School board seeks home for soccer / By Martha Knight

The Port Allegany Board of School Directors heard from head varsity soccer coach Aaron Clark, superintendent Gary Buchsen and junior-senior high school principal Marc Budd last Thursday night concerning prospects for a soccer field to replace the one now in use on a temporary, borrowed basis. Buchsen also took to Google Earth to “fly” over the area via laptop and projector, looking for a new home for the eight-year-old varsity soccer program.

Clark addressed the board during the Public Comments period, urging the board to “not drag your feet.”

Clark mentioned recent talk of adding a junior-high soccer program, but said the lack of adequate practice and playing facilities could put that prospect off for a year. “There’s a large group of students that are not going to have an opportunity” to participate in fall sports, Clark warned, if lack of a field interrupts the soccer program and blocks expansion.

One element of Buchsen’s monthly report to the board featured a virtual tour of various possible sites for soccer practice and games. He said the possibilities being explored had been garnered from conversations with various individuals and entities in the community. Some would serve on a short-term basis, some would require long-term planning, and some could be implemented beginning in the next few months, according to Buchsen.

Among those that could bring results fairly soon was a possibility of improving the baseball facilities at Moose Park, just south of Port Allegany along Route 155. The school district could assist with some improvements there and at the same time create a playing and practice area for the soccer program.

Business manager Judy Bodamer outlined the proposed budget the board adopted, subject to revision prior to the final adoption next month.  The preliminary fiscal package calls for total appropriations of $14,177,375.  Currently it shows a deficit of $216,208.

Bodamer walked the board through the process of levying taxes, including the spreading of the real estate tax uniformly across portions of two counties with differing  equalization rates. The higher millage applied in Potter County results from assessments some 40 years out of date, Bodamer said, but the resulting rate is applied to relatively low assessments.

Buchsen and Bodamer noted that the state has yet to agree on education spending in its upcoming budget, so several unknowns remain to be determined before the district can arrive at the required balanced budget.

Later in the meeting the six board members present approved adoption of the tentative budget, pending further action by the board. The budget will be available for public scrutiny in the central office until the July 9 board meeting.

Buchsen presented a list of extracurricular activities, compiled with the help of music department head Kenneth Myers, and asked the board whether they would like to see any changes in eligibility or the program offerings. Board president Dave Mensch said undertaking such changes can be “like opening a can of worms.” Other trustees agreed that they believe the current programs and related policies work well.

Buchsen outlined a proposal that had been discussed by the superintendents of the IU9 member districts, whereby they would contract with a “technology pool-counsel” for legal advice about the districts’ ever changing technology uses and their legal ramifications. Each of the 15 districts would pay $400 a year, and seek advice as needed, with the advice being shared among the districts.

Later in the meeting the board agreed to participate in that plan, provided that the other districts’ boards approve as well.

The resignation of Jessica Rohrer as elementary school nurse was accepted, effective August 1.  Elementary principal Tracy Kio praised Rohrer’s service and credited her with helping launch some important wellness and health programs.

Melissa Causer and Brianna Nichols were named cheerleader advisors for the 2014-15 school term. They will be paid $2,567 and $2,164 respectively.

Dr. Philip Carlson was reappointed school dentist. He is to be paid $5 per dental inspection for 100 or more, $7 each for fewer. Board member Dr. Mark Carlson, his brother, abstained from the vote.

Christian T. Mattie III and the firm of Mattie & Alfieri-Causer were reappointed solicitor for the coming fiscal year, with a retainer of $ 4,500 and an hourly rate of $140 for pre-described services beyond the retainer.

Dan Lane was reelected district treasurer at a salary of $5,555, a one percent increase.

The First National Bank of Port Allegany and the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT) were chosen as depositories for certain district funds in the upcoming fiscal year.

Michael Nasto was reappointed park and pool supervisor for the 2014 season at a rate of $9.75 an hour for a maximum of 550 hours. In answer to a board question Bodamer said Nasto has never used the maximum number of hours, in many years of heading the park and pool program.

The board voted to roll its own enrichment program beginning in the coming school year, rather than contracting for it with the IU9.

Also approved were the student handbook for the Port Allegany School District Virtual Academy, the addition of a welding course at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center, a policy pertaining to homeless students, and a graduation list of 63 seniors.

The next board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Elementary School large group instruction room.

The public board meeting followed an executive session dealing with “personnel matters.