NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – New RVSD Superintendent John Mastillo debuted at his first monthly school board meeting Monday evening, November 5. With just a little over two weeks on the job, Dr. Mastillo showed mastery of the issues and considerations facing the district. Financial review and planning and “working the kinks” out of the new security system dominated Monday night’s gathering. The entire school board was present for the meeting, which was attended by a dozen or so faculty and community members. All 9 members of the Board were in attendence.

The discussion about school security began with Director Bill Reddinger giving his Security Committee report. He said that it was his observation that the high school office staff “jump up and down” constantly answering the main door buzzer. Mr. Reddinger also questioned whether or not the system, as installed, has cameras on every door. None of the directors was sure exactly what components the camera system actually included. The Board asked Administrative Assistant Marty Synder, and she told them that at present, the main door is the only door that they can monitor via video camera feed. There is definitely confusion as to what exactly the district purchased in terms of door security.

The uncertainty surrounding what actually was purchased seems to extend to what functions the security officers are supposed to be providing. Director Darren Bain told the Board that it had come to his attention that a parent was buzzed into the high school building carrying a “really big bag” and the security officer did not stop the person and inspect the bag. Mr. Bain questioned if the security officers were providing the services that the Board had anticipated, and whether or not the district was getting it’s money’s worth from them. In the following discussion, Mr. Bain asked why this person with a large bag was not searched. The question of whether or not the security officers should be monitoring the main door camera and controlling the main door access to the building. The big question behind all of this is whether or not the district knew what they wanted from security and whether or not the current structure meets the needs, and the wants, of the district.

Two community members attending the meeting also recounted their personal experiences with the security officers at two of the buildings in the district during the public comment session at the end of the board meeting. Joe Bellsfield told the board members that on a recent trip to the elementary school, no one in the office answered when he buzzed to be let in. He did not see a security officer and a person that he did not know let him into the building.

John Gerow from South Bethlehem told the board that on Monday of last week, he had brought his grandson’s football uniform to school. Mr. Gerow explained that the uniform was in his grandson’s sports equipment bag. He recounted how the office staff answered his request to enter, and that the security officer had questioned him, but had not searched the equipment bag that he was carrying. Although the board does not respond to these comments at the meeting, the two anecdotes seem to support Mr. Bain’s concern about just what the district purchased in the security personnel and what functions they are actually supposed to be fulfilling.

Conversations concerning the district’s finances began with the Superintendent’s Report to the Board. In his report, Dr. Mastillo said that he is still in the learning process that he calls “unpacking” the district. With the 2019 – 2020 budget planning beginning, he said that he is focusing most of his attention on financial matters. The superintendent told the directors that he is drilling down in the district’s expenses to the line items; that by looking at the individual expense items, the district will be able to find significant savings without affecting educational outcomes. Dr. Mastillo said that there are several expense accounts that need to be audited before the next budget is prepared. He plans on having much more detail by December’s meeting.

The financial discussion continued into the Finance Committee’s report. Director Darren Bain said that the committee is nearly done with their analysis of expenses and are about ready to start looking at the income of the district. Board President Chad Shaffer asked Mr. Bain if he thought that the committee’s work would somehow tie in with, or support, the “unpacking” analysis that Dr. Mastillo is doing. Bain replied that both analyses were important. Dr. Mastillo explained that the Finance Committee is looking at “big numbers”, while his analysis is looking at “little” numbers. The Finance Committee is looking at “categories”; he is looking at “line items”. Both of these are important for the Board to do its due diligence. Director Jason Barnett added that the Finance Committee will be generating several income/expense “scenarios” to suggest options to the Board. Mr. Barnett also said that he thinks that the district needs to develop their own “budget timeline calendar” to make sure that the various budget building functions are done within the timeframe set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

District Maintenance Supervisor John Sayers reported that the district will be receiving money from the insurance carrier to repair the athletic field fence that was recently damaged by a car accident. He also reported that his crew had repaired a drain in the Intermediate building last week. The Board members questioned Mr. Sayers about the completion of the track. Mr. Sayers said that the sub-contractor who is supposed to fix the drain by the scoreboard and plant grass has not yet contacted him to schedule the work. The grass seeding will be postponed until spring. When asked about the apparent fading paint lines on the track, he said that he had not yet been able to speak to anyone at Nagele Construction about the paint. Mr. Sayers reminded the Board that the final 10% payment to the contractor is being held pending these final improvements.

The School Board had asked Cafeteria Manager David Reitz to come to Monday night’s meeting to give more explanation as to why he is requesting additional hours for his cafeteria staff. Mr. Reitz explained that the additional 12 hours per week that he is requesting would let him do other management work, rather than running the cash register. Without specifics, Mr. Reitz said that he thought that the additional labor hours would actually save the district cafeteria and by extension the district, money. The Board deferred to Superintendent Mastillo who said that he would like to know that the cafeteria accounting is accurate before making any recommendation on additional hours.

Board Member Dee Bell reported on the work of the 6th Grade Committee. He said that the committee is still working on how the class would fit into the high school building and how those students would “flow” during the school day. He reported that the committee had seen a change that would save considerable remodeling expense. Mr. Bell also reported that the committee was also looking at available faculty to see what changes and additions in staffing would be needed to move the 6th grade into the high school building.

In other matters, Elementary & Intermediate School Principle Cheryl McCauley reported that in her recent review of school activities, she had realized just how important parent volunteers are to after-school events. She spoke very highly of the PTO and all that they do for the schools. In response to Dr. Mastillo’s request for a “teacher of the month” recognition, Mrs. McCauley said that Mindi Traister and that Kristin Landers would be her “teachers of the month” for these schools.

Mrs. Rupp, high school Principle said that Dr. Joe Harmon should be the teacher of the month at the high school. Dr. Harmon, who has also received Life Changer Award and the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year awards, has been giving his presentation on his trip to Poland and the concentration camps in area schools. His efforts are bringing a lot of attention to the Redbank Valley School District.

In other business, the Board unanimously approved the first reading of RVSD Policy #806 regarding child abuse. The Board also approved having water at the three buildings tested for lead. The directors also unanimously retro-approved FMLA leave for leaves for two employees and voted to deny a grievance presented to the district on November 1.

In a significant move, the Board approved hiring Suzanne Erickson as a full-time school psychologist at $64,025.00 per year. Ms. Erickson had been serving the district as a part-time psychologist.

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ABOUT:
Redbank Valley School District provides education services for the 165 square mile area of New Bethlehem and Hawthorn boroughs, and the townships of Mahoning, Madison, Porter, and Redbank of both Clarion and Armstrong counties.

MEETINGS:
The Redbank Valley School Board meetings the first Monday of every month at 7pm at the High School Library.

CONTACT:
For more information about the Redbank Valley School District, please call 814.275.2426 or visit RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/redbank-valley-school-district