proceeded much the same as the one before the SCCTC meeting. The end results of it were the same.

The principals reports followed reorganization. Mr. Pironne spoke about the third grade grandparent program. Strategies for reading and math were discussed with the family members, who spoke positively of the district.

Mr. Mallery mentioned successful junior high band and chorus concert during his report. Also, members of the Builder's Club were to donate some funds they had raised to the SPCA. The Red Wallace fundraiser game was scheduled for shortly after the meeting date.

Dr. Cuomo spoke of the senior high band and chorus concert, particularly an effective combined rendition of the Little Drummer Boy. There was a standing ovation, and they had to do an encore. The board then approved the proposed play for the spring, a 1960's comedy with a multitude of story lines.

Mrs. Staats said that plans had begun for the fourth annual transitions open house. The career center was helping them host a luncheon for the special education coordinators. The state had raised requirements.

NHS offered outpatient counseling for the students in the school, she continued. A memorandum of understanding for this was broached. The service occurred at no cost to the district, but prevented students from having to leave school, and saved parents from having to transport them to appointments. The memorandum was approved, along with various other curriculum matters.

Mr. Place spoke about the band and chorus concert at the senior high. He had heard the students practicing and later attended the performance, and spoke about how impressed he was despite disliking the Little Drummer Boy in general. He even stated that he would never think of that song the same again.

The board meeting dates were set the same as at the vo-tech center. The board approved them.

Mrs. Teel had been approached about putting up an Elk Lake School sign at the corner. It was confirmed that one could be placed in that location. There had been one in the past, but it had been damaged.

A small section of roof had been repaired which was not part of the project, and the contractor was asking if the board would be able to pay for the error. The amount of the mistake would be $6,500, the contractor had expressed that while it was understood that the board did not have to pay for the mistake this was a good price for the amount of work done. No motion was made, effectively denying the request. A subcontractor was also asking the board to pick up a bill for additional asphalt at a price of $19,488 total. The board was again not obligated to pay this, Dr. Bush stated. It was not in the original contract. Mr. Place clarified that this request was for work which had already been completed. Mr. Tewksbury expressed his opinion that the district should pay what they agreed to pay for the work which it was agreed would be done. Another board member felt this would open the door for other contractors. Various board members expressed similar sentiments and this request was also denied by a lack of motion.

A light had been put on the garage. This had been a request of a transportation contractor at the last meeting.

The board had previously approved to give computers to flood victims in Meshoppen Township. Mrs. Hollister stated that there were still computers left over, and asked the board what their pleasure would be. Dr. Bush suggested that the principals be asked to consider the students who would be most needy, and offer the computers to those families at no cost. The board approved this action.

Mr. Place said that with all of the activities going on at the elementary school the buses had a situation where cars were parked everywhere with children running around. Dr. Bush said that this had been discussed, and he felt that it was to be fixed by forbidding cars to park around the circle. Mr. Curley wondered about a pole mounted flasher for the new driveway, which would eliminate concerns about line of sight. Mrs. Teel thought it was a good idea as well, perhaps one stating that it was a school zone.

Dr. Bush said that this had been considered at times, but that PennDOT had stated that they would not support it due to the amount of traffic which went through and the fact that no students walk to school. Dr. Cuomo reiterated that it had been researched in the past, and expanded the explanation. When the sign was erected it also had to be maintained. If a sign was put in the district would be required to pay for it. Mr. Curley wondered if the school had spoken with PennDOT regarding the change of use in the driveway. He also wanted to know what it would cost to put one in, fearing that something might happen. Several board members agreed with this. A visitor asked if they could just put a temporary hazard light up. A board member agreed, thinking they shouldn't even go through PennDOT.

Mr. Place said that Chesapeake had done a good job addressing a bus danger, though it took a couple weeks of e-mails. One bus had been having a difficult time, meeting water trucks on a one lane road. He had given them a schedule of bus times. Chesapeake in response had effectively staged trucks in order to alleviate the problem.

DEEDS

Floyd R. Root (estate) to Bradley C., J. Elliot and Donald E. Ide and John R. Fowler, in Oakland Township for $6,000.00.

Beverly (AKA) Beverly A. Hosch to Marie Cookson and Michael Mechock, in Forest City for one dollar.

Robert Fray to Distant Ventures Limited Partnership, in Auburn Township for $39,000.00.

Thomas (AKA) Thomas C. (estate), Sara and Justine Zigon (AKA) Justine Burrell to Daniel Zigon, in Clifford Township for $130,000.00.

Joseph D. and Ella Mae Stone to Chad and Rebecca McKenrick, in Ararat Township for $83,900.00.

William B. and Amy L. Bush to William B., Amy L., William Benjamin (trust) and Amy L. (trust) Bush, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar.

Warren Jones to Potter Hill Farm LP, in Jackson Township for $173,320.00.

Warren Jones to Potter Hill Farm LP, in Jackson Township for one dollar.

Mary (AKA) Mary E. and William Lowry to Shailen R. and Rosita M. Shah, in New Milford Township for $100,000.00.

Kenneth J. and Lori L. Hughes to Brian and Kevin Slofosky, in Liberty TOWNSHIP for $25,000.00.

BJ Barney Farm LLC, Joann Barney (estate) and Thomas C. Meyer to Jean Levenson, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Jean Levenson to Jean Levenson, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Jean Levenson to Michael and Mary Pompette, in Silver Lake Township for $222,000.00.

Audrey R. Halliday to Audrey R. Halliday, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar.

Epsilon Energy USA, Inc. to Appalachia Midstream Services LLC, in Rush Township for $10.00.

Kathy Adams (FKA) Kathy Parks to Scout Petroleum LLC, in Jessup Township for $54,736.20.

Edward T. Kurz to Elise Kurz, in Brooklyn Township for one dollar.

Robert F. Klein, Sr. to Robert and Kelly Jo A. Klein, in New Milford Township of one dollar.

Karen A. Kohler to Bradley P. and Alexis Fisher, in Harford Township for $40,000.00.

Allen and Judy Fitch to Judy (AKA) Judith M. Fitch, in Springville Township for one dollar.

Epsilon Energy USA, Inc. to Appalachia Midstream Services LLC, in Auburn Township for $10.00.

John W. and Esther McLaughlin to David Laird, in Middletown Township for one dollar.

John W. and Esther McLaughlin to David Laird, in Middletown Township for one dollar.

William J. McLaughlin to Ralph Lewis (estate), in Middletown Township for one dollar.

William J. McLaughlin to Ralph Lewis (estate), in Middletown Township for one dollar.

John A. and Alice Jean Castrogiovanni to Castrogiovanni Partners Limited Partnership, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar.

John A. and Alice Jean Castrogiovanni to Castrogiovanni Partners Limited Partnership, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has outstanding bench warrants for the following individuals as of 10:00 a.m. on December 9, 2011.

Craig J. Anderson, Sharon Baker, Tonya S. Birchard, Christopher Brenner, Douglas Buckman, Bradley C. Button, Jonathan Fathi, David J. Fischer, Jeremy J. Grick, Nichole M. Jones, Charlie J. Legere, Carlos L. Leiser, Derrick J. Lezinsky, Michael Maryasz, Erica Y. Mead, Donald Palmer, Jeremy Presson, Perry Rohan, Mark Salsman, David J. Shiner, Peter S. Showalter, Sinon C. Smith, Sr., Eric J. Snell, Robert J. Twilley, Kurtis L. Vogler, Steven G. Warner, Jamie L. Williams, Sr., Kelly L. Yarbrough.

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

With the arrival of December, at a regular business meeting, Forest City Borough Councilpersons discussed the upcoming holidays. First was the approval of a live nativity, which will be held the evening of December 16, at the building beside the Forest City News. Individuals will be asked not to park in front of the nativity. Next was an announcement from Mayor Pat Coles that for the month of December, parking fees will not be charged on Main Street. Coles wished borough residents happy holidays.

December is also a time for councils to discuss budgets and schedules for the upcoming year. During the meeting, council adopted the proposed 2012 budget and presented the 2012 meeting schedule. In the upcoming year, Forest City Borough Council will continue to hold its business meetings on the first Monday of each month. A reorganization meeting, followed by a regular business meeting, is scheduled for January 3, 2012, at 7 p.m.

During the solicitor’s report, council passed Ordinance 485 of 2011, “Testing of Private Sewer Laterals.” Additionally, it was noted that the owner of the property on 92-98 Maxey Street has not complied in conducting repairs to the outside of the building. Smith stated that the borough is requesting a court permit for police and code enforcement officers to break and enter in order to inspect the interior of the building.

Concerning borough personnel, the resignation of officer Bastek was accepted. It was noted that Bastek received full time employment elsewhere. Three individuals were hired for part time winter plowing at a rate of ten dollars per hour. As the final matter, council president Robert Trusky announced that Kelley Twilley has chosen not to serve on council in the upcoming year. Trusky thanked Twilley for her years of service and praised her for her “valuable time and effort” on behalf of borough residents.

A visitor at the beginning of the Montrose School Board meeting asked a question, regarding the district's not raising taxes above the PDE index. It was confirmed that this move gave them additional time in the budget process. By passing it they would not need to have a preliminary budget until May, without it they would need one by January. The visitor asked if that left the district room to help the bus contractors if necessary. Mr. Ognosky responded that it would give them more time to consider it. It would also allow them to have a better handle on what their revenues were going to be.

After breaking to allow some visitors to leave, the reorganization meeting was begun. Mr. Wimmer was appointed the interim president. The newly reelected members, of which there were six, had to take the oath, administered by the acting president. When officer nominations were opened, Chris Caterson and Doug Wilcox were nominated. All but two on the board voted for Mr. Caterson, one being Mr. Caterson. Mr. Wilcox was not present at the meeting. When the floor was opened for vice president, Mr. Wilcox was again nominated. This vote was carried unanimously.

At that point the regular meeting began. A number of minutes were approved.

The motion was made that the district would agree to not raise taxes above the PDE approved index. The index for the district was 1.9%, so the district could raise the millage just below one mil which could bring in $180,000 roughly. The last time the district raised taxes was in the 2006-2007 school year. This was the year Act 1 was put into place.

A motion regarding taxes was made. A property had gone through two public sales and was no longer generating income from taxes. It had not been sold in either of those sales for the amount of the taxes. The motion then was to accept any price negotiated by the Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau for the property. It passed.

A slew of policies were approved. They had been on the website since the first reading in November. Feedback was received on a few, all of which dealt with clerical matters and not substance of the policies. The vast majority of the policies had to deal with the regulations placed on employees by Act 24, which stipulated that staff report on a PDE 6004 form their criminal history (as far as felonies were concerned). Meetings had been held in all three schools, as well as with contractors. The forms had been distributed. Law dictated that all employees sign and return the form by the 27th of December.

Three substitutes were approved as emergency substitutes. Mr. Ognosky reviewed the meaning of this, that each had a bachelor's degree and had undergone an interview process but did not yet have their certification for this state.

A motion was made to approve a Designation of Agent Resolution between the district and FEMA in regard to tropical storm Lee. The storm had caused the banks of Choconut Creek to overflow. It caused minor damage, but could also prove a future threat. The district had begun a restoration of the creek process, which of course cost money. It had applied to FEMA for monetary assistance with the project. It needed then to approve a designated person to sign forms, which was the motion that evening. The designated person was Mr. Ognosky.

The audit report kicked off the work session, with a representative from Murphy Dougherty and Company presenting. The auditors were willing to give a clean opinion. The representative, Paul Murphy, discussed the findings. The district had a $725,000 negative variance as opposed to what they hoped to receive. He explained some of the reasons behind this. County taxes were part of the reason. Mr. Caterson pointed out that these taxes would eventually be collected. The transportation subsidy from state sources represented an $184,000 negative variance. The retirement reimbursement had a $161,000 negative variance. The basic subsidy was the largest number on the page. Despite the fact that the district was down $725,000 on the revenue side, the representative said that they had done a good job of not spending money on the expense side, for a $271,000 positive variance. In the end the district ended up $444,000 to the negative, budget wise. The representative said that the district ranged about average for its capital reserves and savings. He summarized that portion of the report by stating that it wasn't good news but it wasn't terrible.

The passage of Gasby 54 had created a little more work for both the auditor and the board. One of the aspects of this was a requirement on the part of the board regarding whether they wanted to commit any of their fund balance. This money then couldn't be spent for other purposes. However the designation could be reversed with a motion. Also, that legislation put the athletic fund in with the general fund as it was not self sustaining, and it changed the 22 fund and the 30 fund. The fund balance was 1.776 million dollars, but part of this had been committed. The food service fund was not set up to try and make money, but to break even - which it had. The committed fund balance would have to be revisited every year. He reiterated that while it was not necessarily a wonderful thing that had district was down $440,000, 7.3% was not a terrible place to be with the fund balance.

Mr. Ognosky reviewed the administrative reports; most of the administrators were not present. At Lathrop Street, events mentioned included a pie in the face contest, a select choir tour, a staff versus students game and a movie.

At the high school there were 13 boys coming every day to weight lift with the boy's football team. It had changed the school’s classification, from AA to AAA, though this would only effect the team if they made it outside of regular play. The district was now the very smallest AAA school. Mr. Ognosky attributed this to an anomaly more than the joining of the two schools; there was an abnormal percentage of boys in certain grades.

Administrator reports then continued. Mrs. Lusk expressed her appreciation of the auditors. During Dr. Golden's report he stated that the district was continuing to hold regular IEP meetings. This way of holding the meetings was a change, and he spoke of its convenience. Also, he had attended a conference on the Keystone exams. The exams would be in Algebra, Biology and Literature, and would be required of the students for graduation. They would have two shots at passing it. If they continued to fail, they would be required to complete projects.

The meeting dates and times were discussed, and it was decided that they would be left as they were. No one contested this notion.

Mrs. Homan expressed gratitude for the Choconut supervisors for their assistance in applying to FEMA. Mr. Ognosky agreed with this appreciation. Mr. Gow spoke of the other properties which could be affected by the situation. It was not just the district which was effected.

Water concerns dominated much of the Oakland Borough Council’s attention during their regularly-scheduled meeting on Thursday, December 8. In attendance were Mayor Randy Glover, and council members Ronald Beavan, Brian Rhone, Jack Agler, Gary Boughton, Thomas Kubas, David Dibble and David Trevarthan, as well as Boro Secretary Florence Brush. At 7:05 p.m. Council President Beavan led all present in the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for our servicemen and women. Minutes for the previous month’s meeting, as well as the Treasurer’s Report were motioned for approval, and time sheets were reviewed.

It was then that the meeting turned to the first of the boro’s several water issues. Mr. Beavan reviewed some history. Council had received two bids for renovation of one of the boro’s wells - one for $128,000, and one for $109,995 with the end-result that both were rejected. Council members discussed at length why they concluded both bids were far in excess of what they expected, as well as the bidders’ deviations from the work requested to be done. The end result is that the boro will readvertise the contract and the Water Committee will review newly-received bids.

From this discussion council moved on to review the draft budget for 2012. A number of line items were specifically discussed, including police, electricity, and capital improvements. And here again water came up for lengthy discussion. Mr. Beavan high-lighted the fact that the proposed budget does not call for any increase in water rates at this time; however, depending on what council does next year, and as the need arises, an increase of $3.57 to $5.10 per rate-payer per month may be in the offing. The increase would very likely be required to repay any loan taken out for the well renovation mentioned previously. Council ultimately agreed to hold a special meeting to approve the 2012 budget at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 29 at the Oakland Boro Building.

Mayor Glover reported that the boro’s Impala police vehicle needed a new exhaust pipe and he suggested parts and labor for its replacement could total $300. Mr. Trevarthan said he would look at it and see if he could get it replaced for a lower cost. Council agreed that it was necessary to move forward so that the vehicle could be returned to legal operable condition. Also in the Mayor’s Report was a light-hearted discussion of Halloween, as the mayor recalled that he had received a number of calls asking just when was the holiday celebrated with trick-or-treating in the boro. Council agreed that in their memory it always had been on October 31, and always would remain so as far as they were concerned. And those residents choosing not to participate are always welcome to turn off their porch lights.

Finally water came up for a third time, and in a most unwelcome place. Mayor Glover announced that he had received a number of complaints about the water streaming over the roadway on State Street in two places. Boro residents are rightly concerned for safety with the wintry weather now here. Icing of the roadway has the potential to cause serious accidents. Lengthy discussion led council members to conclude the Street Commissioner should look into the matter to determine the exact cause of the problem and determine what, if anything can be done at this time to mitigate the hazard. As a side note, Mr. Trevarthan noted that the roadway flooding problem on Route 171, just past Mirabito’s office, was now, according to PennDOT, in the hands of a contractor, and corrective action is expected on January 1, not before.

According to the Oakland Police Department’s Report there were 19 incidents in Oakland boro during the month of November. Eleven involved traffic stops, and two additional were traffic stops involving DUI. The remaining six incidents involved one each in the following categories: assault, criminal mischief, domestic dispute, suicide, welfare check fraud, and unconscious/fainting.

Before adjourning, Council voted to change the date of next month’s regularly-scheduled meeting from the second Thursday to Thursday, January 5. Said change will be advertised, as required. That done, Council adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

The Susquehanna Community School Board bid farewell to 2011 with their final meeting of the year on Wednesday, December 7. But just prior to that meeting the board conducted their reorganization with Clay Weaver serving as President Pro-Tem to swear in newly-elected board members Jason Chamberlain, Steven Stanford, Holly Kubus, Martha Stanford, and Evelyn Cottrell. Once the new board members were sworn in, an immediate election to fill the office of President resulted in unanimous agreement that Steven Stanford take charge. And with the gavel passed immediately passed to Mr. Stanford, election to fill the office of vice-president gave Mr. Weaver the office. The reorganization meeting then adjourned, and the regularly-scheduled meeting was gaveled to life at 7:09 p.m.

Those present were board members Steven Stanford, Clay Weaver, Evelyn Cottrell, Lori Canfield, Jason Chamberlain, Amanda Cook, Carol Jackson, Holly Kubus and Martha Stanford. School District officials present were Bronson Stone, Mark Gerchman, Bob Keyes, Gary Kiernan and David Jagger; absent were Donnie Norris and Kathleen Hinkley.

Over the next 31 minutes, the newly-constituted board covered 31 agenda items and unanimously passed 26 of 27 motions. A number of the motions were of a routine nature, but others were clearly tightly-drafted administrative changes relating to conformity of the district’s policies to state law, or concerning specific personnel or operational actions requiring the board’s approval. Key motions of interest to the general public included:

- Approval of specific dates to hold 10 school board meetings over the next 12 months.

- Approval of the “Taxpayer Relief Act” resolution which binds the board to a limit of 2.5% increase over the 2012-13 fiscal year.

- Approval of changes to employment policies which conform them to changes in state law concerning requirements that anyone working with the school district whether contracted or directly employed disclose any history of felony arrest, as opposed to previous policy which only required disclosure of felony convictions, or arrests only within a recent time period.

- Approval of consideration for Luzerne County Community College’s request to use the high school facilities to hold classes in the spring of 2012.

In the reports of district personnel, Bronson Stone, District Superintendent, emphasized the importance of all students being vaccinated as required. Newly-enacted state law mandates vaccinations for all students, as well as boosters at grade-specific levels. Approximately 10% of SCSD students have not yet obtained the necessary vaccinations, and those students not in compliance by April 30, 2012 will be barred from school entry. Information concerning mandatory vaccinations is available at the school district’s website, as well as at the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website. Procedures are in place to financially assist parents or guardians unable to afford vaccinations for their children.

Mr. Stone also discussed the Strategic/Act 48 Planning Process. In previous months the committee concerned has hammered out the school district’s mission and vision statements; a future committee meeting scheduled for December 20 will consider 40-plus possible goals. The Strategic Planning Process is state-mandated to be in place by 2014, and is intended to focus educators on setting rigorous standards that will turn out highly-qualified graduates. And in one last matter, Mr. Stone delivered news to put a smile on any taxpayer’s face. The school district is receiving a rebate of $34,000 from First Energy due to the district’s concerted upgrade in energy-efficient lighting and implemented conservation program.

Special Education Coordinator David Jagger reported that the school district has 174 students identified and enrolled in special education programs. He further discussed some of the challenges encountered in providing quality education to these students, particularly the 10% subset which is transient, i.e., moving into or out of the school district during the school year. Providing program continuity to them is the key to meeting their educational needs, he said.

The board was not in receipt of any correspondence to be read and there were no comments or other issues brought forward during the public comment period. And finally it was with obvious regret the board accepted Dick Bagnall’s resignation from the varsity football head coach position, effective November 8, 2011. “He’s been an institution since football was a sport here,” Bronson Stone extolled. His remarks wandered further down memory lane to a time he played on Coach Bagnall’s team; then he added, “he’s going to be missed. I wish him well.”

The board concluded their business and at 7:40 adjourned their business for the meeting and year.