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Mo Valley OKs change orders for paving project
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
By Annie Lynn Staff Writer
HOUTZDALE - The Moshannon Valley School Board went into an executive session last night at 7:10 p.m. due to lack of a quorum for a regular meeting.
Those present were president Rod Kitko, Kris Bacher, Cassandra Kitko and Robert Reed. Member Nathan Dotts arrived later and the regular meeting was called to order by Rod Kitko at 8:14 p.m.
Board members who were not present were Albert Adams, Larry Saupp, Ruth Saupp and Stacy Williams.
The board first heard from Tom Levine with Levine Engineering. He reported on the recently completed paving project and encouraged the board to approve three change orders for New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. The first was for a reduction of $4,800 for a change in the bituminous wearing course skid resistance level. The second was to add line item number 16 two inch thick 9.5 mm bituminous binder to Section A
of the proposal and contract form at no cost increase or decrease. The third was for change in contract price compensating quantities associated with change order 2 for a reduction of $51,148.90.
The three change orders were later approved, along with the final payment to New Enterprise in the amount of $187,251.30 to be paid with capital reserve funds. Levine also noted that the dust unit should arrive by Monday with installation possibly completed by the middle of September.
Tom Killion with Fullington Auto Bus Company spoke about bus stop changes taking place for the 2012-13 school year. He said they have eliminated 128 stops, some of which are due to consolidation and some because there are no longer students at the stops. He said he has received calls and complaints about the matter and explained that the district is being generous because no student will be walking more than one-tenth of a mile.
The state, he noted, allows 1½ miles of walking distance for elementary students and 2 miles for high school students. Safety issues have been the top concern of parents, however, Killion said there are also safety concerns with stopping at every house because of traffic following the buses and impatient drivers.
He said the changes are in the consolidation of the stops - the routes will remain the same.
Special Education Supervisor Pam Stone reported new schedules are being created and evaluations are continuing. She said she appreciates the support she has received from the board.
Thursday is Meet the Knights and Damsel Night at the football field at 7 p.m. - an introduction for all fall sports participants. High School Principal John Dibert noted that Aug. 29 is the first day back for students, open house is scheduled for Sept. 6 and high school pictures are set for Sept. 13.
Elementary Principal Connie Godin spoke about the Adequate Yearly Progress Status for 2011-12 and noted the elementary objectives for improvement which included self-contained classrooms in grade five, purchasing Core Reading Series for grade five, maintaining a full-time elementary guidance counselor, an increase in individual and small group instruction by the classroom teacher, increasing inclusive practice for special education students, and the addition of a technology instructor.
Dibert talked about the Secondary Objectives for improvement, which included SAS Curriculum Mapping and Lesson Planning to ensure alignment, incorporating PSSA testing format into regular testing and prepare for transition to Keystone Exams in grade eleven.
The board approved several consent motions including the 2012-13 elementary student and faculty handbooks and the collective bargaining agreement.
They also approved tenure for Suzanna Coakley, Marguerite Frank, Dawn Swatsworth and Megan Van Orden; the resignations of Megan Reimer, Megan Van Orden, Megan LaCrosse, Shirley Moffet and Laurie Barrett; offers of employment to Jessica Fisher, Maryssa McGuire, Brittany Frisco, Mary Stone, Denise Kephart and Kim Clarkson.
They approved the substitute professional staff list and the district volunteer list.
Several extra-curricular motions also carried. The board approved the renewal of biannual Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Pennsylvania State Police and the district; renewal of cooperative agreement between St. Francis University and the district; renewal of Letter of Agreement between The Meadows, Universal Community Behavioral Health and the district; Renewal of Tuition Agreement between New Story
School and the district; Renewal of Agreement between NHS Pennsylvania (Autism school) and the district.
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