MV booster policy changes questioned

BY PAT FARNELLI

Correspondent

Mountain View School Board gave a first reading of a new policy, #915 School Related Booster Organizations at their meeting on Monday, April 23. The policy was read in its entirety by board member Dr. Christine Plonski-Sezer. After the reading, board member Jason Richmond responded, “This is giving the school board, superintendent, and principals the authority to cancel fundraising activities?”

Staff member Danielle Scott said, “As a parent who is a past president of a booster club, I can tell you, parents aren’t going to like this. We’ve had booster clubs for at least 40 years.”

Solicitor Gaughan said, “If a booster club is using the name of the school and something goes wrong, the school district has no control. PIAA changed its rules on booster clubs.”

Several in attendance responded, “It’s our school!”

The PIAA now requires booster clubs to give a financial report on the amount of funds raised.

The new policy, which will be posted on the school district’s website and will have a second reading by the school board before it is voted on for approval, can be reviewed online.

Four policies were approved Monday: Policy 618, “Student Activity Funds”;

Policy 617, “Petty Cash”; Policy 828, “Fraud”; and Policy 611, “Purchases Budgeted.” These policies underwent significant revision and additions before approval by the board.

A presentation on a proposed expansion of wrestling facilities was given by coaches Kenny Decker and Steve Farrell. The two propose expanding the wrestling practice area into an adjoining storage room downstairs in the high school. A new practice mat is needed, and the proposal offered several options, including wall mats and padding around two pillars, or repurposing the 45-year-old current practice mat for wall mats.

The new practice mat from Resilite Sports Inc. would cover the current wrestling room at a cost of $7600. Based on the measurements of the wrestling room, new wall mats would cost $7500. Blue mats already in use could cover the new area of 837 square feet.

After hearing the proposal, several board members said that the investment was not large for 45-50 years of use. Some discussion was held on where to store the sports equipment now occupying the storage area being considered for expansion.

Coach Brion Stone gave a brief presentation on the new Trap Shooting team.

He said that while eight out of nine team members are from Mountain View, the sport has received no funding from the district. Practices are held at a sporting club in Factoryville, and team shirts were donated. His training by the PA Clay Target Association included his insurance policy.

Students need to pass a hunter safety course. The shooting practices are held on Tuesday nights in Factoryville, and a state tournament will be held in Pittsburgh on June 2.

The elementary and high school principals gave presentations on their budgets. Dr. Christopher Lake said that the overall elementary budget will be $8,656 lower than last year’s, and that he wants to re-establish the postcards sent home for the “Caught Being Good” program.

Lake explained a large jump in guidance expenses, because of current issues and because the district needs to update its programs to Second Step and update 10-year-old kits.

The high school budget was presented by principal Robert Presley. He said that the overall budget was $38,000 less than last year because many materials will not need to be purchased.

The district spent $582,481 on cyber schooling district resident students last year, and $475,432 so far this year. He said that the district budget for cyber schooling students should be at least $580,000 for next year, as the budget has fallen short in previous years.

The district spends about $380,000 for vocational education at the SCCTC.

NOLA, the Northeast Online Learning Academy, is the district’s own online program through the NEIU. The district also uses NOLA for scheduling conflicts and recovery, and the students cyber schooling with NOLA are still counted as district students. The district paid about $83,000 for NOLA last year, but costs have gone down and it is now more like $30,000, Presley said.

There was a presentation on the Food Service Program. The program is projecting a loss of $211,000 for next year.

However, the new vending machines are having good sales and may make a big difference for next year’s budget, she said. She said that the school is above budget, which is a good thing, for utilizing USDA commodities, and the district has been receiving DOD funds for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables from US growers.