School board eyes new website / By Martha Knight

“We need a significantly improved digital imprint,” superintendent Gary Buchsen told the Port Allegany School Board Monday night, in a lengthy presentation.

With technology coordinator Adam Moate assisting with projection, Buchsen spoke from the lectern to make the case for planning, funding and implementing an expanded website and internet presence. That the expansion would be worthwhile and well received in the community is indicated by the many people who have viewed the new district Facebook and Twitter accounts since those were launched in December, Buchsen said.

The superintendent advocates redoing the district’s website from scratch, contracting for webmaster services, producing a fully customized site, and investing about $200 a month in ongoing maintenance and hosting costs.

Board members indicated informal support for taking the next step in the process Buchsen outlines. He would present a more detailed proposal next month, followed by requests for proposals from vendors. The site would be “built” in April and May, and “data roll-out” would occur after July 1.

Funding for the website overhaul would tap the Burgart Endowment initially. Expenditures would qualify for the eRate, which provides for schools and libraries to receive 70 percent discounts on eligible technology spending.

Board member Scott Moses commented, “Education is moving more and more toward technology. Our website is our calling card..

Junior-senior high school principal Marc Budd pointed out that online announcements of an impending school closing before midterms had reached many students, as evidenced by their coming to the school to visit lockers and get their study materials.

Board president Dave Mensch, long an advocate of full provisioning of the district’s technology infrastructure and equipment, urged the board, “When we get the (proposals), don’t look at the bottom line first. Just once I’d like to see us do it right.”

Another presentation in the marathon board meeting was that of David V. DiTanna of Buffamente Whipple Buttafaro, auditors. He walked the board through the contents of the audit report covering the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2013. He said that he was presenting an opinion, based on the annual review of the district’s financial status and management, that is the highest auditors can award, one with no “exceptions” or deviations from proper practices. He praised the operations of business manager Judy Bodamer and the business office staff.

The audit report contained some recommendations related to internal controls over financial reporting, and responses by the administration. The audit and report contained information on the $340,111 federal Keystone to Opportunity (K2O) grant, which had been received and had begun to be utilized by the district in 2013.

Later in the meeting the board voted to accept the audit report. Moses thanked Bodamer for her “whistle-clean” books.

Turning to personnel matters, the board accepted David Roae’s resignation as technology education teacher effective January 9. He is understood to have enrolled in graduate studies. He was added to the list of substitute teachers, though, because he will have some availability.

Also added to the substitute teacher list were Tyler Payne and Kari Drabert.

A full-time position as cook-server-attendant in food services was replaced with two 4.5-hour positions, and Cynthia Carinci and Roseann Perick were hired. They will receive an hourly wage of $14.53 and fringe benefits, according to the new support staff agreement.

Appointed to supplemental salary positions were Mackenna Bickford, head softball coach, at $2,604, and William Daniels, assistant softball coach, $2,076. Ryan Kio will continue as a volunteer wrestling coach for the 2013-14 season.

The board adopted a resolution electing not to increase taxes above the index of 3.2 percent for the fiscal year that will begin on July 1. Bodamer circulated to the board a timeline for budget preparation.

G.H. Harris, Inc. was approved as collector of delinquent 2013 per capita taxes, at no cost to the district. It was explained that the $10 “head tax” can be waived for district residents aged 75 or older or with annual incomes below $10,000, upon application to the district tax collector, with required proof.

Board members voted to approve the purchase of a John Deere tractor with accessories at a cost of $11,700. This will be in addition to the current tractor, which is about 10 years old.

Also approved was the purchase of about $18,000 worth of equipment to update the CAD lab for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program. Funds will come from the Burgart Endowment.

Among questions in the public comment period was a query concerning the Gifted Students program, temporarily without a teacher. Buchsen said the program is provided by IU9, which will deal with the staffing shortly.

Another request had to do with consideration of a junior-high boys’ soccer team. Board member Dan Kysor, who is an official at soccer events in the region, said that a number of school districts have junior-high teams, with some being co-ed. “It looks to me to work pretty well,” he added.

In answer to other questions, Buchsen explained that the loss of Roae from the teaching staff will not curtail the sports he has been coaching.

The regular board meeting was preceded by an hour-long executive session. Another followed after the public session. The earlier one was attended by solicitor Christian T. Mattie III. The Sunshine Law exception stated by Mensch was “personnel matters.”

The next scheduled public meeting of the board will be a committee-of-the-whole meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, January 27.