School News
- Last Updated on Friday, 09 August 2013 04:44
Ringgold School Board Meeting June 26, 2013
By Paul Chasko
During her address to the Ringgold School Board at the June 26th meeting, Superintendent, Dr. Karen Polkabla announced changes at several school administrative positions. She announced the following:
High school: Mr. Jason Minniti will move from the position of Assistant Principal and will assume the position of Principal. Mr. Minniti will also be asked to work with the curriculum assuring that there is alignment between the Middle School and High School. Mr. Jason Marvin will remain as Assistant Principal at the High School. Mr. Marvin will also be responsible for development of a Hybrid Curriculum enabling students to take some classes via computer from home or school. A second Assistant Principal will be needed at the High School.
Middle School: There will be no changes at the middle school. Mr. Mark Alberta will continue as principal and Mrs. Lenni Nedley will continue as Assistant Principal.
Ringgold Elementary Schools – South and North (RESS and RESN): Mrs. Wendy Yonkers will continue as Principal at RESS. Mr. Ross Ference will be relieved of his position as Principal at RESS and will assume the position of Principal of RESN. Assistant Principal Positions will be needed at both RESN and RESS. These positions will need to be filled.
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The Board approved the 2013/2014 budget but not with agreement of the full board. The budget represents $39,649,754.00 in expenditures with a zero mill increase. Board member Larry Mauro was unhappy with the light involvement of the board in the preparation of the budget. The administration did the bulk of the budget preparation work. He commented that, “The zero mill tax increase is unrealistic.” Board member Chuck Smith complained about the fact that more than one version of the budget was circulating for review which caused confusion. He also made the comment that, “Funds were shifted from one version of the budget to the next. The administration is guessing at the incoming revenue. We adopt this budget and we’re headed for bankruptcy.” At this point in the heated discussion Board member Stein asked Solicitor Berggren if all Pennsylvania Department of Education codes and procedures were followed in the preparation of this budget and he answered in the affirmative. Superintendent Polkabla and Business and Financial Manager Skrinyorich attempted to clarify the issues bothering Mr. Smith with no apparent success. Board President Marianne Bulko called for a vote at this point and the budget passed 7/2 with dissenting votes from members C. Smith and Mauro.
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In Regular Business:
All board members were present as were the Solicitor, Secretary/Treasurer and members of the administration.
· Minutes of meetings of May 15 and May 29 were reviewed and accepted without comment or change.
· Board member Robert Smith reported that the building repairs at the Mon Valley Career and Technical Center are proceeding on schedule.
· The Treasurer’s report was reviewed and accepted without comment or change.
· Visitor Jason Cheplic addressed the board bringing attention to seemingly variant enforcement of the school dress code – for both students and teachers. The board and administration agreed to review both the student and teacher handbooks to discover if there is need for any changes in the methods of establishing and enforcing the school’s dress code.
In Regular Business:
All board members were present as were the Solicitor, Secretary/Treasurer and members of the administration.
· Minutes of meetings of May 15 and May 29 were reviewed and accepted without comment or change.
· Board member Robert Smith reported that the building repairs at the Mon Valley Career and Technical Center are proceeding on schedule.
· The Treasurer’s report was reviewed and accepted without comment or change.
· Visitor Jason Cheplic addressed the board bringing attention to seemingly variant enforcement of the school dress code – for both students and teachers. The board and administration agreed to review both the student and teacher handbooks to discover if there is need for any changes in the methods of establishing and enforcing the school’s dress code.
The board by motion approved:
· A resolution to reinstate the following taxes:
Section 679 Per Capita tax - $5.00
Section 511 Per Capita Tax - $5.00
Mercantile Tax – ½ mill on wholesale & ¾ mill on retail
Occupation Privilege Tax - $10.00
Earned Income Tax – ½ of 1% with an exception up to $3200
· Payment of bills from the following accounts:
General Fund - $ 1,857,760.74
Cafeteria fund - $133,659.75
· Payment of $ 660.00 to Architects HHSDR for services related to the new pool dehumidification unit.
· Payment of $1,248.00 as final payment for the Owners Controlled Insurance Program from the RESS project final audit.
· Accept a proposal from West Penn Appraisers Inc. in the amount of $4,000 (for each building) for appraisals on the MEC and DEC buildings.
· Accepted the 2013/2014 insurance renewal for the district in the amount of $487,125
· Transfer of unused appropriations and/or surplus funds from the General Fund to the Capital Reserve fund and/or the Other Post-Employment Benefits Fund.
· Budget transfers in the General Fund as needed for the 2013/2014 school year.
· An agreement between the District and the Custodial /Maintenance Union.
· Received notification from the PDE that $1,219,776 will be allocated from the state gaming monies for the Homestead/Farmstead exclusion under the provisions of Act 50 and Act 1. The board will provide up to $160.00 exclusion for approved residents.
· Allow Portnoff Law Associates to list still delinquent properties for Sheriff’s Sale.
· Accepted letters of resignation from Gino Faraci (teacher), Kathleen Davidovich (Bus Driver), Alan Hupchick (Custodian) and Billy Carden (Substitute Bus Driver.
· Granted permission to employ Amy Lucas (Guidance Counselor), Marissa Rega (Spanish Teacher) and James Kester (Mechanic).
· Permission to name Mr. Jason Minniti as Principal of Ringgold High School.
· Permission for four individuals to attend training conferences - $4,606.49
· Permission to add the names of ten teachers, one administrator, three cafeteria workers, three custodial/maintenance workers, two bus drivers and one security officer to the substitute roster.
· Permission to form the Ringgold High School Life Skills Club
· Permission to purchase 4 Bluebird Buses ($336,900) and one Mini Bus ($54,136).
· Permission for the Union Finley Midget Football Association to use the Ringgold Middle School Football Field and Restrooms
· Retroactive permission for PennDOT to use the RHS Cafeteria for a public meeting on the Rt. 88 and 837 intersection improvement project.
· Permission to use the Ringgold Football Field Middle School for a fireworks display.
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