BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

                                                            FEBRUARY 7, 2005

 

Members of the Board Finance Committee, Chairperson Charlene Koch and Julie Venanzi, together with Board Members Loretta Leeson, Joseph Craig, Margaret Williams, Dr. Haytmanek, Rosario Amato, and Diane Rowe met with Superintendent Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., and Associate Superintendent Michele Kostem in Superintendent’s Conference Room A. Also in attendance were Dr. Arthur Scott, president, Northampton Community College, Robert Davidson from Abbott Davidson Weiss and Company, Robin Lutcher, Precious Petty from the Express Times, and Genevieve Marshall from the Morning Call.

 

OPEN FORUM – President Craig asked that the committee implement courtesy of the floor to guests attending committee meetings. A fifteen minute period before the start of the meeting will be allowed. The committee agreed to allow courtesy of the floor, effective immediately.

 

NORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2005-2006 – Dr. Arthur Scott presented the proposed 2005-2006 Budget for Northampton Community College. The proposed budget represents an increase of 1.53 percent for the Bethlehem Area School District, or an increase of $27,075, bringing the district’s contribution to $1,793,023. The increase will allow for the maintenance of current academic programs and services, additional support for civic engagement, and service learning and internship opportunities for students in addition to developing an honors program. The college will be increasing tuition fees by $3 per credit, bringing the cost per credit to $94.

 

AUDIT REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2004 – Mr. Robert Davidson reviewed the audit report with the committee. Included in this report is a management letter which includes recommendations and comments. It is recommended that the district have an appraisal of its fixed assets conducted. The school district updates its capital asset system annually based on original cost established by an appraisal conducted approximately 15 years ago. In order to be in compliance with GASB 34 the district must reconcile between Governmental Fund Statements and Entity Wide Statements.

 

The district had one reportable condition which resulted from missing documentation for disbursements of Student Activity Accounts.

 

Mr. Majewski reported that the district over expended its budget by $300,000 due mainly to the number of charter schools and increases in special education children’s needs.

 

The district’s fund balance as of June 30, 2004 is $10,489,000.

 

The Audit Report will appear on the Bethlehem Area School District’s February 28, 2005, Regular Board Meeting agenda for board approval.

 

E-RATE UPDATE – Robin Lutcher reviewed several agenda items with the committee which may be eligible e-rate services; including contract renewals for cellular phone services, internal connections services, internet services, as well as Internet2 and Wide Area Network services. Mrs. Lutcher explained that Internet2 is especially designed for educational institutes.

 

SPECIAL ELECTION – Mr. Majewski advised the committee that there will be a Special Election for the 16^th Senatorial District on April 5, 2005. Asa Packer will be the only school used for a Polling Place.

 

RENEWAL OF LEASE WITH BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION - Mr. Majewski informed the committee that the Bethlehem Township Athletic Association currently has a ten year lease of the baseball fields at Miller Heights Elementary School. The lease will expire on March 31, 2005.The association wishes to renew said lease for another ten year period beginning April 1. The lease will be renewed on an annual basis. This item will appear on the February 28, 2005, Regular Board Meeting agenda for board approval.

 

HANOVER TOWNSHIP EIT COLLECTION – Mr. Majewski has learned that Hanover Township has contracted with Berkheimer Associates for the collection of its Earned Income Tax. A notice was sent to Hanover Township residents indicating that the district desired to continue with the City of Bethlehem as its collection agent for Earned Income Tax. Hanover Township never notified Mr. Majewski of the proposed change nor did they ask the district to participate with Berkheimer. After researching the costs of collection with Berkheimer vs. the City of Bethlehem, Mr. Majewski has determined that Hanover Township’s contract with Berkheimer would not be cost effective for the district.

 

LERTA UPDATE - Mr. Majewski informed the committee that the LERTA Agreement with the City of Bethlehem and the district has expired as of December 31, 2004. The City would like to extend the agreement and has forwarded the Agreement to Mr. Majewski. Mr. Majewski will be reviewing the document to ascertain that the boundaries and participants have not changed. This Agreement will be brought before the committee at the March 7, 2005, Board Finance Committee meeting for discussion.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by _____________________________________________________

                                    Adele Embardino, Confidential Secretary to the Director of

                                    Business Affairs