Canon-Mac Notebook: Budget Update; Check Presentation and New Meeting Place?

President Darla Bowman-Monaco stopped Matt Harding mid-sentence during his report at Monday's meeting.

"Tell this board how much you saved this district," she prompted, referring to a shift from Xerox to Vandyke for copier services.

His answer? Around $100,000.

That was just part of the positive news shared at the board's meeting Monday. After Harding, the district's director of support services, spoke, it was Joni Mansmann's turn to share some positive tidings.

Mansmann, the district's director of business and finace, said that while she won't have a formal budget update until about mid-March, that she compiled a report that indicated that Canon-Mac is on target with revenues and expenditures as of this point in the fiscal year.

"The eye is on the ball regarding spending and money," she said. "I think we're well within our means. I don't look for us to go over budget."

Then Mansmann dropped a bombshell: There would be no increase in the district's health insurance premiums for 2012-2013.

"Get out!" Monaco said with a big smile.

"Yes!" Mansmann answered, returning a grin.

In other business:

• A principal and teacher from made a presenation to the board regarding strides the school is making in literacy—and how teachers are intertwining reading and writing skills at a younger age. Artwork from the students that incorporated reading, writing and math were showcased. Information on how two grants helped with writing projects was also explained. The board lauded the women for their efforts, as well as the home-made thank you cards students from the school made for them.
• The board was presented with a $16,200 grant from the Washington County Community Foundation that was made possible through its corporate donor, Consol Energy. The money will be used for a middle school project-based learning experience in partnership with Consol.
• Director Joe Zupancic said some members of the board had expressed an interest in exploring changing the "setting and structure" of its meetings. "This venue is really terrible," he said of the sometimes-cramped board room in the administration building on North Jefferson Avenue. Monaco asked all members of the board to brainstorm ideas for a location so it can be discussed at a later meeting.
• The board recognized the Canon-McMillan High School cheerleaders, who won second place in a competition at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. on Jan. 2.
• Also recognized was Mansmann, who has been granted a Certificate of Enhanced Qualifications in Food Service Administration and Leadership from the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials.
• The board announed it met in executive session to discuss personnel and litigation.
• The board's next meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday in the district administration building.