Now available for you!

A community Web site for the Octorara Area School District is now available for you at www.lancasteronline.com. To register, visit lancasteronline.com, click on My Community on the top left, and register to be notified or contribute some "buzz."

You will also have the opportunity to comment on community news and issues and send in news of community events. News items formerly posted to this site as a community service now apear just there.

Welcome and participate!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Octorara gives nod to budget, administrative changes

While assuring the community the final 2010-11 budget will look quite different in June, the Octorara Area School Board Feb. 15 unanimously approved a preliminary $47,609,008 budget which will increase property taxes by 2.69 mills for Lancaster County residents and by 5.65 mills for Chester County residents.

However, both administrators and school board members said the budget will be trimmed before June.

“This is a starting point,” said board president Lisa Bowman.

The millage in the preliminary budget is 37.88 for Chester County, and 30.37 for Lancaster County.

The board also allowed administrators to apply for Act 1 exemptions due to high increases in health care benefits and retirement contributions.

“This is a starting point,” said board president Lisa Bowman.

The school board plans to use $508,000 of the district’s $1,174,250 in reserve funds to meet expenses.

The school district is facing many large line item increases including: a 57 percent increase, to $606,000, in retirement contributions to PSERs; a 20 percent increase, to $437,000, in medical insurance; a 20 percent increase in tuition to area vocational schools, to $175,000; a 10 percent increase in tuition to Pennsylvania charter schools, to $531,000; a 10 percent increase in debt service, to $531,000; a 7 percent increase in transportation, to $193,000; a 6 percent increase in salaries, to $1,151,000; and a 5 percent increase to IU services, to $124,000. These line items alone total $3.8 million.

On the revenue side interim real estate taxes are down 30 percent, earned income tax revenue is down 6 percent, and unemployment is causing some families who formerly sent students to private schools to instead choose charter schools. Charter school tuition is paid by school districts.

Superintendent Tom Newcome warned the district is facing a $3.4 million difference between expenses and revenues and presented the school board with a menu of programs it could cut.

These include: cutting the $70,000 building budgets; saving $100,000 by cutting supplemental contracts; not automatically filling vacancies to save salaries and benefits; dropping a bus route to save $50,000; and reducing energy consumption.

Newcome also presented a menu of self-coined “bad ideas”: cutting salaries of staff not under contract; discontinuing athletic and extra-curricular activities; not sending 75-80 students to area vocational schools; cutting conferences and travel; cutting the summer reading program; closing buildings at 6 p.m. to save utilities; using more of the fund balance; and selling ads on the district Website.

While struggling with what to cut, school board members were also asked by parents of students from Avon Grove Charter School to add a bus. Some of these students, who receive district transportation, have bus rides of approximately one and a half hours.

The proposal was not warmly received.

“We do provide transportation and abide by the law,” said board member John Malone. “We don’t have the money.”

Board member Brian Norris said if the board met this request, some community members would ask, “Why are we spending money of mine for a choice they made?”

“We need to cut the budget by about $500,000,” said board member Sam Ganow. “The best solution is to meet with parents, find out why they are going to charter schools, and win them back.”

West Fallowfield resident Eric Stuehrmann spoke to the board and introduced himself as a charter school parent. He said he made the switch for several reasons, including a better math program and earlier foreign language instruction.

Stuehrmann said he would also like to see better communication – more of a school board/citizen debate – at school board meetings.

In personnel matters the school board made several administrative position changes. Jon Propper was moved from middle school principal to interim high school assistant principal. Cliff Blantz was moved from high school assistant principal to interim middle school assistant principal. Elena Wilson was moved from middle school assistant principal to middle school principal.

“It was a decision of the superintendent for personnel reasons that will not be discussed publicly,” Newcome said in an email. “The positions will be interim until June 2010, at which time long-term decisions will be addressed.”

Finally, by a 6-3 vote, the school board approved spending $49,190 (the lowest bid) from the capital account to install a cable television distribution and video-on-demand server for the district from ATV Digital Media.

Some board members argued the purchase is frivolous at this time, while the majority said the purchase was agreed upon during Facilities Committee meetings and is necessary now while district schools are under construction.
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Octorara School Board, YMCA begin joint venture

A three-year agreement which gives the Octorara YMCA the use of Octorara School District facilities while allowing the YMCA to pay for the rental fees by instead providing services to the school district received unanimous Octorara School Board approval Feb. 15.

The YMCA will use school gymnasiums, playgrounds and cafeterias for its programs on set days and times at a cost of $12,100.

In return for this use, the YMCA will provide babysitting services to district parents during back to school nights, PTO meetings and spring and fall parent conferences; two reading incentive pool parties; a Lights on After School event; and donated fitness equipment, all valued at $12,145.

Brian Wenzka, executive director of the Octorara YMCA, said after the Feb. 15 meeting he's excited about the agreement.

Last year as the school board debated charging rental fees to community groups, Wenzka and other YMCA board members told the school board fees would cause a financial hardship to the YMCA.

Wenzka said he is working closely with administrators to provide other joint opportunities. He said the YMCA and school district have applied for a grant to provide after-school child care.

The YMCA already received a $5,000 Bigs Program grant. In the Feb. 15 agreement the school board indicated it would help oversee collaborative grant monies.

The agreement could help the YMCA increase membership since the agreement allows the YMCA to build memberships by selling Fitness Center memberships.

Until June of this year, the YMCA will open the Fitness Center in the high school to YMCA members between 5 and 7:30 a.m. and between 5 and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Also, from 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.

The YMCA will staff the center and both parties will meet in June to make sure the arrangement is working prior to extending this portion of the contract.

All Octorara students will receive free Fitness Center memberships. The Fitness Center monthly fee will be $20 per month for an individual, or $32 a month for families.

The YMCA will be able to link to the district Website and promote YMCA memberships during school events such as back to school nights, plays and athletic events.

The three-year agreement ends June 30, 2013 unless extended by both parties, who plan to discuss an extension in private.
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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Rep. Bryan Cutler speaks to Octorara School Board

State Rep. Bryan Cutler of the 100th District spoke to the Octorara Area School Board Feb. 15 and told residents he wants to be involved in issues facing Octorara.

Cutler said his office will be of service to Octorara residents whether or not they live in the 100th District. Cutler was elected by residents in Christiana Borough and Sadsbury Township. State Rep. Tom Houghton was elected by Chester County residents of the Octorara district.

Cutler told school board members he has just joined the House Education Committee and his office is looking at how to fight unfunded education mandates, how to restore to school districts money lost to Clean and Green, state pension reform, and returning about $2 million budgetary funds which are handed out to prisoners.

When asked if he thought this year's state budget would pass on schedule, Cutler remarked: "I sure hope so. It was shameful the way the process happened last time. The economy was removed from the situation and it became more about egos."

Cutler said Gov. Ed Rendell has told legislators he would like to have the budget signed and sealed by the middle to end of June.

Cutler also warned state and education pension benefits may have to be cut and he is worried about the 20 percent increase many school districts are facing to make up for the crash of 2008. However, Cutler also warned school board members to be wary of fixes which are "actuarial gimmicks" similar to "playing kick the can down the road."

The Republican legislator said he considers education to be a part of the state's infrastructure.

"It's roads, bridges and the education of our citizens," Cutler said of the state's infrastructure.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Are these bad ideas?

“Voices of dissent – Critical Readings in American Politics,” is a text to be used by Octorara Area High School Advanced Placement Government students, according to information presented during the school board’s Feb. 8 work session.

There are a few voices of dissent on the Octorara Area School Board, and they may be heard by the community as board members wrestle with what to include or cut from the school district’s proposed record-high 2010-11 budget.

“Why can we not approach the union?” asked school board member Linda Bicking, wondering if the Octorara Area Education Association would consider giving back some of its guaranteed salary increases and other benefits.

“If directed to do so, I would ask,” said Superintendent Tom Newcome. “There are labor issues there. We must be careful in our discourse.”

Bicking’s question was in response to a menu of ideas for possible budget cuts Newcome called “bad ideas.” One of the ideas was to cut the payroll through the salaries of staff who are not covered by contracts. This group also is, in general, the lowest-paid. Newcome also said the board may consider short-term furloughs for 12-month staff.

“We’re strapped,” Newcome said. “I’m welcome to suggestions.”

Also among Newcome’s self-coined “bad ideas,” discontinuing: athletics and extra-curricular activities; sending about 75-80 students to area vocational schools; conferences and travel; and the summer reading program.

He also said the district could close buildings at 6 p.m. to save utility costs, use more of the fund balance to balance the budget, and sell ads on its Web site.

The district may also: cut the $70,000 building budgets; save $100,000 by cutting supplemental contracts; save in salaries and benefits by not automatically filling vacancies created by retirees; reduce energy consumption; and drop a bus route to save $50,000.

“I don’t think anything is a bad idea if it’s done cooperatively,” said board member Brian Norris.

“I do feel sometimes we’re not in touch with the community,” said board member Bob Hume, referring to recent layoffs at the former Quebecor/World Color plant. “One family I know has to set aside $700 a month to pay for their property taxes.”

Norris took exception to Hume’s “out of touch” comment and said as a businessman, he has to work in current economic conditions and meet payroll.

Another board member, John McCartney, is campaigning for the School Property Tax Elimination Act.

Newcome termed the budget “upside down” and said as it stands the school district is facing a $3.4 million difference between expenses and revenues.

On the up side, board president Lisa Bowman said the school district food service did receive “a very complimentary audit” by the federal school lunch program.

Linda Neff of the food service summarized this for the board on Feb. 8. There were only minor findings and no follow-up visit is scheduled.

The federal school lunch program has NOT told the cafeteria staff to economize.

According to Neff, the staff was told it must include one half cup of peanut butter on a sandwich when substituting a peanut butter sandwich for a meat entrée.

“That’s a lot of peanut butter,” Neff said.

The school board next meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 in the middle school multipurpose room.
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This week, from Garrison Keillor

"I still believe in hard work. It's more fun and it's a better way of life. I don't have much patience for Democrats who grab hold of defeat and find vindication there. They long to be a heroic voice in the wilderness, crying out against selfishness and cruelty and going nobly down to defeat, and for their obituaries to say they were visionaries and ahead of their time. I'd rather they were in their time and did the hard work." - as published in the 2/13/10 Intelligencer Journal.

Own a piece of history

This local news blog is currently being published from Moore’s Memorial Library in Christiana while the reporter continues to miss a home/office computer.

While not at all convenient, tapping away in this old stone building seems just right, as the solid Bridge Street building was once the home of a local newspaper, the Christiana Ledger.

The news blog is not for sale; it’s a free community service by a civic journalist.

The library building IS for sale, and library director Claudia Roun says the board of directors would love to find a buyer to help finance the library’s move down the street into the larger, newly renovated old Hamilton Bank building.

Mary Myers, an Octorara graduate and Sadsbury Township native, is the architect for the project. The big move is scheduled for March. Read about the project or contribute through the library’s Web site at www.christianalibrary.org.

The piece of local history on a .33-acre lot is for sale through Robin Coffroth of Barr Realty, 610-593-2100. Current zoning would allow an office, day care or similar low-impact use, or the building could be renovated into a single-family home. The asking price is $169,900.

As an historical note, the defunct Chesapeake Publishing Company borrowed the Christiana Ledger name while publishing the Parkesburg Post/Christiana Ledger until it closed the Ledger with six weekly newspapers and filed for bankruptcy several years ago.
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Friday, February 12, 2010

If they build it will taxes go down?

A school-community planning group aiming to bring economic development to the Octorara region has officially changed its name to the Octorara Regional Planning Commission.

The group, made up of volunteers from the Octorara School District, municipal officials, state officials and staff, industry and development experts and community volunteers, is currently coordinated by Doug Brown, a legislative assistant to state Rep. Tom Houghton. It was formerly known as the Octorara Regional Council.

The group will next meet on March 16 at Houghton’s office on Route 10 in Cochranville.

“There are a lot of exciting things in the works for us,” said Brown. “It’s all about bringing good jobs, revitalizing distressed areas in the district, and relieving the property tax burden.”

Brown and Octorara Superintendent Tom Newcome, both of whom have spoken at recent community meetings on behalf of the ORPC, have said the group anticipates that bringing business and industry into the school district will offset high property taxes.

Recently the ORPC hosted a tour of properties available in the school district, brought in a developer, and created a network of developers, government officials and real estate agents who can help promote properties.

“I would note that our main priority is redeveloping brownfield properties, and revitalizing economically distressed areas, as opposed to new development,” Brown said.

This is a goal suggested by the 10-year-old Octorara Area Development Plan, sponsored by the Chester County Economic Development Council. The group is also encouraging development in Sadsbury and Township and Christiana Borough, the two Lancaster County municipalities within the school district.

“The goal is to bring in good, quality industrial and/or commercial development to broaden the tax base, thus relieve the pressure to raise property taxes,” Brown said.

The ORPC also compiled a map of available properties, and is working on a marketing campaign which will include a virtual video. The group plans to later this year host a property showcase for investors and developers.

Sadsbury will cite Route 41 truck stop

A business which has not connected to Sadsbury Township’s public sewer system since connection was made mandatory 10 years ago will soon receive a summary violation citation from the township’s attorney.

Supervisors voted unanimously Feb. 2 to direct attorney Frank Mincarelli to issue the citation against the Universal Truck Stop on Route 41 in Gap. Supervisor Linda Swift said the citation will force the business to tie in. Supervisors took action on the recommendation of the township’s Municipal Authority, which has received no response from the firm since October. The last occupant of the truck stop went bankrupt, according to Swift, and the owner is in Delaware.

Supervisors also voted to increase fines from $15 to $50 to owners of cars parked on streets. Roadmaster Jeff Nickel said on-street parking has been a problem for the road crew during recent snow storms.

Bob Ianacone and Bob Baney, residents of Woodland Hills South, also told supervisors on-street parking has caused problems in their subdivision, which has homes in both Sadsbury and Salisbury townships.

While Salisbury plows the development, supervisors said they would contact the township to see if the municipalities can work together to solve the problem.

Supervisors also appointed Municipal Solutions, Inc. and Lancaster and Suburban Code Services as building inspectors. Commonwealth was previously appointed, giving residents three choices.

Supervisors also directed Swift to write a letter to Samuel Stoltzfus on Lower Valley Road, reminding him of his agreement not to place a burn pile and debris in the township right-of-way, and to install snow catchers on his barn roof.

A weed ordinance modeled after Manor Township’s is in the works. Supervisors want to have an ordinance in place before the growing season to guard against the spread of noxious weeds such as Canadian thistle.

Finally, supervisors: approved looking into participating in the proposed Lampeter-Strasburg Heritage Corridor; decided to pursue a DCED grant for equipment to recycle cinders, and analyze the cost efficiency of the equipment; said they will look into forming a volunteer fundraising committee to help defray the costs of picking up and caring for stray dogs; and set the spring road tour for 7 a.m. Saturday, March. 13.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Octorara awards superintendent five-year contract

The Octorara Area School Board has offered Superintendent Tom Newcome, its top executive, five years of job security.

The school board Jan. 18 unanimously extended Newcome’s contract through the 2014-15 school year, with annual salary increases.

Newcome, who is currently paid $124,733 to lead the school district, with students in both Lancaster and Chester counties, will receive a 1.7 percent salary increase for 2010-11, to $126,800. He will receive $132,200 during 2012-13, $141,600 during 2013-14, and $146,600 during 2014-15.

Newcome began working for the school district as a middle school principal in 1996. In recent years he has made it one of his priorities to hold regional “town hall” community meetings to address citizen concerns about the school district.

He also founded the Octorara Regional Council, a committee of area municipal, business and school officials which is working with Rep. Tom Houghton’s office to bring business into the school district.

The contract gives Newcome all the fringe benefits in the district’s 2006 administrative plan, his membership fees in professional groups, $7,000 annually toward a Sec. 457 Plan, 25 vacation days, and medical benefits until he retires or becomes disabled, until he is eligible for Medicare.

The superintendent must also provide an annual report to the school board in August if requested by the board by June. 30.