Negotiations continue at Williams Valley

TOWER CITY - As the first day of school quickly approaches, the teachers' union at Williams Valley and the school board have yet to pen a contract agreement.

The Williams Valley Education Association (WVEA) and the school board have scheduled their next negotiating session for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10. As of 2009-10, there were 85 teachers employed in the district and all but 11 of them were members of the union, according to Superintendent Olga Ehrhart. The WVEA's last three-year pact expired June 30, 2010.

Representing the teachers' union are President Seth Shuey, Vice-President Joel Guldin, Secretary Sharon Patrick, Elementary Director Anne Pirie, Secondary Director Andrea Leitzel, and Director-At-Large Heidi Kleckner.

Members of the school board who serve on the Negotiating Committee are Richard Updegrove, Daniel Stroup, Tracey Minnich, and John McCready.

No details about the negotiations, or any contract language, have been released to the media. The board announced the date for the next negotiation session at its July 22nd board meeting.

Also during the meeting, Nancy Krauss, William Valley's business manager who resigned to assume another job, thanked the district during her last official week. Homer Knox III, Landisville, was hired in July as her replacement at an annual salary of $75,000.

"I want to thank all of you for the opportunity to serve Williams Valley over the last two years," said Krauss.

Board President Richard Updegrove told Krauss the district was sorry to see her leave. The board wished her well and added Knox's name as an authorized signer of district accounts.

The board heard an end of season report from Girls' Softball Coach Lee Reiser. He shared his pride in this year's team, noting that 12 of the 15 players were on the distinguished honor roll and were really "the cream of the crop". He brought to the board's attention that trees in the outfield area were hanging over the fence.

WV Midget Football League Treasurer Mary Markel also addressed the board and discussed the rental paperwork submitted on behalf of the league. She stressed that the league is willing to pay for custodial fees and also use of the lights. She explained that their request to have fees waived only pertained to the facility rental fee rates per date.

Personnel

In other personnel matters, the board approved:

- accepting the resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from elementary secretary Kathleen Reed, effective June 10, 2010.

- the daily substitute teacher rate for the 2010-11 school year as $85.

- hiring Jennifer Minnich, Williamstown, as a temporary professional employee assigned to the elementary school. Director Tracey Minnich abstained.

- hiring Suzanne Mayberry, Barnesville, to assist the technology department from July 26 to Aug. 27, 2010.

- hiring Matthew R. Warner, Pine Grove, as a temporary professional employee assigned to the elementary school, with an effective starting date Aug. 18, 2010.

- hiring Adam J. Kravatz, Reading, as a temporary professional employee assigned to teach technology education at the Jr.-Sr. High School, with an effective start date of Aug. 18, 2010.

- the following mentors for the 2010-11 school year: Sharon Patrick, mentor for Jennifer Minnich; Kristina Miller, mentor for Matthew Warner; and Robert Miller, mentor for Adam Kravatz.

- Tim Harner as a short-term substitute social studies teacher at the high school.

Other business

In other action, the board approved:

- an Education Service Agreement between the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit-29 (IU-29) and the district for the provision of ESL (English as a Second Language) Education Services for the 2010-11 school year. The district agreed to pay IU-29 for its projected participation payable in two scheduled installments of $2,333 each.

- an intent to participate agreement with IU-29 for 2010-11 for Title III: Language Instruction for LEP and immigrant students. The IU-29 will submit a consortium grant proposal for Title III which will fund professional development for ESL teachers, content area teachers and administrators, supplemental instruction materials and personnel to serve as translators and interpreters.

- a contract with Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU) for special education services for a student to receive services at Halifax Area High School 7-1-10 through 6-30-11 at a projected cost of $50,817.74. (Tuition is $44,330 and related services are $6,487.74) Director Jill Johns voted no.

- a three-year renewal of the Termite Service Warranty Agreement for the district with Ehrlich, of Pottsville, at a total cost of $5,950.77. The contract cost includes treatment.

- payment to Ehrlich for vegetation management and weed control as follows: high school vegetation management, $1,122; elementary school vegetation management, $310; Viking Stadium vegetation management, $890; and elementary school acquatic weed control, $190.

- authorizing the business manager to bid trash collection for October 2010 to September 2011. Currently, there is trash pick-up three days a week. The board expressed interest in possibly providing more dumpster space at Viking Stadium.

- the following fund raiser request: Tower City High School Alumni Reunion, and a request from STANDTALL to sponsor the reunion on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, to earn money for the extended prom fund.

- adjustments to delinquent personal taxes for Statewide Tax Recovery, Inc.

- participation in the Child Nutrition Program between Williams Valley and IU-29 and the Schuylkill County AVTS for the 2010-11 school year.

- an agreement with Frontline Placement Technologies for Aesop automated substitute placement service at a cost of $3,170 for 2010-11. Cost is based on per employee monthly fee (for ten months only) of $3.50 if a substitute is required and $1 if no substitute is required. (This is the same rate as September 2009.)

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