The committee’s task at hand was deciding whether to lock in a natural gas rate for the upcoming school year or to pass a motion that would allow career center director Bill Powell to monitor the rates over the next several weeks in anticipation of a drop in rates for natural gas.

“I’d hate to put that pressure on Bill,” committee member Denise Girard of A-C Valley said.

“This is like no other market,” Chief School Administrator John Cornish said. “In past years around the mid to end of July, even the first week of August, prices would drop, but there’s no indicator in this market. It’s a crapshoot.”

Cornish went on to say that Redbank Valley school board had seen the $12 per dekatherm mark at its last meeting and had voted to lock in the price.

“It’s a shot in the dark,” Cornish commented.

Treasurer Mary Jude Trice noted that the price that had been quoted to her from Open Flow that day had been $14.38 per dekatherm.

“And that price is up $2 from last month,” Trice commented.

“I’d lock it in,” stated committee member Gene Smith from Clarion-Limestone, telling his fellow committee members a similar move by C-L, waiting for prices to improve, ended up costing the school big time.

“I’d like to give Bill the authority to lock it in when he sees it move one way or another,” member Jeffrey Barron of North Clarion said. “We can check the rate every day.”

Cornish noted that natural gas providers are able to lock in rates with customers because the gas company can buy the futures for the gas, calling the process “better than Vegas.”

“So there is no third party objective guidance?” Girard asked.

“No help,” Powell said. “If it moves more than ten cents, I’m in.”

“And if you call tomorrow and it’s gone up” Terry Rush of Union began.

“You’ll say you should have done it yesterday,” Glenn Gross of A-C Valley finished for him.

“I wouldn’t put the burden of a crapshoot on Mr. Powell,” Girard commented.

“At least you have a known number locking it in now,” Girard and Rush said simultaneously.

A motion was finally made to lock in the price of $14.38 per dekatherm from Open Flow Energy for the upcoming school year.

Cornish’s term expires

Career Center Director Powell presented Cornish – who served as chief school administrator -- with a certificate honoring his two years of service on the joint operating committee, saying it had been a pleasure to work with Cornish.

Powell said he looked forward to working with Superintendent Larry Bornak from Union who will take Cornish’s place starting in July.

“In the last five years I’ve seen a lot of changes take place at the career center, mostly for the good,” Cornish told the committee, “and I commend you folks for that. It has been enjoyable.”

Non-proficient student academic integration plan

Powell said he had received input from sending schools’ principals and superintendents on a plan to help non-proficient students become proficient.

The plan includes two 40-minute academic instruction periods per week for the students deemed non-proficient.

Powell said the instructional sessions should help the students with their Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test scores.

PSSA scores are used to determine whether or not school districts’ students are making adequate yearly progress and how much funding school districts will receive from the state.

In other business the committee :

Approved the request for six additional days in the 2008-09 school year for guidance counselor Connie Bauer.

Approved employing Bridget Park an cosmetology styling academy instructor at a salary of $30,000 with full benefits, pending receipt of documentation and clearances.

Approved the resignation of Jeff Whitling from his maintenance/custodial position effective July 14.

Approved employing Florence Jordan and Cheryl Lauer as Perkins Aides pending receipt of required documentation and clearances.

Approved employment to begin for a new maintenance/custodial person to begin prior to the August meeting, pending receipt of documentation and clearances.

Approved appointing career center business manager Mary Jude Trice as Joint Operating Committee treasurer for 2008-09.

Appointed Brooks & Rhoads to audit the 2007-08 year in an amount not to exceed $8,750.

Appointed Dr. Brenton Long of Marianne Family Practice as physician of record for the 2008-09 school year with a retainer of $150.

Appointed Andrews & Beard Law Offices as solicitor for 2008-09 at a rate of $110 or $130 per hour depending on services rendered.

Approved canceling the July meeting unless bids are received for the practical nursing building, in which case there will be a July 15 meeting to open bids.

Appointed PA Local Government Investment Trust, PA School District Liquid Asset Fund, PA Treasurer’s INVEST program, and Northwest Savings Bank as possible depositories for the 2008-09 year.

Approved employee Blue Cross/Blue Shield rates as follows:

Individual: $380

Parent & child: $944

Parent & children: $944

Husband & wife: $1,059

Family: $1,114.

Approved entering into a contract with Clarion Holiday Inn to provide internship experiences for the tourism and marketing services students for the 2008-09 year.

Approved the agreement between the committee and the Educational Support Personnel Association for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2013 .

Approved advertising for a cosmetology styling academy aid.