It may start to get a little harder for Blue Ridge to work out bus contracts now that the Lewis family is out in force. No fewer than 3 members of the large and prominent clan now have seats on the Blue Ridge School Board.

The Board met to reorganize itself on December 3rd, welcoming 3 brand-new members (2 of them Lewises), as well as 3 re-elected incumbents.

Christopher W. Lewis tried once before to fill a vacant seat on the School Board. This time the 2003 Blue Ridge graduate won election in Region 2. Chris Lewis has a degree from Shippensburg University in political science and is a sales rep for a distribution company in Binghamton, NY. He lives in Great Bend Borough.

His uncle, Frederick D. Lewis, Jr. won on a write-in vote where he lives in North Jackson. Also a Blue Ridge graduate (1976), Mr. Lewis has operated a fleet of school buses serving Blue Ridge and Susquehanna Community Schools since 1979.

(Michael Detwiler was re-elected in November. His wife Lorrie – another Lewis – is employed by the Blue Ridge district and serves as School Board Recorder.)

Patrick MacConnell is a practicing podiatrist who lives in Great Bend Township and won the write-in vote for a 4-year term. Like most members of the Board, Mr. MacConnell is also a Blue Ridge graduate (1982). He is not known to be related to the Lewis family.

New Board members (from left) Patrick MacConnell, Chris Lewis and Frederick Lewis

Once the elected and re-elected members were sworn in, the Board selected a temporary chairman – Harold Empett – who proceeded to get a new full-year Board president and vice president elected. Laurie Brown-Bonner resumed office as president (against 2 Lewis nay votes). And Christina Cosmello will remain as vice president, on a 5-4 vote, the opposition again led by the Lewis contingent.

This being the last meeting of 2013, the Board then approved a meeting schedule for 2014. Most of them are on Mondays, usually the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. And they decided to begin meetings at 7:00pm, a half hour earlier than in the long past. Mr. Empett, Chair of the Board’s Facilities & Grounds Committee said that his committee would gather at 6:00pm on the evening of the first meeting in January, Monday the 6th.

The Facilities & Grounds Committee actually met before the Board’s reorganization meeting. The few members in attendance reviewed a number of outstanding items, giving Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Price a vote of confidence for handling the property in the face of a shrinking staff.

There will be an effort to replace the steps to the soccer field before Spring, with some sort of concrete arrangement, bids to be let as soon as specifications can be drawn up.

Superintendent Robert McTiernan reported on progress developing plans for a greenhouse to be erected on the campus using a grant of $25,000 from the Constitution Pipeline company, probably by Spring planting season.

The administration will also be looking into re-covering the building roofs, considering that they are all nearing the end of their most recent warranties.

Mr. Empett asked the administration to begin preparing plans and specifications to replace the oil-fired boilers in anticipation of the delivery of local natural gas to the campus. The district will continue to use wood chips for most of building heat, and it appears that recent renovations to the wood-fired furnace have been performing admirably as winter sets in.

The Board and Committee will look again at using accumulated surpluses for replacing the gym floor and bleachers, as well as the running track.

Ms. Brown-Bonner asked each member of the reconstituted Board to introduce themselves and offer their goals and aspirations. For her part, Ms. Brown-Bonner said that it’s “always about the kids.” All seemed to agree on a quality education with fiscal responsibility. Ms. Brown-Bonner is still trying to encourage a “team building” spirit among her colleagues, and scheduled a retreat for the Board on Saturday, January 11 from 8am to noon. Mr. McTiernan is tasked with finding a suitable “facilitator,” perhaps one of the District’s attorneys, or a representative of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) the Harrisburg lobbying organization for public schools in the state.

And finally, Middle/High School Principal Matthew Nebzydoski reported that the freshman class earned some $500 at its first annual Turkey Trot 5K race on Thanksgiving morning. A runner from Peckville won the event on a frigid morning that was pronounced a success nonetheless.

Susquehanna Community School Board came together for its Reorganization Meeting on Wednesday, December 4, from 7:05 to 7:09 p.m. When the smoke cleared it was evident that voters and board members were and are contented with the status quo. Sitting school board president Steven Stanford was chosen to chair the Reorganization Meeting. Following roll call of school board members, school board members re-elected in the November 5 Municipal Election were sworn-in: Lori Canfield, Amanda Cook, Carol Jackson, and Clay Weaver.

With that swearing-in accomplished, nominations for new president of the school board were accepted. Steven Stanford received the only nomination, was unanimously re-elected, and immediately sworn in for a fresh term by Secretary Evelyn Cottrell.

Sitting Vice-President Clay Weaver received the only nomination for V.P., was unanimously re-elected, and likewise sworn in by Mrs. Cottrell.

In summary, SCSD’s board going forward for the next two years is identical to that which has been sitting for the last two years: President Steven Stanford, Vice-President Clay Weaver, Treasurer Martha Stanford, Secretary Evelyn Cottrell, and board members Lori Canfield, Jason Chamberlain, Amanda Cook, Holly Kubus, and Carol Jackson.

For residents of Susquehanna Community School District, keep your old listing of school board officers and members; it’s still current. One hundred percent continuity may be a rarity, but it is one consciously chosen by district voters and board members in 2013. At 7:09 p.m. the board adjourned from its reorganization and turned to the business of the regular monthly meeting. (See related article.)

Great Bend Township’s monthly meeting held on Moday, December 2nd, was unusually full compared to the normal amount of residents in attendance. Later, the Council would find out why. With all three Council members in attendance, Sheila Guinan, Joseph Gaughan, and Ron Cranage, the meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 pm. The residents soon began to express their concerns to the Council during Public Comment.

Turns out, Great Bend Township residents were not happy to hear that a car dealership was inquiring about a permit to widen Jackson Road, near their properties. With only six residents residing on Jackson Road, five showed up to the meeting to express their concerns. All of the residents appeared particularly concerned about potential traffic issues; the amount of traffic it would create on the dead end road, the dust it could stir up, and the disruption to the current residents residing in that area. Another concern was that it would be unwise to prematurely cut down the trees that are located along the road if the road were to be widened. Ms. Sheila Guinan quickly eased the tension and their worries about the potential permit. She stated that in her response to the company’s inquiry, she had noted to them that the company itself would have to acquire permission from the local residents individually, as well as acquire the land from them, which would all be optional to residents. It seems the project will probably be a no-go, as property owners rightfully seek to sustain their homes and property the way that they currently are.

Another concern of the public on Jackson Road was the current condition of that road. Council agreed that the road was getting rough and that in the spring they would look into possible repairs for the road.

Work is still being done for the walking trail in Great Bend, and though it has been somewhat of a struggle, they are making progress.

Council member Mr. Ron Cranage, however, had his own announcement to make at the December meeting. He stated that he would be resigning his position come January, as he his moving from his current residence in Great Bend Township. The Council accepted his resignation and wished him luck on his future endeavors.

Mr. Wayne Gleason also resigned his position within the Borough. Applications for this position should be submitted by December 16th, as interviews will be held on the 18th.

Along with passing the 2014 Budget, a motion was made to donate money towards the Susquehanna County Library Support Drive for 2014. The Borough is also still seeking an Emergency Management Coordinator and somebody to serve on the Sewer Authority.

Next month’s meeting will be held on Monday, January 6th, 2014 at 7pm.

As required by law, the Montrose School District held its annual reorganization meeting during the first week of December, prior to the regular meeting. Mrs. Homan was nominated as acting president, and proceeded to conduct the first order of business- swearing in the newly reelected board members: Gloria Smith, Karl Wimmer, and Kristen Follert. Nominations were then opened for the position of board president, Mr. Wilcox nominated Chris Caterson. Mr. Caterson thanked his colleagues, after this vote was unanimous. Nominations were then opened for vice president, and Douglas Wilcox was unanimously appointed. The reorganization meeting was then adjourned.

The December 2nd work session was opened next. The present administrators were asked to provide their reports. Ms. Riker related that they were readying for their big PIMS submission. It turned out that the district was submitting the same number of special education students that year as they had the year prior - this would be the number upon which funding was received.

Mr. Boccella went next, starting with student recognition. Myra Lattimore had been named the scholar of the year. Her interview, he said, had gone really well - to the surprise of no one.

He spoke to the quality of the candidates for the acting assistant principal position, opining that he was very pleased with the candidate they were recommending and was really looking forward to seeing him in that role.

The play was spoken of very highly, with Mr. Caterson calling it a fantastic presentation.

Before ending his report, Mr. Bocella expressed aloud a desire to thank those present for the opportunity to be the acting secondary principal.

Mr. Owens and Ms. Lusk were looking to put together a $25,000 grant for a safe schools’ initiative. They were looking at adding a couple of high resolution, outside cameras at the secondary school, along with upgrading the server.

Mr. Owens also said that they were trying to transition to Office 365 for file sharing and student and instructor online sharing. With 365 the students would have access to both web versions of Office programs and the cloud. One of the goals of the project would be to provide students with e-mail. The management and maintenance of the accounts would be offloaded to Microsoft, but it was still a monitored system. It was hoped some piloting of this could be initiated after Christmas.

Mr. Caterson spoke about an administrative movement to tighten up access to school buildings when school wasn’t in session. This had created some concerns, however Mr. Bocelli felt that no further action was needed in response to the topic. There had been a relatively long discussion at the extra curricular meeting, and the administrative direction had been relayed.

The board meetings and work sessions, it was decided, would be held according to the same schedule in the new year. No one objected to this.

After a clear session the monthly board meeting was called to order.

A motion was made (and approved) to resolve that the Montrose Area School District would not raise taxes above the PDE approved index for the 2014-2015 annual budget per Act 1 of 2006. Mr. Caterson noted that there would be a process which would need to be followed if they didn’t make and approve this motion.

Russ Canavari’s resignation as Head Football Coach was accepted with regret. Mr. Caterson said that he would like to thank him for his work for the district over the last three years.

A motion was made to appoint Mr. Eric Powers as Acting Assistant High School Principal effecting January 2nd through June 30th, with prorated applicable Act 93 benefits. Mr. Caterson said that they were all involved in the hiring process, and there were three great candidates that were interviewed during it. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Powers thanked the board.

A motion was made to accept the resignation of George Gow with regret. Mr. Gow had won the election, despite having resigned originally prior to it.

Due to a conflict in meeting times, this reporter did not arrive at the Montrose borough meeting until near the executive session close to the meeting’s end. The outgoing borough secretary and others present offered information regarding what occurred prior to this point.  This included several items worth noting.  Lillian Senko was appointed to be the new borough secretary.  The outgoing borough secretary, Erin Jenner, was to retain some of the more financial duties.

The 2014 tax ordinance was adopted.  This represented a decrease in property tax from 13 to 12 mills. 

The 2014 budget was adopted, in the total amount of approximately $1,245,000.00 million dollars.

Council decided to keep the meeting dates the same for the coming year.  Meetings are set for the first Monday of every month at 7:00 pm, with a second meeting frequently scheduled each month. 

No decision was made regarding banking.  The borough was looking at other options, but would do nothing until January. 

There was an executive session for personnel and real estate purposes.  

Susquehanna Community School District is in a financially strong position and has sufficient reserves to meet mandatory pension obligations for possibly as long as four years. That was the good news presented by Superintendent Bronson Stone and Business Manager Gary Kiernan at the Wednesday, December 4, 2013 school board meeting. The bad news is that the state and the vast majority of Pennsylvania school districts are woefully less prepared for what are projected to be skyrocketing pension costs.

PSERS (Public Schools Employees Retirement System) is vastly short of assets to provide the pensions promised. Why, dear readers may ask. Well, for over a decade the pension’s plan has been underfunded; benefits were over promised; and the return on investments has been insufficient, especially since the market collapse of 2008.

To deal with the pension crisis school district payroll costs will climb from approximately 16% to 21% for the 2014-15 school year. That 21% of employee payroll costs is the highest rate since at least the 1950’s, and is projected to steadily accelerate in every out-year.

The backdrop for the PSERS pension crisis discussion was the Tuesday, December 2 ruling by Judge Steven W. Rhodes, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Detroit’s obligation to pay pensions in full is not sacrosanct. The judge’s ruling, if upheld, establishes the precedence that federal bankruptcy court trumps pension protections embedded in state statutes, and even state constitutions. The effect of the judge’s ruling is that the pensions of Detroit municipal workers cannot be treated differently from unsecured debt. The application, Mr. Kiernan posited, is that Pennsylvania taxpayers are not a bottomless well from which taxes can be extracted to pay public-sector pensions; reforms if instituted by the state legislature now could conceivably soften the blow of promises which cannot possibly be kept. Mr. Stone delivered an exhortation for every person to contact his state legislators about this issue. Strong leadership and decisive action are vitally needed at the state level.

In comparison to the looming pension apocalypse, every other issue before the school board seemed almost inconsequential by comparison. The first issue approved by the school board’s agenda was setting the board’s “regular monthly” meetings schedule, and designation of the dates for their “information and deliberation” sessions for 2014. Regular monthly meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month January through June, September, and October, with no meetings in July and November, and meetings on the first Wednesday in August and December. Information and Deliberation sessions will be held on the Tuesday prior to each regular monthly meeting.

Next up, the board approved their “Taxpayer Relief Act” resolution for the 2014-15 fiscal year. By this resolution the school board is bound to “not raise the rate of any tax for the support of SCSD 2014-15 fiscal year by more than the district’s index (3.1%).” By its compliance with Section 311 of Act 1 the board necessarily limits its taxing authority, subjects itself to increased scrutiny by the state Department of Education, and exempts the district administration from compliance with certain preliminary budget requirements.

Taxpayers will also be interested in the board’s approval of a resolution for fiscal year 2013-14 designating the fund balance in the amount of just over $7 million for the following committed purposes: (a) $5.2 million for future employee retirement payments; future employee medical, dental, vision benefits; and future debt service payments; (b) assigned fund balance of $728,000 to be used for capital improvements; and (c) unassigned fund balance of $772,000 available and to be used as the School Board deems necessary.

Routine matters approved by the board included various requests by outside groups to use school facilities during non-school hours. Luzerne County Community College will be using the high school to hold spring 2014 classes. Rockets Fast Pitch Softball will be using the school gym every other Sunday morning for practice. Cub Scout Pact 81 was granted approval to use the elementary gym and stage for Pinewood Derby on January 25-26; use of the elementary gym for Winter Olympics on February 16; and use of the elementary gym for Blue and Gold Banquet on May 31, 2014.

In both the work session the previous evening and in the regular monthly meeting, Superintendent Stone gave an overview of the district’s obsolete phone system and the extraordinary measures required when repairs are needed. To remedy the problem he is exploring replacement of the current simplex system with a state-of-the-art VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phone system. According to Mr. Stone, “A new phone system would cost approximately $30,000 with a monthly service cost (including additional internet) of $2,200. The $2,200 per month would be reimbursed by E-Rate at 80%.” To convert to the VOIP system, the district would have to seek proposals from vendors and go through the federal bidding process. Implementation would not occur until after July 1, 2014. To allay fears of downed communications during power outages or should servers crash Superintendent Stone noted that a limited number of hardwired landlines will be kept operational even after VOIP implementation.

Also discussed by Superintendent Stone during both the work session and regular meeting was the issue of the rising number of students within the district who are enrolled in cyber charter schools. In the past few years there have been approximately 10 such students in the district. This year the number has increased to over 20. The district is looking at options to try to lure these students back to campus or under its purview. So far some five students have expressed interest in returning. Mr. Stone noted that oft-times families move into the district and immediately exercise the cyber school option without ever visiting the facilities available at SCSD. Because the location from which they came had a poor school district and their children were already enrolled in a cyber school there, they reflexively exercise the same option when they move here.

Why are Superintendent Stone and the board so concerned about the rising number of cyber charter school students? The answer is simple economics. Cyber students typically cost district taxpayers $11,000, and as much as $22,000 if they have special needs. The typical campus student costs taxpayers a little over $5,000.

Other issues on the Superintendent’s desk include writing a competitive grant to seek up to $25,000 for security upgrades; planning for suicide prevention training in the January/February time frame; and awaiting state approval of the district’s Title VI grant application for $16,000 to convert room 232 into a computer lab. Mr. Stone also praised the Kinder Morgan Foundation for their recent grant of $15,000 for a new piece of playground equipment at the elementary school.

The school board’s 7:09 to 7:35 p.m. meeting tied up year-end business efficiently. Board and administration seemed relieved that they could weather the coming pension apocalypse if only slightly better than most. Nevertheless, they appear mindful that should state government squander what small opportunity is left for pension (PSERS) reform, no amount of financial prudence and fiscal responsibility at the school district level can overcome the tidal wave of financial obligations already gathering on the horizon. While it is obvious actions have consequences; it is notable that in this case, inaction will have severe, even catastrophic consequences.

The new SCSD school board (same as the old board) will hold their next regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday in January. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Susquehanna Community School District Board Directors approved the following personnel actions during their regular meeting on Wednesday, December 4, 2013.

To hire for the 2013/2014 school year: Ray Testa - Junior High Boys Basketball Clock Position; Jami Hyndshaw - 5th & 6th grade Girls Basketball Co-Coach; Dawn Steele - 5th and 6th grade Girls Basketball Co-Coach.

To approve as volunteers for the 2013/2014 school year: Sarah Alexander - Basketball Cheerleading; Doug Phillips - 5th & 6th Grade Boys Basketball; Aaron Callendar - Weight Room; Paul Rooney - Weight Room and Elementary Wrestling.

To approve the following Substitutes for the 2013/2014 school year: Nathan Calabro, Joyce Decker, and Brent Keyes.

To accept the following resignation: Ray Testa - 5th & 6th grade Girls Basketball Coach.

To approve Kyle Cook‘s request to supervise after-school weight-lifting in the high school.

The following are to appear at the Courthouse in Montrose, PA on December 16, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.

Auburn Twp.: Gary Matusavige, Timothy S. Ryce.

Bridgewater Twp.: Terri Bennett, Vanstephen Cady, Laura L. Weaver.

Brooklyn Twp.: Penny Kamensky, Martha Ord, Ray Wilmarth Jr., James Yachymiak.

Clifford Twp.: Alexander Gajda, Steven Galambos, Laurie Graham, James Joseph Hayes, Peter Mushala Jr., Helen Sudlesky.

Dimock Twp.: Kenneth L. Hancock Jr., William J. Ivens, John Mills, Karen Mitchell, Donald Simpson.

Forest Lake Twp.: Daniel Acker, Kenneth Stimmel.

Franklin Twp.: Allen Scott, Lisa Ann Warner.

Gibson Twp.: Michael Budash, Thomas M. Fontana, Yvonne Leetz, Susan Sparks.

Great Bend Borough: Deborah Childress, Shane Rumage.

Great Bend Twp.: Karen Hettinger, Scott Hewitt, Kathleen Hinkley, Kathleen Mangel, Mary McGuire, Jessica Mendez, Richard Pingarelli, Theresa Rickard, Chrissondra Dee Six.

Hallstead Borough: Diane Milne.

Harford Twp.: Charles C. Bradshaw III, Elaine Brink, Todd Decker.

Harmony Twp.: John Mann.

Herrick Twp.: Timothy Bennett.

Jackson Twp.: Bernard Hurlburt.

Jessup Twp.: Michael Labzentis.

Lathrop Twp.: Ralph Brenneman, Scott Carpenetti.

Lenox Twp.: Daniel Farnham, Frances Forwood, Donald Kelley, Ann C. Ransom, Gail C. Rendle, Ashley Wilbur.

Liberty Twp.: Phillip Cook, Percy Warren.

Montrose Borough 1st Ward: Paul Johnson, Susan Wetherill.

Montrose Borough 2nd Ward: Josephine Dillon, Rhonda Smith.

New Milford Borough: Lisa Phillips, Cindy VanGorden.

New Milford Twp.: William Baker, Laura Novak.

Oakland Borough: Mercedes Allen.

Oakland Twp.: Hannah Barnes-Taylor.

Rush Twp.: Gary Alan, Tracy McCarey.

Silver Lake Twp.: Robert Anderson, Roxie Oberg.

Springville Twp.: Laura Lynn Brooks, Brian Graves, Michele Green, Robin L. Morris, Shannon Richards.

Susquehanna Borough 1st Ward: Laura Hendrickson.

Thompson Borough: Gary Swartz.