August 18, 2010 - East Aurora Union Free School

EAST AURORA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DIGEST FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010
The public session of the Board of Education meeting was called to order by Board President Daniel Brunson at 7:00 PM in the Middle
School library.
Superintendent James Bodziak commented:
“Last month our school district lost a valued member of our school family when school district attorney Anthony DiFilippo, III
lost his fight with cancer. Tony provided his knowledge of school law for well over twenty years to numerous East Aurora
Boards of Education and administrators. His friendly warm manner, breadth of knowledge and love of his community, school
district, and especially his family are very much missed. Our condolences go out to his family. Let us pause for a brief
moment of silence in honor of Tony.
We have also learned that long time high school teacher, William Klaus, passed away on August 11 th . During his thirty year
career, Mr. Klaus served as a history teacher. He also was the social studies department chairman, a class advisor, yearbook
advisor and was also the advisor to the Model UN teams. Services for Bill will take place on August 24 th in Orchard Park. He
is survived by his mother, Winifred. Our sympathies extend to her.
Our school district has been notified that the East Aurora Educational Foundation has awarded high school art teacher, Tom
Kegler, with a $13,997.40 grant for his proposal entitled, “Adobe Master Collection.” We are very thrilled and appreciative of
the generosity of the Foundation to support our High School Art Department. Thank you to Mr. Kegler for his initiative in
pursuing the grant from the Foundation for the benefit of our students.
Buffalo Business First has notified our school district that our District Facilities Construction Project is one of the finalists in the
Educational Category of this year’s Brick-by-Brick Awards Program. This program recognizes finalists in seven categories of
real estate, construction and development in the Buffalo-Niagara region. All nominated projects will be honored at a ceremony
on Thursday, September 16th at the Tonawanda Castle. At this ceremony, the winner in each of the seven categories will be
announced.
Congratulations are extended to East Aurora maintenance mechanic, Dennis Peters, who has been named the 2010 Buildings
and Grounds Employee of the Year for our school district. Mr. Peters has worked for our school district for ten years. He
consistently exhibits superb effort, personal dedication and professionalism in everything he does for students, staff and
community. Congratulations Dennis!
Recently in the news were Middle School Principal Mark Mambretti, quoted in the Buffalo News on several topics related to
Middle School education, and Board member Dennis Holbrook, who was interviewed in Buffalo Business First on the topic of
natural gas drilling.”
Board President’s and Board Members’ comments and committee reports:
Daniel Brunson reported on a law conference he attended at a meeting sponsored by the Erie County School Boards
Association and WNYESC, and also brought members’ attention to a letter in their packet from a district parent.
Kathyann Lorka reported that the state auditors recently were in the district, and said that were pleased at the assistance they
received from business office staff members. Mrs. Lorka also requested an update on the status of maintenance work in the
pool locker rooms in Middle School.
Visitor comments:
Abby Boss, president of the Class of ’11, presented the plans for a concession stand as a gift to the high school on behalf of
her classmates. The structure, a 10 x 16 Duroshed, will be set a concrete pad near the bleachers. Former class advisor
Jessica Lyons explained that the class had been raising money for the project for two years, and wished it to be in place before
the 2010 fall athletic season.
Ken Horton and Trish Puntillo, representing the Little Loop Football and Football Boosters, addressed the Board on the topic of
selective classification.
Reports
Mr. Russ presented information related to the EA|Parent Portal that will be available for parents and students – grades 7-12
during the 2010-2011 school year.
Mr. Blowers reviewed the June, 2010 Treasurer’s and Budget Status, end-of-year 2009-2010 Fund Balance and 2010-2011
Revenue Adjustment reports.
Board Discussion

The Superintendent and Board of Education discussed next steps regarding school attorney/legal services.
The Board of Education discussed next steps with regard to their self-evaluation.
Members of the Board of Education discussed their preferences for 2010-2011 committee assignments.
In business matters, Superintendent Bodziak recommended that the Board of Education:
Approve the appointments of Kimberly S. Hanavan as 1.0 F.T.E. Probationary Math (AIS) Teacher at the Middle School
(replacing Judith Malys), Barbara A. Moore as 0.4 F.T.E. Part-Time Business Education Teacher at the High School, and
Katherine A. Kubiak as 0.6 F.T.E. Part-Time 7-12 Social Studies Teacher at the Middle and High Schools;
Appoint the following Curriculum Coordinators
Area
Name
Year of
5 Yr. Cycle
Grades K – 4
Math Jennifer Kibler 4th
Science Adam Partisano 2nd
Social Studies Margaret Gerstung 3rd
ELA Christina Edholm/David Downs 5th
Spec. Ed./ Support K-8 Jacqueline Hanavan 2nd
Grades 5 - 8
Math Lisa Barron 4th
Science TBA 2nd
Social Studies Bridget Converse 3rd
ELA Nina Arendt 5th
Grades 9 – 12
Spec. Ed. / Support 9-12 Cynthia Marinaccio 2nd
Grades K – 12
Library Kim Kruse 2nd
Art Thomas Kegler 1st
LOTE Brian Serwicki 5th
Tech David Schmidt 2nd
Music Paula O’Connor 1st
Business/Career
Kevin Kot
5th
Development
Phys. Ed./ Home & Careers Catharine Haight 1st
Grades 9 – 12 Dept. Chairs
Math Mary Beth Richey 4th
Science TBA 2nd
Social Studies James Stonebraker 3rd
ELA Jason Zevenbergen 5th
Accept the resignation of Bridget Converse as Grades 5-8 Science Curriculum Coordinator;
Appoint Joe Ann Willson as District Wellness Çoordinator;
Appoint Grade Level/Team Coordinators 2010-2011
Grade Level/Team Name Year of 3 Yr.
Cycle
Parkdale
Kindergarten Kimberly McAtee 2
1st Grade Matthew Brown 3
2nd Grade Jennifer Kibler 2
3rd Grade Joanne Buccieri 2
4th Grade Melanie Cooper 2
Support Nancy Bauchat 2
Specials Colleen Kaminski 2
Middle School
5th Grade TBA 2
6th Grade Amber Baker 2
7th Grade Stephanie Martindale 3
8th Grade Karen Dusel 2
Specials/Support XA1* Julie Rizzo 2
Specials/Support XA2* Natalie Dutton 2
High School
Specials/Support*** (A) TBA 2
Specials/Support*** (B) Walter McLaughlin 2
Specials/Support*** (C) Cynthia Marinaccio 2
XA1* Art, Music, PE and Foreign Language
XA2** Health, H&C, Tech, Business, Library and Mental Health Staff
*** Art, Business/CDOS, Library, LOTE, Music, Physical Education, Support and Technology
Approve High School Co-Curricular appointments for 2010-2011
Club
Advisor

Adventure Club
AFS Club Advisor
Auroran Advisor
Band
Chorus
DECA Advisor
Drama Director
Equipment Manager
Future Educator’s Club
Grade 11 Advisor
Grade 11 Advisor
Grade 10 Advisor (shared)
Grade 10 Advisor (shared)
Grade 12 Advisor
Club
Grade 12 Advisor (shared)
Grade 9
History Club
Key Club Advisor
Literary Magazine
Masterminds
Model UN Club
Musical Director
Nat’l Honor Society Advisor
Orchestra
SADD Advisor
Science Club Advisor
Spirit Club Advisor
Student Activity Treasurer
Student Government Advisor
Student Mentor Program
Ticket Manager
Christina Schutrum
Jessica Herraez
TBA
Paula O’Connor
Paul Blackwell
Barbara Moore
Christine Burk
Frank D’Avanzato
Kelly Werdein
Cheryl DiSarno
Kelly Eckler
Janiese Green
Cindy Marinaccio
Catharine Haight
Advisor
TBA
TBA
Kevin Weigel
Marian Whitcomb
Christopher Cummins
TBA
Todd Hathaway
Chris Cummins
Linda Girvin
Alissa Nanna
Mary Ann Huber
Lawrence Grisanti
Joanne Ryan
Cheryl DiSarno
John Hycner
Julie Duffett
Christine Burke
Accept the resignation of Jessica Lyons, 1.0 F.T.E. Science Teacher at the High School effective August 11, 2010;
Approve the probationary appointment of Christopher Swan as a Custodian;
Accept the resignation of Gregory Roesser, Cleaner at the Middle School, effective July 30, 2010;
Accept the resignation of Christopher Swan, Custodian at the High School, effective August 4, 2010;
Accept the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Carole Beyer, Senior Clerk Typist at the High School, effective October
9, 2010;
Approve the following interscholastic appointments effective for the fall season of the 2010-2011 school year:
Ron Brodnicki
Junior Varsity Football Head Coach
Aaron Barnett
Junior Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Colleen Fritz
Junior Varsity Field Hockey Coach
Lindsay Benz
Varsity Cheerleading Coach
Mary Hennessy Varsity Field Hockey Coach
Joseph Hennessy Field Hockey Volunteer Coach
Jason Pickhardt Junior Varsity Boys Soccer Coach
Accept following interscholastic resignations:
Kelsey Hollenbeck Varsity Cheer
Jesse Hamms
Boys Junior Varsity Soccer Coach
Approve minutes of the Reorganizational Board of Education Meeting of July 6, 2010;
Approve recommendations of the Committee on Preschool Special Education of July 7 & 22, 2010 and August 11 & 12, 2010;
Approve the rate for health and welfare services for East Aurora students attending private and parochial schools in the Buffalo
City Schools of $325.00 per student for the 2009-2010 school year;
Award Summer Special Education Transportation Contract to Carrier Coach, Inc. as low bidder meeting the specifications for
Summer Special Education Transportation Contract;
Approve the following resolution:
Resolved that the Board of Education of the East Aurora School District hereby agrees to enter into the attached contract with Erie
#1 BOCES for a five-year period commencing on July 12, 2010 to authorize the Western New York Regional Information Center to
furnish certain computer services to the District pursuant to Education Law 1950 (4) (jj) for an amount not to exceed $18,766.20 and
authorizes 60 monthly payments to be made to Erie #1 BOCES in the amount not to exceed $312.77. A final payment of $852.00
will be made by a service adjustment letter at the end of 60 months for this machine if the district decides to keep it in service.
Be it further resolved, that the Board of Education of the East Aurora School District hereby authorizes the Board President or the
District Clerk to execute the contract on behalf of the District.
Set the 2010-2011 school tax rates as follows: Town of Aurora, $33.68, Town of Colden, $30.75 and Elma, $291.66.
Continue membership in the New York State School Boards Association for 2010-2011 and communicate to NYSSBA our
Board Members’ concerns.

Next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 in the Middle School library at 7:00 PM.
Members of the Board of Education:
Front row, left to right: Eric Sweet, Vice-president Kathyann Lorka,
President Daniel Brunson, MaryBeth Covert,
(back row) Dennis Holbrook, Stephen Zagrobelny, James Whitcomb
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