The Bellwood-Antis School District held a board meeting Tuesday evening to deal with a list of issues on the agenda for board members to decide upon. A surprising written resignation to retire by Superintendent Dr. Rodney Kuhns was accepted, with regret, by board members.
The resignation to retire specified the last work day for Kuhns being August 15, 2003 with retirement effective immediately thereafter upon the use of his accumulated vacation days.
Kuhns served as superintendent of Bellwood-Antis School District for the past 14 years in a very challenging and also rewarding fashion. Kuhns said as a result of the school district’s support, trust and confidence along with the teamwork of the management team, faculty and staff, he has a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
A list of significant improvements the past 14 years while Kuhns served as superintendent included: completing the renovation of Myers Elementary, the middle school and high school, the construction of the new physical education building, renovations of the football locker room and Memorial Stadium, the beginning of the campus planning that led to land acquisition for programs and parking, installation of a computer network that enables parents to connect with teacher grade books (ParentLink), developed a discipline policy that created a safer school environment, and maintained the excellent reputation for clean buildings and good food.
Even more improvements included: The organization of the Alumni Association and the Foundation to help foster community support; documented success in the academic arena, athletics, the arts and vocational agriculture; and, improved employee relations and conflict management.
“I am very appreciative for the opportunity to serve as your superintendent of schools,” said Kuhns. “I think it’s obvious I had mixed feelings about leaving, there are many new and exciting initiatives in Bellwood-Antis and it’s very difficult to let go when things are going so well.”
He added, “But, it’s time for a change and I’m looking forward to the future, and I think Bellwood-Antis School District is in good shape – it’s just time to move on. Thank you for a very memorable 14 years.”
Business issues that were on the minds of board members began with the approval of L.R. Kimball & Associates as architects for the middle/high school auditorium project at a fee of eight percent. Estimated construction costs are $554,242.50 based on the feasibility study.
Board members pondered the idea of possibly building a new auditorium, instead of renovating the old site because of estimated additional fees of $102,000 because of extra equipment needed, plus upgrading the electrical system for the equipment. There is also a concern for constructional safety for the lighting that will add dollars to the renovation project.
But, despite the additional dollars, the board unanimously agreed that renovating the old auditorium was the route the school district wished to pursue. Architect Rick Witt will come back to the December school board meeting with the revised estimated renovation cost.
The board authorized a letter of commitment be forwarded to Antis Township regarding reimbursement for all costs involved to install ‘No Parking’ signs along Stadium Drive. The signs are only advisory presently.
Antis Township secretary, Linda Kimmen, said to make the signs enforceable would involve a traffic study, an ordinance, and notification to PENNDOT. The signs would need to be placed on breakaway posts and inspected by the state, and a letter of commitment must be submitted regarding reimbursement for all costs involved, by which school board members have now authorized.
Board members approved to request the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to conduct a hazardous route study north of Route 865 in order to determine if any changes are necessary as a result of the recently completed bridge project. A concerned resident, Diane Vallade, wrote to the board about the issue because of a reported increase in the volume of traffic in that area.
The board accepted the bid from Link Computer in the amount of $16,460 for a technology purchase, and from CDW Government in the amount of $410 for the purchase of a Microsoft Internet and Acceleration Server, along with a Microsoft Exchange Server.
“We’re upgrading our servers, we’ve been having some difficulty with our servers being over-demanded,” said Kuhns. “There’s been an over-demand for them, and consequently, the network has been down and we’re looking to improve the efficiency of people being able to gain access to our servers.”
The Labor & Industries assessment for prevailing wage adjustment was approved in the amount of $17,988.56. This is pertaining to the sidewalk project. Kuhns said the school district awarded the bid on the project and were not aware that it was a prevailing wage project.
“We exceeded the $25,000 limit and once you go over the limit you have to pay the laborers the prevailing wage,” noted Kuhns. “That was an additional charge for the prevailing wage.”
The board had a first reading to amend Policy No. 405 and looks to adopt it at next month’s meeting. It will increase the amount paid to long-term substitutes from 70 percent to 80 percent of the beginning teacher’s salary for those working less than 90 days and from 80 percent to 90 percent for those working more than 90 days, effective immediately (December 3, 2002).
Kuhns stated, “We have a lot of long-term subs and we need two more in the spring of the year, and the board is just trying to be competitive with other school districts.”
In other business, board members accepted the quote received from Messner Plumbing for the installation of a sewer line from South Second Street and Lowther Street to the restrooms attached to the bus garage in the amount of $9,450. An additional amount of $550 will be added to tie in the band parents’ concession stand to the sewer line.
There are parent/teacher conferences this week on Thursday and Friday, and Kindergarten parent/teacher conferences this afternoon.
