Regular Board Meeting
January 8, 2008
|
Members Present: |
Ms. Bowles, Mr. Casey, Mr. DiLallo, Mrs. Grey, Mr. Huff, |
|
Also Present: |
Mrs. DeFeciani, Dr. Dutkowsky,
Mrs. Longhurst, Mr. Melia, |
The Board of Education meeting was called to order at 6 p.m.
MOTION BY Mrs. Grey, seconded by Mrs. Bowles, to move into Executive Session at 6 p.m. to discuss contract matters.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
MOTION BY Mrs. Grey, seconded by Mrs. Bowles, to move into the Regular Board Meeting at 7 p.m.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
Mr. Casey called the Public Meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:04 p.m.
Mr. Casey led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements
Mr. Casey pointed out the exits from the meeting room.
Mr. Casey announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the regular Board meeting to discuss contract matters.
1. ADOPT AN AGENDA
MOTION BY Mrs. Grey, seconded by Mr. DiLallo, to accept this evening’s agenda as presented.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
2. BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMENTS/REPORTS
Mrs. Wiggins wished everyone a Happy New Year and asked everyone to extend their thoughts and prayers to the Haswell Family.
Mr. DiLallo reported that he
attended a recent education conference in
Mr. Casey noted that after the last Board meeting (December 11), he went into the gymnasium for the count of the referendum which passed but was close (23 votes). The plan was to have a December vote before the weather became more unpredictable. He appreciates the almost 3,200 people who came out to vote. Regarding the bond issue, Mr. Casey mentioned that some people wonder what else we do at Shen other than athletics. He reported that the newsletter from the Friends of Music has increased in size. The music program is very strong along with other arts programs.
Mr. Casey announced the Irish Festival which will take place this Friday (January 11) from 8 to 11 a.m. in the satellite cafeteria. All Board members are invited to attend if possible.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
a. Student Senate Report
Shivanthi Narendran and Patrick Maguire were present to report on the Holiday Match program. Their most recent endeavor was very successful and raised over $7,000. The $10,000 goal has been reached for the fourth year in a row.
b. Residents
Mrs. Kathy Ophardt expressed concern regarding the kindergarten class size at Okte. She asked that the Board focus more on academics while working on the budget and make class size a priority. She also had concerns regarding procedures during emergencies. She asked that schools please call more than one emergency contact on a student’s emergency list if the first person cannot be reached.
Densie Barber, a parent and a LOTE teacher in the Middle School, read a letter to the Board explaining her concerns about the proposed removal of the LOTE exploratory program in sixth grade. She believes students will no longer have the ability to make a language choice based on hands-on experience. She asked that
the Board meet with the sixth grade LOTE teachers to give them the opportunity to explain the program. (Mrs. Barber provided a document containing her concerns to each Board member.)
Ms. Mary Blaauboer thanked the Board for the great work the members do for the Shenendehowa community and especially for the children of Shenendehowa. She is concerned about what appears to be a reduction in AIS support in reading at the elementary level. She feels more services need to be available in the elementary schools to prepare students for middle school. She trusts the Board members will consider this as the budget process moves forward.
4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Robinson reviewed the timeline for the hiring process of the elementary principal for Tesago. The final interview is scheduled for January 23 with the candidate of choice being presented to the Board on February 5.
In reference to the referendum
mentioned by Mr. Casey, Dr. Robinson reported that he met with
Dr. Robinson encouraged all Board members to listen to the State of the State Address by Governor Spitzer. He believes there are about 35 issues that will impact State Aid and other initiatives.
Dr. Robinson reported that Mrs. Grey and Mr. Mincher attended the Town Hall meeting with Congresswoman Gillibrand which was very successful and very informative for the young people in attendance. He appreciates the Congresswoman spending time with them.
Dr. Robinson extended condolences to Senator Bruno on the passing of his wife.
5. TENURE RECOMMENDATIONS
|
Name |
Tenure Area |
Date |
Administrator |
|
Kristin Giudici |
Family and Consumer Sciences |
2/6/08 |
K. McDermith |
|
Nancy Arthur |
Elementary Education |
1/17/08 |
D. Price |
|
Matthew Heckman |
Special Education |
1/30/08 |
L. Rutnik |
MOTION BY Mrs. Bowles, seconded by Mr. Huff, to accept the Tenure Recommendations as presented by Dr. Dutkowsky this evening.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
6. INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Internal Audit Report
Mr. Casey commented on Comptroller issues and audits and summaries of audits that are studying what districts are doing regarding finances. Mr. Casey is thrilled that Shenendehowa has moved forward with the internal audit process. He wants to assure the public on behalf of the Board that we are trying to do everything right.
Mr. Huff said this is an education process for all involved. He feels kudos should go out to those involved in reaching out to people and making them understand the need for these requirements.
b. Presentation of New
Courses/Programs
Dr. Snyder described recommendations made by IPAC (Instructional Program Advisor Council) in courses of study for the 2008-2009 school year. The areas presented this evening include:
Restructuring Middle School LOTE (Greg Schaefer, Ken McDermith and Jill Bush)
Science Fiction (Mary Ann Campe and Andrew Cleney)
Freshman Seminar (Dorothy Donlon)
c.
Policy Governance – First
Board members had questions on several of the policies presented. Mr. Longhurst will review the concerns and the policies will be brought back to the Board for a second reading.
7. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Minutes – December 11, 2007
Mrs. Wiggins requestd that that the third sentence in the sixth paragraph
on Page 2 to be changed to read: “Mrs.
Wiggins stated in particular that they were informed that this should not be
the same material as Astroturf.”
MOTION BY Mr. DiLallo, seconded by Mrs. Wiggins, to approve the December 11,
2007, minutes with the revision noted above.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
b. Treasurer’s Reports
MOTION BY Mr. DiLallo, seconded by Mrs. Wiggins, to approve the
Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 2007.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
8. ACTION ITEMS
a. Students
1)
Special Education Student Placement
MOTION BY Mrs. Wiggins, seconded by Mrs. Bowles, that the Board of
Education accept the attached placements and services for the 2007-2008 school
year and the 2008-2009 school year based upon the recommendation of the
District Committee on Special Education, the Committee on Special Education
Subcommittee, and the Committee on Preschool Special Education (a copy of this
document is on file in the official minutes folder).
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
b. Personnel
1)
Staffing
Dr. Dutkowsky reported that Items C.1)c) and D.1)a) are to
be removed from the staffing recommendations.
MOTION BY Mrs. Wiggins, seconded by Mrs. Grey, to accept the staffing
report with the changes noted by Dr. Dutkowsky.
A. RESIGNATIONS
1) Certified
Staff
a) Name: Franklin Rosselli
Position: Community Education
Coordinator
Commencing: January 3, 2008 (end of day)
2) Classified Staff
a) Name: Beth Ann Hoehne
Position: Teacher Aide (Special
Education)
Commencing: January 9, 2008 (end of day)
b) Name: Jennifer McClure
Position: School Monitor
(Elementary Cafeteria)
Commencing: January 4, 2008 (end of day)
c) Name: Maura Robbins
Position: School Monitor
(Elementary Cafeteria)
Commencing: January 8, 2008 (end of day)
B. MODIFY
RESIGNATION
1) Certified
Staff
a) Name: Franklin Rosselli
Tenure Area: Music Education
From
Commencing: January 4, 2008
To
Commencing: January 3, 2008 (end of
day)
C. LEAVE OF ABSENCE
1) Certified Staff
a) Name: Herbert Broome
Tenure
Area: Secondary Science
Reason: Unpaid Personal
Commencing: 01/28/08 – 06/30/08
b) Name: Elizabeth Sansone
Tenure
Area: Elementary Education
Reason: Unpaid FMLA
Commencing: 01/30/08 – 04/02/08
c) Name: Elizabeth
Sansone
Tenure
Area: Elementary Education
Reason: Unpaid Child Rearing
Commencing: 04/03/08 – 04/20/08
2) Classified Staff
b) Name: Mollie Smith
Position: Account Clerk Typist
Commencing: 01/02/08 – 06/30/08
D. EXTEND LEAVE OF ABSENCE
1) Classified Staff
a) Name: Mary
DiMaina
Position: Bus Driver
Reason: Unpaid Personal
Commencing: 01/01/08 – 06/01/08
E. CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT
1) Classified Staff
a) Name: Lori Barnum
Position: School Monitor
(Secondary)
From: 2 ½ hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
To: 3 ¾ hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $15.26/hr. (School
Monitor Schedule, Step 4)
b) Name: Gladys Cuva
Position: Bus Monitor
From: 5 ½ hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
To: 6 hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $16.31/hr. (Bus
Monitor Schedule, Step 8)
c) Name: Marion Hotaling
Position: Bus Monitor
From: 5 ½ hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
To: 6 hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $16.31/hr. (Bus
Monitor Schedule, Step 8)
d) Name: Rose Maloney
Position: Bus Monitor
From: 5 ½ hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
To: 6 hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $16.31/hr. (Bus
Monitor Schedule, Step 8)
F. CHANGE OF
DATE OF EMPLOYMENT
1) Classified
Staff – see attached
a) Name: Thomas Wilary
Position: Bus Driver
From: 5 ½ hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
To: 6 hrs./day, 10
mos./yr.
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $19.87/hr. (Bus Driver
Schedule, Step 3)
G. TERMINATION
1) Classified Staff
a) Name: Nancy Salzman
Position: Bus Driver
Reason: Section 73 Civil Service
Law
Commencing: November 13, 2007 (end of day)
H. APPOINTMENTS - (These
appointments are conditioned on the school district’s receipt of a clearance
for the employee from the State Education Department following a criminal
history records check in accordance with the provisions of Education Law §
3035).
1)
Certified Staff
a) Name: Melanie Baker
Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education
Status: Term
Commencing: 02/12/08 – 06/30/08
Salary: $44,862/yr. (Step 4)
pro rated
2)
Classified Staff
a) Name: Laurie Bailey
Position: School Monitor (Elementary Classroom);
6 ½
hrs./day, 10 mos./yr.
Status: Probationary, Labor
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $14.47/hr. (Elementary
Classroom Aide Schedule,
Step
1)
b) Name: Joan Benedict
Position: Senior Clerk
Commencing: 01/02/08 – 01/25/08
Salary: not to exceed $5,000
c) Name: Haley Buttars
Position: Teacher Aide (Special
Education); 6 hrs./day,
10
mos./yr.
Status: Probationary;
Non-Competitive
Commencing: January 9, 2007
Salary: $15.16/hr. (Special
Education Aide Schedule,
Step
1)
d) Name: Hope Coyle-Meehan
Position: Teacher Aide (Special
Education); 3 hrs./day,
10
mos./yr.
Status: Probationary,
Non-Competitive
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $15.16/hr. (Special Education Aide
Schedule,
Step 1)
e) Name: Lisa DeCelle
Position: School Monitor (Elementary Cafeteria);
2 ½
hrs./day, 10 mos./yr.
Status: Probationary, Labor
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $13.98/hr. (Cafeteria
Monitor Schedule, Step 1)
f) Name: Ann Hartman
Position: Teacher Aide (Special Education); 6 hrs./day,
10
mos./yr.
Status: Probationary, Non-Competitive
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $15.16/hr. (Special Education Aide
Schedule,
Step
1)
g) Name: George Nixon
Position: School Monitor (Secondary); 3 hrs./day,
10
mos./yr.
Status: Probationary, Labor
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $13.98/hr. (School Monitor Schedule, Step
1)
h) Name: Lisa Partlow
Position: Bus Driver; 2 hrs./day,
10 mos./yr.
Status: Probationary, Labor
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $18.14/hr. (School
Buds Driver Schedule, Step 1)
i) Name: Maura Robbins
Position: Teacher Aide (Special
Education); 3 hrs./day,
10
mos./yr.
Status: Probationary, Labor
Commencing: January 9, 2008
Salary: $15.16/hr. (Special Education Aide
Schedule,
Step
1)
j) Name: Mollie Smith