BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
JULY 12, 2004
Chairperson Charlene Koch together with Board Members Loretta Leeson, Margaret Williams, Rosario Amato, Julie Venanzi, William Heske, and Joseph Craig met with Superintendent Joseph Lewis, Director of Business Affairs Stanley Majewski, and Associate Superintendent Michele Kostem, in SuperintendentÕs Conference Room A. Also in attendance were Bill Tattersall from the Morning Call and Michael Buffer from the Express Times
OPEN FORUM Ð No items for discussion.
HEALTH BENEFITS CONTRACT Ð Mr. Majewski advised the committee that after much negotiating he was able to contract with Capital Blue Cross for a two-year period at a reduced rate. This will result in the district saving between $150,000 and $200,000 in health care costs. Mr. Majewski advised the committee that this is not a reduction in health care benefits; it is a reduction in the costs that Blue Cross charges the district to administer the plan.
UGI TRANSPORTATION COSTS Ð Mr. Majewski informed the committee that he is in the process of contacting the PUC with regard to charges for gas transportation by UGI. The district was paying $1.35 per unit. Mr. Majewski discovered that schools in Berks County were only paying $.50 per unit. After contacting UGI and complaining, Mr. Majewski was offered a rate of $.75 per unit. He has since found out that Berks schools costs have been decreased by another $.10. He had contacted Representative SamulesonÕs office and Senator BoscolaÕs office to pursue this matter with the PUC. We are requesting an explanation of how the rates are calculated and feel that this discrepancy in rates charged may be a discriminatory practice. He will keep the board informed of the outcome.
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. and the committee went into an executive session.
Minutes prepared by_______________________________________________
Adele Embardino, Confidential Secretary to the Director of Business Affairs