Design process to begin

MILLERSBURG - Millersburg will take a closer look at its existing educational facilities, eyeing potential improvements for learning and safety.

The board, by a 7-1 vote, authorized Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, Architects, to begin the design process for renovations to the Millersburg Middle/High School and to address security issues at the Lenkerville Elementary School, with estimated costs of the renovations not to exceed $10,250,000.

In regard to the financing options, $532,000 is the annual net obligation of the district on a $10,250,000 project. If the district were to finance the total project amount of $10,250,000 over a 20-year period, after state reimbursement, the board's net annual obligation would be $532,000. Director Donald Harris voted no. Board member Karen Fox was absent at the January 22 meeting.

Superintendent Sheree-Lee S. Knorr stressed that no specific decisions have been made yet concerning any renovation or upgrade project, district-wide.

District Solicitor Frank Clark was directed to develop an Owner/Architect Agreement with Crabtree Rohrbaugh in a form satisfactory to the solicitor, subject to board approval. Harris voted no.

In other matters, Knorr presented two administrators, Middle School Principal Jennifer T. Wicht and Lenkerville Elementary School Principal Michael A. Lyter, with Achievement Recognition awards from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Lyter and Wicht accepted on behalf of their school staff and students, acknowledging it was a team approach to success. The awards noted that both the middle school and elementary school reached Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two consecutive years for their PSSA test scores from 2010-11 and 2011-12.

The high school students in 2012, however, did not meet the benchmarks in reading and math. (See Knorr's editorial message on page 4.)

In other business, Director of Technology for the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU) David Martin, and CAIU Supervisor of I.T. Projects Joan Adams presented a demonstration on the use of "Agenda Manager".

The system is a web-based application for delivery of agendas and supporting documents that many school districts are now using, reducing the use of paper and copy machines.

Some of the key features of the system include: online note taking, online minute taking, drag and drop recording, record attendance and votes, copy or email agenda items, upload supporting attachments, keyword search and use of agenda templates.

The board agreed to use Agenda Manager on a trial basis. At the end of the trial basis, the board will determine if they like the product enough to purchase it at an annual cost of $3,900 or $3,200 per year if the district obligates for three years. Regardless, the board will have to pass a resolution after the trial period expires to continue using Agenda Manager. Harris voted no.

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