Oct. 1, 2007 - Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District

PROPOSED DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE
October 1, 2007
MEETING
of the
Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD
Board of Education
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District
was held on October 1, 2007, in the High School Auditorium.
Members Present: Maureen Sikule John Harlow
Helen Lounsbury
Michelle Fusco
Joan Adriance
Others Present: Kimberly LaBelle Brian Corey
MaryPetrilli
Beth Bourassa
Robert Schofield
Karen Corso
Donna McGovern
Chrissie Margiotta
Edward Ackroyd
Lisa Momberger
Peter Shunney
Noreen Shunney
Ida Motschman
Eleanor Graves
The meeting was called to order by the President, Mrs. Sikule at 6:00 p.m.
Executive Session
At 6:01 p.m., motion was made by Mr. Harlow, seconded by Mrs. Fusco to enter into Executive
Session to discuss legal issues, personnel matters, and CSE/CPSE recommendations. Motion was
carried. 5 yes.
Mrs. LaBelle entered executive session at 6:15 p.m. School District Attorney Beth Bourassa entered
executive session at 7:17 p.m. School District Attorney Robert Schofield entered executive session
at 7:19 p.m. Mrs. LaBelle left executive session at 7:02 p.m.
Return to Public Session
At 7:15 p.m., motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mrs. Fusco to return to public
session. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
The meeting was called back to order by the President, Mrs. Sikule at 7:17 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Schrade led all in the pledge of allegiance.

Program Focus
Pre-K Update
Mr. Corey introduced Lisa Momberger, Teacher for the Pre-K Program. Ms. Momberger elaborated
on the program, detailing the curriculum, day to day activities, transportation, and overall structure
of the program.
Mr. Schrade asked the School Attorney, Mr. Schofield to clarify the motion needed to rescind a
resolution authorizing a transfer which had been approved in May of 2005. Mr. Schofield explained
that the transfer had inadvertently been made into the Employee Benefit Accrued Liability Reserve
Fund, rather than the Unemployment Insurance Reserve Fund.
Motion was made by Mr. Harlow, seconded by Mrs. Adriance to approve the resolution rescinding a
transfer into the Employee Benefit Accrued Liability Reserve Fund on May 3, 2005, returning the
$53,000 to the Unemployment Insurance Reserve Fund, as per the attached resolution. Motion was
carried. 5 yes.
Annual Building Inspection (Middle/High School)
The Board toured the Middle/High School Building at 7:30 p.m.
After the building tour, the meeting was called back to order by the President, Mrs. Sikule at 7:56
p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Motion was made by Mr. Harlow, seconded by Mrs. Adriance to approve the minutes of the Regular
Meeting of the Board of Education held on September 17, 2007, as attached. Motion was carried.
5 yes.
Treasurer’s Report
Motion was made by Mrs. Lounsbury, seconded by Mr. Harlow to approve the treasurer’s
reports, as attached. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Member Concerns
Mrs. Adriance asked that the Board set the meeting agendas, keeping it concise and focused,
with a limit of two hours. She suggested perhaps using a time keeper to stay on task in
conjunction with the possible use of a consent agenda.
Committee Reports
Mrs. Fusco and Mrs. Lounsbury announced that they had attended the recent Schoharie County
School Boards Executive Committee Meeting held in Sharon Springs. The annual fall dinner
meeting will be held on November 1 st in Sharon Springs. Mrs. Fusco noted that Berne-Knox-
Westerlo will be hosting the Spring dinner meeting, and suggested contacting attorneys from
NYSSBA as possible speakers for the event, and the BOCES culinary arts students to perhaps
cater the meal. Mrs. Lounsbury also mentioned reaching out to BKW Resident Terrice Bassler

to be a guest speaker. The date for the next Executive Committee Meeting is March 13 th .
Mrs. Sikule attended the Capital District School Boards Meeting held in Cohoes. The main
topic was the Value Added Assessment Model being promoted to measure student academic
growth in NYS. She noted that by 2007-08, New York State must have developed a State-
Wide Value Added Growth Model.
Unfinished Business
The dates to remember were reviewed.
The Board Goals were reviewed. Mr. Schrade reviewed implementation dates and/or action
taken each month for each category. Brief discussion ensued regarding PSAT during the school
day; “Blue Ribbon School” designation; Mr. Schrade noted the Guidance Department would be
reporting at next month’s Board meeting, as well as information from Mrs. LaBelle on the IB
Program.
In regard to the information distributed by Mrs. Sikule on School Board Self-Evaluation, it was
suggested that a Sub Committee of the Board be formed to explore the templates.
Motion was made by Mrs. Lounsbury, seconded by Mrs. Fusco to create a Sub Committee of the
Board of Education to explore the use of School Board Self-Evaluation Templates which would
assess performance and effectiveness. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Mrs. Fusco and Mrs. Lounsbury volunteered to be on this Sub Committee.
Motion was made by Mr. Harlow, seconded by Mrs. Lounsbury to adopt a Consent Agenda.
Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Mr. Schrade credited Chrissie Margiotta for the information she provided the Board. Mrs.
Adriance urged the Board to follow the template of Guilderland C.S.D.
Current Chairman of the Audit & Finance Committee, Mr. Ackroyd led the discussion on the
proposed revisions to the Audit & Finance Committee Charter, in regard to membership. Mr.
Ackroyd felt our current charter was flawed, and that the District should seek a legal opinion,
and perhaps consider an easier template to follow.
Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mrs. Lounsbury to approve the changes
presented by the Audit & Finance Committee to the Board of Education, as attached.
Discussion ensued. Mrs. Lounsbury agreed that Mr. Ackroyd makes a valid point, and that the
District should move ahead with exploring options to the current charter. Mrs. Sikule presented
possible changes to the motion on the floor.
Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mrs. Lounsbury to rescind the motion on the
floor and to replace with the following wording: The Berne-Knox-Westerlo C.S.D. Audit
Committee is comprised of two current Board of Education Members to serve a one year term;
and three Community Members who will serve a two year renewable, staggered term (first terms
to be determined by lot). Terms will expire on June 30 th . The current Audit & Finance
Committee Members will review and recommend Community Member Audit Committee
appointments (to the Board of Education). The Board of Education makes the actual

appointments to the Audit Committee. At its annual reorganizational meeting in July, the Board
of Education will appoint the two Board of Education Members to the Audit Committee. In the
event the Board is unable to appoint three community members to serve on the Audit & Finance
Committee, the Committee will not be impeded from meeting or voting and continuing the
mission of the Committee. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Mrs. Adriance stated that some time during the next two weeks, the current Audit Committee
Members need to meet and be part of the exit interview with our Independent Auditor in
regarding to the findings and recommendations of the 2006-2007 school year audit. Also, there
needs to be discussion on strategies for recruitment of community members. Mr. Ackroyd
suggested a formal agenda be prepared with topics to be discussed.
Motion was made by Mrs. Lounsbury, seconded by Mrs. Adriance to approve the 2007-2008
BKW Board of Education Meeting Schedule, as amended with Program Focus added, as
attached. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Mrs. Fusco would like to see Health Education added this year or early next year. Mr. Schrade
suggested that subject area may be added to one of the June meeting dates.
New Business
Mr. Schrade reviewed the information contained in the 2007-2008 Enrollment Report.
Ms. Petrilli gave an update on offerings at the High School.
Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mr. Harlow to approve the request from the
Town of Berne Youth Council for the use of a bus on October 14, 2007 to the Palace Theatre in
Albany, at no cost to the District. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
There was brief discussion regarding the upcoming NYSSBA Convention Voting. Voting
preferences will be submitted to Mrs. Sikule who will be attending.
Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mrs. Fusco to approve the attached changes to
the 2007-2008 Tax Rolls. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Executive Session
At 8:50 p.m., motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mr. Harlow to enter into Executive
Session to discuss legal issues, personnel matters, and CSE/CPSE recommendations. Motion was
carried. 5 yes.
Mrs. LaBelle was present during executive session
Return to Public Session
At 9:55 p.m., motion was made by Mr. Harlow, seconded by Mrs. Adriance to return to public
session. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
The meeting was called back to order by the President, Mrs. Sikule at 9:56 p.m.
New Business

Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mrs. Fusco that the Board of Education has no
objections to the recommendations of the Committee on Special Education and the Committee
on Pre-School Special Education, and approves the authorization of funds to implement the
Special Education programs and services consistent with such recommendations, as attached.
Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Personnel
Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mr. Harlow to appoint Donna Amberman as
a per diem CPSE/CSE Chairperson for the period of approximately October 15, 2007 through
May 2, 2008, at a rate of $275.00/day. Motion was carried. 5 yes. (To replace Melissa Crounse
who will be on leave)
Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mr. Harlow to appoint Antoinette Seaburg as a
Part Time Food Service Helper (Six Hour Position), effective 10/01/07. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Motion was made by Mrs. Fusco, seconded by Mrs. Adriance to approve the attached list of
Emergency Conditional Appointments. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mr. Harlow that be it resolved, upon the
recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, Steven M. Schrade, that the Board of
Education hereby appoints Stacey Shultes to the position of Long Term Substitute .4 FTE
Special Education Teacher for the period approximately October 22, 2007 through May 2, 2008,
as per the attached memo, on Step 1 of the Teachers’ Contract, salary pro-rated. Motion was
carried. 5 yes.
Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mr. Harlow to accept the resignation from Lori
Leonard, Teaching Assistant, effective 10/11/07. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Motion was made by Mr. Harlow, seconded by Mrs. Adriance to accept the resignation from Pamela
Porter, One-on-One Special Education Bus Monitor, effective 09/21/07. Motion was carried. 5 yes.
Public Discussion
There was no public discussion.
Future Agenda Items
1. Elementary Physical Education Requirements
2. District Safety Plan
3. Five Year Term for Board Members
4. Rotation of Board President
Adjourn
Motion was made by Mrs. Adriance, seconded by Mrs. Lounsbury that the meeting adjourn.
Motion was carried. 5 yes.
The meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.

Denise J. Martin
District Clerk