Wellsville Board of Education

Monday - October 11: The Wellsville Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting last night in the Superintendent's office. Present at the meeting was Board President Ed Bauer, Vice-President Tom Brophey and members Karen Dash & Bill Miller. Also attending the meeting was Superintendent Rich Bereschik, OAPSE Rep. Ed Swogger, WTA President Darlene Allison, District Treasurer Coleen Wickham, Betty Ann Phillips and one of Mr. Meek's Government Study students.

For the month of September, Mrs. Wickham reported the General Fund had a balance of $2.4 million with $682,079.87 in receipts and $486,662.31 in expenditures on the month. There was $137,164.67 spent out of the General Set-Aside Fund leaving a balance of $428,091.51. Interest earned on investments in September was $4,319.85.

The five year forecast was approved as prepared by the Treasurer. Mrs. Wickham explained expenses are pretty much set for this year but beyond that is anyone's guess. For this year the District will be in good shape. Starting in 2012 the District is forecasted to be spending in the negative, exceeding income. However, the District is not forecasted to be in the red at that point. A 19% increase for insurance was factored in and beyond that 16%. Bauer remarked that the 19% insurance increase is the only thing known for sure. Talk from candidates has been almost non-existant about school funding but he believes there will be an increase in funding next year. Beyond the current year with so many variables, a five year forecast is akin to gazing into a crystal ball.

Two then & now certificates were also approved. One was for $8238.79 for CC ESC and the other was for $10,662.81 for cafeteria supplies. A then & now certificate is when the invoice is dated before the purchase order is issued verifying that funds are available.

Bauer reported that Board Member Mike Cook is now recuperating at home and after speaking to him believes everything is going in the right direction. Ed Swogger added that he is getting stronger by the day. Also condolences were extended to the Aaron Bunfill family.

WTA President Darlene Allison reported contract negotiations are scheduled to take place October 25 & 26. Bereschik stated a Buildings & Grounds meeting is scheduled for October 21.

For Good News Mr. Bereschik reported that Garfield Elementary has been appointed as an excellent school district for scores on 3rd Grade math and reading with their OAT scores. Garfield will also be honored as a State School of Promise at a P16 Council luncheon on October 14. We'll have more on that later. Also the District has been notified that they will be receiving $335,000 from Jobs Ed to be used in the next 22 months. The District will draw down on about $150,000 in the first year once it is clarified exactly what the money can be used on. Mr. B stated the total District enrollment is about 885 students, which is about the same as last year. There are 27 pre-school students.

Lindsey Householder, Nikki D'Atri & Barb Gallo was approved for Temporary Short-Hour Paraprofessionals. There were a list of 14 parent volunteers approved for Daw Middle School. Matt Jordan was appointed Spirit Club Advisor. Jasmine Richardson was once again approved at the 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach. Steve Lasure was hired as the Varsity Wrestling Head Coach. Lasure has been a long time Tiger Mite wrestling coach. John Stoakes was approved as Boys Varsity Basketball volunteer. Dana Pucci, Myra Sfakis & Angela Brown were approved for the classified substitute list and Debbie Ehrhart & Gregory Sabbato for the certified list. Justin Jesse Krulik was approved as a Daw Middle School wrestling coach.

A field trip on November 3 to West Liberty & Bethany College for the WHS Senior Class was approved. Mr. Young's & Mrs. Meadows WHS Class was approved for a field trip to Robinson Mall near Pittsburgh on December 3. Mrs. Cartwright's Daw Middle School Language Arts Class got the ok to travel to Pittsburgh's Byham Theater on December 9. The Daw 7th & 8th Grade students field trip to New York City was approved for May 5 through 7. The Board also approved for the WHS Prom to be held at The Fez on April 30 in Aliquippa, PA. Darlene Allison explained that everything close by was either already booked or cost prohibitive.

In closing remarks Mrs. Dash extended best wishes to Mike Cook on behalf of the whole Board. Dash also noted the the WHS Volleyball team was named first seed in the ITCL lower tier for the upcoming tournaments. The Lady Tigers play Lowellville next Tuesday, October 19, 7:30 P.M. in Lisbon's Gym A. Mrs. Allison added the Daw Volleyball 8th Grade team is #2 seed in the Middle School tournaments to be played Saturday in Wellsville starting at 10 A.M. The championship matches will be played October 20.

Mr. Miller commended Tim Householder on the excellent job he has done with the football field at Nicholson Stadium. Miller added there is no comparison to others he has seen this year.

Mr. Bauer commended Mrs. Lisa Ferguson and her staff for all the hard work that was done to earn the honor and recognition bestowed on Garfield Elementary.

The meeting adjourned at 7:06 P.M.. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 15 at 6:30 P.M. in the Superintendent's office. The November meeting is one week later than the normal monthly meeting dates.

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