It won’t help them make the hard decisions, but it will help the Blue Ridge School Board more easily see the consequences of those decisions. It’s a “Budget Dashboard & Planning Model” – a “glorified Excel spreadsheet” in the words of Business Manager Loren Small – created at Penn State and made available through the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), the lobbying organization for public schools in Harrisburg.
It will make it a little more difficult for everyone else to follow their deliberations, however. At the Board’s workshop on November 28th, president Laurie Brown-Bonner encouraged her colleagues to bring their district-provided laptops to meetings, declaring her “goal is to go paperless.” The copyrighted “dashboard” program is only available to Board members and administrators, and Mr. Small cautioned its users not to release it to anyone else.
At a meeting of the Finance Committee prior to the workshop, Mr. Small offered some printed materials from the model showing some basic figures from the current year budget and actual expenditures, projecting them out for several years into the future. It wasn’t a pretty picture, with lots of red ink in the later years. While the numbers are strictly tentative, it is something like this that the Board will use as a basis for its budgeting – and taxing – decisions. Even with 2-3 mill increases in property tax rates, the deficits balloon into the millions in 5 years or so.
In the meantime, Superintendent Robert McTiernan and his staff are implementing some measures to make spending more accountable. For example, the software used to initiate purchases won’t allow a purchase order to be issued without higher authority if the amount would exceed the budget in a particular area. In some cases, that “higher authority” would have to be the Board itself.
Copier contracts and copier paper until now have been expensed at the district level. There was no incentive for building administrators to save on such things. In future copiers and copy supplies will become the responsibility of each principal.
Wanda Harris has been working over the bus routes in preparation for a shift to “single-tier” busing next year. She told the committee and the Board that she has already developed some new routes. It remains to be seen if the new system will cut costs in transportation, but the new budget will break out transportation expenses as well. So, for example, Special Education Coordinator Barbara McCain will have a closer view of transportation expenses for students with special needs. Currently the district spends about $300,000 out of a total transportation budget of over $1.3 million to transport children with special educational requirements.
Between the committee meeting and the Board’s workshop, Ms. Brown-Bonner called an executive session to discuss “potential litigation.” On this particular evening several Board members were using laptops retrieved from tax collectors, who have expressed some disappointment at the move. Information technology coordinator Mike Stewart was on hand to make sure Board members could use the materials made available on the District’s network.
During the general workshop the Board heard about some of the items that will be on their business agenda barely 5 days hence (before you read this). Ms. Brown-Bonner reviewed the activities of each of the Board’s committees, beginning with Harold Empett’s Facilities & Grounds.
Mr. Small reported that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which had requested an inspection of the District’s wood-chip-burning furnace, has said that the results of the review will require no more than some modest additional paperwork. He also said that he hopes to save a small amount of money and get better service when the elevator maintenance contract is renewed.
With the resignation of one of the maintenance staff, Mr. McTiernan said that he would not be replaced by a full-time employee. They will be looking for part-time maintenance substitutes, and are already employing a few student workers much like the IT department does in the summer.
In response to a request, the District will probably make a small contribution to the Triplets for the installation of a scoreboard in the New Milford park, since the District uses the park for some of its own athletic events.
There have been some resignations in athletics. With a sparse turnout for girls’ 7th-8th grade basketball, the coach gave up his position expecting instead to be considered for a varsity role.
Ms. Brown-Bonner remarked on the very low attendance at the 3 recent shows of the Middle School musical “Wonderland” which she attended, at least in part to sell raffle tickets for the Board’s Fundraising Committee. Middle- High-School Principal Matthew Nebzydoski said that the $10 ticket income is used through the student activities account to purchase supplies such as lumber, costumes, etc. Some suggested that a lower ticket price might bring boost attendance while keeping income about the same.
To Ms. Brown-Bonner’s inquiry about the cost of such productions, Mr. Nebzydoski said that the royalty fee for the High School’s Spring production of “The Secret Garden” is $4,400. Ms. Brown-Bonner said that she had heard that students say the new play is boring. Would such a perception keep students from turning out for parts?
Mr. McTiernan clarified a personnel shift in the theater department. Mr. Hutchins had been director of both Middle and High School productions. In a move to try to more closely match the productions to the cast, the administration decided to split the function again. Mr. Hutchins will receive half of the budgeted salary for the High School shows; Ms. Zakarauskas will receive the other half for the Middle School.
Christina Whitney urged her colleagues to solicit people to participate in a program her Curriculum & Career Development committee is promoting to bring speakers to the schools on a wide variety of careers. Sessions would be about an hour long early in the morning before groups of 20-40 students. Anyone willing to share their career experience is encouraged to volunteer.
The Fundraising Committee has collected about $700 so far from its sales of raffle tickets. Gift card prizes will be awarded again in January, February and March, with the grand-prize drawing for a new gas grill to come during the committee’s golf tournament in April. Ms. Brown-Bonner said that the committee will begin to concentrate on the golf outing after the holidays.
Mr. Empett is the Board’s representative to the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit #19. As chair of the IU’s Facilities & Grounds Committee he is asking vendors to bid to review the IU’s energy program, much like the project that was recently completed at Blue Ridge.
Mr. McTiernan reported that the IU is asking for $1,600, a fee for the summer’s Arts Alive program. Blue Ridge declined to participate in that program due to lack of interest. But there was apparently one family that was interested enough to send a child at its own expense of $425. Districts participating in the program are expected to pony up another $1,600 per student, so the IU wants the money. Should Blue Ridge pay even though it officially declined participation?
Following the workshop Ms. Brown-Bonner called another executive session to discuss a “disciplinary agreement” for a student.
All these issues and more will continue to be debated at subsequent Board meetings, which are usually scheduled for the 1st and 4th Mondays of each month. The meeting on December 3 will also reorganize the Board for the new year. Meetings of the full board begin at 7:30 p.m. Most meetings are held in the cafeteria in the Elementary School. Sometimes munchies are provided.
DEEDS
Helen N. Tucker (estate) to Tucker Family Trust, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.
Lucille J. Knapp (nka) Lucille J. Roberts to David E. & Lois C. Shaffer, in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Curtis W. Leet & Wendy E. Vertacnik to Curtis W. Leet & Wendy E. Vertacnik, in Liberty Twp., for $1.00.
Gerard K. & Shirley M. Setzer to William P. Bremenour & Susan Kay Walker, in Susquehanna, for $149,900.00.
Deborah D. Townsend to Deborah D. Townsend, in Lathrop Twp., for $1.00.
Elaine Ehrenberg (estate aka) Elaine Marie Ehrenberg (estate) to Elaine Ehrenberg (estate aka) Elaine Marie Ehrenberg, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.
Rodney J. Thompson to Rodney J. & Craig A. Thompson, in Liberty Twp., for $1.00.
Barbara & Timothy P. Kilhullen (by sheriff) to Citifinancial Services Inc., in Forest City, for $5,838.00.
Bear Swamp Forest LLC to Guy & Karen Parrish, in Bridgewater Twp., for $61,500.00.
Ben & Joan Augustine to Ben & Joan Augustine, in Sprinville Twp., for $1.00.
Patricia A. & Timothy Alan Randall to Patricia A. & Timothy Alan Randall, in Harford Twp., for $1.00.
Patricia Ann Albrecht (nbm) Patricia A. Shadduck, Benjamin M. & Patricia Ann Shaddock to Patricia A. & Benjamin M. Shadduck, in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.
Peter & Nancy Handl to Patricia A. & Benjamin M. Shadduck, in Auburn Twp., for $152,000.00.
Peter & Nancy Handl to Peter & Nancy Handl, in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.
Jeanette S. Price (est) to Lana P. Fluck, Linda J. Romeika & Lisa S. Matecki, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.
Gary Rudock to David R. Hack & Laura W. Barnhart, in Great Bend Twp., for $5,500.00.
John E. Coyne III & Lyn M. Coyne to Jeffrey & Lisa Seligsohn, in Herrick Twp., for $500,000.00.
Robert J. & Joan B. Hall to William G. & Susan T. Costin, in Herrick Twp., for $239,000.00.
Stanley A. Post (by atty) to Joseph S. & Lori Ann Yonchik, in Springville Twp., for $41,000.00.
Angeline Maleakas to David & Linda Hanf, in Forest City, for $6,000.00.
Grant Gehman to Gehman Trust, in Rush Twp., for $198,594.00.
Douglas & Diane Posegate to Randall C. & Denise M. Leitzel, in Auburn Twp., for $100,000.00.
Ronald J. & John Jenkins to John, Dorothy A. & Ronald J. Jenkins, in Clifford Twp., for $0.00.
Hope Dennis (estate) to Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.
John R. Williams to John R. & Lynda S. Williams, in Clifford Twp., for $0.00.
Mary Grace Carpenter (fka) Mary Grace Mangione to William H., Gregory C. & Robert W. Geiger, Mary Louise Cook (aka) Mary Louise Geiger & Loretta Flynn (aka) Loretta Geiger, in Lenox Twp., for $1.00.
Robert W. Geiger Jr. to William H., Gregory C. & Robert W. Geiger, Mary Louise Cook (aka) Mary Louise Geiger & Loretta Flynn (aka) Loretta Geiger, in Lenox Twp., for $1.00.
Fiserv Iss & Co. (fbo) & Daniel A. Liddle (ira) to Snake Creek Volunteer Fire Co., in Liberty Twp., for $1.00.
Gary Joseph Sienko (by atty) & Amber Sienko to Linda C. Taylor, in New Milford Borough, for $85,900.00.
Alma J. Secor (estate) to Albert J. Secor Jr. & Amanda J. Secor, in New Milford Borough, for $1.00.
Fannie Mae (aka) Federal National Mortgage Association (by atty) to Steven Fitzgerald, in Susquehanna, for $24,000.00.
Fred Augustine Sr (aka) Fred Augustine & Grace Augustine to Fred & Grace Augustine Sr., in Springville Twp., for $1.00.
William C., Catherine E. & Matthew J. Chamberlain to William C. & Matthew J. Chamberlain, in Jackson Twp., for $1.00.
Joanne M. & Fred L. Seipt to Vernon K., Matthew W., Marilyn R., & William A. Seipt, & Carolyn S. Fritz, in New Milford Twp., for $1.00.
Richard G. & Erin E. Bloxham to Richard G. Bloxham, in Forest City, for $1.00.
Bonnie J. Lippart (estate), Zina M. Kozlowski (fka) Zina M. Hill & Shirley M. Kinney to Zina M. Kozlowski & Shirley M. Kinney, in Hop Bottom Borough, for $1.00.
Citimortgage Inc (dba) First American Asset Closing Services to David Schaefer, in New Milford Twp., for $165,300.00.
Leon H., Marsha, Lee N. & Denise M. Burts to L&L Burts LLP, in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.
United States Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to Midfirst Bank, in Forest City, for $1.00.
Charles H. Brensinger Jr. to Charles H. Brensigner Jr. & Charles H. Brensigner Jr. II, in Rush Twp., for $1.00.
Theodore W. & Sharyl L. Schwartz to Matthew J. & Tiffanie R. Wolf, in Lanesboro Borough, for $85,500.00.
David D. Henninger (aka) David Henninger & Elaine Henninger to David & Elaine Henninger (trust), in Montrose, for $1.00.
David & Elaine Henninger to David & Elaine Henninger (trust), in Jesup Twp., for $1.00.
Timothy T. Shaffer to Wendy Shaffer, in Hallstead Borough, for $1.00.
Paul A. & Pamela E. Kelly to Charles & Susan M. Yaskulski, in Clifford Twp., for $1.00.
Julie A. Lepre, John Lepre & Charlene McGraw to John Ryan Lepre, in Harford Twp., for $1.00.
David F. & Janette Y. Bianco to Cathryn I. Singer, in Forest City, for $100.00.
Edward J. & Isabella E. Coyle (by atty) to Edward J. Coyle Sr., in Middletown Twp., for $1.00.
Beverly Kephart (aka) Beverly J. Kephart & John J. Kephart Sr. (aka) John J. Kephart to Nancy S. Preston, in Montrose, for $65,000.00.
Catherine A. Dawson (aka) Catherine A. Novitch (aka) Catherine A. Grohe & Catherine Novitch to Catherine A. Grohe & Catherine A. Dawson (nbm), in Montrose, for $65,000.00.
Mary E. Snyder to Snyder Family Investments LP, in Thompson Borough, Ararat Twp. & Thompson Twp., for $1.00.
Charles Francis Kovaleski Jr. & Thelma Pennington Kovaleski to Charles F. & Thelma L. Kovaleski, in Gibson Twp., for $1.00.
Gerard Donatucci to Donatacci Family Trust & Danatacci Family Irrevocable Personal Residence Trust, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.
Jamie R. & Yvonne E. Orlandini to Jamie R. & Yvonne E. Orlandini, in Springville Twp., for $1.00.
Richard & Jeanette Chamberlain (by atty) to Richard & Jeanette Chamberlain, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.
Michael A. & Karen L. Barrie to Sean M. & Kasey R. Barrie, in Choconut Twp., for $175,000.00.
Joseph S. & Jean J. Gontarski & Susan F. Eddleston to Joseph S. Gontarski, in Franklin Twp., for $1.00.
William Greene to William & Dorotea Greene, in Gibson Twp., for $1.00.
Norman F. & Barbara V. Mahoney to Christopher J. Weaver, in Silver Lake Twp., for $218,000.00.
Josephine A. & Wilburn E. Crain to James M. Gulbin, in Herrick Twp., for $25,000.00.
Howard H. Geyer Sr. & Donna Lynn Picone to Bernadette Maurer & Lester R. Gunsenhouser, in Herrick Twp., for $131,250.00.
Mark & Sandra Wilmot to Cynthia Villella, in Forest City, for $35,000.00.
Jeffrey L. & Tina D. Arnold to Richard Brian Holgate & Michelle L. Holgate, in Harford Twp., for $3,000.00.
Barry M. Abbott & Ellen Abbott (estate aka) Ellen L. Abbott (estate) to Barry M. & Maureen A. Abbott, in Liberty Twp., for $1.00.
Barry M. & Maureen A. Abbott to David J. & Melody A. Cunningham, in Liberty Twp., for $1.00.
Barry M. & Maureen A. Abbott to Ellen Abbott (estate aka) Ellen L. Abbott (estate), in Liberty Twp. for $1.00.
Duane L. Jerauld, Jane Jerauld & Carol Crossen to Joseph J. & Lori A. Hunt, in Montrose, for $155,900.00.
Freida S. Hall (aka) Freida Stein Hall to Eric Hal, in Silver Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Sarah A. Strohl to Daniel L. Strohl, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.
PS Bank (fka) Peoples State Bank of Wyalusing to Steven A. Fitzgerald, in Hallstead Borough, for $10,000.00.
HSBC Bank (by atty) to Jeremy Swartz & Heather Saam, in Thompson Twp., for $57,000.00.
Carolyn Ferguson to Joseph S. Manzek Jr. & Lynne C. Manzek, in Forest Lake Twp., for $50,000.00.
Jeffrey L. & Tina D. Arnold to Ronald J. Jackson, in Harford Twp., for $171,500.00.
William L. Cure Jr. (by sheriff) & Coal Miners Pub (by sheriff) to Trena L. Gregory & Tracey A. Erney, in Silver Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Joseph Edward Dougherty (estate aka) Joseph E. Dougherty (estate) to Martin & Paul Timothy McGavin, in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.
Joseph Edward Dougherty (estate aka) Joseph E. Doughtery (estate) to Theresa Burke Dudock, Brian E. Burke Sr., Patrick Andrew Burke & Michelle Gazzilo, in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.
BENCH WARRANTS
The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:15 a.m. on November 30, 2012: Elbert G. Allen, Christopher R. Brenner, Daniel M. Brown, Jason J. Carroll, William J. Casey, Thomas D. Earley, Jonathan Fathi, David J. Fischer, Jennifer D. Hazlett, Keith R. Hurd, John J. Jenisky, Jr, Richard E. Kalinowski, James Karhnak, Kay L. Knolles, Lee Labor, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Derrick J. Lezinsky, Anastacia V. Poff, Joseph M. Rhodes, Perry Rohan, Bruce A. Schurr, Christie L. Sheptock, Desiree L. Shifler, David J. Shiner, Jerome W. Slick, Eric J. Snell, Stephen Sorensen, Jennifer L. Thatcher, Justin S. Thompson, Earl H. Thompson, Jr, Steven G. Warner, Jamie L. Williams, Sr., Kelly Lynn Yarbrough, Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.
