It was a long and drizzly evening for most members of the Blue Ridge School Board on April 29th. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a special presentation on the proposed “single-bell” busing schedule, the workshop that followed ended some 3 hours later with money matters and more discussion of the budget for next year.
Superintendent Robert McTiernan hosted a masterful tour-de-force, holding forth for a solid hour on the history, objectives and methodology of the proposed shift from scheduling buses separately for the Elementary School and the Middle and High Schools, to a “single-bell” (aka “single-tier”) schedule that would have everyone arrive and begin school at about the same time. More information is available on the district’s website, and Mr. McTiernan promised to post his PowerPoint slides as well.
Blue Ridge had a single-bell schedule in the dim past and Mr. McTiernan said he wasn’t sure why the district switched to the “double-bell” system. It is the only district in the county still using multiple bus runs with staggered start times. The idea of switching has been under consideration most recently for the last 3 years or so and in January of this year the Board was finally convinced to proceed to the single-bell system.
Mr. McTiernan offered a number of reasons for the decision to change, including studies of the sleep habits of teenagers, less waiting in the dark and cold, fewer staggered late starts and early closings, increased staffing efficiency, and higher reimbursement rates from the state. That last would result from loading the buses closer to capacity.
The state uses a complex formula to calculate the amount of reimbursement for school transportation costs. A large factor is the number of seats occupied per mile of travel: the more students on the bus, the higher the reimbursement rate. So the district’s administration will be reconfiguring all of the bus routes with the objective of filling each bus to 90% of capacity with runs not to exceed 60 minutes.
Some parents have expressed concern about buses that are too full already; some worry about mixing elementary-school children with highschoolers. Mr. McTiernan said that route planning will try to separate the younger from the older as much as possible, except perhaps in the more remote areas. If problems develop, aides or monitors can be stationed on the buses, and the board has been considering equipping the buses with cameras. He emphasized throughout that the change will take some tuning, and encouraged parents to communicate with the administration and the Board as plans go forward. Communication, after all, was the purpose of inviting the public to the meeting. Administrators were a little disappointed that only about 50 people attended a hearing that was so well publicized.
The change to the schedule inside the schools will affect mostly the Middle and High School. Elementary school pupils will arrive and leave a little later, but otherwise should see no major difference (pre-Kindergarten will be scheduled entirely on its own); they will eat lunch after the Middle/High School lunch period is finished. The goal is to have all buses arriving by 7:45 a.m. The period schedule in the High School will be revamped to extend all classes to nearly 50 minutes. 9th period, at the end of the day, will become a “flex/club” period and not part of the academic schedule. It can be used for almost anything – or nothing. Mr. McTiernan said that students in “good standing” will be able to simply leave at 2:46pm. The 41-minute 9th period will be available for others needing remedial help or make-up work. The more streamlined schedule will make an extra gym available for practices in the afternoon. Overall, the schedule will mean starting the day about 30 minutes later, but ending only 10 minutes later than the school day does now.
Mr. McTiernan said that safety and efficiency are the first priorities, and “education is the primary focus.” Fiscal decisions sometimes collide with educational aims.
The Superintendent fielded numerous questions. He said the new routes would allow no “2nd runs”. In general, the buses will begin at the most remote locations and pick up students as they get closer to the campus, so a bus would typically be most fully loaded only at the end of the run. Drop-offs will be staggered between the Elementary School and the High School; pickups-will be staggered in the afternoons.
There were questions about breakfast and lunch. Mr. McTiernan said that the cafeteria served all students when enrollment was closer to 1,400, and will do equally well with the current enrollment closer to 1,000. He said that breakfast was difficult to schedule, but that the inestimable Linda Cole-Koloski, Food Service Manager with a can-do attitude, never objected. Generally only 3 of 4 serving lines are in use anyway.
The Superintendent said that the schedule now in preparation calls for 19 buses, including 6 bus contractors and some van contractors. He said that keeping the current system, or adding more runs to the new system, would increase costs and cut reimbursements, but that if the community – through the School Board – so directs, it will just cost more. A critical balance must be maintained between cost to the district, and building routes that contractors will bid on. The contractors and drivers, after all, are local people and have to make a living, too. So, for example, although the district can’t pay more per mile than the state-computed average and still receive equivalent reimbursement, the district can’t afford to squeeze the contractors too hard and still expect them to accept the work. He said that the reimbursement formula also involves an “aid ratio” based on the relative poverty level in the region. He said that the ratios are quite old and no longer reflect the reality of the Blue Ridge population.
Mr. McTiernan acknowledged that there are behavioral problems on the buses, and that there will continue to be behavioral problems on the buses. The administration needs to be told about incidents as they occur so they can be addressed. Aides, bus monitors and video cameras can do only so much to prevent such problems.
Asked how much the new system could save the district, the Superintendent said that it could be a break-even proposition, or it could save up to $100,000, primarily depending on how hard they could squeeze the contractors and still have a fleet to transport the students. He estimated that savings might be in the range of about $30,000 over the current system.
Adjourning to the April month-end workshop, the Board gathered to review what is expected to appear on the business agenda a week hence. Mr. McTiernan listed some items:
A student has requested help with some sort of trip to Australia. S/he will probably get a slice of the $1,500 the Board sets aside for such things.
The current photographer is closing up shop. The administration will recommend accepting the bid of Craigs Photique, which served as the district’s photographer in the past.
The Blue Ridge Medical Center has bid to provide physician services for the new year at the current rate of $125 per hour. To a question about requesting competing bids, Mr. McTiernan said that getting anyone to offer these services is difficult as it is.
The district will be soliciting annual bids for supplies of various kinds.
The Board will be asked to approve depositories, select a treasurer (Harold Empett was nominated in his own absence), and a secretary, and to keep the same law firm.
Shane Rumage, member of the Facilities & Grounds Committee reported that Kevin Price, chief of maintenance, is investigating prices for natural gas burners in anticipation of a deal with Leatherstocking to supply the local fuel for supplementary heating.
Mike Detwiler, chair of the Wellness Committee reported that local chiropractor George Stover has been working with coaches on his own time as available. The committee will meet next on May 14 at 4:00pm.
Board president Laurie Brown-Bonner noted that the county district attorney is forming a suicide prevention task force, a timely issue in the area. The Board is also still considering sending a student or two to the annual conference of the Pennsylvania School Boards Assocation in the Fall as they did last year; the administration is tasked with reporting estimated costs.
John Ketchur, chair of the Technology Committee, and Mr. McTiernan reported that the new sound system is functioning well, offering some features that have never been used before. The district is heavily promoting the upcoming High School Musical that will show the system off. Performers are hoping for a good audience for the 2 performances on May 18 & 19 of The Sound of Music.
Members of the Fundraising Committee reported satisfaction with their first annual golf tournament. Disappointed that only 20 teams played on a sparkling day in mid-April, they declared a success for the first effort, determined not to schedule it next year on the day of the prom. (A remark overheard from a police officer who attended the prom for security: “It was a boring prom for a police officer.”) The Committee will wrap up at another meeting on May 6 at 7pm.
Mr. McTiernan reported on a visit by representatives of the Instructional Unit (IU) soliciting information about the district’s needs, which focus primarily on special education support and professional development. The IU is offering bulk printing services, but the Superintendent thinks a better price may be available elsewhere. As for IT support, Mr. Ketchur said the IU’s support in the past has been “worthless.”
Mr. McTiernan offered a long list of summer positions that the Board will consider, and Barbara McCain described the “extended school year” program for special-needs students in the summer.
The Board then heard from Business Manager Loren Small, describing another long list of year-end budget transfers for which he needs authorization. He said he has tried to streamline the district’s chart of accounts to align with the Board’s expressed desire for more fine-grained oversight.
On the budget, Mr. McTiernan and Mr. Small outlined cuts in the so-called “contingency funds” established in many departments that will take $300,000-400,000 out of the expense budget for next year, bringing total expenditures down from $17.7 million to about $17.45 million. The remaining projected deficit will be made up from accumulated fund balances, by drawing from accumulated funds designated for the retirement system, and from debt service reserves. Mr. McTiernan conceded that the PSERS contribution will eventually have to be made good. He told listeners at the single-bell busing forum that in 2 years time the district will be obligated to put over $1 million into the teachers’ retirement program.
The new budget must have preliminary Board approval by May 20 in time for public comment and formal adoption by the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
There was a discussion regarding police at the beginning of the May 2nd New Milford borough meeting, at which only four council members were in attendance. A visitor broached the subject of additional time for police coverage, particularly in the morning. Ms. Gulick and Mr. Ainey explained that having the existing police coverage had worked, speaking of the time back before they were hired. Mr. Ainey explained that the borough was a customer of Montrose’s police force, not partners with them. It was suggested that the town was not experiencing many more problems than when it had full time police coverage. Mayor Taylor related that the full time police had been ceased due to the cost being prohibitive. Mr. Ainey explained that the current police were partially funded out of natural gas money.
The visitor then asked what was going on with Cosmello’s junkyard. It was explained that the owners were going to reduce the size of the junkyard, and much of the land was to be cleaned up. When the visitor expressed concern over soil contamination, it was stated that the soil had been tested and was fine. Mr. Ainey pointed out that there was a junkyard ordinance, and that the property was visited by the codes enforcement officer annually.
The mayor noted an oil spill in town. The incident occurred when a Lindsay Oil employee was filling one of the trucks from a storage tank while on a cell phone. There was spillage, which had been duly cleaned up. The company had responded quickly, reported the spill, and DEP had responded. It had been cleaned up.
A visitor asked if council had heard anything else regarding Leatherstocking coming to speak. It was stated that the company had not been responding, and Mr. Ainey had stopped asking.
The sewage issue on Main Street was fixed on April 23rd, it was announced. Mr. Ainey spoke about this, noting that there were rules in the ordinance which was passed at the time everyone was forced to hook up to the sewer system. He had called DEP, as the question was raised who handled sewer enforcement? The homeowner was responsible to maintain between the home and the pump, but it was uncertain who was responsible for holding them responsible. The municipal authority had said it wasn’t their jurisdiction, and the sewage enforcement officer from COG had said that it wasn’t his duty. Mr. Ainey read a segment from the ordinance aloud. He was determined to discern how disputes could be addressed in the future.
The secretary had spoken with someone regarding the shrubs on Main Street, and a plan was in place to move them.
Energy efficiency was discussed, as Mr. Ainey felt that the borough should be pricing out the recommendations that an electrician had made. Mr. Ainey brought up the idea of motion detectors for lighting. Also, using energy efficient bulbs was suggested, and the thermostat had been moved.
Mr. Carey related that only one quote had been received from a pool company, that being from 21st Century Pools and Spas. The Parks Committee had met and decided to move forward with the installation of the ADA lift and some minor repair work, which was necessary to make the pool ADA compliant (and thus able to open).
Mr. Carey spoke about the memorial sign to Anthony Survilla, which was on the old concession stand at the ball field. The young man’s mother was requesting permission to rehang the sign, either on the new stand or the home team dug out. Council discussed this, and agreed that the sign could be placed on the home dugout. It was suggested that this would be an appropriate commemoration for a boy who had dearly loved the sport.
The school had contacted Mr. Carey about doing Arts in the Park on May 22nd. They were hoping to erect a temporary stage on the Parkview side. They were talking about the stage taking up approximately 35 to 50 feet on the Parkview Street side. They wished to reserve the space from approximately 9 am to 9 pm. The school was requesting help with parking as well, as there would be approximately 200 to 300 kids in the park that day. Mr. Carey had recommended that the school encourage the parents to park at the school, and bus people down to the event. The request might require using 8-10 parking spots. The event would not last all day, but the extra time was built in for set up and tear down. The plan was to hold an event similar to an arts festival, with displayed artwork and multiple bands. The school had offered to provide parking police.
The only candidate who came forward for pool manager was Shawn Carey. The borough motioned and approved to hire him, though Mr. Carey abstained.
An update was given on the Johnson Street CDBG project. The environmental review from DCED was the next step in the process, and once this was completed it could be put out to bid.
DEEDS
Diane Jones (aka) Diane L. Jones to Matthew E. & Kelly S. Crocker, in Great Bend Twp., for $128,750.00.
Jacob I. & Betty Jane Colwell to Mary Ann Dalton & Nancy Middaugh, in Harmony Twp., for $1.00.
William M. Ewing to Scout Petroleum LLC, in Rush Twp., for $10.00.
Paula Poinsard Placko to Sean T. Granahan, in Montrose, for $169,800.00.
James Alan & Sharon J. Davies to James Alan & Sharon J. Davies, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.
Joe H. & Mary Frances Jones to Thundering Herd (trust), in Jessup Twp., for $1.00.
Carlton F. Schweder Jr. (aka) Carlton F. Schweder & Shirley G. Schweder to Shirley G. & Carlton F. Schweder Jr. (trust), in Silver Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Honesdale National Bank to David Colachino, in Forest City, for $11,000.00.
John Quill (estate) to Helen Carter Dietrich & Ray Dietrich, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.
Bruce J. & Sherry L. Bonnice to Lindsey Bonnice & Philip Maynard, in Jessup Twp., for $1.00.
Alice G. Corbin (estate), Patricia C. Hollingsworth, Marjorie J. Corbin, Donald A. Corbin, Corbin Family Trust (by trustees) to Corbin Family Trust, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.
Kelly Anne Hartman (nbm) Kelly A. Miller to Kelly A. & David F. Miller in Harford Twp., for $1.00.
John Zgavec to Jason L. & Shelby Drozdick, in Forest City, for $66,250.00.
Barbara Coughlin (aka) Barbara J. Coughlin to Barbara J. Coughlin (trust), in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Mark Tarbett Lake Associates LP to Bryan K. & Brenda M. Walter, in Lathrop Twp., for $170,000.00.
Peoples Neighborhood Bank to Derick & Rebecca Muller, in Montrose, for $8,000.00.
Richard E. Place, Charlotte E. Place (aka) Charlotte B. Place to Richard E. & Charlotte E. Place (trust), in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.
Richard E. & Charlotte E. Place to Richard E. & Charlotte E. Place (trust), in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.
Richard E. & Charlotte E. Place to Richard E. & Charlotte E. Place (trust), in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.
Walter Johnson (aka) Walter J. Johnson & Rosemarie Johnson (aka) Rosemarie M. Johnson to Walter J. Johnson (trust), in Herrick Twp., for $1.00.
Richard C. Confer (estate) to Frank J. Deriancho, in Great Bend Twp., for $32,000.00.
Sophie M. Kielceski (estate) to Alicia Miner, in Montrose, for $65,000.00.
Robert L. & Susan M. Caterson to Robert L. & Susan M. Caterson (trust), in Montrose, for $1.00.
Andrew Frederick Sienko Jr. to Andrew Frederick Sienko Jr. & Tracy Sienko, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.
Mark W. & Loretta Daubert to Gerald F. Walker, in Jackson Twp., for $32,000.00.
Paul R. Wells to Williams Field Services Company LLC, in Bridgewater Twp. & Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.
Kenneth R. Deremer (by atty) to Ashbel Ross & Shirley Morden, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.
Ashbel Ross to Ashbel Ross & Shirley Morden, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.
Dale Howell Enterprises Inc. to Victoria J. Bown, in Oakland Borough, for $39,500.00.
Lee & Elaine Huntsberger to Ryan Roosa (dba) R&B Tire & Auto, in Bridgewater Twp., for $112,500.00.
Kevin Matthew Price, Margaret M. Price, Rachael Gilleran, Robert Gilleran & Susan M. Price to Daniel Kelly, in Susquehanna, for $165,000.00.
Dana & Lucinda Pratt to Marty & Bridget Lee Evans, in Lathrop Twp., for $7,500.00.
Thomas A. & Carole L. Brienze to Pennsylvania Commonwealth of Dept of Transportation, in Harmony Twp., for $1.00.
Wayne N. Chudleigh to Walter H. Chudleigh III, Sheryl A. Roberts, David B. Chudleigh, Marie E. Campbell, Steven L. Chudleigh, in Springville Twp., for $1.00.
Ruth Bush to Judith Henry, in Montrose, for $1.00.
Albert T. Belinsky to Albert T. Belinsky Jr., in Montrose, for $1.00.
William C., Catherine E. & Matthew J. Chamberlain to Susquehanna Gathering Company I LLC, in Jackson Twp., for $610,690.00.
Cassandra L. Slocum (nbm) Cassandra L. Skiba & Mark A. Skiba to Kylie J. Slocum & Christopher W. McCoy, in Harmony Twp., for $1.00.
Abdul Rauf to Tariq Awan, in Great Bend Borough, for $25,000.00.
Rosaria M. Armetta to Frank A. & Salvatore J. Armetta (trust), in Jackson Twp., for $1.00.
AMJ Realty LLC to Massimiliano & Marisa Amato, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.
Fannie Mae (aka) Federal National Mortgage Association to Adam Allen & Sabrina Rudock, in New Milford Twp., for $25,000.00.
JAM Realty LLC to Larry R. LaRue, in Montrose, for $35,000.00.
James Martin Klein (aka) James Klein, Mary Jo Carlesi (fka) Mary Jo Klein to James Martin Klein, in Silver Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Robert Deems & Laura L. Deems (aka) L Deemsm to Curtis Fullom, in Gibson Twp., for $31,500.00.
Susan Pfahl & Richard K. Pfahl to Susan, Richard K. & Joshua K. Pfahl, in Lenox Twp., for $1.00.
Joshua J. & Taylor R. Hettinger to Joshua R. & Taylor R. Hettinger, in Lenox Twp., for $1.00.
Concetta M. & Edward G. Schirra to Edward G. Schirra, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.
C. Thomas Dayton & Janet M. Dayton to C. Thomas & Janet M. Dayton (trust), in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.
C. Thomas Dayton & Janet M. Dayton to C. Thomas & Janet M. Dayton (trust), in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.
Jeffrey L., Lisa M., Richard F., Gail L., Brian R., Shari L., Keith M. & Lisa J. Schroy & Gregory & Renee Ede to Schrede Family LLC, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.
Rachel J. Nelson to Gordon K. Nelson, in Jessup Twp., for $1.00.
William Dean Zewan to Zewan LLC, in Lenox Twp., for $1.00.
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corportaion (by atty) to David J. Kenderdine, in Oakland Borough, for $30,000.00.
Epilon Energy USA Inc. to Chesapeake Appalachia LLC & Statoil USA Onshore Properties Inc., in Rush Twp. & Susquehanna, for $10.00.
Mary E. Snyder to Jeffrey J. Baumley, in Harford Twp., for $9,000.00.
Henry Gosh (estate) & Annette Bunker to Michael Gosh, in Clifford Twp., for $1.00.
Fannie Mae (aka) Federal National Mortgage Association to Phillip Hodges, in Harford Twp., for $1.00.
Fannie Mae (aka) Federal National Mortgage Association to John T. Karakash, in Harford Twp., for $1.00.
John T. Karakash to John J. Karakash (estate), John T. Karakash (trust by trustee) & Richard W. Schaffer (trust by trustee), in Harford Twp., for $1.00.
William J. Phalen (estate) & Bonnie Phalen to Bonnie Phalen, in Middletown Twp., for $1.00.
William P. & Tina Franklin to Susquehanna Real Estate 1 Corporation, in Dimock Twp., for $37,000.00.
Edward G. Schirra to Concetta M. Schirra, in Franklin Twp., for $1.00.
Edward S. Darling & Cathy M. Wildoner to Vicki R. Robinson, 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 9:55AM on May 3, 2013: Elbert G. Allen, Christopher Arnold, Sharon Baker, Beau Baker, Jason J. Carroll, William J. Casey, Thomas D. Earley, David J. Fischer, MaryJo Gana, Dustin A. Godfrey, Melissa L. Henderson, James Karhnak, Kay L. Knolles, Whade A. Koch, Jean M. Larson, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Joseph C Mikloiche, Richard A. Murphy III, Heather L. Nystrand, Robert J. Parks, Frank T. Perera II, Sunshine X. Quick, Bruce A. Schurr, Neil D. Shaffer, David J. Shiner, Eric J. Snell, Stephen Sorensen, Justin S. Thompson, Earl H. Thompson, Jr, Steven G. Warner, Dina C. Wilson, Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.
