Homer-Center School District looks to save $167K through refinancing

April 24--Officials at Homer-Center School District are hoping to save more than $160,000 by refinancing a series of bonds issued four years ago.

The school board, at its April 16 monthly meeting, authorized district administrators to work with several consultants on a plan for refinancing all or a portion of Homer-Center's 2011 bond series, in order to provide the greatest financial benefit for the district. At minimum, according to business manager Greg Cessna's report, the district is looking to realize a net savings of $167,000 through the proposed refinancing effort. He said the bond series includes an outstanding balance of about $7.7 million.

The district's solicitor was directed to work with Public Financial Management Inc., as financial adviser, and Dinsmore and Shohl LLP, as bond counsel, to refund the 2011 bonds and devise the most advantageous method of refinancing them -- through a new 2015 bond issue or by requesting loan proposals from banks.

Homer-Center's board agreed to continue participating in a program, established by area educational agencies including ARIN Intermediate Unit 28 and Riverview Intermediate Unit 6, for cooperative purchasing of school supplies at better prices than might be available individually to school districts.

Homer-Center also renewed various insurance policies for another year, extending until April 7, 2016. Cessna said the $4,269 cost for privacy and network liability insurance coverage, through the Westchester Fire Insurance Company, is unchanged from the previous year.

According to Cessna, the $57,288 premium charged by Liberty Mutual for property, general liability, crime, inland marine, automobile, error and omissions and umbrella coverages represents a slight increase. He indicated the higher cost is a result, in part, of an increase in the value of the district's buildings.

In personnel matters, the school board accepted the retirement resignations of two veteran instructors with more than 65 years of combined teaching experience. Set to retire on June 9 are business education instructor Beverly Pribicko, with 35.6 years of service at the district, and family and consumer science teacher Patricia Zimmer, with 32 years of service.

"That's something that we can never restore or go out and look for, those years of working in the school community," Homer-Center superintendent Charles Koren said, reflecting on the amassed knowledge the two faculty members brought to both classroom lessons and extra-curricular programs they led.

"You've both been a great addition to our school and community," school board President Vicki Smith told the pair. "You've touched a lot of kids' lives."

"It's been a great career, and it's all been here" at Homer-Center, Zimmer said of her years as a teacher. In addition to overseeing students' sewing projects, Zimmer has been the adviser for a student group called Teens Against All Drugs.

Pribicko noted when she was hired for the teaching position at Homer-Center, she'd planned on staying just a year before moving on to pursue her original goal of becoming a court reporter. But, she indicated she had no regrets about staying on at the district. She noted she's taught multiple generations of students, including some who have grown up to become friends.

Pribicko is the adviser for the school's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America and noted she recently made her final trip with students to a state FBLA event.

At the prompting of board members, the two teachers shared some candid thoughts about how their profession has evolved.

While they said students have not changed much over the years, both agreed that modern teaching "mandates" have resulted in an added burden on instructors, requiring them to complete increasing amounts of paperwork.

As a result, "I don't have as much time to teach anymore," Zimmer said, indicating it was one of the factors that prompted her decision to retire.

Pribicko also discussed advancements in technology and how they have impacted the classroom. She recalled that, when she began teaching, the school was transitioning from manual to electronic typewriters.

Now, she expressed concern that students' increasing reliance on computer technology in the classroom may be diminishing the role of the teacher. "That scares me," she noted.

Pribicko also observed the growing importance of standardized testing in driving curriculum. "All this testing, that's not my forte," she said.

Lisa Adams, a biology teacher at the district and president of the Homer-Center Education Association, later noted the subjects that are focused on in the current Keystone Exam student assessments -- including reading, math and science -- have less of a direct impact on the classes Zimmer and Pribicko teach. But, Adams indicated data generated through the testing has helped her tailor instruction to the needs of her students.

Principal's leave prompts moves

The board named instructor Matt Rodkey to serve temporarily as acting principal at the high school while principal Jody Rainey is on a sick leave that began April 7. Rodkey has filled the role of dean of students at the school and has the required certification to handle administrative duties, district officials noted.

School directors also approved the schools' retired assistant principal, Gene Raymond, to assist Rodkey as substitute dean during Rainey's absence. Raymond will be paid $150 per day.

The administrative moves were approved by Smith, Gerald Bertig, Michael Bertig, Julie Rado and Daniel Fabin. Joy Sasala, Sherri Williams, Fred Hayes and James McLoughlin were absent.

The school board also approved Joseph Iezzi's resignation as girls' assistant track coach effective April 15, following the first quarter of the current season, and approved Joshua Tobin to take over the coaching spot for the remainder of the season.

The salary for the position will be split between the two, with Iezzi receiving $575.25 and Tobin being paid $1,725.75.

The board retroactively approved March 31 as an unpaid day of leave for instructional aide Heather Greene.

Homer-Center approved an agreement for access to ARIN Play, through June 30, 2017, at a cost of $1,000 per year. The web-based video streaming service allows participating schools to post educational videos for viewing in classrooms and also by the public. Videos can be accessed at play.iu28.org.

"Think of it as TiVo or Xfinity for the school districts," Koren said of the service.

District supports STEM academy

The Homer-Center board adopted a resolution supporting the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) academy proposed for development at the Indiana County Technology Center and related STEM instruction at participating county school districts.

Smith, who represents the district on the ICTC Joint Operating Committee and on a committee making plans for the STEM academy, noted the Homer-Center resolution closely follows one adopted by the ICTC panel and by other local school boards.

She explained the show of support will help the committee as it solicits funds for creation of the academy.

The school board granted permission for Jon Stolarz and the indoor color guard and percussion groups to attend a championship competition Wednesday through May 3 in Wildwood, N.J., at no cost to the district. Tobin and Christina Bruno were authorized to accompany the sophomore class on a June 3 trip to Washington, D.C., and Arlington National Cemetery, also at no cost to the district.

Members of Homer-Center's student team and adviser Sarah DeVivo went to Pittsburgh to take part in the semi-final round of KDKA-TV's Hometown High Q quiz show. DeVivo noted the H-C team placed third, earning a $4,000 prize, and will advance to the finals.

Bruno was approved to attend an Advanced Placement Summer InstituteJuly 5-10 in Norristown at a cost of $1,995. She will take a course to prepare for teaching AP history to district students.

Beth Genchur, director of special education, received permission to conduct a series of training sessions for parents of special needs children in the elementary library. The series began Tuesday and continues May 5 and 22.

Play, prom, tax session slated

The student play, "Just Another High School Play," will be presented at 2 p.m.April 26 in the high school auditorium. Tickets cost $5. A noon matinee for senior citizens is set for April 24.

The Junior and Senior Prom will be held May 8 at the Sen. John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh followed by after-prom activities at Wildwood Highlands. The cost is $80 per student.

Students in grades 7-10 will have their own version of the prom, dubbed MORP, with a formal dance from 6 to 10 p.m.May 2 in the high school cafeteria and gym.

The school board granted permission for Indiana County officials to use the high school auditorium for a public informational meeting regarding the county property tax reassessment. The meeting will be held 6 to 9 p.m.June 9. According to Koren, district property owners who attend can expect to learn about reassessment materials they will receive in the mail this summer. The county will pay for security guards during the session.

The board also approved an annual Homer-Center Youth Football Camp, sponsored by the Football Parents Association, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.June 22-24 at Memorial Stadium. Other approved activities include conditioning for the Homer-Center varsity football team, 8:30 to 10:15 p.m.June 22 to Aug. 5; and a passing session with Derry, West Shamokin and Bishop Carroll, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.July 18.

Homer-Center students who participated in the recent Heritage Conference academic competitions were recognized -- including Mary Fletcher and Nick Silveri, who placed first in current events. Sixth-graders Gilliam Williams, Drew Kochman and Breanna Zenisek will represent Homer-Center in the Indiana County Principals' Spelling Bee at 7 p.m. Thursday in the United High School auditorium.

Also recognized were Corinne Taylor, Kiwanis Senior of the Month for March; freshman Dominick Edwards and third-grader Diana Eastman, who received April Wildcat Recognition Awards.

Jeff Himler is an editor for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-459-6100, ext. 2910 or [email protected].

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