The Board acknowledged the passing of of Suellen Swinkle, retired high school reception desk monitor and Munhall crossing guard; Dorothy McCarthy, aunt of Beth Cannon, School Board President; Montai Thompson, high school student; Mary Jane Dickson, grandmother of Jill Fleming-Salopek, furloughed literacy coach and language arts department head; Betty Lomans, aunt of Colette Youngblood, School Board Member; Charles G. Robinson, grandfather of Yvette Logan, high school teacher; John W. Kearns, brother-in-law of Jean Kearns, Park School food service; Frances Cannon, mother of Janice Solorio, furloughed paraprofessional; Mary Kritko, mother of Gene Kritko, retired high school teacher; Nancy J. Bodnar, sister-in-law of Kim Watkins, secretary to the Superintendent; Victor R. Graves, Architect of the Steel Valley High School; and Elizabeth “Betty” Zabelsky, mother of Dr. Dennis Zabelsky, school dentist, and mother-in-law of Marilyn Zabelsky, 2nd grade teacher at Park School. It was moved by Mr. Natale and seconded by Mr. Ducar place an appropriate selection of books into the Steel Valley School District Libraries in their memory.

President’s Comments

Mrs. Cannon congratulated 2001 Steel Valley High School graduate Jeff Blasko on his appointment to assistant special teams coordinator and tight ends coach for the University of Kansas. He has coached as an assistant at Steel Valley High School and at Bethel Park High School. During the 2011 season Jeff was the Florida Gators’ quality control coach for offense and the quarterback’s coach during the Gator Bowl win over Ohio State

Student Representative’s Report

Senior Student Representative Meghan Wolf reported that the Park PTO is purchasing a new freezer for the building. The PTO skating party scheduled for January 17 had to be rescheduled due to rain. The skating party will be held on February 17 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Third grade students participated in an annual volcano project in which parents participated. Report cards were distributed and the 3rd nine weeks has begun.

Miss Taylor Szczepankowski reported that the winter sports teams are having great seasons in the middle school, especially the boys’ basketball team. Ironmen cards are now on sale. Students can win prizes including a limo ride to lunch, a basketball dunk assembly and a free field trip.

Mr. McKern’s class met their goal of gaining 10,000 points on the First in Math online game.

The senior ski trip took place on January 20. The students spent the day tubing, skiing and snow boarding. The seniors look forward to this trip every year and are grateful to the administration for providing this opportunity.

On February 2, there will be a blood drive that students, staff and the community are welcome to participate at the high school from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

The high school winter sports teams are at the mid-point of their seasons and are looking to earn a spot in the playoffs.

Dr. Kinavey recognized the School Board members for their dedication of time and service to the Steel Valley Community. Students representing each classroom from Park Elementary School sang to the School Board thanking them for all they do and gave them a chocolate treat. Student participants included: Abigail Wilcox, Deanna Bird, Ethan Coddington, Ben Novotny, Ryley Gettig, Emma Koval, Abigale Shaw, Jenna Edmondson, Gavin Yarbough, Samantha McDonald, Sophia Chesmer, Luc Logue, Darrien Hinish, Marissa Hoesch and Tyler Hansen. Paraprofessional Denise Blasko assisted the students with their presentation.

Director of Pupil Personnel, Special Services and Elementary Education

Mrs. Borges announced that a Fun Night for all 4th grade students attending Barrett and Park Elementary Schools would be held at Barrett on February 16 beginning at 5:00 p.m.

On February 15 at 9:30 a.m., a kindergarten transition day will be held for incoming kindergarten students needing special services. The students and their parents are invited to Franklin Primary Center to learn about the district, enrollment and the kindergarten program.

A Dr. Seuss Night will be held at Franklin Primary Center on February 27 starting at 6:00 p.m.

A Title I Family Math Night was held on January 26 at Park Elementary School with a polar theme. Many fun activities were planned as well as hot chocolate and cookies.

Director of Academics, Information & Technology Report

Mr. Colebank reported that the 4Sight, DIBELS and GMade assessments were completed this week, and the academic coaches will put the scores on student report cards. An AlertNow phone message was sent to parents/guardians alerting them that report cards were distributed on January 23. Anyone who did not receive an AlertNow call should notify the building secretary.

The PSSA Math and Reading assessments will be conducted in March, and the Science and Writing assessments will be held in April.

Solicitor’s Report

The Board approved notifying the Superintendent that the School Board will convene a Search Committee for candidates for the Office of Superintendent and that the Search Committee shall be the Personnel Management Committee: Mr. Natale, Chairman; Mrs. Ballas; Ms. Youngblood and any other School Board members who desire to participate as ad hoc members of the Search Committee.

Meeting Minutes

The Board approved the meeting minutes of November 29, 2011 worksession, December 6, 2011 re-organization meeting and the December 6, 2011 board meeting.

Financial Management

The Board approved the following financial items:

• General Fund invoices for January 2012 in the amount of $1,059,577.72 excluding Canova Electric invoices
• General Fund hand checks for November 2011 in the amount of $441,984.05
• General Fund hand checks for December 2011 in the amount of $531,551.08
• Payroll Funding Transfers for November 2011
• Payroll Funding Transfers for December 2011
• Food Service invoices for January 2012 in the amount of $83,618.03
• Capital Projects 2005 Statement of Income and Expense for month ending November 30, 2011
• Capital Projects 2005 Statement of Income and Expense for month ending December 31, 2011
• Foundation for Education Technology Statement of Income and Expense for month ending November 30, 2011
• Foundation for Education Technology Statement of Income and Expense for month ending December 31, 2011
• Custodial/hand checks in the amount of $24,564.29
• Middle School/hand checks in the amount of $270.09
• Athletic invoices/hand checks in the amount of $5,606.76
• Response to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Performance Audit Report dated March 2011
• Authorized a real estate tax refund for year 2011 to Jenny Whitsey in the amount of $222.10 for Lot & Block 131-M-47
• Authorized a real estate tax refund for year 2011 to Carol Alderman in the amount of $201.98 for Lot & Block 180-F-137
• Authorized a real estate tax refund for year 2011 to Diane F. Paulson in the amount of $221.10 for Lot & Block 182-J-97
• Renewal of the district’s school leaders’ legal liability insurance coverage for the period February 8, 2012, through and including February 8, 2013, at a cost of $29,096 through School Boards Insurance Company of Pennsylvania, Inc.
• 2012-2013 Preliminary General Fund Budget with revenue in the amount of $24,964,697 and expenditures in the amount of $25,311,836

Operations

The Board approved the following items:

• Facility rental requests as presented
• Authorized removing the wall between the fitness center and the weight room in the high school.

Co-Curricular Leadership

The Board approved the following items:

• Fundraising requests as presented
• Authorized payment of $500 for the services of Steve Maffei at the prom to be held on May 11, 2012

Special Assignments

The Board approved the following items:

• Held a second reading and adopted revisions to Policy No. 707 Use of School Facilities
• Held a second reading and adopted new Policy No. 836 Contracted Services .

Educational Leadership

The Board approved the following items:

• Adopted the 2012-2013 Middle School Academic Handbook
• Adopted the 2012-2013 Senior High School Academic Handbook
• Revised 2011-2012 secondary schools PSSA schedule

Mr. Colebank reported on the changes in the academic handbooks: course descriptions, addition of a new typing course for 10th grade and the business math course was placed back in the math course descriptions. Mrs. Cannon thanked Mrs. Ballas for holding an Educational Leadership Committee meeting to discuss the secondary academic handbooks.

Personnel Management

The Board approved the following items:

• Family medical leave of absence for Jessica Andzelik effective February 21, 2012, not to exceed 12 weeks in duration
• Accepted, with regret, the retirement of Bobbi Vargo from a professional position retroactive to December 12, 2011
• Appointed Jonette Bost to a long-term substitute kindergarten teaching position for the duration of the second semester of the 2011-2012 school year
• Ryan McKinney and Barbara Hurley as day-to-day substitute teachers for the 2011-2012 school year at a pay rate of $75 per day for the first 30 days and $100 per day beginning with the 31st day
• Joyce Wess as a substitute instructional aide and substitute secretary at the rate of $7.25 per hour and no benefits, contingent upon passing a general physical examination and the district’s mandated screening for controlled substances, which must be completed within 30 days

Mr. Terrick announced that Steel Valley Graduate Ms. Jessica Strom has been appointed to the Head Women’s basketball coaching position at California University of Pennsylvania.