Wellsville Board of Education

Monday - May 10: The Board of Education had their regular monthly meeting in the Superintendent's Office. Present at the meeting was Board President Ed Bauer, Members Tom Brophey, Mike Cook, Karen Dash and Bill Miller. Also in attendance was Superintendent Rich Bereschik, Darlene Allison from the Teacher's Assoc., Ed Swogger from OAPSE, Treasurer Colleen Wickham and about a dozen students getting their Government Class requirement completed.

For the Financial Report, Wickham reported that for the month of April receipts were $610,039, expenditures were $721,906 leaving a balance of $1.9 million in the General Fund. Interest earned for April was $4,525. Wickham advised the interest rates "hasn't changed a whole lot". Earning a little over 3%, rates on CDs are the best at the present time.

For the Legislative Update, Tom Brophey reported that there are two scenarios State legislators are looking at with one speculating a 22.7% cut in funding and the other a 30.1% reduction. Brophey emphasized the word "speculation" saying nothing definite has been determined.

Brophey also reported that the Ohio School Board Assoc. is strongly opposing HB373/SB210 called "Healthy Choices-Healthy Children". If passed that would require schools to have at least 30 minutes set aside each day for Physical Education. Neither the House or Senate version has provisions for funding by the State. The OSBA says there is simply not enough funding available to absord the costs by individual school districts. Career Technical Centers do not have the space or additional time needed not to mention the costs.

Mike Cook reported that the last meeting for the CC Career & Technical Center for the school year is Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30 followed by Senior Night at 7 P.M.

For the Teacher's Assoc., Darlene Allison extended their sympathy to the Kruger family for the passing of Jean Kruger. Mrs. Kruger was a Wellsville teacher for many years. Allison also reported that contract negotiations have started. Their contract expires in July.

For the Good News Report, Mr. Bereschik advised work continues on the fence at the high school. Things are looking good for graduation and they are getting ready for this summer's All-Class Reunion. One of the priorities on the the to-do list for this summer is getting the basketball hoops moved out of the old McDonald School to the Middle School playground. Bereschik also reported that 20 seniors took the CPR training and recommended that others take it. Members of the Science Class cleaned up around the school as part of Earth Day.

Non-renewal of contracts for Golf coaches Mark Childers & Mark Railing at the end of the school year was approved. Bauer explained this is no reflection on the coaches but is a requirement the Board has to follow when the coaches are not teachers in the system. Resignations of Jr. Class Advisors Suellen Meadows & Lori Traina were accepeted. Brophey remarked that both have done fantastic jobs with Mrs. Dash adding they appreciated the many hours both gave. Lyndsy Kelly's resignation as Middle School Cheerleading Coach was also accepted.

A class trip for the 7th & 8th Grade Choir & Band to Kennywood on June 2 was approved. Ten NE Ohio Legal Assoc. policies that are either new, revised or replaced were passed. This is required quarterly to adopt or revise.

Pending the completion of necessary paperwork a plethora of contracts were approved for various coaches. They are as follows: Bug Thompson for Head Varsity Basketball, Ed Swogger for Head Girls Basketball/Girls Elementary Basketball, Lonnie Fields for Asst. Varsity Basketball, Dave Thompson Jr. for Boys Freshman Basketball, Emery Brewer for 7th Grade Boys Basketball, Randy Thrasher for 8th Grade Boys Basketball, Tom Gualtier as Girl's Asst. Basketball, Bill McComas for Girl's 7th Grade Basketball and Allan Dingey as 8th Grade Girl's Basketball. For football there was Roger Bickle for Asst. Varsity, Bug Thompson for Asst. Varsity, Allen Bergert for Asst. Varsity, Dave Thompson Jr. for Asst. Varsity and Art Miller for Asst. Varsity. Middle School Coaches approved were Randy Thrasher, Lonnie Fields and Barry Keller. All the above will be issued contracts at Step 3 Supplemental Salary Schedule or above. Mrs. Dash noted this was good for the program and Bauer added that it gives consistency with the coaches being around for awhile. Volunteer Basketball coaches Mike Cook & Bob Swogger were approved too. Darlene Allison was given the nod for the Asst. Athletic Director job. One contract for a Volunteer Asst. Football Coach was tabled.

The Treasurer's five-year forecast was approved. Mrs. Wickham explained that this is done twice a year by state law. It is a projection of incoming revenue & expenditures based on the state's PASS formula and local property taxes. State funding for the District accounts for 84% of the budget. Speculated cuts in state funding mentioned by Brophey was not factored into the forecast.

An increase of 16% recommended by the District's insurance broker was figured into the forecast for Employee Retirement & Insurance Benefits. At an earlier Finance Committee meeting it was noted that in 2009 71% of the budget went for personnel services, benefits and retirement. It is expected to be 74% for 2010. Expenditures for this year and the next three are forecasted to exceed income revenue. The balance carry-over from year to year is expected to keep the budget in the black. In 2014 it is expected to be in the red with the carry-over depleted. It's a matter of extreme concern for all Board members. Bauer noted it is based on what you have today but it can change tomorrow.

Joyce Aubele was approved as a substitute school nurse. Membership for the 2010-2011 school year in the OHSAA was okayed. An agreement for student teachers from Franciscan Univ. for next year was accepted. The Modern Striders Track Club was given the green light to use the facilities & selected equipment at Nicholson Stadium
pending receipt of all necessary paperwork which includes verification of insurance. Tentative dates are May 15 to July 31. Love Insurance Agency was approved to provide student accident & sickness insurance for the next school year.

In closing all Board members congratulated the Seniors attending as they near graduation. Brophey noted that Ohio ranks 4th in US & world student enrollment. The top three states are North Carolina, Texas & Georgia. Cook offered thanks to Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Buzzard and Mr. Householder for the great job they did on a recent Jr. High field trip to Washington D.C. Cook was also one of the chaperones and noted everything went very well. Miller congratulated Darlene Allison on her new appointment noting she shadowed him as a student teacher. Bauer noted the fine job done by maintenance personnel saying all the schools are looking good. He added there will be some visitors during the All-Class Reunion that have never seen the new high school. Karen Dash told the seniors to enjoy their last few days as high school students.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:17. Next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M., Monday, June 14 in the Superintendent's Office.

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