Minutes of the 12-18-07 Board Meeting - Onteora Central School ...

Page 1MINUTESCALL TO ORDERBOARD OF EDUCATIONBOICEVILLE, NEW YORK 12412REGULAR MEETING7:00 p.m.December 18, 2007Woodstock Elementary SchoolTrustee Bernholz called REGULAR MEETING to order at approximately 7:00 p.m.TOBACCO POLICY STATEMENTPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCEPRESENTTrustees Mary Jane Bernholz, Cindy O’Connor, Rita Vanacore, Maxanne Resnick,Herb Rosenfeld, Michelle Friedel and Richard WolffALSO PRESENT Superintendent of Schools, Leslie G. Ford; Assistant Superintendent, Deborah L.Fox; Assistant Superintendent, Victoria McLaren; Student Board Representative,Nicholas Alba; District Clerk, Jeanne Shultis; and approximately 65 visitors.Superintendent Ford presented Jack Jordan with a token of appreciation for all his contributions to theDistrict as Interim High School Principal and thanked him on behalf of the Board and the District.ACCEPTANCE OFMINUTESWELCOME TOWOODSTOCKSCHOOLDISTRICT NEWSTrustee O’Connor moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Onteora CentralSchool District that the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Educationheld on November 6, 2007, and the Special Meeting held on November 27, 2007, arehereby accepted as submitted.Trustee Vanacore seconded the Motion.Discussion. The following times are to be added: 6:34 p.m. for the first ExecutiveSession and Returning to Regular Session at 8:17 p.m.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDWoodstock Elementary School Principal Bobbi Schnell welcomed everyone forcoming and introduced Woodstock music teacher, Harvey Boyer and the WoodstockJazz Band who performed “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Jumpin atthe Woodside” from their winter concert for the pleasure of the Board and visitors.Trustee Bernholz acknowledged e-mails from Judith Iapoce, Ferdinand and MonikaLaMotte, Christina Fina regarding the transportation change that has been postponeduntil further investigation of the policy; and e-mail from Mark Goldfarb re someholiday issues in the district. Thank yous were received from everyone in the SRP’sfor the breakfast baskets.Superintendent Ford reported that:• The winter concerts are going on and it’s wonderful to enjoy as many asyou possibly can.• A team of 3 teachers, Doris Thomas, Denise Maltese, and Laura Loheidewere asked to speak at a national convention of the National Council ofTeachers of English on November 16. Congratulations to them.

Page 2• Jeanie Douglas reported that our DECA teams did very well in thenortheast region of the stock market game to date. That is really wonderful!• Joe DiGiovanni, our interim athletic director reported coach Phil Garvey hasbeen chosen by the Mid-Hudson Soccer Officials as soccer coach of theyear and will be receiving a plaque. Congratulations!• Linda Sella reported that Phoenicia School is reported under the MasterGuru, which is one of our tech resources, as one of the top resources forthe month. Congratulations! Teachers are really using that.• Dr. Ford reported that they had a great Response to Intervention teammeeting today. She applauded all of the staff who is working so hard tocome up with a new way to look at education and provide that structure forus.Trustee Bernholz reported that the Board participated in a Retreat on December 18on communicating better to the public and amongst themselves and theSuperintendent.REPORT FROM2007-2008STUDENT BOARDREPRESENTATIVESTUDENTCOMMENTPUBLICCOMMENTREPORTS/PRESENTATIONSStudent Representative Nicholas Alba reported that:• The Student Affairs Council is proud to announce that they teamed withthe Middle School Council for the first time ever for the vending stand atthe Harlem Wizards game. Anyone who was there saw that it was a bigsuccess. The money is going to the PTSO but a percentage is going to theSAC scholarship.• They are glad to see progress in the bathrooms in terms of conditions andsupplies being present.• A lot of students are concerned with the snow day situation this year.They do not want to lose any of their spring break. In the future, it may bea good idea to allocate more snow days.• The student body wanted to wish farewell to Principal Jordan and alsowelcome Mr. Edelman as their new principal.No student comments were made at this time.• Dan Spencer spoke of his concerns with the form letter he received fromtransportation regarding implementation of the current board policy fortransportation mileage limits.• Corey Cavallaro spoke on behalf of the OTA, ONTEA and OAA and theirgeneral membership and thanked the Board for recognizing the inequitablesituation created by the DEHIC premium holiday and the hardship of its costto the members of the District and thanked the Board for authorizing theSuperintendent to sign the side letter of agreement which has beenpreviously signed by the presidents of all three associations just in time forthe holidays.• Board Committee Facilitator Trustee O’Connor reminded board members toturn in committee meeting minutes faster• Audit Committee – Trustee Bernholz reported that at the last meeting theyhad an exit interview with the NYS Comptroller’s Office in ExecutiveSession. They are working on the response letter and action plan to theState. The committee is working on a RFP for the external auditor, an auditcharter and redefining the external auditor function within the District. Thenext meeting will be January 18 at 8:45 a.m.

Page 3• Communications Committee – Trustee O’Connor reported that thecommittee met on November 26. Assistant Superintendent Fox reportedthat residents should have received the fall/early winter newsletter in themail. The next project for the committee to work on is the district brochure.• Facilities Committee – Trustee Resnick reported that at the December 4meeting they discussed the Woodstock boilers, the girls’ locker room lockerreplacements. The MS/HS auditorium plans have been submitted to thestate for approval with an anticipated start time of next summer. Thecommittee prioritized the various infrastructure projects around the districtand will make a recommendation to the Board for the expenditure of thecapital reserve funds for those items. Bathroom upgrades were discussedand she will be creating a subcommittee to discuss making the bathroomsmore interesting. The committee’s next meeting will be held on January 29at 4:00 p.m.• Policy Committee – Trustee O’Connor reported that the next meeting isscheduled for January 7, 2008, at 8:45 a.m. and there are first readings offour policies on this meeting’s agenda.• Technology Committee – Trustee Resnick reported that the committee meton November 26 and discussed the acceptable use policy for staff andstudents, safety concerns for photos on the district website, studentmanagement software system. The next meeting date is January 14, 2008,at 4:00 p.m. in the Central Office Conference Room.• Early Childhood Committee – Trustee Vanacore reported that the committeemet a week ago and started brainstorming ideas for the Fair that will nolonger be called the Pre-K Fair. The committee is hoping to have aKindergarten Fair with the registration and assessment day on a Saturday inlate March or early April . The next meeting is scheduled for January 8,2008, at 4:00 p.m.• Transportation Department Contract Review & Recommendations – Directorof Transportation, David Moraca reviewed the existing contracts and therelationship between the District and the current contractor. He reported thedifficulties of communication between him and the contracted drivers. Theneed for flexibility with routes during the year was mentioned with solutionsreported. A significant savings for fuel was reported. He provided ananalysis of the contract structure, which included two methods: one serviceprovider vs. multiple service providers and district owned service combinedwith contracted service. Information on bidding procedures and structurewas provided. He recommended that the District is best served by acontract structure of limited district-owned service combined with oneprovider and reviewed the pros and cons of the choices. Mr. Moraca thenresponded to questions from the Board.Trustee Bernholz called for a five-minute break at approximately 8:35 p.m.DISCUSSION ANDPOSSIBLEACTION• Business Reports – District Treasurer Monica Kim reviewed the financialstatements ending November 30, 2007, and thanked Tax Collector MaryHornung for her fabulous job for her first year.

MOTION TOAPPROVEPROGRAM AD INTHE ALL-COUNTYMUSIC FESTIVALPROGRAMMOTION TOAPPROVE SIDELETTER OFAGREEMENT#A121807MOTION TOAPPROVE SIDELETTER OFAGREEMENT#T121807MOTION TOAPPROVE SIDELETTER OFAGREEMENT#N121807MOTION TOAPPROVEAGREEMENTWITH NYSSBAADVISORYSOLUTIONS FORJOB FUNCTIONANALYSISPage 4Trustee Vanacore moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Onteora CentralSchool District that the Board sponsor an 1/8 page ad in the All-County MusicFestival program again this year to read the same as in past years at a cost of $50to be paid from the Sunshine Fund.Trustee Bernholz seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDTrustee Vanacore moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED on recommendation by the Superintendent ofSchools that the Board of Education of the Onteora Central School District herebyapprove the Side Letter of Agreement #A121807 between the Onteora CentralSchool District and the Onteora Administrators Association (OAA) and herebyauthorizes the Superintendent to sign such agreement.Trustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDTrustee O’Connor moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED on recommendation by the Superintendent ofSchools that the Board of Education of the Onteora Central School District herebyapprove the Side Letter of Agreement #T121807 between the Onteora CentralSchool District and the Onteora Teachers Association (OTA) and hereby authorizesthe Superintendent to sign such agreement.Trustee Vanacore seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDTrustee Bernholz moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED on recommendation by the Superintendent ofSchools that the Board of Education of the Onteora Central School District herebyapprove the Side Letter of Agreement #N121807 between the Onteora CentralSchool District and the Onteora Non-Teaching Employees Association (ONTEA)and hereby authorizes the Superintendent to sign such agreement.Trustee Vanacore seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDTrustee Bernholz moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Onteora CentralSchool District upon recommendation by the Superintendent of Schools that anagreement with Advisory Solutions of the New York State School Boards Associationbe entered into for the purpose of reviewing and analyzing the roles and duties of theCentral Office Staff as a job function analysis, a finding of the State Comptroller’saudit, at a cost not to exceed $10,000, and the Superintendent is authorized to signsuch agreement.Trustee Friedel seconded the Motion.Discussion.Roll Call Vote:3 Yes – Trustees Bernholz, Rosenfeld, Wolff4 No – Trustees O’Connor, Vanacore, Resnick, FriedelDEFEATED

PERSONNELMOTION TOAPPOINTCOORDINATORFOR SECTION 504Page 5Trustee Bernholz moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Onteora CentralSchool District upon recommendation by the Superintendent of Schools that thefollowing appointment be approved effective December 19, 2007:Coordinator for 504 Barbara A. Boyce $-0-Trustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDMOTION TOCREATEADMINISTRATIVEPOSITION OFDIRECTOR OFPE/ATHLETICDIRECTOR/HEALTHCOORDINATOR/DEAN OFSTUDENTSPOLICYTrustee Bernholz moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Onteora CentralSchool District upon recommendation by the Superintendent of Schools that thefollowing position be created effective December 19, 2007:ADMINISTRATIVEDirector of Physical Education/Athletic Director/Health Coordinator/Dean ofStudents 1 FTETrustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDFIRST READING OF• #7521 Students with Life Threatening Allergies• #7112 Leaving School Grounds• #1337 Duties of the School Attorney• #7110 Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy – Discussion: change“may” to “must” be reviewed annually by the Board of Education.PERSONNELMOTION TODIRECT MEDICALEXAMINATIONFOR EMPLOYEERESIGNATION(S):INSTRUCTIONALTrustee Rosenfeld moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that employee #2378 is directed to undergo amedical examination pursuant to NYS Civil Service Law Section #72 and theSuperintendent is hereby directed to take the necessary steps to arrange for suchexamination. Employee #2378 shall be placed on paid administrative leavepending receipt of medical determination.Trustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDTrustee Rosenfeld moved to approve the following INSTRUCTIONALRESIGNATIONS:NAME POSITION/SCHOOLEFFECTIVEDATEREMARKSFinnegan, Justin Speech – MS/HS January 1, 2008 PersonalTrustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIED

APPOINTMENTS:INSTRUCTIONALTrustee Rosenfeld moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENTNAME*Felczak,JacquelineCERTIFI-CATIONSpeech AndLanguageDisabilitiesInitialTENUREAREASpeech*pending completion of pre-employment processingPROBA-TIONARYDATES1/2/08 –1/1/11SALARYSTEP1MPage 6REMARKSReplacesJ. FinneganEXTRA DUTY STIPENDSNAME POSITION AMOUNTCastle, Mark School Newspaper – HS $1,108Cook, Debra Student Affairs Council – HS Co-Advisor $870Deak, Elizabeth Musical – Vocal Coach $1,005Gallagher, Michael Elem Rec – PH $3,047Laks, David Elementary Resource (Audio/Visual) – PH $1,826LaMonda, Kevin Elementary Resource (ELA) – PH $1,826Michalicka, Rebecca Junior Class Advisor $2,419Michalicka, Rebecca DECA Asst. Advisor $1,062Miller, John Musical – Orchestra Director $718Seche, Joanne Student Affairs Council – HS Co-Advisor $870PER DIEM SUBSTITUTESNAME CERTIFICATION SALARYBenson, Heather Uncertified Substitute Teacher $80/dayFalzano, Tracey Certified Substitute Teacher $95/dayHardy, Stephanie Certified Substitute Teacher $95/dayKirkpatrick, Julie Certified Substitute Teacher $95/dayMinsky, Julius Certified Substitute Teacher $95/daySobolewski, Jaclyn Home Instruction $32/hourSobolewski, Jaclyn Certified Substitute Teacher $95/dayWalsh, Suzanne Uncertified Substitute Teacher $80/dayWHEREAS, the following employees have been fingerprinted, the fingerprints havebeen submitted to the New York State Education Department (SED) for processingand the District has not received clearance for such employees as of the date of thismeeting;THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of theSuperintendent of Schools, the Board hereby appoints the following instructionalemployees on an emergency conditional basis:PER DIEM SUBSTITUTESNAME CERTIFICATION SALARYArnold-Mays, MaryAnn Certified Substitute School Nurse $95/dayBrown, Valerie Certified Substitute Teacher $95/dayBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such emergency conditional appointments shall becomeconditional appointments upon receipt of State Clearance from SED.Trustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIED

LEAVE(S) OFABSENCE:NON-INSTRUCTIONALPage 7Trustee Rosenfeld moved to approve the following NON-INSTRUCTIONALLEAVES OF ABSENCE:EMPLOYEENUMBEREFFECTIVE DATEFROM – TOREASON#2403 9/1/07 – 12/31/07 Medical – UnpaidMedical Leave#2378 11/27/07 – 11/30/07 Medical – UnpaidMedical Leave#2378 Begins 12/3/07 Administrative – PaidMedical LeaveTrustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDAPPOINTMENTS:NON-INSTRUCTIONALTrustee Rosenfeld moved to approve the following NON-INSTRUCTIONALAPPOINTMENTS:PER DIEM SUBSTITUTESNAME POSITION SALARYGunther, Susanne Substitute Bus Monitor Blended RateGunther, Susanne Substitute Bus Driver Blended RateWHEREAS, the following employees have been fingerprinted, the fingerprints havebeen submitted to the New York State Education Department (SED) for processingand the District has not received clearance for such employees as of the date of thismeeting;THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of theSuperintendent of Schools, the Board hereby appoints the following instructionalemployees on an emergency conditional basis:PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTPOSITION/NAMESCHOOL*Sommer, Nicole School BusDispatcher*pending completion of pre-employment processingSTART SALARY/DATE STEPREMARKS12/26/07 $29,303 New position:Pending examPER DIEM SUBSTITUTESNAME POSITION SALARYMalloy, Alison Substitute Food Service Worker $9/hrMansfield, Barbara Substitute Clerical $9.50/hrBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such emergency conditional appointments shall becomeconditional appointments upon receipt of State Clearance from SED.Trustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDFINAL NYSEDCLEARANCERECEIVEDTrustee Rosenfeld moved to acknowledge that FINAL NYSED CLEARANCE HASBEEN RECEIVED for:NAMEPOSITIONGiuditta, JackSoccer – J.V. (Girls)Hass, Barbara Certified Substitute TeacherHuben Jacobsen, Julia Substitute Teaching Assistant

Ostrander, JoshuaSamodulski, CarolannWhitaker, LouisWhite, KevinFootball – JV – Assistant CoachTrack – Cross Country – AssistantMaintenance MechanicSchool Social Worker - PHPage 8Trustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDFINAL NYSEDCLEARANCEHAS NOT YETBEEN RECEIVEDTrustee Rosenfeld moved to acknowledge that FINAL NYSED CLEARANCE HASNOT YET BEEN RECEIVED for:NAMEArnold-Mays, MaryAnnBrown, ValerieCroswell, DavidD’Aprile, DebraDownes, TroyHyde-Ferris, AdelindaLaBarbera, LauraMalloy, AlisonPerez, BrianPreisendorfer, DianeRussell, AmyStorch, MarkThompson, SarahTurner, RobertVos, ChristineWortman, KarenPOSITIONCertified Substitute School NurseCertified Substitute TeacherPart Time School Bus DriverUncertified Substitute Teaching Assistant & ClericalSoccer – 7/8 grade (Boys)Uncertified Substitute Teaching AssistantUncertified Substitute Teaching Assistant & ClericalSubstitute Food Service WorkerSoccer – J.V. (Boys)Uncertified Substitute Teaching AssistantTypist – Central AdministrationCertified Substitute TeacherUncertified Substitute Teaching AssistantUncertified Substitute Teaching AssistantUncertified Substitute Teacher and Teaching AssistantSubstitute Food Service WorkerTrustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDSALARY CHANGES:INSTRUCTIONALSCHEDULE T 12/07Trustee Rosenfeld moved to approve the following INSTRUCTIONAL SALARYCHANGES for the reasons indicated and effective dates:NAMEMaltese, DeniseSimco, JenniferPOSITION/SCHOOLEnglishTeacherSchoolPsychologistCURRENTSTEPREC’DSTEPEFFECTIVEDATEREASON13M 13M + 6 9/1/07 EducationalIncrement4M 4M +30 9/24/07 EducationalIncrementTrustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDINSTRUCTIONMOTION TOAPPROVE CSE/CPSERECOMMENDATIONS, SCHEDULE U,#12/07 A-121807Trustee Rosenfeld moved to approve the Committee on Special Education(CSE) and Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE)Recommendations, Schedule U, #12/07 A-121807, Confidential, as reviewedby Trustee Wolff.Trustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIED

Page 9BUSINESS ANDFINANCEBUSINESSREPORTSOLD BUSINESSTrustee Rosenfeld moved to approve the following RESOLUTION:BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED on recommendation by the Superintendent ofSchools that the Board of Education of the Onteora Central School District hasreviewed and hereby approves the FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REPORT forDecember 2007 and the following WARRANT:WARRANTS – Schedule C - # 12/07Trustee O’Connor seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDTrustee Vanacore requested that in Policy #7110 Comprehensive StudentAttendance Policy the word “may” be changed to “must”. Board consensus wasreached for this request.Trustee Vanacore requested that a thank you letter on behalf of the board be sentto Kevin Cahill for his help in getting the district extra state funding.Trustee O’Connor requested information of the number of bus runs “east and west”that Rita suggested be provided to the Board. Board consensus was reached forthis request.Trustee O’Connor requested information on overtime for teaching assistants in theelementary schools before a vote Is taken on the transportation contract. Boardconsensus was reached for this request.Trustee Friedel requested opening information about enrichment classes up moreto the community, such as senior citizens, instead of just sending flyers home inreport cards.NEW BUSINESSTrustee Resnick requested information on when the INDIE presentation will bemade.Trustee Wolff requested more information on what BoardDocs will cost the districtvs. what current costs to provide the packets to the Board are as Trustee Friedelrequested at a previous meeting. Board consensus was reached for this request.Trustee Friedel requested information on letters in the Board packet and the statusof the new club starting.Trustee Resnick requested information on the availability of EXCEL Aid for 2008.GOALS UPDATEBOARDMEMBERSREQUEST FORINFORMATIONKSQ Architects will be presenting to the Board in January.The goals action plan will be brought to the Board in January.No requests for information were made at this time.

PUBLICCOMMENT – OpenMicrophoneNo public comments were made at this time.Page 10MOTION TOENTER INTOEXECUTIVESESSIONMOTION TORETURN TOREGULARSESSIONMOTION TOADJOURNTrustee O’Connor moved to enter into EXECUTIVE SESSION at approximately9:34 p.m. to discuss the employment history of a particular person or persons.Trustee Friedel seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDTrustee Rosenfeld moved to return to REGULAR SESSION at approximately10:25 p.m.Trustee Vanacore seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDTrustee Vanacore moved to adjourn at approximately 10:26 p.m.Trustee Bernholz seconded the Motion.7 Yes 0 NoCARRIEDRecorded by:Jeanne ShultisDistrict Clerk______________________________________________________________