BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 12, 2007

 

 

Members of the Board Finance Committee met on Monday March 12, 2007, in the Dining Room at the Education Center. Chairperson Charlene Koch called the meeting to order at 8:45 p.m. Present were School Board Members Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Diane Rowe, Loretta Leeson, Rosario Amato, Judith Dexter, Margaret Williams, William Heske and Joseph Craig. Also in attendance were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration; Dr. Sandra Fellin superintendent of Saucon Valley School District; Mr. Ralph Puerta and Mr. Edward Inghrim, Saucon Valley School District, and members of the press.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR: Mr. Dana Grubb of 2420 Hanover Place, Bethlehem, stated that he wished to thank the board for their decision to solicit RFP’s for the Broughal Middle School building, but expressed concern that district administrators might include so many requirements that developers would not be interested in the historic building.

 

Mr. Stephen Antalics stated that he attends all community meetings and admires the way the Bethlehem Housing Authority conducts its meetings. Mr. Antalics stated that his main concern is for the welfare of the community.

 

COALITION FOR PROPERTY TAX FAIRNESS – Mr. Edward Inghrim gave a presentation on the Coalition for Property Tax Fairness. The Coalition is proposing the challenging of property assessments, fairness of property assessments, and the primary use of real estate tax as a funding source for public education. The tax is not fair and places financial strain on senior citizens. It suggests that property should be assessed at current market value. Reassessments have not been conducted in more than a decade leading to a widening disparity in real estate taxes levied on comparably priced homes. The failure to have more current assessments often force school districts to raise tax millage rates which impacts all property owners, especially senior citizens living on fixed incomes.

 

Much discussion followed.

 

Mrs. Rowe suggested that the district join the Coalition.

 

Dr. Haytmanek asked the administration to draft a resolution to that affect.

 

 

March 12, 2007

Board Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

 

 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – BROUGHAL MIDDLE SCHOOL – Dr. Lewis informed the committee of a meeting with Counsel to review Requests for Proposals for the sale of Broughal Middle School. The proposal would take into effect the change in direction such as site development and costs involved. The proposals would have to contain plans for a playing field for the new Broughal. It is possible that it would cost more to save the building than demolish it.

 

Discussion followed.

 

Mrs. Dexter stated that there is a state regulation that requires school districts to save buildings fifty years and older and to seek reuse of buildings meeting that criteria.

Mrs. Dexter feels more work needs to be done with regard to the demolition of Broughal.

 

Mrs. Koch stated playing fields are a necessity, and she would not agree to any proposal unless fields were incorporated.

 

Mrs. Leeson also agreed that fields were a necessity and asked that the cost of re-doing a site plan be removed from the proposal. Site development costs should be separate.

 

Mrs. Koch asked if input from Broughal parents have been solicited. Dr. Lewis replied that they had not and that the administration will approach the parents.

 

Mr. Heske, Mrs. Williams, and Mrs. Rowe agreed that green space was needed and that all costs be detailed.

 

TAX COLLECTION OPTIONS – Mr. Majewski advised the committee that due to Act 1, real estate tax collection will become more complex and proposed that the district contract with Berkheimer Associates to prepare, print, and mail the tax bills. Mr. Majewski explained that the cost of new software may be about $200,000 and annual maintenance would cost about $30,000. Since the net cost to the district to outsource would be less than purchasing software and self-administrating the tax collection, outsource is being recommended.

Discussion followed.

 

Dr. Lewis stated that changes will need to be made annually and agreed that outsourcing was the way to proceed. A proposal to contract with Berkheimer Associates will appear on the March 19, 2007, Regular Board Agenda.

 

 

March 12, 2007

Board Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

 

 

 

TAX PAYMENT DATES – Mr. Majewski presented a list of proposed tax payment due dates for the 2007-2008 year. This item will also appear on the March 19, 2007, Regular Board Agenda for approval.

 

CAPITAL BLUE CROSS CONTRACT EXTENSION/PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE – Mr. Majewski advised the committee that a resolution authorizing the district to extend the current contract with Capital Blue Cross until August 31, 2010 will appear on the March 19, 2007 Regular Board Agenda for approval. This resolution also includes a performance guarantee clause.

 

VIA AGREEMENT – Mr. Majewski has received an offer from VIA to purchase protective floor covering for the Freedom High School gym. VIA cannot afford to pay for the full purchase price at one time and wishes to reimburse the district over a three-year period. The committee agreed with this arrangement. This item will also appear on the March 19, 2007, Regular Board Agenda for approval

 

OPEN FORUM – Mrs. Leeson stated that she feels any discussion on the new Nitschmann Middle School project should be delayed. The other school directors agreed.

 

Mr. Craig requested information on how many classes in the high schools exceed 30 students. In addition, he would like a chart of the staff under contract who teach less than a full load.

 

Mrs. Leeson asked for budget descriptions showing what expenditures were included in each category.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

            Confidential Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for

Finance and Administration