Following a previously adopted policy to review any classes that may have less than 10 participants, the Southern Fulton School Board gave a long, hard look at almost 20 classes, with some having minimal enrollment figures of one, two or three students, for the 2010-11 school year.

Superintendent Kendra Trail kicked off the prolonged discussion last Tuesday by noting she had only obtained the figures linked to class size last week. Due to the late nature of receiving the information, she was unable to research any trends regarding the classes, many of which are organized and operated by the Fulton County Area Vocational-Technical School (FCAVTS).

The list of classes and tentative class numbers shared with the board include: business math, 3; Accounting III, 1; Accounting I, 3; Accounting II, 4; advanced earth and space, 9; AP stats, 4; anatomy & phys. (Allegheny College of Maryland), 8; 3-D art, 8; advanced physics, 7; world history, 30, 28 and 8; desktop Webpage, 14 and 3; English 12 CP, 16 and 8; advanced allied health, 2; anatomy & phys., 7; Ag Mechanics III, 7; buildings trades, 3; Drafting and Design III, 1; drafting and design, 3.

In order to help prevent the late timing of the board’s review process, Trail stated in future years as soon as PSSA testing is completed she will begin scheduling and surveying students on interest. Trail suggested the board approve the list as approved and revisit the issue for the start of the 2011-12 school year.

Board member Allen Morton commented on having expensive teachers for so few students. Morton and the remainder of the board commented on the drafting and design program being held by the FCAVTS at Southern Fulton during the afternoon hours for a total of four students.

“It’s crazy ... We don’t need a vo-tech if that’s all the more kids we have,” said Morton.

The superintendent said the district has an agreement with FCAVTS, and notice would likely have to be given in the event the district wants to withdraw from the vo-tech entirely or from individual classes. A feasibility study currently being completed on behalf of the Southern Fulton School District is hoped to shed additional light on the topic.

“I’m incredulous that we can’t pull out of a class and have better use of our space,” said board President Kenny Wuertenberg.

Fellow board member Mark Mosemann took another point of view during the discussion and noted in the event a student is allowed to participate in Accounting I and then the plug is pulled on future classes, the district would be taking away the future of that child.

“I think the answers to some of these questions will come about in the feasibility study and in the next year of operations at the votech,” Mosemann stated. “ ... The vo-tech needs to get back to simple things that work. It’s too complicated.”

Mosemann also suggested video conferencing or distance learning as an option for the business math and accounting services. Technology Director Doug Leisher reported out the issue in the past for distance learning has been the synchronizing of schedules and offered a suggestion of dual enrollment college classes as a means of offering the curriculum to district students.

“The vo-tech worked well under its original design,” Morton concluded. “ ... It’s gotten out of hand. We need to find a director who will make it work.”

On a motion by board members Timothy Mellott and Mark Mosemann, the board unanimously moved forward with approving the list of classes with student participation numbering less than 10.

Under other curriculum-related matters, lists of field trips, fundraisers and professional conferences were approved as presented. Board member Danny Crouse posed numerous questions, including how many professional conferences are mandates; how many are funded by grant money; and if the list can be pared down further to save the district money.

Trail shared that none of the conferences scheduled are mandated, and a portion of the district’s costs are offset by grant money. She explained that conferences offer a chance for administrators to get out and get cuttingedge information on curriculum and even legal issues.

Crouse countered that even if the conferences are paid by federal, state or local money, local taxpayers are paying for the district’s participation.

Special Education Director Diane Younker commented she attends three conferences on an annual basis and pays for the accommodations and other related fees out of her own pocket.

Crouse dissented during the 6- 1 roll-call vote regarding approval of the professional conferences. Board members Dwight Bard and Pat Bard were not in attendance during the August 17 meeting.

An addendum was made to the third-grade report card, and approval was granted to change the 0.5 driver education credit into an elective credit.

Personnel

Garrett Fix received authorization to serve as a varsity assistant soccer coach during the 2010- 11 school year as recommended by the athletic director. Fix’s starting salary was recorded at $2,101 in accordance with the professional staff contract.

Letters of resignation were accepted with regret as submitted by first-grade teacher Aileen Salabie and National Honor Society advisor Julie Dickerhoff.

Nicole Shank was appointed to the position of high school English teacher with a starting salary of $40,936, while newly hired elementary life skills teacher Aaron Harris will receive a salary of $36,219.

Rodney Leese and Suzanne Elbin will be respectively serving as mentors for Shank and Harris. Leese and Elbin are each slated to receive a stipend of $853 for their mentoring duties.

The district entered into a contract with CAMCO for physical therapy services for the 2010-11 school year at an hourly rate of $56.

Amanda Schetrompf was hired as a long-term substitute teacher for first-grade teacher Leslie Gates. Schetrompf’s duties are slated to begin August 19, and she will receive a daily rate of $115.

Sarah Keefer will be filling in as a long-term substitute for thirdgrade teacher Wendy Wright effective September 2. Keefer’s salary is also recorded at $115 daily.

Pending the receipt of necessary forms and paperwork, Chelsea Hockenberry and Logan Cunningham will begin serving as substitute teachers.

Finance

The board agreed to continue its agreement with F&M Trust for utilization of the Repo Sweep account.

The Active School Grant totalling $15,000 was accepted by the district, which must now provide elementary students with at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each school day.

The board ended its meeting with a 40-minute executive session during which negotiation matters were discussed. No action was taken following the session.