Community invited to tweak pay-to-play policy

The $42 million 2009-10 Octorara Area School District’s budget is a done deal, and most property owners have already received their tax bills.
One of the most controversial line items has turned out not to be an expense, but $20,000 in anticipated budgetary revenue, and the issue continues to cause debate in the school community.
Superintendent Tom Newcome and board members said during their July 20 meeting they are open to community input about the matter and may be willing to change their minds.
Parents grilled school board members about the district’s new activity fee, which will cost students $35 for one activity or $45 tops for multiple activities. The pay-to-play initiative, Octorara’s first, will bring in $20,000 in revenue and was a deciding factor in keeping the athletic program during budget negotiations.
“If you are charging for an activity, your free public education is no longer free,“ said Ellen Brown of Atglen, who said charging a student to participate in band or chorus is “effectively punishing someone who wants to be a music major.”
Brown pointed out students receive a grade and credit for some music classes, and she also wondered if parents would still be expected to continue to line the soccer fields after paying a fee.
“If you are charging you would be expecting a higher level of service,” agreed school board member Brian Norris, indicating he is not a fan of pay-to-play.
Cochranville resident Judy Stermer said parents will think twice about spending money for a fee if their athlete is going to spend a lot of time on the bench. Cochranville resident Sandy Riehl said said coaches have similar concerns about parental expectations in a pay-to-play situation.
“It was a way the budget could be reduced,” said Newcome. “We are trying to move forward and find out where the errors are.”
Cutting parts of or cutting the entire athletic program were on a menu of options discussed as board members debated a budget. Most expressed the view that charging an athletic fee would be less drastic.
Newcome reminded everyone the board discussed the issue over a five month span and said parents will next month be notified by letter and the school phone system about the fee. He said he would look into whether it is advisable to charge an activity fee to students enrolled in for-credit music classes.
Board president Duane Hershey said the initiative was one way to keep taxes down, and there is a plan in place for students who can not afford the fee.
Board member Lisa Bowman said in the current economy some booster clubs will likely be re-prioritizing how they spend money and may help support low-income athletes and musicians, rather than spending money on jackets or other items.
“I haven’t heard anything positive about the activity fee,” said board member Peter Mango. “It’s not worth the headache. We ought to have this out in the community for a while and get feedback.”
Mango also pointed out since the district is saving about the equivalent amount on a paving job which is under budget, the board should use that windfall instead of moving forward with the pay-to-play initiative.
“If the board gives me another direction, I’m open,” Newcome said.
The issue will be on the agenda at the school board’s Monday, Aug. 10 work session, set for 7:30 p.m. in the intermediate school library.
Newcome said board members serving on the school district’s policy committee are also debating a firm policy about how much to charge organizations for the use of school district facilities. He said he thinks public schools should be used “all the time” but the use has to be balanced with wear and how much the district can afford for maintenance staff.
Any new fee schedule will likely affect the Octorara YMCA and other community groups which use school facilities. The policy committee next meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16 in the intermediate school faculty room, just prior to the school board‘s 7:30 p.m. August meeting. A recommendation is likely to be brought to the meeting table that evening.
In other business, the school board approved: hiring high school principal Scott Rohrer as an assistant superintendent (in addition to his principal duties) on a 12-month $120,225 contract; Pressley Ridge as provider of the district’s employee assistance program; Mark Prokay (recommended by parent volunteers with the Octorara Football Club) as assistant high school football coach on a $3,815 contract; Doreen Creighton as part-time K-8 math coach at a $22,147 salary to be paid by Title 1 stimulus funds; Kristin Lauer as an elementary ESL teacher at a $43,741 salary; adjusting secretary Lisa Scanish’s salary to $35,993; and student handbooks for district schools.
Resignations were accepted from: cafeteria employee Vera Graham; JV volleyball coach Deanna Funk; and JV field hockey coach Heather Hoxter.
Also hired were: varsity cheerleading coach Terry Kelleher; head cross-country coach Christian Taylor; Lisa Nunemacher as a permanent instructional assistant; Stephanie Buohl as seventh grade girls soccer coach; and Nicole Glass and Marjory Zajac as summer reading program substitutes.
School board members also took a moment to fondly remember former employee and community volunteer Jack Handy, who recently passed away.