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Votes at a glance: Octorara Area SD board approves bills, staffing actions and interim principal contract
Summary
The board approved January bills, supplemental contracts, personnel actions, a short-term scope with Devopar Consulting for interim principal duties, and an ESS addendum to raise substitute rates; the Devopar contract passed 7–2.
The Octorara Area School District Board of School Directors approved a package of financial and personnel actions at its Feb. 17 meeting, including payment of January invoices, multiple supplemental coaching contracts and a short-term interim principal agreement for the intermediate school.
Key votes at a glance: - Bills and treasurer's report: The board approved the February list of bills, including a general fund payment of $3,661,011.39; the packet reported a total amount of approximately $3,662,000 across funds. The motion passed by voice vote.
- Supplemental contracts (2024–25): The board approved multiple supplemental coaching contracts (winter and spring coaches listed in the meeting packet). After approval, the board voted to amend two winter cheerleading contracts to be prorated to a Jan. 13 start date; that amendment passed and the amended contracts were approved.
- Personnel actions: The board accepted resignations (nurse Wendy Rish, assistant varsity softball coach Megan McNutt) and approved several hires and status changes for instructional assistants and student co-op placements. These motions passed by voice vote.
- YMCA corporate wellness agreement: The board approved a one-year corporate wellness agreement with the YMCA of Greater Brandywine effective April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, at a cost of $3,500, with $2,000 in wellness credits from IBX to offset the district’s cost. Motion passed by voice vote.
- Devopar Consulting interim principal scope of services: The board approved a scope of services with Devopar Consulting to provide interim principal duties for the intermediate school effective March 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025. The contract rate discussed at the meeting was $728 per day. Board discussion centered on cost versus continuity for building leadership; the motion passed 7–2. District staff estimated a conservative low-end cost near $43,000 if coverage averaged four days per week over the remainder of the school year and higher if coverage was five days per week.
- ESS Northeast LLC addendum (substitute teachers): The board approved an addendum to increase substitute teacher rates effective Feb. 18, 2025. During discussion a district official said the day-to-day substitute rate was previously $145 and was increased to $170; building-substitute rates were increased by $20. The motion passed.
- Diploma, plans and routine approvals: The board approved issuance of a diploma for a student effective Feb. 18, 2025; approved the 2024–25 K–12 guidance plan; revised hours for instructional assistants in the OPLC from 1.5 to up to 2.5 hours per day; and approved multiple Student Educational Co-op placements. All were approved by voice vote.
Why it matters: The Devopar interim-principal contract and the substitute pay increase were the most prominent budgetary items discussed. Board members split on the interim-principal cost given the short time span; the majority voted to secure an external interim to maintain consistency in the building. The substitute-rate increase was presented as an initial step to improve substitute fill rates compared with neighboring districts.
What the board noted: Finance committee members reported that the district’s bond issuance priced at a 3.45% yield and that S&P assigned the district an A+ rating. The board also heard updates on Studer Education consulting and internal survey work; those items were informational.
