School board OKs Act 93 raises for last year / By Martha Knight

One of the topics of the numerous executive sessions held by the Port Allegany School Board emerged into public view Monday night, when the board voted narrowly to approve salaries for the administrative and supervisory personnel—but for the fiscal term that ended in June.

The agreement had been finalized just before the public board meeting, in an executive session that ran well past the 7 p.m. time for the public meeting to begin. The employees in question bargain with the board under the provisions of Act 93, which pertains to supervisory and administrator personnel who are not eligible for representation through a union.

Under the new, one-year pact, high school principal Marc Budd will receive $92,245; elementary principal Tracy Kio $82,775; business manager Judy Bodamer will receive $69,580 and assistant principal Kerri Dach will get $69,580.

Also, technology coordinator Adam Moate’s salary will be $56,238 and cafeteria manager Judy Howard will receive $41,263.

All new salary figures represent 2.25 percent raises from the previous levels. The Act 93 employees had been working without a current agreement for the 2013-14 salary year, which expired on June 30, and technically are working under an extension now. They will receive “catch up” pay for the raises, and their ongoing pay will be at the “new” (but theoretically temporary) rates until a new, current pact is achieved.

Board president Dave Mensch and fellow board members Denise Buchanan, Ingrid Lapp, Sean Lathrop, Jason Stake and Dan Kysor voted yes on the raises. Rod Howard abstained because Judy Howard is his wife. Voting no were Mark Carlson and Scott Mose.

Judy Howard’s work year was extended from 185days to 210, but it was not clear whether her pay would be increased in proportion. Again trustee Howard abstained, and Kysor opposed that change.

In another unfinished personnel matter, the board reconvened in executive session again after the public meeting, to discuss the evaluation forms board members have completed concerning superintendent Gary Buchsen. The board has not previously done a formalized evaluation of its chief school administrator, but that is now a state requirement.

Leslie Bear, managing director of public finance for Robert F. Baird & Co., Exton, addressed the board concerning the opportunities available to the district for refinancing its debt. He presented a report indicating that the district could save around $107,000, net of costs of the process. The district currently owes $6,116,679 on its 2010 bond issue, and $4,811,606 on its 2011 issue.

Baird & Co. recently handled Smethport School District’s bond refinancing. Bear pointed out that Baird can serve as underwriter in such a process, and provide advisory services in the process, or can serve in the role of financial advisor, in which case an underwriter would have to be found.

The board could make a determination in September as to whether to refinance, and if so, how to proceed. That would allow for a possible bond sale in December. Interest rates are the lowest they have been in America since 1790, Bear said.

Kio and Budd both gave reports on Monday’s school opening, which had gone smoothly in general, and on curriculum planning, security measures and related staff training,, and planning toward changes in math instructional materials.

The resignation of Kerri Dach as assistant principal was accepted, effective September 22. The district is advertising the position.

Mentors were appointed to assist recently hired teachers. They are Sharon Daniels, for secondary English teacher Penny Amacher; Brian VanGorden for secondary math teacher Vincent Berrettini; and Tabatha Dart, for kindergarten teacher Kari Drabert. Each mentor will be paid $1,496.

Evelyn Mealy was recalled to fill a seven-hour instructional aide position in the high school, at an hourly rate of $15.33 plus benefits. Buchsen explained that that service had been provided through IU9, but that it had been decided that it made financial sense to “offer it to our own crew.”

The board voted to approve Mackenna Bickford as a continuing volunteer volleyball coach, and Tony Edgell and Jeff Schultz as continuing volunteer basketball coaches.

The board approved a five-year contract with Mazza, Olean, N.Y. for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems maintenance, at a cost of $36,500 per year.

The board discussed the contract sum at some length. Bodamer pointed out that the cost seems high, but it covers replacement of parts and even of such major items as a boiler, should a failure occur. All adjustments and monitoring are performed by the company. “We don’t have to touch it,” Bodamer said.

A letter of agreement was approved with Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Inc., whereby the agency will continue to provide student assistance services in the 2014-15 school term.